#in particular the final verse is.. too much right now

[doctorwhoisadhd]

kindly tell me a lie / will you look me in the eye and say it'll all be alright in the end? / kindly tell me a lie / will you cross your heart and hope to die, cross your heart and hope to die, cross your heart and hope to die?

[crispywaffles2]

Hi I have a request! How about macaque and wukong (separate) acting over protective after if finding out their (female) s/o is pregnant? And how would they act throughout the whole pregnancy?

Please and thank you!

Hi! Of course I can, thank you so much for requesting! I'm not really versed in this particular field of romance or the struggles that it comes with, so I apologize if a lot of these seem out of character or unbearably tropey!

Overprotective Macaque & Wukong with a Pregnant!S/O

Macaque:

The moment it's revealed that you're pregnant he's tweaking out

He doesn't know how to be a dad what the heck

But he also can't deny that he is kind of excited at the prospect of being able to take care of your child!

Or children?

Oh my gosh what if it's twins-

He's seen mortal babies and toddlers walking about in the streets with their parents, and he's well aware of how.. tiny... and stupid... and vulnerable they are

He never much cared for it, thinking that mortal children were weak for not immediately coming into the world with powers or some sense of right and wrong

But it's different with his child! He can't let the tiny, stupid, vulnerable kid in your stomach get hurt!

Rest assured that he's rearranging furniture to make it easier for you to maneuver around

He insists on going out with you everywhere, and if you were to ever voice that you were getting tired of it, then he'd eventually relent...

Maybe send a clone or two to watch you in the shadows without your knowledge, but other than that he'll leave you alone!

He will glare at anyone who's eyes linger on your growing belly bump for too long, giving them a silent warning not to come to close

He'll throw down his cape over a small puddle, gesturing for you to safely cross. He says it's a joke, but really he wants to look like a gentleman in front of you

Despite his overprotective nature, he will not fulfill your cravings without question

"A what?? Why on Earth would our baby need to eat that?? They probably don't even like it!"

Other than your strange food requests, he's happy, eager even to help fulfill anything else

Worried about the stretch marks forming in your stomach? He'll tell you about how they remind him of battle scars and shows off his scars to you to make you feel better

"See? We're both warriors."

In pain from bad cramps? He's secretly panicking and making bad jokes while tending to you because he's nervous.

Stays by your side all the time just in case you start feeling pain. He wants to be there for you

Secretly reads books and looks up videos for first time dads when he thinks no one is looking

He's a warrior! A master of the shadows!

Sly, cunning, teasing, playful, sure!

But a father?

He couldn't even picture himself holding a baby

When the delivery finally happens he is such a Karen

Might as well hire him as a doctor, considering how he practically tried to deliver the baby himself

Eventually though he composes himself and stands in the corner fidgeting nervously

He's never been one to cry, not even in his brotherhood days, but the tears that welled up in his eyes when he held your child couldn't be helped

Instinctively starts trying to groom the baby

It's all over now. You're not pregnant, and the baby is finally here

He's still pretty protective of you, and his child even moreso

All that he could think as he looked into the eyes of your writhing, still slightly damp, baby was those nine months of making frankly disgusting foods were worth it

Wukong:

Absolutely flips when the bomb is dropped that you're pregnant

He genuinely doesn't know what to do

He's not sure if he should be excited that he's going to be a dad or worried that he's going to be a dad

We all know Wukong is protective of those he loves and carries a guilty conscience about including them in his messes

He knows that pretending he knows what he's doing won't get him out of every situation. He knows how many messes he pulls people into. He knows that his lingering 'do now ask questions later' mentality can put those he loves in danger

And now he has a baby too??

It takes a bit, but he eventually starts to warm up to the idea

He's the monkey king! And he'll teach his child to be better than him. Stronger, smarter! Well, not that much stronger because then he wouldn't really hold the crown the one of the strongest beings and he would not be able to handle that

Still though, he'll raise this baby and change his ways doing so

He's cartwheeling all over the place after a while just from pure excitement

Trust and believe this man is NOT reading any baby books or watching any videos. He doesn't need some mortal telling him how to raise his kid. He's the Great Sage

Whether that's a good or bad thing is up to interpretation

He'll rant to his monkeys about all of the things he'll teach the child, and he does it with so much excitement that even they get pumped up

Will try to speculate it's gender and appearance with you

"Maybe it'll have your pretty eyes and my handsome jawline! Or maybe it'll have your hair and a little tail like it's dad!"

Makes little baby toys out of sticks and leafs

He is actually super overprotective of you, but tries to pretend he's just being casual

"Where are you going? Not that I care or anything... You're trying to go to the store?? Babe, you should totally just.. stay here with me. I can make one of my clones do the shopping."

Will furiously stammer and insist that he's not worried about you if you ask

He knows you can handle yourself! It's just... You're all pregnant and vulnerable and round and he's such a worrywart about you!

He thinks that if anything even gently bumps your tummy the baby won't grow or something, so he's constantly paranoid

Rearranges furniture so it's easier for you to get around

He even cleans up just to lighten your load a bit! He must really love you!

He's actually super eager about people looking at your belly bump in public and will absolutely go off on a tangent about how his beautiful partner is about to have a beautiful baby and it's going to be beautiful

But if someone gets a little too close to you he will not hesitate to push them down or maybe accidentally give them a broken wrist if they reach out to touch your stomach

Is confused about why everyone isn't literally bowing to you while you're walking the streets

Genuinely got upset when you two were walking through a crowd and he had to hold you because people wouldn't just part for the pregnant woman walking through

"What?? Ten dollars for this? You do know my partner is pregnant right? This should be free for her! Everyday is a struggle for her! You'd have no idea what she's been through and you're charging her ten dollars-"

He's an absolute Karen

Suggests putting a pillow over your stomach

"That way you won't bump into anything and our child can be cozy!"

Because Wukong is an absolute hazard in the kitchen, he's concocted a crazy amount of different foods

He has no problem fulfilling your strange food requests and even eats them with you

"Oh my goodness! I love crab cakes with syrup!! I'll make some for both of us bud."

Has like three different emergency plans for when you're in pain

The moment you lurch forward or let out a groan he's on it

With a snap of his fingers his monkeys are all marching over to help you sit down in a single file line

He sits there and soothes you as best as he can while his monkeys scamper around trying to get anything you request

When it's finally time Wukong is genuinely confused, thinking that it's just contractions or something, but you keep yelling at him and saying "IT'S TIME!!"

Time for what?? Lunch or...?

Thinking the baby is talking to him through you, he hoists you up on his somersault cloud and zips off

When the doctor gives him a strange look and tells him you're just about to have your baby he freaks out

He tries to help in any way he can, holding your hand, breathing with you

Offers to help with the delivery of the baby

"Oh, looks like it's a bit stuck. Need a little help there bud?"

Losing his mind in the corner of the room but trying to play it cool for you and the doctors.

"Why is it slimy?" Are quite literally the first words that come out of his mouth when the baby is delivered

When he finally has his child in his arms he's all over it

Kisses, cooing, holding, hugging or even just staring at it

He may not know much about being a father, but he will try his best to teach his child not to go down the path he did because he already loves it to the moon and back

[decafbat]

i really like how much depth your art has, do you think you could show how you break down bodies when sketching if that makes sense? it’s something i struggle with a lot in my art! ｡ﾟ(ﾟ´ω`ﾟ)ﾟ｡

ok apologies in advance, this is probably going to be a really long and tangential rant about art that may or may not actually help you in learning how to construct bodies. im just gonna put it under a cut to save everyone from seeing this huge text wall.

i dont think its gonna be possible for you to replicate my methods here, because theyre mostly just really specific shortcuts for finding certain proportions and reference points for anatomy, which i'm fairly versed in, but not as much as i'd like to be. the shortcuts you'll need will be different from mine. im glad you think my art has depth, that is something i am trying to seek very intentionally right now, and i dont think im even close to the depth of form i am actually aiming for. so like. this makes making a tutorial kind of inherently hard. nevertheless, i threw this quick sketch together after like 3 failed attempts. (i was doing those attempts digitally, ended up giving up on that and going back to traditional because its what im most comfortable with rn)

i didnt get all the steps i took to get here because scanning that much would be cumbersome but ill try to explain how i got here. i start with the head almost every time.

i use a lot of symbolic/graphic shapes when drawing heads and dont stick to using forms very often besides the circle at the center of the head, which i use as the base to form these graphic shapes around. think of it like "wrapping" the ball in various textures and masses. the eyes are usually "textured" onto the head, notice how the her left eye looks narrower then her right. of course i try to make sure her bangs sit along the curve of the sphere and her ears look like they sit on opposite sides of the head. its easy to forget that part, making the head look unsymmetrical. the particular masses of leica's head would be her snout, which is just a curve extended slightly outside the diameter of the ball, and her hair, which are two strange organic shapes that are quite hard to draw, two hair sprig anime antennae things (forgive me, i forgot the word for them,) and the back of the head, which i usually need to extend slightly. its a little too extended here, needs more on the top, i fix this in the final pass. this was a quick sketch, so i didnt focus too hard on the forms of the head beyond the most essential ones for her design, but i sometimes highlight the form of cheeks with curved hatching, or try to make the eyes appear more sunken-in as they are on human faces. i dont know how to proportion the neck and torso correctly until i draw the head, so i always do it first. next, i did the torso.

so heres why i said that you probably wont be able to replicate this approach. you do kind of just have to practice anatomy, i cant just make it make sense because im not very good at explaining this stuff, but ill try to go through what i did here. so, i generally use simplified bone shapes to find proportions and reference points, as well as more complicated shapes like those of elbows and knees. i try to study fairly often because im not satisfied with here im at with this stuff yet. of course, i dont think i'll ever be. so i'll usually start with the ribcage, add a shoulderblade out the back to find the shoulder, the armbones come out of that, the bone in the upper arm connects to the ulna with a sort of three-pronged attachment, one big knurl in the middle, which forms the thrust of the elbow, two little ones on the side. i think those are part of the ulna but i dont remember. see, you dont really have to know what exactly they do as long as you know what they look like. the ulna does some goofy rotation shit i dont understand, connects to the wrist, and then we have a hand, which, i mean, im not good enough at hands to even be telling you how to do it, but i just have a big squarish mass and some little hotdog fingers coming out of that. you can see on her left hand that ill have a big circle forming the the area on the hand where the thumb attaches... theres more depth to the hands, i think you can easily find better tutorials then i could offer. anyway, under the ribcage theres the pelvis, represented with a box. ill get into that when i talk about the legs. i wanna briefly talk about the way i add the flesh and fat to the bones.

