#jaw dropping art quality and for WHAT!!!!!!!!!!

[bittersweetresilience]

天官赐福 漫画 compilation

[muclunga]

Part one of combining every version of PJO characters :)))

Percy and Annabeth!

[tap/click for better quality] It’s pretty self explanatory. Read below the cut for my nerdy art processes.

So obviously, I’m referencing and color-dropping their old official art, new official art, movie, musical and tv show appearances.

Percy’s-

All of the Percy’s seem to have pretty well defined jaw lines and soft cheek bones. Most of them have square or diamond shaped faces, so I leaned into that more. I also realized they have wider nose bridges in addition to the slightly upturned nose so I went with that as well. Pretty much all the Percys’ have thick eyebrows, especially in the front, so I went with more of a taper and more down turned. The eyes pretty consistent. The hair was pretty easy, the textures kind of canceled out back into the his original description of having wavy, despite the OG art not really conveying that at all. Was kind of surprised that Walker’s hair didn’t lighten the combined colors more, as well as his and Logan’s eye color not making the color more blue.

Annabeth’s-

Annabeth’s was pretty interesting, just cause I’ve always associated her with having sharper and more angular features even though all her actresses and official art works have softer and more rounded features. Especially the nose.

Either way most of the annabeth’s cheek bines are lower and softer. She pretty much always has a flat and narrow nose bridge that’s usually much wider at the bottom. Her skin tone ended up being close to what I already use when I draw her- I was pretty shocked it wasn’t darker, but none of the official art shows annabeth as being as tan as she’s described to be. Her hair color was pretty much what I expected, same with her eye color. The hair texture was a little weird for me, cause Leah’s curl pattern is very different from the curl pattern Kristen has when she portrays Annabeth, which are both different from the curl pattern in Viria’s art. Alexandra’s hair is pin straight and OG official art annabeth’s hair is pretty limp except for a few half hearted curls at the bottom. So the hair texture you see was my best attempt at combining them all. Also I put a little braid in her hair to represent her braids in the show. Her eyes, much like all her other features, were a lot more soft and round than I usually draw her as having. I normally picture her with narrow, intense, diamond shapes eyes. A lot of her appearances, despite her description in the books, have big, soft, round eyes- which I thought was actually kinda cute cause she’s so smart and clever and observant that her having these big, round, curious eyes was made sense too.

But yeah. That’s about it. This was really fun and I plan on doing more :)

[zvdvdlvr]

entranced

art by @/likeafunerall on instagram.

“Hungry, dove?” Remus purred, raspy voice causing your hips to jerk further onto his crotch. Your tongue traced the pale marks on his neck from the last time he let you drink from the most intense ambrosia you’d ever tasted. “I know you need it.”

His large hands gripped your hips tightly, following your inhumanly carnal movements with his hands. Remus couldn’t look away from your eyes. You wanted to ravage him in a way that only you could. “Are you gonna give me what I need?” You asked lowly. Every inhale of Remus’s scent made you even more feral and you knew you didn’t have as much control of yourself as you wished. “You like when I drink your blood, don’t you? Do you like feeling the blood leaving your fingertips? Hm? Do you like how I can bring you your the brink of death, pretty boy?” Remus’s jaw clenched, revealing a vein in his temple. His hands tightened their hold on you and tried to force your soaking core onto his (he couldn’t, of course. Vampires were well known for their physical strength and agility).

“I love it,” he choked, feeling you press kisses from the shell of his ear to his throat. “Fuck, dove, I love it.”

“Masochist,” you absent teased.

Remus would have laughed if you weren’t violently groping every part of his body before covering his mouth and tilting his head.

“Jus’ like that,” he tried to say.

You carefully sunk your top two fangs into the delicate skin of Remus’s neck, watching intensely as two ruby red drops of his blood pooled up.

“Drink, my love,” Remus groaned, your hand falling from his face to track his pulse in case you got carried away (Remus hadn’t told you how much you had already consumed until he was halfway dead. Handsome bloke would let you kill him if you wanted). His head fell back onto the smooth silk of your pillow. You didn’t sleep well, but when you did Remus made sure you had good quality materials.

“I love you,” you whispered, watching the fat drops of blood merge. Without warning you attatched your mouth to the wound and whimpered at the overwhelmingly euphoric taste of Remus’s blood. The friction from your underwear and Remus’s underwear hit your clit just right.

The lycanthrope withered underneath you. Truly, he felt amazing when you drank his blood. His heart pounded until it didn’t and he felt disassociatedly relaxed, giving you complete control. Sure that was in your genetics to slowly immobilize your ‘victims’ but Remus found himself looking for the pain. 

Remus came when you let out a particularly loud growl near his ear, humping him like you’d die if you didn’t.

And Remus loved every second of it.

remus sluts: @sp1rit-realm

[ask-the-pioneer]

(OOC) Hey, do you know of any other cool rainworld ask blogs you could recommend to check?

I sure do!

@thunder-wolf64 is working on an AU in which one of Arti's pups (the green one, here named Sizzling Waters) gets adopted by scavs, and later reunites with his, erm, mentally unstable mom. If you are a reader who wants to see an AU with evil Arti, you will certainly enjoy Thunder's creations.

@threestarsaboveclouds is an iterator ask-blog that belongs to @delta-orionis, their posts are LONG and full of lore and I am honestly in awe people like Delta give so much to the RW fandom - it's free, high quality entertainment done purely for hobby. I have a lot of respect for their work. Besides, TSAC's color palette is very striking, which is what has initially drawn me to this AU.

@ask-the-colony-tree-siblings is @mushroominaforest's ask blog, and in this AU Arti and Hunter are siblings! Also, Mushroom's art style is a treat and immediately recognizable and I'm happy when i see it pop up in RW tag.

@firecracker-pup is run by @batnip; in a way it's a sibling-askblog to mine because both of our AUs center around the reinterpretation of Artificer's blue pup.

Honorable mentions:

@spotsupstuff's takes on RW lore and all their work surrounding iterators (my biggest blind spot) had my jaw drop to the ground and roll off into the seas - it's brilliant. I kid you not when I say I have +20 tabs open right now waiting there so I can binge-read Spot's posts once I get a free evening. There's so much of it... and I am ready to feast.

@opashoo has been working on a conlang for slugcats that I am 100% going to use in my AU. If you want to see amazing RW animations, art, and lore discussions, please follow her!

I'll admit, I feel like a lot of ask-blogs have died in the last 6 months? A handful of artists that were considered big - left the fandom. I'm not quite sure why that happened, but I'm hoping that the Watcher DLC brings some of them back (maybe).

-- Kali

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

I read over the neat handwriting scrawled elegantly onto my exam paper, a vivid red ink curling into the praise of 'good boy'. Giddy feeling of accomplishment aside, the ink seems to call to me. The letters are sharp, clean, deep. My hands simply itch to acquire such quality.... I recall the many different pens sprawled over my desk, back at Ramshackle, having bought them after discovering the many stationery and art brands of this foreign world. A few professional grade inking pens, a couple of brush pens, simple, smooth ball point pens...

But wow, this pen looks so good. I need to see it decorating my sketchbook!

"Professor, may I ask something?" I decide to (meekly) approach him one day in the hall. "what type of pen do you use for writing? It's so nice!"

I'd assume at this point most staff would be aware of my love for art, if the doodles I mindlessly draw on the sheets are anything to go by.

If you’re wondering, I used this irl luxury fountain pen as reference for the pricing on Crewel’s. It costs 1,255 USD (/thaumarks), which translates into roughly 125,500 yen (/madol).

If he doesn’t scare you, no evil thing will.

“You know fine craftsmanship when you see it.” Crewel folded his arms. “However, I’m afraid that particular writing implement is beyond your budget. Providing the name will do you no good.”

“It can’t be that bad,” you protested with a pout. “It’s okay! I’ve buckled down and dined on cup ramen for weeks and weeks before just to save up enough cash for stationary items!”

Crewel’s brows pinched, then loosened, pulling back to their original positions. He tangentially knew of your endeavors, the fruits of your labor tracked in ink and graphite doodles on every homework assignment and exam you turned in.

Those nuggets of gold, diamonds in the rough. The highlights of his busy work days.

He cracked a small smile and indulged your request.

“Very well, let’s see… This item comes from a specialty shop in Fairest City. For another fountain pen of this make and brand, that would set you back about 125,500 madol.”

Your jaw dropped, your eyes threatening to pop out of your skull. “D-Did I hear you correctly?! 125,500 madol?!”

“Yes,” Crewel replied nonchalantly. “I warned you it may be impractical to purchase on a student’s meager allowance.”

Your heart sank, face falling with it. “Urk! I didn’t expect the price to be that steep…”

There’s no way I can afford that on the monthly money the headmaster gives me! If I budget well and save for a whole year, that only runs me about…

Your fingers twitched as you attempted the mental math. Noticing it, Crewel chuckled.

“You’ve plenty of time to enjoy your school days. Someday, you’ll be that fine adult who can afford all the luxury pens they desire,” he advised with a brief pat on your shoulder, “so do not rush to grow up.

“If you inquire at the Mystery Shop, I’m sure Sam can recommend a number of affordable yet high-quality brands. He is sure to have something comparable to the fountain pen I use.”

[wasyno]

The Muse

Artist!Zhou Guanyu and seemingly nonexistant muse!Valtterri Bottas

click on image for better quality

Drabble for this au below

Zhou stares up at the blonde man haunting his mind and his artwork for the past who knows how long. 

He just can’t help it, y’know? It feels like every time he lifts a pen to paper, he’s drawing the same milky white complexion contrasted by an unearthly tan, the same pale eyes that switched from blue to green when the light hit them just right, and the same horrifyingly bleached blonde hair with long curls draping over the back of the nape.

So, Zhou stands there, staring up, nervously wringing his hands together as he critiques the recent additions he’d painted on. The hair could use some more definition; it could also look a tad more bleached. Plus, the man needs nipples, how did he even forget to add those? Zhou makes a few more mental notes of what to change for the future since he’s been working on this for too long and is starting to become ugly and muddled in his head. 

Zhou doesn’t know where this man even came from. He’s never even met anyone who even remotely looks like this (minus the Australian tv clips that Oscar’s shown him or some random guys he’s seen on Daniel’s instagram reels but that’s besides the point). 

It honestly doesn’t matter how the man came into existence, Zhou just had to embrace it at this point otherwise his art inspiration would fizzle down the drain, leaving only forced and lifeless sketches that look so ugly that he would have to replace the entire sketchbook. Plus, he only works in retail and the good mixed-media sketchbooks he likes are slightly too expensive for his liking to be continuously replaced.

(Zhou has come this close to ripping out a page from his newest sketchbook but there was such a pretty gouache doodle that he’d done on the backside he couldn’t bring himself to destroy the entire page)

The worst part of it all was his friends making fun of him for it regardless of the fact that most of them were artistically inclined. Logan has a penchant for taking jaw-dropping landscape photos while Oscar, despite being a man of fewer words, was breathtaking in the way he could put them down on paper. Liam loved music and his guitar skills were really good. Jack-, well, Zhou doesn't actually know if Jack has any artistic abilities other than the ability to draw dicks while tracking his runs on strava. And Fred, god bless Fred. The man is willing to research any niche topic or make any pose for a sketch if it means good art comes from it. 

Also, Zhou knows for a fact the others have “muses” even if they themselves dismissed the notion simply because of the fact that it wasn’t one person or thing that they always focused on like Zhou seemingly does. He knows for a fact where each of them, minus Jack and maybe Fred, draw inspiration from and yet, they still make fun of him for having a muse who doesn’t even seem to exist.

God, Zhou really just needs to sleep. He's overthinking this like usual and when he wakes up in the morning, he'll either hate it or love it. Either way, it'll give him enough motivation to actually finish the damn thing after his shift tomorrow.

[jinkiesmariz]

Nobody talks about how crazy @jurygarroth s art is like jaw dropping ly pretty bEAUTIFULLL such a consistent quality and ouuuuuhgghhjjed I can’t put it into words anytime I see any bits of his work i like Fall to my knees and curl into a prayer because what the hell!!! What the hell!!! Lucy is such a nice guy too like sorry to get sappy on main but he’s so cool and silly and funny and just a pleasure to be around AND this motherfuvker has the prettiest art known to man and some of the neatest MCD headcanons Ive Seen??? Idm im just like on the floor because what the hell hes so cool we should hunt him for sport….

[ai-satin-chic]

Upscaling & Tumblr

As you may know, I post my art in a few places, but Tumblr is my primary platform. One of my big frustrations with Tumblr though is the very restrictive compression/sizing the images suffer when posting.

It makes quite a big difference, especially when the source images are relatively small. When you've got images of satin dresses, ball gowns and silky skirts, all the detail counts!