so, i really can't give a comprehensive crash course on anatomy, but i can point you towards the morpho series, which is where i get most of this stuff from. you can get very far with the volumes Simplified Forms, Fat and Skin, and Skeleton and Bone Reference Points. moving on, i just kind of have a feel for where the masses attach by now. the important thing to remember when drawing fat characters like this is that the fat should "hang" from the bones and flesh, drooping down slightly. leicas fat hangs substantially, so she's not very wide despite her weight. this is important to her character design i feel. i almost always draw characters naked first when doing serious drawings because it will come in handy knowing where the forms of the body are when i add the clothing. by focusing on the way her body looks naked, i can modify the impression of those forms when adding clothes, and when i add them later on in this drawing, leica will take on the distinctive boxy look i try to draw her with.

if you look at the arm, youll see that the place the line of bone sits is very high compared to the whole mass of the arm, the flesh and fat of the arm "hang" from the bone, and then the upper arm squishes against the bent forearm too. even if the anatomy in the arm is indistinct, it can still look convincing when the forms act realistically against one another. the elbow has much less fat connected to it, so its more bony then the rest. this isnt actually consistent on all people so like, think about that kind of thing when designing characters, like i was talking about before, fat can sit in infinite different ways. maybe if i was doing a more objective anatomy lesson i'd draw cath, because i do have a sort of vague understanding of muscle placement that doesnt come through here, but probably would if i was drawing a scrawnier character. let me know if you want that.

a word on the breasts too: they hang a bit lower then you'd expect, keep that in mind. the attachment point is also angled, as the line shows. the line starts roughly in the middle of the torso and ends around the armpit, but the form of the breast can go underneath the armpit or even connect around the fold of fat in the back. many things to think about. i love boob shapes. ok lets finally get on with it and talk about the legs.

so, the really specific shape of the pelvis doesnt matter that much unless youre drawing a really thin character, so its just a box here. out from the sides of the pelvis, extending out more then you'd expect, is the femur, which ends in a similar joint to the arm. this shape helps me figure out the form of the knee. two masses on each side with a bunch of complex and weirdly shaped bones forming the kneecap, which i have omitted because i dont yet know shit enough to include them. i am learning though. so, obviously the feet are just scribbles here because im just gonna put her feet in socks anyway. you really dont have to do more then you have to. a few tips i can offer here, the butt should hang a bit too when drawing fat characters, i think the butt is supposed to start just below the pelvis if i remember, but take that with a grain of salt. i also didnt really do that here but its hard to tell because she's facing mostly forward. again, i dont think i can really communicate what's going on here. morpho has a lot of great drawings explaining the shapes and muscles of the legs, all things i might focus on more when drawing a scrawnier character. for this case, i regrettably don't go too hard on the legs. also i should note that legs would usually be much longer, leica is really short so ive exaggerated the proportions to communicate that. i may change my mind on that front in the future and give her more grounded proportions. the important thing to remember with legs is just getting a nice hierarchy of forms going. bigger thigh going into smaller calf going into smaller foot. it mostly comes automatically now.

i added the clothing, shaped up her head a bit, added a bit of fur. i put her in her classic outfit, just a sweater and jeans. i enjoy the big thick folds that come out of these clothes, and big areas of white space too. its nice. i try my best to form all the folds around the forms of the body i drew earlier. thats one case where i really really have no idea what im doing and could never explain it in words. its just some fun intuitive play with loops and lines. this is at around the stage for a sketch where i'd do inks, or if it was going to be a finished pencil drawing i'd erase out parts piece by piece and replace them with nicer and more defined lines and tones.

i guess that's all i can offer , i hope that halped.

[absolutebl]

This Week in BL - I Gave a 10/10 to a BL... me!

Organized, in each category, by ones I'm enjoying most at the top.

Nov 2023 Wk 3

Ongoing Series - Thai

My Dear Gangster Oppa (Thurs iQIYI) ep 4 of 8 - I love this show. I adore Tew's the simple backstory. No frills. No fuss. He got dragged in the way many do and he can kill so they kept him. They aren’t trying to make it needlessly complicated (which is rare for Thailand). That said, the pacing is way tf off, the emotional arc is rushed and then sappy out of absolutely nowhere. Before you ask, the kiss is not at issue, we halfway through they should be kissing, but the romantic life changes - too soon. But I don’t care. Finally, they left us this ep reminded of 2 v important things,

this pair kisses beautifully

in BL all mafia be gay

Fun fun!

Last Twilight (Fri YT) ep 2 of 12 - It's official, I love this. It’s a classic caregiver/bodyguard trope where one of them is opening the other one up to the world, but sweetly. I’m enjoying the softness of JimmySea's take and I hope GMM TV takes its cues from the success of My School President and doesn’t push this particular show into rough or edgy territory. Stay on target GMMTV. Don't mess with my bias again!

Twins the series (Fri GaGa) ep 3 of 10 - Finally, our adorable side couple has emerged! This show remains engaging without losing pace (despite the main couple being slow burn), which is all I want from a Thai pulp, and more I could ask for currently from a sports BL. 

(Note: when I dictate the computer always puts "Thai pope" instead of Thai pulp - this is hilarious to me.)

Pit Babe (Fri iQIYI) ep 1 of 14 - I guess they didn’t strip the omegaverse out of this. Unfortunately, I’m not an omegaverse fan, so I find its presence extremely off putting. (But it’s kind of amazing that somebody finally put one on our screen.) Unsurprisingly, it’s a lot of alpha posturing and hyper masculinity, because that’s what this kind of worldbuilding is an excuse for (lazy writing and lazier characterization). This means I don’t like Babe AT ALL except that he’s smell orientated and a bit verse. Way is lovely tho, because Nut is a great soft screen presence amongst the testosterone haze. 

Middleman’s Love (Fri YT & iQIYI ep 2 of 8 - I’m not gonna lie (when have I ever bothered to lie to you all?) I’m struggling with this show. The sound effects are getting worse. That is not allowed. Still I found this installment slightly more bearable than the last last, probably because there was more of the cast in play and less of Jade being too cringe to live. 

Absolute Zero (Weds iQIYI) ep 8 of 12 - AKA temporal paradox of pain.

My Universe (Sun iQIYI) Friends Forever ep 13 of 24 - Ooo it’s a bit of a teacher/student (coach/player) thing. Linguistic negotiation and kinkification of phi. Also actually kinky. But not consensually. Gonna get dark. Bummer. 

Playboyy (Thurs Gaga) 1 of 14(!) eps - Whines. Must I? Gaga doesn’t have a skip ahead button. Sad sack main characters really do not work for me. But this was better than I expected. I wasn’t expecting much. 

Look: This is helmed by Cheewin (shudder) with screenplay by Den (Only Friends - shudder the second) under Copy A Bangkok (they deserve not my shuddders). It's gonna be a shizz show people. It's Thai dark War of Y style - my least favorites. Apparently, there is meant to be a "plot" but when has Cheewin ever bothered with plot?

On a completely different note does the blond look like that Korean actor/idol from At a Distance Spring is Green & Wanna One to anyone else? Or is it just me? (Park Ji Hoon)

Ongoing Series - Not Thai

A Breeze of Love (Korea iQIYI) eps 3-4 of 8 - I like it a lot. Dongwook is so obtuse and socially awkward and reserved and needy and Dohyun is so gay over and simultaneously wildly confused by this behavior. Fantastic. A bit stiff, even for Korea, btu I'm okay with it since everything else I'm watching right now is decidedly NOT stiff.

I finished it!

Let's Eat Together Aki and Haru AKA Aki wa Haru to Gohan wo - Japan BL movie 1.5 hr

Best friends life together during university - cheerful sunshine loves to cook, grumpy tsundere loves to eat. Aki is a bit manic pixie dream boy for me (not my favorite archetype) but they’re cute and it’s one of those Japanese slice of life pieces like Our Dining Table that isn’t really a romance in fact it’s barely a drama. This isn’t friends to lovers because they’re basically already in a relationship (which everyone around them knows) they just aren’t fucking. I did spend a lot of time worrying that they weren’t eating any green things whatsoever. In the end this isn’t my thing when there’s no kissing at all, and this was a bit too dull even for JBL. Sorry Japan, one cannot trade on cute and cheese alone. I know, you want to. But that's not a BL or a personality. 6/10 

I Cannot Reach You AKA I Can't Reach You AKA Kimi ni wa Todokanai (Japan, maybe coming to Netflix) 8 eps - This classic friends-to-lovers BL is everything Japan does best. Angsty. Emo. Aching. Driven by real thirst. Yamato is deeply in love with his childhood bestie, Kakeru, and has been for ages, unable to hide his ungainly damaging high school need. He wants Kakeru in every way possible and it oozes off of the screen. Kakeru is silly and a little simple, but not frenetic or overly camp about it. He is earnest, and genuinely wants to keep Yamato in his life which means giving a romance (and gayness) a fair chance. We watch him realize his affection and what form it can take in a truly authentic way. This show was impossibly kind to both of its lead characters and I felt honored that I got to watch something so lovely and rare play out on my screen.

I LOVE LOVE LOVED THIS. IT'S SO GOOD.

10/10

Let me be perfectly clear: I have watched 646 BLs and only handed out nine 10/10s.

I talk more about why this one made the cut, here.

It's Airing But...

One Room Angel (Japan Gaga) 6 eps - adaptation of Harada’s manga (which I did not like) about a clerk who's stabbed, nearly dies, and returns home to find an angel waiting for him. With only 5 eps and a good chance this won’t end happy, I'm gonna wait and let you tell me how it goes.

SHADOW (Thai Gaga) 14 eps - I'm not wild about Thai horror (or horror at all) even one featuring Singto and Fluke. I'm holding off on this one and if told it's good I'll binge later.

Beyond The Star (Weds iQIYI) 8 eps - House of Stars meets Boyband. I was NOT impressed. Waiting to be told if I should bother.

What Did You Eat Yesterday Season 2 AKA Kinou Nani Tabeta? Season 2 (Japan Gaga) 10 eps - I find this series more fun to binge, so I'm waiting until it completes its run.

Next Week Looks Like This

STARTING

11/20 Bake Me Please (Mon Gaga) ep 1 of 6 - trailer here, stars Ohm (of OhmFluke) opposite Guide (bestie from IFYLITA). This looks like an actually gay version of Antique Bakery (play it again, BL). I'm intrigued, it looks HELLA pretty.