You may have also noticed quite a jump in the quality of the images I'm posting recently. Basically, I've found a way to upscale images to really give them life.

Previously, my images were produced in 1024x1024p. I'm now able to double this quality to 2048x2048p, but Tumblr doesn't really let these images "shine". Even on desktop, they only display at the standard Tumblr size. DeviantArt is better, but I really feel like the Tumblr platform is missing out on the huge jump in quality.

So, as it stands, nothing is changing - I'll continue to post here, but I'm just frustrated about this. Hopefully Tumblr will change.

If you're interested to see what I mean about the jump in quality, take a look over at my Youtube channel.

If you've got a 4K/1440p monitor, make sure to switch over to 1440p mode on the video. You should see what a difference the upscaling makes - and how much is being missed on the Tumblr platform.

Here's the link to my first video using the upscaling technology.

Big & Beautiful Floral Satin Ball Gowns - Upscaled in 1440p! #ballgowns (youtube.com)

As a final example check out the differences in these two images. In my opinion, the tech is just jaw-dropping.

[journey-to-the-attic]

hello!!

i just finished reading chapter 50 of jtta and oh my gosh. i don’t even know where to start.

jtta is SUCH an amazing work of art that my words fall short.. it’s rlly the best fanfiction i have EVER read and i’m sure it’ll continue to be my Number One forever. your writing style is absolutely beautiful and your choice of words is IMMACULATE. the way you describe certain scenes truly baffles me everytime like,, there’s people out there who are really able to write like this?? they can magically plant a mental imagine w colors and all in my head from??? Words only??? u r so amazing omf

i also have to say that ur work has rlly helped me with expanding my own vocabulary — i had to look up a A LOT of words (though i’m sure i forgot them all by now..) but it was always so fun to learn new stuff!

your mind fascinates me sm bc?? when i was reading some scenes from jtta i rlly thought ‘man.. if i was the author i’d have no idea how to solve this..’ but u managed to surprise me every. single. time. u outdid urself each time and my jaw legit dropped at some scenes bc i could’ve NEVER EVER thought of that,,,

i only discovered jtta last summer bc i was looking for a platonic obey me ff (i can’t see the boys romantically to save my life 😔) and ur writing was rlly the best thing that ever happened to me.

i swear everytime i read another chapter i dived into this World bc ur writing is so????? Perfect??? i cant put it into words

idk how many times i repeated myself by now but i just wanna give u this BIG word of appreciation (even if im struggling w it LOL) for everything. your characterisation of all the characters was always SO on point and the pacing of the chapters always elevated the reading experience and and and i’m just so overwhelmed by the quality of your work 😭🫶

and when i found ur tumblr??? oh i was FLOORED. like. not only r u absolutely GIFTED at writing, ure also good at drawing???11!?1? the writer & illustrator combo is INSANEEEEE

jtta got me all wrapped up in this universe that whenever i went back to read other obey me work or play obey me itself, i got sad bc the newspaper club and ik weren’t there 😭

normally i’m sad about things ending, esp when i indulged in it over a course of time but with jtta all i felt was a warmth (oh and the tears…..) in my body, it rlly couldn’t have ended better!! jtta made me elict all sorts of emotions while reading and it was just such a wonderful experience!

i feel like i just want to say more to u and sing more praises for u and jtta but i’m just at a loss for words,, my mind is COMPLETELY blank :c

writing is definitely your superpower and i’m forever grateful that i found your work!!!!!! T__T <3 can’t wait to see more of your work in the future 🥹💝

i need you to know that i had to look away multiple times consecutively just to compose myself because aAAAggkj

from the bottom of my heart, thank you!! i don't know what else i can say, everything you've said means so much to me! messages like this make everything about creating so worth it, all i can do is thank you twice <33333

[1waveshortofashipwreck]

Hi!! I just wanted to say first off that this is such a cute idea! I don’t usually do a lot of requests/asks but i could not pass this up!

-My name is Lara Lowry, I use she/her pronouns!

-I’m short (like 5’1”) and I have dark brown curly hair. i’m half irish and half nigerian so i look kinda mixed. i have really dark brown eyes that kinda just look black unless you’re really close or in the sunlight lol. i have olive skin, im kind of pale rn cause it’s winter!

- I am an ENFP-A and my enneagram is 2 if i remember correctly. i love very hard and get attached very quickly! my love languages are quality time and physical touch i think. I am somewhat outgoing but i love to be at home a lot too. I’m a cancer so im very emotionally charged and i wear my heart on my sleeve.

-i play the flute and piano, im in the wind symphony and orchestra at my university and i love it, but i also love to draw so im an art major! i enjoy theatre and singing. i love to write as well, i just wish i could be more motivated to do so. one of my dreams is to be a mother honestly and make a beautiful/loving home for my family!

-i really love a partner that is sort of grounding for me, like someone who can be my rock. (i am very codependent which is bad ik but definitely one of my flaws.) i love someone who is classy and gentleman like! i think chivalry is very attractive! i can be a little crazy sometimes cause i have ADHD so i also like someone who can be my calm counterpart but also be fun and crazy with me sometimes! ok this is very telling but i LUV gingers, they’ve always been my type. i also love me some scrawny white men lol.

-my b.o.b faves are definitely winters, liebgott, guarnere, webster… in that order :) so i would love to be shipped with any of them but honestly i love them all so i don’t mind!

i’m so excited for this and thanks! :D



Aaaaaa thank you so much for the request love!! 😁🥰

I ship you with…

Joe Liebgott!

A song from my liked songs that reminds me of y’all - I Was Born to Love You by Queen

How y’all met

Ok so you were in Paris studying art and one day you were just vibing in an outdoor cafe doing some sketching

Liebgott was out with Luz and Webster just vibing on their weekend passes

Turns out they were at the same cafe!!

So you noticed the three of them hanging out and being Adorable so of course it’s sketchy sketchy time

You do this gorgeous picture of the three of them that just really captures the playful energy and happy vibes they were giving off

But Joe noticed you looking over and immediately is like wow she’s heckin cute

So he tries to catch your eyes every time you look up and he does a couple of times and just gives you THAT SMIRK YOU KNOW WHICH ONE and he can see you blush from his table and just thinks you’re SO CUTE

Joe decides to excuse himself for a second and saunters over to you, like, he needs to talk to you or else he’s gonna explode

“Couldn’t help but notice your pretty eyes kept looking over” he smooth talks as he takes the empty seat at your table

Before you can respond he sees your drawing and is just like

Jaw drop

Joe just drops all of his flirty smooth talking and in a sweet, honest voice, “you drew that? …that's how you saw me?”