11/22 7 Days Before Valentine (Weds ????) ep 1 of 10 - trailer here, horror-esk. Adapted from y-novel of the same name, directed by Tu (180 Degree) stars Jet (Why You… Y Me?). When you want your old love again, but fate sends you a reaper instead. All he can do for you is kill people. I'll likely give this a pass and wait to binge if safe.

11/24 VIP Only (Taiwan Fri Gaga) ep 1 of 10 - Screenplay by Lin Pei Yu (WBL) about a chef who courts a shy writer with spicy beef noodles.

11/25 The Sign (Sat ????) ep 1 of 10 - trailer here, horror-esk, but with a suspense and adult characters. Special investigators who loved each other in previous lives reunite in new bodies. Stars Billy Patchanon (BillySeng) & Babe Tanatat (new). Includes other SCOY favorites as a special investigation team. I may give this a try (depending on distribution) because I'm into the non-horror bits.

11/26 The Whisperer (Sun ????) 1 of 10 - trailer here. Thai horror BL that ALSO involves cheating (what joy is mine). He has dimples (My Ride) but I don't think even that gives me the will. You can tell me how this goes.

11/26 Cooking Crush (Sun YT) 1 of 12 - OffGun are back, trailer here. Adapted from the novel “Love Course! เสื้อกาวน์รุกเสื้อกุ๊กรับ” by iJune4S this is about Prem who runs a not-so-popular restaurant with 2 friends. About to go on a cooking competition with a huge reward, Prem gets involved with Ten, a stressed-out med student who wants Prem to teach him to cook.

Still Coming November BL

11/30 For Him (Thurs ????) ep 1 of 10 - high heat trailer, I suspect iQIYI will scoop this one up. From the people who brought us Unforgotten Night (please no) based on a y-novel, man nursing a heartbreak has a one-night stand, but the other boy didn't want it to end. It looks terribly trashy so I'm in! Maybe I'll do a trash watch?

Nov 2023 line up with screen caps here. Not kept updated.

Original 2023 forthcoming BL master post (see comments, some are inaccurate, NOT KEPT UPDATED).

THIS WEEK’S BEST MOMENTS

To be fair this was last week but I did get the screen shot until now. (You are Mine)

I Cannot Reach You serving all Japan's favorite tropes plus some very un-Japan decent kisses.

(Last week)

[honeyflower-bellybower]

Poet Remus AU, Part 2

Sirius has never cared much for literature. Of course he's not ignorant in the field. He's read centuries of authors under severe scrutiny of his preceptor, and he's studied their lives and work. He's been taught to analyze, memorize, interpret. He can read Virgil in Latin, recite Dante by heart in Italian, discuss Voltaire in perfect French. But though he's never hated it exactly, he's never taken any particular interest in it either. He tends to find it either arrogant or boring. He rarely does any reading for personal enjoyment. In addition, Orion Black is famously passionate about the subject, and that's enough to provoke Sirius' scorn.

He keeps himself as separate from that environment as possible; he doesn't frequent any salons and avoids members of literary societies like the plague. That would be why he's never heard of that name before, Lupin, and the supposedly scandalous collection to his name. So, when it comes to gathering more information about the mysterious poet, all he can do is ask someone trusted.

Alright, perhaps trusted is not the right word to define his brother. But Sirius at least trusts that if anyone he can talk to would know about the latest developments in the penmanship trade, that's Regulus. Plus, Regulus wouldn't go telling their parents, at least not without reason. He tries to avoid altercation with them as much as possible; in fact, he mostly doesn't speak to them at all unless required to.

Sure enough, Sirius finds Regulus in the library, flicking distractedly through a gold-bound tome. The Bible.

"So, little brother. Have you finally decided to don the cloth then? Mother will be delighted."

The youngest Black brother looks up, mildly annoyed, and closes the book.

"You would be surprised, Sirius, that when you can read a good book is just a good book."

Sirius snorts and raises his hands. "Didn’t mean to insult your novel, there. Actually, I came to you for that exactly."

"Learning how to read?"

"Close. Reading advice."

"You want a book? Not as burning paper or door holder?"

"Very funny. But yes, darling brother. I’ve been thinking, you know, I might use some more… awareness, of our times. What’s brewing in this young century’s bright minds?"

Regulus' eyebrows twitch, unimpressed. "Mh, and what brought about such deep reflection? I thought you only cared you your bright mind."

"Why, thanks, little brother. I am bright. But, you see, even the brightest stars need the moon to make a night really shine. I need inspiration. New fuel. Where else would I get my brilliant ideas?"

Sirius can see it in his eyes, now, in his grimace, that Regulus is thinking of some of those most recent ideas. The practical jokes, the exuberant gestures. 'The ways he puts himself in ridicule', how his mother would put it.

"Oh, come on, Reggie. Anything interesting on the scene? What’s the latest phenomenon?"

Regulus sighs, but gets up from his armchair and walks to the shelves, contemplating. "…I would suggest Shelley’s A Defence of Poetry, but I suppose that’s a bit weighty for someone who’s never read a verse in their life. Moore is delightfully witty, but maybe too witty. Only for a sharp mind, I fear." Sirius bites his tongue. Oh, he sees what he’s doing. "If you’re after the latest phenomenon, you can’t go wrong with the Lake Poets. Don Juan is causing quite the stir—it’s scandalous, you should like it. Or perhaps something from Wordsworth or Coleridge, if you lean towards the sublime. Do you know the word?"

Sirius plasters a venomous smile on his face and plops in Regulus’ chair. "Dear, Reggie, did you have that prepared?"

"It just comes naturally."

Sirius flicks his hair over his shoulder. "Actually, I was looking for something more… particular. I’ve heard there’s been some ruffled feathers over of a very recent publishment. A poet, perhaps? Sound any bells?"

Regulus narrows his eyes. "…If you already know what you’re asking, Sirius, why don’t you just ask?"

"I want to read Lupin’s Moonlights. And his most recent work, whatever that happens to be."

Regulus’ eyes go wide in recognition. Then he scoffs. "So like you to only pick up a book to unnerve Mother and Father. Do you even know anything about him other than his reputation?"

"He has a reputation?"

Regulus shakes his head and sighs, as if disappointed in himself for even being surprised. "Remus Lupin has been the biggest controversy in clubs since Byron. Two years ago he published his poems, the Moonlights, under Dumbledore Publishing, and the company was nearly shut down because of it. There was talk of legal action, but in the end it was deemed acceptable, by narrow margin. Rumor had it the Chancellor’s wife was so fond of the poems he let the matter fall."

Sirius is enraptured. "But why? What was in them?"

"Oh, everything. For one, it’s clear as daylight that Lupin is an atheist. There’s nothing explicitly against religion, of course, but it’s obvious enough to anyone capable of critical reading. That, I believe, was what caused the major uproar. Churchmen were absolutely livid. But that's just scratching the surface. It’s seditious to the point of being anarchic. Not outright, mind you, but it might as well be. And to cap it all off, it’s rife with licentious imagery. Though, oddly enough, no one was particularly bothered about that."

At this point, Sirius can practically feel his hands spasming with want to read it. He's leaning so far forward he's barely sitting on the chair anymore. "How did it get published then? How did it not get banned?"

Regulus is infinitely relaxed as he states, "it’s good."

"That’s it? It’s good?"

"Correct. It’s so good everyone loved it. Only some people hated that they did. For every Count demanding suppression, a Countess was requesting a personal copy—and one for her friend. For every bishop warning his flock against it, a John Mill wrote an article on how everyone ought to read it. It was the bestselling publication of its year for Dumbledore and it even made it beyond England. The French adored it, as they do anything scandalous. Italians, too, though I believe mostly the poets. The rest can barely read."

Sirius feels astonished. This sounds false. Like an impossible story, a fiction. "Have you read it?" he asks, quietly.

Regulus is silent for a moment. Then, he moves to the far end of the library, towards his own desk, covered in papers and books. He opens a drawer, takes out a pile of journals, an ink box, an old newspaper, and finally, a small hardcover book. Regulus hands it to him. On the cover, purplish tinged leather, was printed a thin circle surrounded by tiny, black stars. At the top it said, in elegant, tall letters, The Moonlights, R. J. Lupin.

Sirius takes it reverently. He feels a hand over it, then looks at Regulus for confirmation before opening it. It's rare for them to share anything, and he can tell Regulus really loves this book. It's well kept, but it has clearly been read many times. The spine is wrinkly, though not cracked, because his brother is far too gentle to crack his books open. The pages are softened by frequent touch. Most importantly though, Regulus has written on them. Sirius knows Regulus hates 'ruining' his books. He likes them to stay pristine, as he’s found them. But sometimes he just can't help himself. He's a creative, even though he tries not to be. That’s why he fills all those 'journals', which Sirius is sure contain much more composition than actual information. When he reads something he really, really likes, and he has so much to say about it but no one to talk to, he starts annotating. Underlining. Commenting. This book is filled with comments.

"Blimey," Sirius whispers. "You loved it, didn’t you?"

"I told you," Regulus says. "Everyone loved it."

Read part 1 here

yeyy told you I was cooking! Actually I cooked a LOT more than this and I think I'll be posting little episodes like this as often as possible. I have the general drafts but I need time to write them out prettily hehe. Anyway, REGGIE IS HERE! I love him.

[pardonmydelays]

10 twenty one pilots songs you relate to?

i love this question so much, because their music means the world to me actually. i could list waaaaaay more than ten, but i decided to pick the most interesting ones because i really wanna talk about it. in no particular order (also, those are not exactly my favourite songs, although some of them are, just the ones i relate to the most at the moment for totally different reasons).

FOREST

i think this will always be the song i relate to the most, especially the bridge, because even now after all those years of listening to it i still get shivers every single time i hear "my treehouse is on fire and for some reason i smell gas on my hands" (it's so relatable it scares me to death). might be my favourite metaphor ever. the entire song is super important to me and hearing this live is going to fix me for sure.

SCREEN

super underrated song. i cried to this one so many times. cause "i'm standing in front of you, i'm trying to be so cool" and "while you're doing fine there's some people and i who have a really tough time getting through this life so excuse us while we sing to the sky" and also "we're broken people". do i need to say more?

NAVIGATING

EVERYBODY SHOCKED. no but truly, i feel like i can relate to pretty much everything here, "this haze around my face makes me feel all alone" (i very often say that living with depression is kinda like seeing everything that happens around you through haze and i believe this is exactly what tyler meant here), "navigating my head" is pretty much what i do all the fucking time and also "trying to hold on to you cause everybody leaves". yeah. i like navigating by twenty one pilots.

LEAVE THE CITY

i am mostly talking about the last verse that goes "last year i needed change of pace, couldn't take the pace of change moving hastily, but this year, though i'm far from home in trench i'm not alone, these faces facin' me, they know what i mean" - this song is about the skeleton clique to me. after years of listening to twenty one pilots i finally decided to join the fandom and that was the best decision in my life. these people are everything to me now. in trench we're not alone, am i right?

CAR RADIO

i think i already mentioned somewhere that i can relate to this song because i, too, think that "sometimes quiet is violent". turning on the music just to silence all those fucking voices in your head. yes tyler, i get it.

AIR CATCHER

i hate to admit it but yes, i do relate to this one a lot. come on. "i think you would beat the moon in a pretty contest", but "i'm not sure i want to give you tools that can destroy my heart". literally every single time i have a crush on someone this is all i can think of. you're the prettiest person ever, but i'm so scared of having my heart broken again i'm not even gonna try to talk to you lmao.

ISLE OF FLIGHTLESS BIRDS

literally the entire second verse, i believe bel already mentioned that. cause all we are is an isle of flightless birds... also, "please think about why you can't sleep in the evening and please don't be afraid of what your soul is really thinking". tyler joseph, the fucking poet that you are.

LOVELY

oh god, i fucking love this song, especially the alternate version (this is actually the only one i listen to these days). "i'll pray that one day you'll see the only difference between life and dying is one is trying, that's all we're called to do, so try to love me and i'll try to save you" - this is basically everything i want to say to my friends when they are struggling with depression. my friends are the most important to me. and even when i feel suicidal sometimes i just want to yell at them: "won't you stay alive? i'll take you on a ride?? i will make you believe you are lovely???". so, yeah. i dedicate this song to my frens. i know it's hard, but stay alive, guys. stay alive, for me.

MIDWEST INDIGO

look, i know i am not from ohio, but this song reminds me of my hometown so much it's almost funny. especially the line "you make me sad and second guess myself, you can be so cold". for someone who has a love-hate relationship with their hometown i must say this is the song that kinda made me... accept things as they are? i don't know how to explain it. but yeah. midwest indigo is a love letter to my hometown for sure.

STRESSED OUT

we all relate to this one. you guys are just cowards and you don't want to admit that it's a great song.

HONORABLE MENTION: LAVISH

because i, too, sip a capri sun like it's dom perignon.

[gloomysoup]

another edition to the nickelback chronicles, brought to you by my missing chad kroeger hours (i promise i'm bringing you other content soon). this is also set in the secrets universe, so i think that's just what these are gonna be from now on. oh, and the song today is far away from all the right reasons (2005). enjoy !

when eddie left, he knew he was going to write a song. well, he knew he was going to write a lot of songs, but he had one in particular brewing in his brain. It would be a slow ballad; something dedicated to steve just like everything else he wrote in those days after leaving. this song was a little different though. this one took him months to finish, which wasn't like any of the other songs he'd written to that point. he wanted to apologize. he wanted steve to know how sorry he was, how much he loved him. it took him a long time to find the right words. the melody came easily, strumming chords on the beat-up old acoustic in the back of the van while one of the others drove for a while.

when the song was finally released, eddie took a chance. he didn't send it to steve directly. he didn't think he deserved to do that, since he's the one that walked away. he sent it to wayne, hoping maybe he could get it to steve, or anyone. he sent it to dustin too, with slightly less hope in him. he knew he didn't deserve anything from them. he wouldn't have blamed anyone if they ignored him.

he never knows if anything came of it. he just goes about his career like it was nothing, like he wasn't putting his entire heart out there for everyone to hear. part of him could never let it go. he needed steve to hear the words, even if he wasn't actually there. they put it on the setlist of almost every tour. eddie fights tears every time, wanting nothing more than to go back to steve. maybe that's why he wrote the second verse of that song, promising to give it all up just to hold steve one last time.

he didn't know that steve listened to that song all the time. every day. later in his pregnancy with their pups, he would sit on the living room floor while robin was out and play the song over and over. the tears always roll down his face as he listens to eddie singing through the speakers, singing to him about their love and how much he misses him. and every time, without fail, the twins follow the sound. they move and kick and push to get closer. after their born, steve stills plays it. it always calmed them down when nothing else worked. as toddlers, he'd sing it or play it when they had nightmares, or weren't feeling well. it was a comfort for them, and for steve. he always told them their dad wrote it for them, even though eddie didn't even know they existed.

when eddie comes back, when he learns that he has pups, when he and steve finally work things out, steve still doesn't tell him about the song. he tries to stop playing it. he doesn't want eddie to know, but he doesn't really know why. it shouldn't be a secret, but for some reason, he keeps it that way. but that all changes early one morning, when gracie crawls into their bed with a stomach ache and a fever. it's around 3am, and she creeps into their room on quiet feet. she climbs in on steve's side, and then crawls over him to get to the middle. she burrows into his chest, her little face pressed into his neck. it wakes steve up. he asks what's wrong, and then he notices the tear tracks on her pale cheeks.

"gracie, baby, what's wrong?" he asks softly, thumbing away her tears and brushing back her sweat-soaked curls. her face was burning up.

"don't feel good," she murmured, pressing herself deeper into steve's chest.

"i'm sorry, honey." he wrapped his arms tightly around her and kissed the top of her head.

eddie groaned softly beside them, his eyes fluttering open. "wh's goin' on?" he muttered hoarsely. "everything okay?"

"gracie doesn't feel good. i think she has a fever."

eddie sat up quickly, suddenly much more awake. it was his first experience with sick kids, but steves done this song and dance several times before. the pups are like disease magnets, and when one of them gets sick, the other is never far behind.

"what? a fever?"

"ed, she should be fine. it's probably just a stomach bug."

"but she's sick, steve."

"i promise it will be fine. it should hopefully break in a few hours, and even if it doesn't, she'll be back to normal in just a few days. they're kids, eddie, they've been sick before."

eddie sighed and looked down at gracie, who was still crying and shaking softly in steve's arms. "what can i do to help?"

"uh, can you get a bottle of water, the kids tylenol, and a, um, damp washcloth? oh, and check on oliver while you're up? if she's sick, i doubt he'll be far behind."

eddie nodded and started pushing the covers back to retrieve what steve asked for. he was only gone for a few minutes, and neither steve nor gracie had moved. steve was brushing his fingers through her hair, shushing her softly. when eddie came back, he sat up against the headboard and pulled gracie into his lap. she refused to take the medicine. steve was trying his best to convince her.

"come on, gracie, please? i promise you'll feel better if you take it."

"i want the song."

"which song, honey?" eddie asked, leaning over and rubbing her back. "maybe i know it? i can sing it for you."

steve sighed, knowing he had to tell him. it was probably the only way gracie would take the medicine. it would be the only way they'd get her back to sleep.

"it's one of your songs, eddie," steve whispered. "i used to play it for them all the time."

eddie frowned. "you did? which one?"

steve looked down at gracie, playing with her hair to avoid looking at eddie. "far away. i've been playing it for them their whole lives. i wanted them to know you loved them, even if you didn't really know."

"i never knew you even got that song."

steve glanced at him with a smile. "you gave it to wayne. of course i got it."

"well, that's easy, then." eddie grinned at gracie, brushing back her hair. "why don't i just sing it for you, honey? will that help you feel better?"

gracie nodded, so of course eddie did just that. he sang softly, the whole song, while steve fed her the medicine. then he let her curl up into his chest, rocking back forth as he kept singing. he didn't stop until she was fast asleep again, snoring softly against his bare chest. steve leaned over to kiss eddie's cheek with a smile.

"i love you," he whispered.

eddie smiled back. "i love you too."

"i'm gonna go check on ollie again. you okay here?"

he nodded, reassuring steve they'd be fine. steve came back in several minutes later, carrying oliver in his arms.

from then on, eddie took every chance he could to sing that song for his family. if the band was on tour, eddie would sing it to them on the phone every night before they went on stage. it was one of his favorite parts about being their dad. he loved to sing to them. he loved singing his songs to them. he thanked the universe every day that he got this chance. he wouldn't give it up for anything.

[incomplete-ruler]

Okay now that I've awakened and had some good (but late) sleep, I can finally share my thoughts on 29 verse (mostly (there's probably some stuff I forgot to add)).

Well firstly, I do like how this song was made with the 2nd gen groups in mind, as well as it basically being an opener to the third season (since the main verses are split between the two units). As much as I grew to love the new content in rap guerilla, you can really tell that the new groups were sort of stuck onto a song originally made for the 1st gen groups (even with buraikan honestly). However, with this song they're all very much integrated into the song (I mean that should be obvious but still thought to mention it). I also think this is the first alternate 'all units' song that features the new groups+buraikan. If the stageplay ever adapts rtl, I'd love to see this performed by the stage actors at some point (probably after the first half tho).

I'd say that my favourite verses overall (at least right now) are cozmez, AMPRULE and VISTY. VISTY's verse in particular I thought was a nice way to end the revengers section, especially Kantaro's part (I'll bring them up again later). Individually I'd say that Reo's and Shiki's verses are some of my favourites too. Reo's verse is literally so addictive and there's just something about the way that Shiki delivers his (more specifically this line at 3:26) that I'm obsessed with for some reason (Ryuu's verse is also starting to grow on me as I'm listening to this song on repeat while writing this).

Also as a bonus I'm glad that Anne has a better verse in an all units song that's not just "fuck the racist, I don't need no fake ass" (minus the songs from the stage adaptation).

As far as the group order goes, I'm pretty sure they were planning to alternate between the 1st and 2nd gen groups (using the order given for the revengers and avengers teams of course). However with the avengers team, I think they just decided to put BAE at the end right after they'd already swapped them around which put 1Nm8 at the start of the avengers section...which also brings me to my next point.

So as mentioned before VISTY ends the revengers section, but do you know who is right after? 1Nm8 and as we all know they'll be going against each other in battle of unity. But ALSO do you know who starts/ends said verses? Kei and Kantaro.