Sweet boy just goes kinda quiet while staring at your drawing but he quickly snaps back to his senses, albeit a little frazzled

“Um, I’m Joe,” he says politely, stretching out a hand to you

Long story short he got a weekend pass to Paris any time he could and wrote to you every day

Lowkey you’d always put a little doodle on your letters back to him and he’d never admit it but all week he’d be looking forward to your letter and see what you drew this time

How he knew he loves you

So it’s one of the times when he got a weekend pass and y’all are having a picnic in the park just vibing and having a lovely time

All of a sudden a baseball comes rolling over to y’all and you notice a couple of itty bitty kids have started running over

You pick up the baseball and hand it to them and they start to apologize but you’re so sweet and they’re so stinking cute they just laugh and say thank you before running back to their game

Joe was sitting back watching the interaction and all he could see was you with a bunch of little Liebgotts

It just kind of hit him, he doesn’t want anybody else, you’re his person

As you’re coming back to sit down he takes your hand and just pulls you into his lap

Before you can protest he plants a soft, sweet kiss on your lips

“I’m in love with you, doll”

You can barely hear it but it still brings tears to your eyes

And you knew you found your person

A conflict and how y’all resolved it

So it’s after the war and you were back at home doing some sketches

It’s around the time Joe is supposed to be home but he’s still not home??

Finally you’re about to go to bed and Joe walks in the door

“Hey love! Long day at work?” you say, trying to mask your worry/relief as you give him a welcome home hug

“Yeah, something like that,” he replies half-heartedly as y’all go back and get ready for bed

This happens three more times in the week

You never get to see Joe, and when you do see him he’s too tired to talk

Not to mention the Intrusive Thoughts start happening

He can’t be seeing someone else…right?

So it’s finally the weekend and Joe has the day off

Or so you thought

You’re up and making coffee when Joe makes his way out

��Hey babydoll I’m gonna go try and get a few fares in,” he says casually, about to give you a goodbye peck on the cheek

Except all the worry and loneliness just kinda boils out of you

“Joey I haven’t seen you all week and now you’re picking up cab shifts on Saturday!?”

“Well I was just trying to make us some extra cash…”

“We’ve already paid our bills this month! Besides you could at least take today to be at home!”

The air is heavy while the two of you just stand there quietly

Joe has an anxious look in his eyes, looking everywhere but you as his hand comes up to the back of his neck

You notice and tears start welling up

“Tell me there isn’t someone else,” you’re barely able to make out without a sob accompanying your words

Suddenly Joe’s expression completely changes

His eyes immediately meet yours with shock and concern

“Baby is that why you think I’ve been out every night?”

You stay quiet and look down at the floor, unsure if you feel silly, embarrassed, frustrated, or some combination of the three

“Oh sweetheart…” Joe immediately comes over and wraps you up in a warm, tight hug

You let a few sobs escape as you melt into his embrace, wrapping your arms around him

“You know I’d never do that to you love, shit there’s no one out there that even begins to compare to you,” Joe tells you in a quiet, sincere voice

“Then why have you been going out so much?”

Joe pulls away from the hug and looks down at the floor, almost appearing embarrassed

“I wanted to surprise you… I’m saving up for your birthday present.”

And you just ???? “What could you be getting that could need you to work so much?”

“I just always saw how you looked at pictures of Ireland and how you always say you’d like to go somewhere on a vacation…”

“Joey, are you saving up to take me there?”

“... I was saving up so we could fly first class and get a nice fancy hotel, you deserve the best…”

Now you start sobbing again but for a whole new reason

Joe looks at you again with concern when he hears you start crying again but you just take his face in your hands and give him the biggest kiss ever

“You’re the sweetest man I’ve ever met, you know that?”

He winds up staying home that day ❤️

Your Happily Ever After

So y’all get married after the war and you move to San Francisco with your mans

You have twin girls who you both love to the moon and back

Your family is just as you pictured it and so much more - like it's so clear to everyone how much all four of you love each other

Every weekend you, Joe, and your girls are in the park trying something new

One weekend Joe is teaching them to ride bikes and helping them up when they fall

The next weekend they’re showing you the flowers that they drew cuz they wanna be artists like you

At the end of each day after you put the girls to bed you just sit on your couch with Joe and lean your head on his shoulder and life couldn’t be more perfect

A silly headcanon about your relationship

Y’all always do family costumes for Halloween and it’s the best thing ever

One year you were superheroes

You and Joe were Superman and Wonder Woman and the twins were Batman and Robin

Another year you were Cruella and the three of them dressed as dalmatians

Nothing compares though to when the Easy Company Reunion fell on Halloween Weekend

So, unbeknownst to Joe, the three of you dressed as his friends for Halloween

Of course you dressed up as Webster

And the girls just begged to go as Uncle George and Uncle Joe

The only ones smiling bigger than Joe were Luz and Toye when they saw their mini me's

Joe keeps the picture from that Halloween in his wallet and another copy in his cab visor

aaaaaaaa this was so much fun to write!!! Thank you again for the ask Lara and for your patience 🫠 !!!!

[sketchfanda]

Chestnut Stud across the Multiverse: Lost Phone

Tracer paced herself as she commenced her early morning jog through the currently quiet streets of Satan City, any few passers by or locals out and about turning heads her way as she ran by. Really who could blame them with how hot she looked and her quite daring ensemble which out her petite yet toned athletic frame on display. But most,especially thst sweet,glorious, juicy jiggling booty of hers out here for all to see, truly it was a work of art. The sun making her sweating skin have a glistening sheen as the currently off duty scpd officer was feelin her adrenaline pumping, rushing though her veins and nerves as she passed through the city park. The scent of freshly cut grass lingering in the air before she paused,running in the spot as she noticed Something gleaming in the sunlight on the greenery as she bent over to pick it up. Quirking a brow behind her amber goggle shades as she found the mysterious item was a smartphone. Seems someone lost their cell, unlucky fellow, as she placed it in. A pocket of her shorts and finished her run, returning to the simple quaint apartment she shared with her girlfriend Emily who greeted her as she came in closing the door behind her. “Hey Lena,nice run this morning?”

Tracer shrugged her shoulders as she took off her headphones for her workout music run,placing them on the counter as she followed by fishing out the phone. Placing it on the coffee table as she began to do some post run stretches. Emily looking between the book she was reading and the sight before her as her lover casuall displayed her gymnastic quality flexibility. “Went about usual ‘til I got to the park and found this. Might drop it to the lost and found so the owner can come looking for it…” Emily simply nodded, purring as she sipped her coffee mug, looking back and forth between her reading material snd the wonderful view of her girlfriend’s backside. Those wonderful back muscles flexing and that meaty set of buns contained I thin those tight shorts. Especislly when she performed a splits, massaging her legs as she swayed back and forth. Humping and grinding her groin against the smooth floor while the freckled ginger babe tilted her head at the phone on the table. Curiousity overtaking her as she picked it up to examine it, looking it over as she found it was a simple press and swipe to unlock it. Perhaps something in its contents might give a clue about its owner, what harm in helping out her girlfriend right? The contacts list was certainly a puzzle, that was for sure. No.18,Bulma,chichi? Just among the few names that came to mind and they were on a list dubbed “Booty Calls”? Was the owner some sort of Casanova gigolo? Her curiosity continued to make her browse through the contents on this cell as she decided to check the gallery for any pictures or videos that might give more hints to this unknown fellow as she noticed they were separated into numerous folders. A few them entitled “For the Ladies’ only”, “Regulars”,”18′s surprises”, it made Emily all the more puzzled and curious all at once as she tapped the first folder. Eyes widening and jaw about to drop at the sigh before her, thumb swiping through the pictures before her.

““Oh my god, Lena you’ve to see this? I think this phone belongs to a guy and he’s got it loaded with dick pics…and this fellow is BIG!!” The ginger cutie quipped,eyes dazzling with a twinkle of Pervy mischief. Lena rolling her eyes at her other half being so casual in blatantly invading someone’s privacy. Even if Emily did seem so adorable being such a minx, omly for her girlfriend to hold the phone toward her and present the screen to her. ““Look at this,it’s like before and after,here he is relaxed and here he is when he’s all erect and hard…” she spoke with excitement as Lena widened her eyes in shock. Lifting her shades up to get a better look as she saw Emily hadn’t been kidding. None of their dildos had thst kind of length and girth on them, biting her lip as her face blushed. How did this guy find any kind of underwear to contain such a slab of meat? She couldn’t help but make her crotch hump and ground against the floor,her cameltoe rubbing thriugh her shorts against the delicious friction. Almost as if visualising and simulating what it’s be like to do the same against such a dick. No calling it just a dick didn’t seem right, this was definitely more of a cock. She’s met and locked eyes with her lover as they seemed to start having some silent, telepathic competition. Getting up from her splits as she sat beside her on the couch, the couple looked at the cellphone screen together and began to browse the folders thst clewrly had naughty pictures or videos. If this guy had pictures displaying snd showing off that prime piece of manhood, what else was on there?

“Bloody hell, I think I know that guy…” as she and Emily saw the owner of that titanic cock, some sort of shortstack but Herculean muscles fellow. Visible from head to toe,he wasn’t what you’d call overly macho handsome or a total pretty boy Prince but he sure as hell wasn’t ugly. And the women in the pictures and videos with him certainly weren’t complaining, not with how lustfully they deepthroated his cock or the expressions they wore along with the sounds they made as they outright mated with the guy. It was quite a variety some of which were threesomes and more, with a hot as hell blue eyed blonde babe showing up regularly and frequently throughout. Then it hit tracer where she knew him from, he was thst rookie cop in the department who was making his way up the ranks. They say he was super human,able to subdue and handle felons with just his own bare hands and what the deuce?! Some of the women in these pictures were fellow officers!! But wasn’t he married? Seems wifey didn’t mind at all and she could see why, the guy was a machine. As she and Emily shared another look, rubbing their thighs together as they felt arousal flowing down, all warm and sticky. Once more seemingly having a telepathic conversation as they grinned and shared a quick little kiss. Emily accessing the camera mode as she set it to switch between pictures and videos as her lover stood before her doing a little stretch to warm up and a sexy little dance. Her back to her as she bent her spine and stretched her arms above her head.

“Alright luv,let’s make a surprise for handsome….” The ginger cutie quipped sensually as Tracer looked over her shoulder with a saucy wink and smile. Daintily kicking off her shoes, thumbs hooking the waistband of her shirts as she shook and tweaked her ass at the camera. Those twin globes jiggling and shaking as they clapped like erotic thunder. Lowering her shorts to expose her ass, as she gave her fingers a sloppy lick and delivered a swift left to a cheek. Hissing at the delicious sting before she went and took her shorts off completely. Sticking her booty out towards her voyeuristic camera woman as her slit was exposed, her arousal glistening. Following uo as she removed  and threw her tanktop aside and turned around to present herself fully exposed. Hands running uo along her body as she began to caress and play with herself, showing off her flexibility as she did a standing splits and woild turn to shake her ass more than once. Emily snapping pictures or recording this striptease as the pair giggled, Lena licking her lips as she took the camera, blowing a kiss at the lens before she turned it around to show Emily on the couch. The freckled redhead babe giggling, unable to help herself stay calm at the naughty thing she was about to do. As she lifted up and pulled off her sweater, followed by unclipping her bra, shedding it to expose her freckled kissed perky tits. Jiggling them playfully as she got up from her seat, swaying her hips as she removed her jeans, panties and all. Doing sexy poses as she she blew kisses at the camera, twirling around to show off her own thicc, juicy curvy form as she displayed meat in all the right places. Before laying back onto the couch as she recline to spread her legs. Bending her knees as she presented her anal pucker and her gushing slit, fingers prying the netherlips to show off the most pink piece of heaven.

Tracer moved closer with the camera as she set it to selfie mode,turning it around as she sat beside her lover. Who wasted no time in caressing her pussy, moaning as she teased and prodded the sensitive pleasure spot. “Mm just look at this love. You got my girlfriend here all wet for your cock and she hasn’t even met you…” Lena sensually teased, as she and Emily shared a sloppy erotic kiss, adding plenty of tongue for their amateur camera show before eher ginger lover took the camera to aim it at her pussy in turn. The bootylicious officer moaning deepthroated gasps and cries of passion as she played with herself. “Aaahn if You wouldn’t mind doing for us what You do all the women in your gallery…” the pair paused in their erotic session as they heard knocking on their apartment door, milt hitting pause on the video as they went to check through the spy hole who was interrupting them just when they were really hitting their stride. Emily looked first before looking at her lover with giddy surprise as she made her have a look see herself. There in the other side was the blonde and their compact stud who owned the cell phone. Though in some of the pics and vids he did have hair but thst was neither here or there,as Tracer opened the door enough for her and Emily to poke their heads through as the former spoke. ““Hey,what’s gong on? What can I do ya for?” The blonde with him quirked a brow as she seemed to notice their perspiration and blushes. All the while the shortstack fellow rubbed the back of his head nervously.