So in conclusion: THE QUEERS ARE FIGHTINGGGGGGG (and the battle hasn't even started yet)

[elfdragon12]

So I like Epic the Musical and Transformers. I have mixed feelings about the 2005 IDW Transformers adaptation, in particular how it handled Prowl in terms of characterization, consistency, and all that. However, I do like how the chorus and the second verse of Poseidon's song "Ruthlessness" fits late stage Prowl's perspective.

"You are the worst kind of good 'cause you're not even great A Greek who reeks of false righteousness, that's what I hate 'Cause you fight to save lives, but won't kill and don't get the job done I mean, you totally could have avoided all this had you just killed my son But no

You are far too nice, mercy has a price It's the final crack, we're bound to break the ice now You reveal your name, then you let him live Unlike you, I've got no mercy left to give 'cause

Ruthlessness is mercy upon ourselves (Ruthlessness is mercy upon ourselves) Ruthlessness is mercy upon ourselves Ourselves"

As I was thinking about it though... I would say that Prowl's whole character arc in the IDW 2005 story could be compared to Odysseus's arc within the the Epic story. (At least... Ideally, in a world where there was more communication and agreement/collaboration on Prowl's character arc within the adaptation because the writers definitely did not have the same view on him.) There is goodness and conviction in Prowl's early days, however, as the war drags on, well, as the chorus sings throughout the Epic story...

"When does a comet become a meteor When does a candle become a flame When does a man become a monster When does a ripple become a tidal wave When does a reason become the blame When does a man become a monster"

As for what other Transformers characters would be who in Epic... I think perhaps Megatron would be Poseidon (Overlord as the Cyclops?) and Sentinel Prime would be Zeus. I think the Autobots would be the crew. Tarantulas as Calypso (her saga has not been released yet, but there are teasers on Jorge Rivera-Herrans' tiktok, including her singer wearing a Odysseus/Calypso shipping shirt).

It's not all one-to-one, of course (I'm not sure who I would compare to Athena right now), but I think the similarities and general arc are very much there.

[nyhti]

Brief and incomplete headcanons about Jonathan and Jervis

Okay, so, yeah. Like I said, there's a whole essay's worth of background info missing here, because it was too long and convoluted, so I've had to simplify things A LOT. Not everything will make sense without all that lost context, but I hope it's still enjoyable.

-So right off the bat, this is the spot where you'd really need all that background info, but here's a very very brief and dumbed down explanation for what was going on with Jonathan before he ever talked to Jervis: A. Jonathan didn't want to talk to people, because they might bully him. B. He still wanted friends. C. Out of everyone at Arkham, Jervis seemed the least likely to be a bully.

-And for Jervis it's: A. He had friends in the past, but lost them after becoming the Mad Hatter. B. Even when he was just Jervis and not a criminal, those friends were hard to come by so... C. He didn't think he'd have another friend again.

- At Arkham Jonathan starts to observe Jervis from a far to try and see if he's niceys or meanies. He sees that Jervis never acts in a threatening manner. Really, he's very polite and seems to avoid conflict. And not even Jonathan, who could be blown away by the slightest summer breeze, could find Jervis psychically intimidating. Jervis is 2/3 his size and clearly not fit. The fact that Jervis is conventionally unattractive also makes Jonathan feel more at ease. He feels Jervis might not judge him for his appearance, because Jervis must have faced struggles in his life due to his small size. He feels Jervis could understand him. And if all that wasn't enough, Jervis spends just as much time in the library as Jonathan and we all know how important books are to Jonathan.

-Jonathan gathers courage for weeks before he actually manages to start a conversation with Jervis. I think Jervis doesn't immediately understand why Jonathan is trying to talk to him. I think in relationships in the past he has always been the one to approach people, because people don't tend to approach him. No one's looked at him and thought: ”Oh, I'd like to get to know this guy!” No, he's always been the one to do the initiate. That's why he doesn't even know what to feel when he finally realizes Jonathan is trying to befriend him, that Jonathan looked at him and thought: ”Oh, I'd like to get to know this guy!”

-Their first conversations are very awkward. Jonathan is very behind on social skills due to being isolated as a child and while Jervis is a little better, he's not exactly great either. Lots of awkward silences, lots of stuttering, lots of blushing, lots of saying the wrong things. None of that really matters though, because they are both very excited to have someone to talk to. Jervis is the second friend Jonathan has ever had in his life and Jervis, like I said, never thought he'd have friends again.

-They both put a lot of work into this relationship. It's not something that just started one day and has been great ever since. No, there have definitely been some ups and downs. I don't feel like writing about any particular incidents, because that would take too long, but I think that you can understand that two people with very little regard for the well being of others might end up hurting each other as well. The only reason that they are best friends now, is that they both wanted this to work, they both wanted a friend and they were willing to put in the work to reach that goal.

-And through all their struggles they have somehow managed to build so much trust, that they are able to talk about even very painful things. They are able to open up about things they have never felt safe to open up about before. It's very healing.

-Jervis might seem childish at first, but at least in my verse, he's one of the most mature rogues. The apparent childishness is really just him not being afraid to be a little silly and also sometimes a guise to fool people. He's a lot more self-aware and intelligent than people assume. It's that maturity that attracts Jonathan. Talking with people like Joker and Eddie can sometimes feel like talking to toddlers with behavioral issues, so it's very relaxing for Jonathan to sit down with Jervis and really talk like an adult to another adult. There isn't a topic they can't discuss in civil terms. They can just sit and talk all night long and that is something they both enjoy.

-Both are well read and both appreciate that in each other. They both have a thirst for knowledge and learn a lot from one another. They definitely have a book club of sorts where they read a book and then meet at either Jervis' place or the Arkham library to discuss it.

-Jervis helps Jonathan out a lot in his financial struggles. Jonathan is always welcome at Jervis' if he doesn't have a roof over his head. Jervis will also pay him for helping out with gadgets and capers, but Jonathan is not particularly found of this type of work. Either he's breaking his back lifting heavy equipment for Jervis or he's breaking his mind being the test subject for his mind control headbands. Jervis pays well though and cooks for him too.

I think what I find appealing about this relationship is the maturity of it. A lot of friendships between rogues will make me feel like I'm reading about 9-year-olds, not 40-somethings, what with the near constant drama and friendship breakups. I like how chill Jon and Jerv are in comparison (at least in my verse). Though, I suppose that that's the exact reason I don't do a lot with this relationship and why it's so underdeveloped in my verse – nothing much happens in it. There isn't much to write about. They're just having tea and talking about literature.

[wariofranchisefanblog]

A new WarioWare has come out and I got enough playtime in to feel comfortable talking about it in full, so I’ll do just that.

Right off the bat I can say in short: this is a good game and a good WarioWare. Not up there with my favs, but it does a lot right. My experience did end up quite differently than anticipated and I’ll explain why soon enough.

First I want to talk about the presentation, which I think is an easy high point. Everything is vibrant and colorful, the art keeps showing the strengths of the current style and everything feels very much like it should. Microgames run that perfect mix of genuinely nice looking and deliberately cursed and the cutscenes are the best of both worlds, being smooth and lively, while returning to Gold’s full voice acting.

Speaking of cutscenes, that brings us to the story related stuff and that’s where the game shows some interesting tricks up its sleeves. In terms of structure it’s a return to the pre-Gold era, with the closest to an overarching theme being the vacation set-up.

I do think the Ware crew is in top form, likable, fun and full of life as always and two stories in particular even do something major.

Kat and Ana’s story marks the shocking return of Cractus, bringing a Wario Land character into WarioWare and Young Cricket’s story sees his Kung-Fu Ball partner finally brought into WarioWare properly. Both of those are really massive and show a willingness to more heavily utilize elements from other parts of the verse, which I find incredibly exciting.

Oddly enough, the weaker link of the story for me this time is Wario himself. Now don’t get me wrong, everything that happens here is usual Wario antics and I do like how non–english versions of the script like japanese and german, have him be actually be nice about bringing the others along. His confusion at the Crygor drawings and later ascending to godhood, with the cast roll confirming he got a happy end, are all good too, plenty of nice stuff here.

He just feels weirdly absent here. Having no presence in the Remix stages, no bonus mode in his image and even the final stage has him stuck being cursed to have his face be the avatar of an angry volcano. It doesn’t really feel like Wario and ends with him being the only one of the cast with no moment to shine during the climax, which I can’t help but find a little disappointing.

Still, it’s not a big deal, after so many games Wario taking a slight backseat isn’t a dealbreaker, it just stood out a little.

Moving away from that, there is the audio side of things. The music as usual is full of unapologetically catchy jingles and some major stand-out tracks such as MegaGame Muscles and the Form Guide theme.

We got full voice acting again and with it our first taste of Kevin Afghani as Wario. Pre-release stuff had me very on and off with how I felt about it, but having heard all of him in the game: yeah, I like him! He does have some wonky deliveries, but the overall voice still feels like Wario and has its own fun appeal. Certainly more noticeably different than Mario and Luigi, but I am optimistic Kevin will greatly grow into the role, as he gets to play him more and more.

Then we get to the big one, the gameplay and this is where I was thrown for a loop the most. With this being a direct Smooth Moves successor I thought I’d know what to expect, but was quite caught off-guard in many places.

This surprisingly ended up being the most difficult WarioWare for me by a long-shot, enough that I actually had to take advantage of the second chance mechanic, which I never had to do in Gold and GiT.

If I had to sum the game up in one word, it would be demanding, Wario commanding you to move it is not just a funny title, it’s the name of the game.

With the Wiimote, you could get away with just sorta doing the poses in a lot of cases, but Move It really demands you do the exact poses, down to holding the Joycon juuuust the right way. 

More than anything I was surprised how strict it could be in that regard, not following the form instructions is asking for trouble, but I have to say, at the same token I was amazed how well things worked once I got the hang of it.

I’ll admit, I was ill while playing the game, so maybe that caused me to be a little more daft than usual, but it took me a bit to really get into it and I had to consult the museum several times for some microgames to figure out what I even needed to do.

I do think the game is a touch more complicated than usual for WarioWare, since you have to take effectively two controllers and specific poses into account, on top of grasping what each microgame demands of you, but once it clicks everything feels well thought out and purposeful. Getting things down is immensely satisfying and shows some really stunning results of what the Joycon can do.

That said the game isn’t entirely without jank, Hand Model being a notable culprit of it. The game finds several fun applications for it, but anything regarding reading forms or how many fingers you hold up, can be really clunky in the heat of the moment. In general, the strictness of the forms also means you need to really be prepared for every microgame, since slouching with your form could lead to a bad desync

Still, even with some jank I do think stepping up to the challenge to get a feel of it and get better is very much worth it. I wasn’t sure how to feel at first, but my opinion on it only went up the more I played.

That covers it for the main stages, as for the side-content though, yeah, that is where the game shows a weaker side of itself.

Not so much in terms of what’s here though. You got your standard towers, as well as MegaGame Muscles, which no joke, may be my favorite stage in the game. It’s frantic, fun, the music slaps and the set-up of Mr. Sparkles having ascended to being a literal god of fitness, is pure WarioWare.

The new Pyoro game of the day is a fun, different take on it, much like the one in Smooth Moves was as well and Dirty Job is a cool bonus game expansion of a more stand-out microgame concept.

That is really it as far as the single player content is concerned though and it does feel a liiiittle on the meager side. No souvenirs, which Smooth Moves and GiT didn’t have either, but Smooth Moves had more bonus games and GiT had the final Pyoro stage, Penny Remix, more bonus games, unlockable art and the Wario Cup.

We do still have a decent variety of multiplayer modes to work with and I did get a friend to come on by to try them, save for the 4 player exclusive one.

I think it’s a good selection, in concept it has the best multiplayer mode offerings since Mega Party Games (though I did like GiT a lot too), but there is one issue I have with it and I think GiT was a little guilty of it too.

As I mentioned, I do think there is a learning curve on how to play this game most effectively and you feel that even more in multiplayer, where someone not as in the know, is naturally gonna accidentally grip his Joycon slightly wrong, despite doing the pose and need some extra instructions, much like the characters in GiT can take some learning.

It is something you can overcome and have a good time with, WarioWare is a very good ‘’don’t take me too seriously’’ kind of multiplayer experience, but on the whole, if they want a true party game WarioWare, I still think something simpler like Mega Party Games is in order and by all means, I wouldn’t mind them doing something like that again.

On a side note, I also find it a bit of a shame that the nice new models for the cast, updated to resemble their designs in this game, are ultimately watered down to sprites of their heads during multiplayer gameplay. With how much emphasis is being put on multiplayer to carry the game for longer, I think it would have been nice if they put in the work to fully animate GiT-style models for the multiplayer modes.

That small gripe aside, as I said, I think multiplayer is fine, but not quite the pick up and play experience for people new to the game, as I feel they wanted it to be and I do think a bit too much of the game is locked behind multiplayer.

But yeah, that’s WarioWare Move It. It’s good and if you like WarioWare, you’re getting what you wanted out of it. It’s not one of my top games in the series and feels a bit too lacking on the side content front, but on the whole, I had a good time and it gets a surprising amount out of a controller that I have an openly low opinion on.

[azems-familiar]

Omg this isn't even related to the ask game but the ask you just answered 😭 sorry bout that, I suddenly thought of more questions now.

Also THANK YOU SO MUCH to you and Davi for churning out so many writings these past few weeks holy crap, I've loved reading every one of them. Yall are spoiling us /pos

Okie question time: surviving Ancients building a New Amaurot?? Yes pls??? But also how do they survive???? I'm so glad Hyth and Elidibus are there though, they're unabashedly my favourites aside from G'raha and Emet Selch. I was also wondering if you guys have any plans on writing smth about how, after the Final Days, Emet, G'raha and Corrain (and maybe Lelesu) work to find some way to return to the first? This curiosity probably stemmed from you guys giving Lyna interactions with Uncle Emet, I could not stop smiling at those.

Thanks so much again!! Keep up the great work XD

okay SO. as to how each of the ancients survives is different; Hyth is the easiest, because in canon on Ultima Thule he and Emet choose to leave instead of using Hydaelyn's magicks to become corporeal again. so he just chooses to stay instead. Elidibus we're saving in the last tier of pandaemonium; between the last lingering fragments of Hydaelyn's gift and Emet's own magic. it will still take him a long time to recover and piece himself back together, but he will. Lahabrea is harder, but we've decided to go with a fan theory that his soul is stuck in Estinien's lance alongside Nidhogg, so once Hyth (who has the best soulsight) gets a look at it they're going to borrow the lance and just yoink him free. his multiple years stuck in a spear alongside an extremely angry dragon watching All That go down have chilled him out and forced him to think on his actions some, though that doesn't mean it'll be smooth sailing all the way through once he's freed.

as for returning to the First, right now we have this on our outline:

i'm headcanoning that the Ascians are capable of traversing the rift physically (even if that's not necessarily quite lore accurate, it's a little bit wibbly) and so Emet is able to take G'raha with him. the others will have to wait until Y'shtola finds a way across on her own, but i expect Elidibus will be willing to help her with that... we will see.

there are several plot points that since it's obviously setting up for future expansions and things, we're kind of waiting to see what the game does with them (like some of the stuff dawntrail introduced). of course we'll probably invent our own stuff eventually if we get to that point in writing and the game still hasn't given us any answers, but since this particular verse is sort of our "canon" we are trying to keep it as game-adjacent as possible so that we don't have to. do tons of wild work for it and it ends up not being related to the current stories being told at all.

i'll tag @sunderedazem in case there's anything he wants to add here, but thank you!! really glad to hear how much you're enjoying things. and the Emet and Lyna interactions are something we both super enjoy too - i actually have a half-done promptfic sitting around that's more of it, i just have to settle down and work on it. though unless something really changes the next thing to be posted will probably be the next bit of Ascian Azem :)

[skylarmoon71]

Miguel O' Hara (Across the Spider-Verse) AU- Extra

If he thought you were intolerable before, you’re insufferable now.

Now that you were aware of his feelings, you spent every free moment teasing him.

“Good morning Mr. O’Hara.”

You were smiling way too big at eight in the morning.

“Good morning,” 

His gruff tone replied.

You got to work shortly after the greeting, and he’d just glimpse at you ever now and then. At one point he caught your eyes and he scolded himself for getting distracted so easily.

“It must be hard working so closely with me when you’re head over heels in love sir.”

There it was

“I mean I know my beauty might be distracting, but try to hold yourself back. Unless you want to take me right here and now.”

You flipped off the little suit jacket on your shoulder dramatically, striking a pose with the back of your hand on the top of your forehead.

“Please be gentle sir.”

He snapped the pen he held in half.

“GET OUT!!”

You were giggling the whole way out and he dropped his head on the desk. Somehow you’d gotten the upper hand.

~

More often you found yourself watching little clips people have taken of Miguel fighting crime. This particular one he’d stopped four robbers. Successfully tying them against a pole with the cash for the police to take in. The video seems to zoom into him from behind and your eyes run over the comments. All of which seemed to be centered around his very nice booty. An idea sparked in your head and you grinned wickedly.

Later that afternoon most of the employees had already left. You’d completed most of your errands and you came back into Miguel's office. You weren’t surprised to see him browsing through his computer.

“Mr. O’ Hara, I think there was a mix up with the Truman project, would you mind grabbing it for me.”

He nods, heading over to the shelf to get it. When he gets there, his brows raise at the small speaker on his shelf that he had no recollection of putting there. He turns back to you in question, but you already have your phone out.

Hot in...

So hot in herre...

So hot in...

I was like, good gracious ass bodacious

Flirtatcious, tryin to show faces

Lookin for the right time to shoot my steam (you know)

You were bobbing your head to the song and he could feel his eyebrow twitch, clearly agitated. He wasn’t sure what was worse, the fact that it’s clear you have no shame, or you seem to know all the lyrics to the song.

Lookin for the right time to flash them keys

Then um I'm leavin, please believin

Me and the rest of my heathens

Check it, got it locked at the top of the four seasons

Penthouse, roof top, birds I feedin

No deceivin, nothin up my sleeve, no teas-

He crushed the electronic in his palm and you stared.

“H-Hey that cost money you know!!”

“Maybe next time you’ll be more careful with your items. He dropped the shattered pieces on the floor, moving back to his seat.

That was the end of that.

It’s fun to mess with Miguel. It’s just so easy and his expressions are the cutest. Another part of you does it because you know the serious cases he deals with on a daily basis. If you could do just a little to lessen the load he carried, you would.

Much like your day, sometimes your nights would collide.

It’s not really that strange for him to drop by your place in his spider suit anymore.

The first few times it's like he was checking to make sure you were okay. So when you see his familiar silhouette on your balcony, you’re not that surprised. You keep flicking through the channels on your television set.

“How was your little night patrol? Did you catch any bad guys?”

No reply.

So you turn.

His head is hung low and when he finally removes his mask. He won’t really meet your eyes, and you drop the remote, rushing out of your bed. In seconds you're at his side.

“What’s wrong!?”

He looks physically fine, which is a relief. But his eyes hold so much sorrow.

“I was.. too late..”

He sounds so defeated. You can only imagine what he’s gone through. Miguel is not one to show his vulnerabilities or ask for help. So the fact that he’s standing here right now says a lot. If you could take away all that pain, you would in an instant. Your hands reach up and you wrap them around his torso, hugging him. This is all you can offer. It takes a moment, but he hugs back. You can feel how tense his muscles are. How they all seem to relax as he lets out a shaky breath.

He’s hurting.

This isn’t something your usual quick witted jokes can fix.

You pull away slowly to look up at him. You can feel the reluctance in his hold to fully part from you.

“Why don’t you stay over tonight. I bought a couple things the last time you came crash landing here. I’ll heat up the bath for you, how does that sound?”

He nods slowly.

“It sounds good, thank you.”

“Of course.”

You brush your hand along his cheek, smiling at him.

“I don’t know how, but it’ll be okay.”

He’d believe just about anything you say. He never thought you would become someone he’d bring his troubles to. It’s hard doing this everyday and pushing his pain to the side. He always lectured himself to be strong. Not to depend on anyone other than his late brother. People always did what was beneficial for themselves.

Yet here you are, offering him comfort. A place to lay his head. A shoulder to lean on. He feels like he’d robbed himself of this for so long.

You move to take a step to get the items he needs, but he grabs your hand. You can see that he hadn’t meant to do that. He looks as though he’s about to apologize, but you shake your head. Pushing unto your toes, you leave a kiss on his cheek. When you part, your smile has his heart hammering,

“I’m not going anywhere.”

Somehow that’s exactly what he needed to hear.

So he steps into your bathroom and cleans up. You’d taken his suit and threw it into the wash. He steps out maybe fifteen minutes later wearing a t-shirt and sweats. The towel is placed on the top of his head that’s still partially damp. You slide to the bottom of your bed, gesturing him over. He drops right next to your feet and you giggle as you take the towel and begin drying his hair. He’s so obedient and it’s endearing.