““Hey Uhm Lena right? It’s me Krillin,we work in the same precinct? Listen I kind of lost my phone and 18, Uhm that’s my wife here…” he spoke, gesturing to the blonde bombshell. So she was this no.18? And she not omly liked him sleeping around with other women but sometimes did them together with him? That just made their pussies so damn wet. Their naughty erotically hazed minds visualising the short king naked easily given their earlier voyeurism through the contents of his phone earlier. Seeing him up close and in person, he looked even better than his pictures implied. As he finished what he was saying, getting their attention again. ““She’d checked a tracking app earlier and it says it was here. So do you have it?” The couple looking at each other before they grinned and popped their heads back inside. Opening the door fully to allow Krillin and 18 to come on inside. Taking in the view and the decor as Lena spoke in response.

““Oh wouldn’t you know it? I think we got it right here. But see we have to be sure it’s yours so we need just one bit o proof to confirm you’re the owner alright.” Before Krillin could enquire what it was,he and 18 heard the door shut, turning to see Tracer and Emily naked as the day they were born. Saucy sensual smiles on their faces as tracer leaned against the door seductively while her lover dangled and waved the phone, taking delight in krillin’s aghast response, looking so cute with his eyes bugged out and his jaw looking ready to fall off and hi the floor. 18 on the other hand grinned a minx like smile of her own clewrly liking where this was going and what the implications were here as she fished out her own smart phone. Both her and Emily accessing the cameras  as Lena walked over with a predatory gleam in her eyes, leaning close to the shortstack fellow. At 5′4′’ to his 5′1′’ their height difference was a mere 3 inches as she draped her arms around his shoulders, face leaning in close to his, their lips inches apart. “I’m going to need to see that cock of yours..” soon as she said thst,she seized the advantage from his shock as she pressed her. Outh to his,catching him in a liplock. Emily purring as she licked her lips at seeing her girlfriend do Something so thrilling and taboo while 18 undid the buckle and fly of her own jeans, sliding down past the waistband to caress her own pussy. Icy blue eyes looking with voyeuristic intent as she watched Tracer’s tongue invade her man’s mouth, her hand sliding down along his shirt to grope and rub his crotch. The tomboy law girl purring as she could feel the prize contained within, as Krillin glanced at his wife with a silent plea.

“Now now Krillin only natural to go with the flow, give them the proof they asked for..” Krillin’s expression became deadpan at his wife’s teasing remark because of course this was happening. Sighing as he began to unbuckle and drop his pants, boxers and all, Emily and Lena gasping with sensual delight as they saw that gifted cock in the open, in all its lengthy,girthy flesh and blood glory. Despite his mood, his shaft began twitching and rising to soon stand so firm and erect, you could hammer nails into solid wood with it. Tracer purring as she got his shirt off of him and now had him as naked as she and Emily were, sloppily making out with the short king, tongues dancing as she grasped and began to stroke his fuckrod. Kissing her way down along that wonderfully sculpted physique of his, thinking to herself how did his uniform or clothes contain such a body before as she was soon kneeling on the floor, face level with that cock in her hand. Taking the plunge as she began to assault that shaft with kisses from head to base, not even leaving his smooth golfball sized gonads untouched. Licking,sucking and blowing on his meat as she took it into her mouth, making herself nearly suffocate in trying to see how much deepthroat she could achieve. Emily and 18 licking their lips as they played with themselves,watching Krillin groan and Tracer’s booty wiggle and shake. The blonde cyborg bombshell prepping and propping her phone on a counter as she let it continue to record, stripping herself naked and throwing her clothes aside as she went on over and around Emily. Getting behind her as she wrapped her arms around her waist, making the ginger beaut gasp with surprise and delight as 18 pulled her closer to her,their bodies pressing together as the deadly beauty captured her lips in a kiss. Reminding Emily of her presence in Krillin’s little porno collection on her phone was there for a reason as she gladly began to return the sloppy kiss, making out with her as their lovers got sexually acquainted.

Did they ever of course as the walls of the apartment soon filled with the echoing cries of Lena’s howls and moans of orgasmic passion and the slapping of skin on skin. “Ohh blimey yes!! Oh fuck me,right there!! Harder you stallion!!”Among such words whenever she could get her brain working to say some actual words and sentences as Krillin had her on her hands and knees as he fucked her doggy style. His cock jackhammering into her pussy as his hips pistoned away like a well oiled machine. The former monk turned law man’s primal switch flipped as Tracer’s lust was too good to resist. Eyes glued to her jiggling ass, an ass that’d been the source of much gossip and locker room talk. Unable to help himself as he suddenly withdrew his shaft, Lena pouting at feeling her pussy empty before a look of shock and surprise as she felt him penetrate her asshole!! Gasping as she came so hard, her pussy squirted like a geyser before she soon felt the momentum take her along,a look of ecstasy anf fucked stupid bliss forming on her face. “Oh god yes!! My ass!! you’re fucking my ass!! Dont stop fuck it,fuck my pussy!! my mouth!! it’s all yours luv!! fuck me hard then fuck Emily!!” She barked and howled as Krillin obliged her,pumping in and out of her donut hole before suddenly switching back to her pussy then vice versa. 18 and Emily keeping themselves occupied as they sat on the floor, pussies pressed together in a lewd kiss. Scissoring intensely as they watched their lovers go at it like animals in the heat of mating season. Emily soon having her turn as she rode Krllin cowgirl style, unable to stop her hips from moving as her pussy was invaded by the length and girth of his cock. Tracer and 18 on either side of her as 18 made out with her husband while Tracer played with her girlfriend’s tits and made out with her. The ginger cutie amazed and overwhelmed she was managing to stay concious taking such a massive shaft compared to the sort of toys she and Lena used on each other. The couple switching out or going 2 on 1 or 3 on 1 if 18 got in the mix whenever Krillin came and he didn’t cum easy enough. Oh no the man was a stamina machine and damn how long could he stay hard for? It was unreal as it was thrilling!!