“He’s like a domesticated cat now.”

There’s a bit of a soft side that comes out when he’s around you. You’re grateful that he doesn’t always hide it. More than that, you like that he hadn’t gone home to be alone with his thoughts. Just the idea of him in the dark beating himself up for something that was obviously out of his control brings an uncomfortable feeling to your chest. Your motions stop and he turns his head. Your hands take his cheeks, and the towel slides to the floor. He means to question you, but you lean forward and the second he feels the warmth of your lips, his brain shuts down. He’s just sitting there a bit wide eyed. You hold him for one, two..three seconds. Then you pull back.

“Whenever you need someone, I’ll be here. No matter what happens, I have your back. Please don’t ever forget that.”

He’s not sure he can give a response that would truly express how he feels. He leans up, and you smile when his lips meet yours. He seems very eager. Your fingers get lost in his hair. It takes a moment for you to realize that he’s rising. You only register it when his body is hovering over you.

Your breathing is no longer steady, and he places you down against the pillows.

“M-Miguel..”

You sound a bit uncertain. It’s the first time he’s ever seen you like this. It's a welcomed change from your usual teasing tone.

“Sí, cariño.”

You’re not one for promiscuous relationships. This step is something you take very seriously. He can see it from your expression. He’s quite the same. It’s not that much of a shock. Trust issues tended to do that. The last girlfriend he recalls having was back in high school. Way before his abilities manifested.

“It’s okay, we don’t have to go any further if you’re not ready.”

You shake your head.

“I’m ready.”

You look so sure, so willing and he has to bite his bottom lip to hold himself back.

“You don’t have to force yourself because of me.” He turns his head, and you grab his cheeks before he can get lost in his own thoughts.

“I’m not forcing myself. I do want this.”

“Te deseo.”

He thinks.

His eyes move back to your waist. It’s then that he realized that you weren’t wearing any pants. He can see your panties that peek from under your oversized shirt. His nose catches a hint of an aroma and he licks his lips.

“What does she taste like..”

He can’t help but imagine it. Your scent is starting to filter through. He can just taste your desire in the air. You catch the subtle change of his irises and you gulp.

“I-Is everything okay.”

“Que maravilla.”

“A-Are you sure? Because you’re looking at me like a piece of steak.”

He just grins and it really doesn’t help. Your mouth is claimed by his soft ones, and your brows knit in satisfaction. His hand slides easily under your shirt and you barely hold back a moan when he goes straight for your underwear. His finger runs over your folds and you pull back with a gasp.

“M-Miguel!!”

Your back arches, because the slickness offers him a chance to guide his finger in.

“You’re all wet cariño,”

He tsked, and you sent him your best glare.

“W-What the hell do you expe-ah!”

You jolt when he adds another finger. You're gripping at his shoulders, and he welcomes the needy hold.

“Too much?” He questions softly.

You shake your head, and the second he moves his fingers inside you, your body reacts. He pushes them at an angle, and you’re honestly surprised that you haven’t cum yet. Miguel slides them out, only to force them back in. You cry out, and he leaves a light kiss on the base of your neck. Your thighs are squeezing tightly against his hand. He can’t help but imagine how they would feel around his neck.

“Spread your legs.”

You’re surprised at the demand, and you mean to call him out on the very arousing statement, but when he begins to move south, his intentions are clear. He slips your underwear off in record time.

“W-Wait Miguel!”

He’s already between your thighs and you fight back a moan when he slides your legs forward. They are basically on his shoulders and he dives in. His tongue slips between your folds and you sob at how incredible it all feels. His tongue is probing and so very hot. He’s licking and sucking as if he’s been starved. He was quite literally devouring you in the best way possible.

“Delicious..”

He mumbles out.

“D-Don’t talk while you’re down there!” You protest. It was as if he was trying to drive you crazy.

His tongue strokes you in a particular spot and you can’t stop your release. It rips through your body like a storm. You’re spasming for what feels like a full minute, and Miguel laps it up greedily. When you finally come down from your high, he’s drawing back, licking the edge of his fang. His eyes are almost glowing in the dull lit room.

He pulls his shirt over his head, and you watch from your spot, enjoying the show. You take in every ridge, each tight muscle. You’re a bit surprised that his shirt is able to cover so much. His sweats are next to follow and you take in the size of him.

“Shit..”

He lowers back to the bed and you sit up slowly, lifting your own shirt over your head. You’re a bit bashful. You can’t help but cover your chest. It’s not so much that you’re self conscious. You’re just not used to this. It’s been such a long time since you’ve been with anyone. You hadn’t realized until now just how much you’ve wanted this.

“I want to see you.” He urges.

Your hands slowly lower, and that hungry look returns to his eyes at the sight of you.

“Hermosa.”

You shiver at the drop in his voice.

“I should tie you up and make you scream for all the times you’ve driven me crazy..”

That excites you, and he presses you into the bed as begins leaving kisses at every spot of your body that he can.

He pulls back for a moment, just to admire you. When his eyes meet your own, he takes in the bashful look on your face. His body easily covers your own. He can see the blush on your cheeks, the anticipation in your eyes as you lay there so helpless to his touch. His fingers dance along your thighs as he parts your legs.

Breathing staggered, eyes glazed, you anticipate it all.

Your body trembles when you feel his member brush your thighs.

You can’t help but glance down.

“Oh my…”

You’re pretty much soaked. Just from the sight of him.

“Having second thoughts.” He teases.

“N-No!”

Miguel smirks, thumb massaging your skin.

When he finally enters, you let out a shaky moan. Miguel groans himself.

You’ve always assumed that Miguel is a pretty big guy. But seeing really is believing. You’re somewhat impressed that he actually fits.

For a second you weren’t sure.

When he finally settles, you both seem to pause, an attempt to catch your breath. His eyes reflect that ruby glow. His hand moves your face and he brushes your hair back.

There’s something much softer in his gaze. You’re not used to this. Seeing such a tender side to him.

He kisses you, and you lean into it happily. Miguel smiles against your lips and his hips thrust forward. You part, crying out. Miguel brows knits as his breathing increases.

“Couldn’t help myself..” He says softly.

Another thrust and you’re fighting to grab onto something. To anchor yourself as he drives you mad.

“Se siente tan bien..”

He mumbles into your ear.

You whimper, hands laying on his shoulders as he picks up the pace. Every time your hips meet a moan follows.

“M-Miguel!!”

He knows.

Your body has become so sensitive, so he’s not very surprised at your cries.

His attention is to elect more of those screams.

All night long.

~

Miguel is a man who delivers.

Because you wake at some time later the next afternoon.

The light is peaking through the curtains. You turn, the faint soreness of your body registers, and you take notice of the hulk of the man lying beside you. His hair is adorable ruffled against the pillow, face relaxed. There’s no sight of that permanent frown. Just the beautiful auburn color of his skin. You can’t stop yourself from sliding your fingers into his thick hair. It’s so soft. His brows furrow for a second, and he lets out a soft breath.

“(Y/N)...”

His little whisper of your name makes your cheeks red. You leave a kiss on his shoulder, then another on his forehead, the side of his jaw. He lulls awake, that ruby stare catching you by surprise.

“Cariño..?”

His head turns and you kiss him happily. He groaned in the back of his throat. Clearly not expecting you to attack him as soon as he woke up. You climb on top, and he finds his hands settling on the curve of your waist. 

Your body pressed this closely, it’s hard for him not to get excited. You finally part, and you can see his fangs peeking out. You grin at his lapse in control.Your lips drift to his neck, and his eyes close. When you sink your teeth into his skin lightly he lets out a startled little moan. You brush your tongue against the mark.

“You’re not the only one who gets to be possessive.”

You coo, nibbling on his ear. Miguel shivers at the pleasured sparks that rush through his body.

He can’t deny he likes being marked by you. 

[snickerdoodlles]

Macau&Chay you got mail AU? Please tell us more!

lil late to answering but!! YES!! time for some good ol' AU nostalgia, which is really funny to me because what I know about that movie I learned exclusively through this being a really popular fandom AU like 10 years ago or whatever. anywho!!! the fic:

Macau and Chay know each other vaguely as "that guy (derogatory) from my school"

they don't actually dislike each other. there's no reason for it. this isn't even a rivalry, just that somehow, somewhere in their years of overlapping schooling, they rubbed some shoulders somewhere and went "ugh nope, wrong vibes."

'fuktong1' and 'free waifuuu'* meet on videogame chat boards. it started as a need for an extra player to round out a team, but they like each other best out of the group and soon start coordinating to play together regularly.

its a solid friendship!! neither has any particular desire to bring their friendship out of the videogame/chatroom context yet, but Macau does once send Chay a bundle of games for his old system that Chay wouldn't have been able to afford otherwise.

this changes after Yok's bar.

Chay is…not so fond of shooting games now. being slapped in the face with his lack of awareness is a large part of it, but learning Porsche was literally in a shoot-out while he was tucked away ignorant and oblivious is similarly bad for him. it's a rough time to be Chay basically :(

luckily for him, fuktong1 has never been overly fond of shooting games and has so many recommendations that are much more palatable for Chay's current tastes. they play together more and more, and naturally chat more and more, and overall get much closer.

Macau and Chay's relationship also change. for the worse specifically.

Chay's really going through shit right now -- loansharks and low grade mafia thugs have been beating down his door all his life, and now Porsche is running a mafia branch. (the branch that specifically deals with shaking down people and cleaning up the main family's mess, no less.) he's isolated in the family compound and cut off from everything he's known. somehow his mother's back from the dead (kind of). he's still barely seeing Porsche. Kim's giving him mixed messages. he's really fucking pissed at everything, and Vegas (Macau's brother) was also responsible for (or at least tied to) his kidnapping, second attempted kidnapping, and Porsche's new injuries. Chay has zero sympathy to spare for ANY mafia-related people, and Macau is part of mafia-related people.