Seconds became minutes which passed on their way to hours as Tracer found herself pinned on her own couch in a mating press, Krillin folding her like an accordion as he plowed and piledrove into her hungry,horny pussy. To Lena scissoring her lover as Emily’s head hung off the edge of the couch, taking a powerful facefucking from their new best sex friend to often having one sit on his face and the other riding his cock. Often times Tracer especially loved when he’d fuck her ass, making her booty cheeks jiggle and his the rush of his balls smacking her clit, especially when she’d be made to eat out either Emily or 18 especially when their pussies oozed with excess of Krillin’s jizz. The pair uncaring how much time passed, the high noon sun shining as they felt their final climax hit, slits and assholes overflowing with spunk as they joined 18 in delivering a triple team blowjob to Krillin, who sat on the couch like a king which to the cyborg babe wasn’t far off the mark. The compact stud shuddering and groaning as he came,his load erupting as he showered the horny couple and his wife with a healthy coating of his seed. Their faces and tits painted and their mouths catching their favourite treat as he went limp, his cock entering its relaxed state as Tracer and Emily got on the couch and sat between him. Sandwiching him and hugging him,planting idle butterfly kisses on his person as 18 picked up his and her phones. Ending the stream and placing them safely down,looking at the afterglow scene before her. “I’m just going to hit a shower,feel free to join me because we know that’s just round 1...and this isn’t going to be just a one time thing...” the deadly beauty quipped, Lena and Emily grinning with erotic delight. Who knew their day would go so well from the former finding a simple,single lost phone just this morning?

[raplinesmoon]

let’s talk about it: bts’ closets

It’s late lol and I was inspired by Sunny @minisugakoobies latest poll about borrowing BTS’s clothes, but it got me thinking hard about their actual style and how great it is!! I feel like they all have such distinct personalities that come through in the way they dress, and if I had all the money (and style sense) in the world, here are the outfits from each member I would want to steal:

BTW, I would love everyone else’s input on the outfits they would steal!! (drop me an ask)

Namjoon

Can we just talk about the yellow daisy shirt? Because it’s literally fucking perfect. I think I love it almost as much as I love Namjoon, and I love that man. It’s the perfect piece that adds some interest without making too much of a statement, and it’d look so cute styled with so many other things. i love that he matched the shoes to it too. If I saw anyone wearing this, I would offer to wife myself immediately. The second outfit? I would steal it bc I literally have it. I have it and I wore this same combo - sneakers, plain shirt, grey long coat, and jeans to the art museum. So Namjoon is basically my boyfriend already you see.

Seokjin

Lowkey, I feel like we don’t give Seokjin enough credit for his sweatshirt collection. He has one of the best sweatshirt collections among the members.  think it’s his staple piece, and it totally fits the cosy boyfriend vibe he exudes. Like what other man looks as equally adorable and hot wearing a fluffy bear on their shirt? Let me know. I like how he pairs them with both trousers and jeans depending on the mood of the outfit, esp as someone that loves sweatshirts too. Every once in a while though, he busts out a piece like the jacket in the second pic and I have to pick my jaw up off the floor bc I NEED IT.

Yoongi

If there’s one word I’d use to describe Yoongi wearing anything, it’s effortless. He could be wearing a paper bag and look like he walked off a runway. I like how his casual sense of style really showcases how beautiful he actually is. Like the outfit in the first pic is so simple, but he’s literally glowing in it?! Proof that self-confidence goes a long way. Also we just need to talk about the LV sweatshirt bc he pulls it off even though it’s not his typical style, and I love the pop of color in an otherwise plain outfit (would I wear it on the first day of class if I was still in college? yes)

Hoseok

No bc let’s actually talk about it: Hoseok is a fashion god. I’ve never come across anyone with a better eye for style than him. He’s bold, expressive, and not afraid to take risks and I love that. He can take the most cacophonous pieces and somehow make them work. Like if you step back and look at the first outfit - none of those pieces should work together. At all. But they do bc he knows how to blend patterns and colors. Also making a bold claim that this man knows his way around some denim bc it looks so good on him - the way he pairs navy on navy in the second fit without it looking like a Canadian tuxedo is beyond me (I NEED THOSE PANTS!).

Jimin

We can’t even talk about Jimin without talking about his iconic Chelsea boots and leather jackets. We love a man who knows the value and importance of styling outfits with statement pieces in mind. Also proof of how a well-made good quality garment can stretch a long way when it comes to style. But also?? Can we talk about his accessories?? Bc they’re wonderful. From the hat to the cute bag in the first fit - he really puts thought into the details and those little things are what pulls his outfit together.

Taehyung

I know I said I’d steal Namjoon’s clothes, but these pics of Tae have me rethinking my vote entirely. Tae’s style is driven by such a strong creative vision - he knows the look he wants to execute and he delivers on theme every single time, despite how different the two outfits are. I’m in love with the patterned shirt from the first outfit that breaks up the blocks of color (thought out like a true artist Mr. Vantae). And then the paint splotches on the second outfit? Amazing. Also big ups to Tae bc he supports sweater vests and I am the number one sweater vest enthusiast (they make everybody look cute and cosy).

Jungkook

As someone who wears scrubs most of the day, I really support Jungkook’s mission to be as comfortable as possible at all times. Who said looking good has to be uncomfortable? I’ve been freaking out over the jeans in the first pic ever since I found out Jeon Jungkook existed - they elevate the outfit while still keeping the look very boyfriend bc of the stripes on the side (as the proud owner of some two-toned denim myself). And then the hanbok!! Jungkook predicted how matching sets would be all the rage a few years before it happened! A lowkey trendsetter >>>

[ctrl58]

i think this is a record for amount of time spent on one single drawing. my jaw dropped because my other art pieces of similar quality only take 3-4 hours at most! i think it’s cuz this piece has a background, this is what happens when you neglect practicing how to draw backgrounds 😭 26 hours and i’m not even done >:(

[jugaflugg]

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Review

I'd like to unload the hundreds of thoughts I'm having following our viewing of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse - that is to say, this will contain a plethora of spoilers, so be warned! No safe harbour beyond this point!

Firstly, wow. What an incredible film! Everything was spectacular, and I wouldn't expect anything less. When I went to see Into the Spider-Verse back in 2018, I was blown away by the pure tenacity of the filmmakers, who really went above and beyond with the film. The technical make-up of this film is unlike any other - simply unparalleled in its quality, style, and performance. Each and every artist should be proud of themselves for their contribution to this film; they are at the forefront of art and of cinema itself. And that isn't hyperbole.