Macau is ALSO going through shit right now -- Vegas was shot up and is now bedridden in the hospital. the father who never cared for them is dead. the uncle who cared even less took away their men and home to give to Porsche. the same uncle may or may not being looking after him and Vegas to either kill or use them later. Macau, who was also iced out of the mafia business by a protective brother, has absolutely no idea what's happening as everything spirals out of control. his only support is his (bedridden!) brother's maybe boyfriend, who was previously only known to Macau as his eldest cousin's head bodyguard. he probably has finals to deal with too. it's a rough fucking time to be Macau, ex-fucking-cuse him if he doesn't give a shit about Chay suddenly getting what was previously his and Vegas's wealth and security.

someone more well versed in videogames will have to give me suggestions for what games they play, idk enough about those because ultimately this whole situation is just to force Chay and Macau to see each other in a new light. because they don't have any reason to like each other in or after canon! Vegas and Porsche have their weird friend-enemy dance, because they're bros and like each other, and Porsche can't hold a grudge to save his life and Vegas's relationships are so fucked up that anyone who genuinely likes him bypasses any other complications, but their relationship doesn't translate to Macau or Chay. at all. Macau and Chay both have only ever had their older brother as their support their entire lives and absolutely hold grudges against intruders (for themselves and their brothers).

Chay figures out who fuktong1 is first. (how? no clue! maybe they planned to meet up and it went bust, maybe one of Macau's usernames gives a clue? idk.) initially, Chay's outraged, because he keeps dealing with his life suddenly going "and it's mafia!" for fucking everything, and Chay's so, so angry about it all. but he also can't help but put the puzzle pieces together. suddenly realizing his friend fuktong1 has also had to dance around the mafia issues every time they talk and the general recontextualizing of everything his friend ever told him with what Chay now knows about the Theerapanyakul family takes almost all the heat out of Chay's anger towards everything and all he can feel is sad. sad about the circumstances forced on him and Porsche and Macau (and Kim and Khun and Kinn and even Vegas), sad about their loneliness, sad about the trials and burdens the mafia (Korn, Korn and Gun) have put all of them through. it's…a lot to deal with.

(whether this realization happens before his reconciliation with Kim and facilitates it, or happens after it and he has Kim's shoulder to cry on is tbd. depends on which one is the more emotional spin cycle really, it could go either way.)

on Macau's end, he has a brief spike of anxiety and self-pity when his friend free waifuuu abruptly disappeared on him, but he doesn't think anything more on it after he pops up again (he doesn't). their friendship grows deeper as they both open up to each other about more of their personal lives and they're both very sympathetic to each other without ever falling into pity. idk how Macau and Chay's relationship progresses after Chay's discovery or how the 'free waifuuu is Chay' revelation comes about yet, except that there are a lot of tears, a lot of yelling, and ultimately they become proper friends both on and off the chat boards, weird mafia family relationships and that time Chay called Macau 'daddy' for a week after he gave him a bunch of turnips in Animal Crossing aside.

*usernames are a work-in-progress, as usernames are NOT my specialty, esp not in a different language. Macau is playing with 'fuk'--he actually learned 'fuck' from Vegas before he learned the thai 'fuk' (gourd), and he's been having fun with it since. Chay's is a play off the phrase "sleep with me, free wifi" which i am told is slang more or less equivalent to 'netflix and chill' (i think? someone might be playing with me, idk). anyways, Chay greets Macau with "hey pumpkin~" when he's feeling flirty. they have so many husband/wife in-jokes.

[lilunaire]

tag game

tagged by: @ironduke10 tagging: @flowersfortheghost and honestly idk who else to tag lol sorry

number of stories posted to ao3 for 2024: only 1

word counted posted for last year: 144,600 words

fandoms i wrote for: in 2024, i only wrote for the Spider-Verse chapter. Howerer, i do hope to expand that list in 2025

stories with the most

KUDOS: Til we burn our skins (15,6k) BOOKMARKS(including private): /// (375) COMMENT THREADS: /// (137)

work i’m most proud of (and why): well, probably Til we burn our skins. Even if that fic gave me a hell of a writer block, it's the first time i enjoy writing a (multi-chapters) fic so much. I love thinking about it, trying to fit new ideas without adding too much chapters (i fail every time), and (when i dont face a writer block) writing about it of course. It's also the first time i let myself explore some themes, that i wasnt confident enough to do the previous years.

share or describe a favorite review you received: i dont think i have a favorite review, but i do love reading them in general. Especially when they're a long list of what the reader liked about the chapter! Howerer, I do remember a comment from CivilizedYawp on twbos chapter 10, about a smutty scene : i was really unsure about that scene, scared that i couldnt write it the same way i imagined it (because of my writing skills + language barrier). And this comment made my whole day and swept away my insecurities. Thank you so much Yawp.

a time when writing was really, really hard: well, it's kinda still the case... But thankfully the situation is at least better now than it was a few moths before. I posted the tenth chapter of twbos in april 2024, and the next one in december 2024 : huge gap right? it was a horrible writer block, and im glad i can finally move on from this chapter.

a scene or character you wrote that surprised you: now this is the type of question i hate because im currently running through everything i posted because those kind of information leave my brain as soon as they can so im gonna say writing that much about Betty Brant (and Edward Leeds) in my last chapter : i wanted to develop the friendship between her and Gwen, since they really seemed distant in ATSV, while Glory and Em-Jay seemed more close to Gwen. I thought that for Gwen to be finally herself with her band, she needed to be close to the three of them, to clear tension. And from Betty's side, after wondering for months what happened to Gwen, she wanted to be closer to her and understood that, for this, she also had to be more honest and take her side.

a favorite excerpt of your writing: again i dont like this question, i have a shitty memory when it comes to this 😭 howerer i loved writing the fireworks scene and the smutty scene in chapter 10 (both from twbos, again), so here's a small excerpt from the first:

You can hear the high-pitched sound of rockets soaring into the sky, the voices below sound louder and louder, drowning out the music of the evening. “2!” She feels Miles' hands go over her ears, covering the ambient noise. She only hears white noise, he cuts her off from the cacophony and only him remains. She can see this electric blue blur pass through his eyes before she closes hers. “1! HAPPY NEW YEAR !" His lips are on hers in a second, and time slows down. She feels a shiver run through her, and instead of pulling back, she stands on her pointe to kiss him better. He sighs into the kiss, pulling her closer too. He never wanted to let her go again.

how did you grow as a writer last year: i dont know how i grew, but i sure know i did. i just have to read what i wrote in 2024/late 2023, and compare it with something from 2022 to see the huges differences, and also improvements. Im starting to get a writing style i like and master enough to be able to "twist" it for particular fics/chapters/scenes.

who was your greatest positive influence this year as a writer (could be another writer, beta, cheerleader, etc.): im not gonna mention everyone, but i want to thank a certain garden that im so glad i got to join (iykyk)

any new wisdom you can share with other writers: write, just write, whatever it is, whatever how bad you think it is, it doesnt matter just do it. Maybe you'll open your doc the next day and will delete it all but it's still improvements. And maybe you'll look at the fics you posted a few years later and will want to hide from the world with how cringe they look now. But in the end, whats important is that you wrote what you liked, and made progress all along the way.

any projects you’re looking to starting (or finishing) this year: twbos please im begging, i need to finish that fic or i'll explode. id also like to write the 'summer fic', write a bit more for sunshine in grey clouds, a 'nurse au' and a 'royal au' (lets see if i manage to 😭), and a small story for timebomb

thats everything, thank you for the tag and you all for reading ❤️ i hope to see you all soon with a new chapter

[vitaminwaterreviews]

Billlie - Of All We Have Lost

This was an excellent little album. This is my first real foray into Billlie’s discography, I think I had like 4 other Billlie songs on my playlist before this album. Now I have … 4+6. 10. And it would be funny if I gave it 10 points, but it wasn’t perfect. A lot of the songs were a bit too safe. Trampoline and Remembrance Candy were both really fun, they both did some interesting things, but the next few songs were all kinda safe, and the final song in particular really needed a good house drop/instrumental break. I appreciate their vocals a lot, I love the production in general. I’m not sure who Billlie’s CEO/producer is, but they do a very good job with concept and musical direction. I don’t know much Billlie, but this album sounds very much like the Billlie that I know, and I like that sound a lot. It’s kinda Red Velvety, but it’s still distinct, and in some ways better. Average score of 8.0, and that’s about right. Good and solid, definitely worth a listen.

- Remembrance Candy

Woah okay, love this intro, really fun

Do you hear that bass?

The guitar is really nice too

Their vocals do sound very Red Velvet

THERE IT IS

IN THE CHORUS

THAT SIGNATURE BILLLIE RHYTHMIC WEIRDNESS

Lol

This is nice, this is really nice

I’m not paying too much attention to the MV, but it does appear to have like a plot and things

Yeah, I’m a fan of this, this is good

Nice, really good bridge, nice

Haha wait the MV outro, is this part of the song? This is super fun too

I’m gonna metagame a bit here. I already know Trampoline, and I want to give them both 8.5’s, but I don’t give fractional scores for songs. So I’ll give this one:

9/10

Trampoline

Currently my 19th most listened-to song of the past month, which isn’t bad considering it came out a week ago

I just love their voices in the chorus. I don’t even know how to express it, this song is pure ear candy

I once said that f(x) - Milk is ear candy to me, and someone downvoted that, which is ridiculous in my humble opinion

This song sounds way better with headphones

Anyway, an 8 is too low for this song, but a 9 is too high, so like I mentioned previously:

8/10

Bluerose

Mkay, I vibe, it’s hovering just a bit close to 1st gen slow jam territory but we’ll see where it goes

You can totally tell that it’s a contemporary song though, the production quality is top notch

I am losing interest in this song

Through no fault of the song itself; this just isn’t my genre

I do appreciate what it’s doing though

Ohhhh the rap section though, mmm

Y’know, fine, it gets points just for the last minute

8/10

BTTB (Back to the Basics)

Rock vibes

The bass is doing something though

Also we’re rapping which is neat

The synths in the chorus go hard

Haha the tongue/lips rolling in the second verse

8/10, but a low 8

shame

The vocal processing is saying one thing, but the rhythm section is saying something completely different

Ohhh ok it’s not about being ashamed, it’s about being Honest

I can get behind that

Idk why but this chorus sounds kinda Japanese to me

Catchy song, but nothing special

7/10

dream diary ~ etching mémoires of midnight rêverie

It wouldn’t be Billlie without

Hmm okay, tropical house maybe?

Definitely some sort of house, based on the verse here

Yep, here’s the buildup

Oh that was cool, whatever they did with the melody in the first line of the chorus

Like the fall in their voices

I want a good instrumental break here

But yeah, they won’t give it to me, that’s not the kpop way

She sounds kinda like Seulgi

Yoooo if they give us an instrumental break after the bridge I’ll forgive it all

Of course not :(

8/10, this song was so close to greatness but it just didn’t capitalize on what it had