I want to talk about the plot first, specifically how Miles' story was told in this film. We have a fair amount of narration from Gwen and her perspective on the events, which I think added a really wonderful dimension to her (pun not intended), as well as letting us see Miles through the eyes of those he has had an impact on.

Miles Morales is different, even for a Spider-Man, and I think that the film really broadened our understanding of him: who is Miles Morales? The question is asked, in more or less those exact words, throughout the film. Miles didn't tell us the answer, but he sure as hell showed us.

Every new character introduced was phenomenal - I especially loved Hobie and Pavitr, who were so stylish and interesting. I'm looking forward to learning more about them in the sequel! Hobie in particular was of interest to me, with his anti-capitalist views and pro-anarchist perspective. It may sound as though he was played for laughs, but with the "Protect Trans Kids" pride flag in Gwen's room, the "#BLM" badge on Miles' bag, and the subtly anti-police undertones of the film itself, it is clear where the filmmakers stand.

The ending of the film was jaw-dropping to say the least. As soon as we were told Miles had ended up in the wrong universe, I knew where things were going. So, universe-42 Miles is Prowler? Interesting, to say the least. Only time will tell if he is truly a villain, or if he took up the mantle as a vigilante alternative to Spider-Man.

Miguel O'Hara made it clear that he believes universe-1610 Miles (our Miles) to be an anomaly. I've talked before with people about my perspective on time travel in films - there are multiple ways it can be done (I have a point here, I promise!). One way of representing time travel is to have a linear structure, with every "anomaly" creating an entirely new universe. Alternatively, there is (what I refer to as) looped time-travel, where the events that happen were always supposed to happen (a glass knocked over by someone time travelling was always meant to have been knocked over, for example).

Personally, I'm of the mind that Miles is not an anomaly, he was always meant to be. Nobody could have prevented universe-1610 Kingpin from creating the reactor, and if he hadn't done it, another universe's Kingpin would have (that's rather the point of infinite potential). Therefore, the continuum would always have been disrupted, and Miles would always have become Spider-Man. Sure, it's an incredibly small percentage chance, but it could happen, and it did happen.

In any case, I fully expect to see a resolution in which The Spot (voiced by one of my all-time favourites, Jason Schwartzman) is either put in a position where he feels he belongs or, alternatively, manages to wipe himself from existence by being everything and nothing. No doubt that, if he is not already, universe-42 Miles will become the protector of his realm, be it as Prowler or something else (Spider-Prowl? Prowler-Man?). And hopefully we'll see a resolution between Miles and Gwen!

In terms of the animation, as I already stated, it was beyond the limits of what I thought was possible. Admittedly, I'm not an animator, nor am I familiar with the technical complexities of it, but the mix of styles was surely enough to demonstrate the sheer willpower and talent of these animators.

This isn't even to mention the live-action elements, or the LEGO dimension. Slotting characters of different styles into universes that both compliment and contrast them was downright exciting to watch. The pacing left you with the breathing room to assimilate every new fight, whilst never letting you get bored - there was always something new on the horizon.

I am, simply put, astounded by this film. I was apprehensive to see if it could outdo the first one and - though I definitely need to watch it a few more times - I am fairly certain it is on a par with, if not better than Into the Spider-Verse. The true test will be whether they can stick the landing with Beyond the Spider-Verse, but honestly I have no doubts that it will be equally spectacular.

Knowing how much time, effort, and love went into this film is so apparent in every frame. The wit of the script, the technical effects, the voice acting (shout out to Daniel Kaluuya, voice of Hobie, for his excellent performance) were all sublime and well-worth every penny we paid for the seats.

Thank you, Spider-Verse, for pushing the boundaries of creativity and managing to wow me at every turn. I can't wait to see what is next for this cast of characters, and for those leading the way in artistic development.

[Note: Realised I forgot to mention the soundtrack, which was every bit as amazing as you'd expect! Daniel Pemberton is probably my favourite film score artist - Miguel's theme was perfection!]

[dangermousie]

This is such a lovely, lovely, sequence in ep 2 and a great way to show that Ling may be brash and loud and vulgar and what not but he is a genuinely nice person when it matters - he gives her the drawing back (that she wrote the address/directions on the back of) though he wanted it badly and though he barely knows her and she hasn't been warm to him. Because it's hers, not his. And even apologizes for crumpling it before he saw what it was. He is bashful and genuine and none of it is motivated by wanting to pick her up and it's honestly so lovely.

This bit! When she says it doesn't matter since this is just prep material and the way his jaw metaphorically drops because this is something he treasured so much and she's all "it's nbd piece of nothing."

God...I forgot how genuine they both were.

I love it, honestly. Because she's also not trying to pick him up (she's as far from that sort of thing as the moon) but he's admired her art and has been nice and protected her from the molesting creep so...

This is the very first time we see Qi Luo smile. At his enthusiasm. They don't know it, but they are beginning oh-so-gradually bring each other back to life.

Honestly, I love him. Also, I don't have this capped but the first thing he says is he doesn't have money to pay, which is why he has to come up with something else and it was my first drama and so I did not realize how rare it was to have characters who are broke and stay broke and act broke and it informs their living conditions but it is and yet this drama does. Except for a brief bit where he's made to live with his father again (and that ends fairly quickly), Ling is broke at the start and he continues to be broke through the end (though he gets to be a racer by the end so things are looking up) and Qi Luo herself is barely middle class. It's rare and I love it.

I am screaming into my hands at this scene no matter how many time I rewatch it but also, he really does end up carrying it out, doesn't he? I do love his protectiveness. Part of the reason Ling is first drawn to Qi Luo is not just her painting which makes him think of his mother, but it's because, at his base, Ling is a very protective person. Sheng has twisted that, one of Ling's best qualities, but it's still there and he's found another outlet for this, only this time she is worthy. Just as he is worthy of her trust.

Oh Ling ahahahahahahah

The thing that is so awesome about this little sequence is not that he just says it because he can't help it, he's not really meaning it or expecting anything but her reaction. She does not desire him in any way (sexual desire is a LONG way off for her) but she is not in the least shaken or uncomfortable because she knows he means no harm or even a genuine offer and is just being his usual self. In fact, she uses this opportunity to ask him to model which means she feels safe to be in confined spaces alone with him and this is insanely huge as is the fact that she allows herself to be amused at his confusion. But also his face before she clarifies is amazing ahahahaha.

This is actually going to lead me on a loooong discussion as to how this is a rare drama where the (eventual) sex scene isn't just for fun and aesthetics (not that there is anything wrong with that) but for character development and progression. Because sexuality and approach to it is a crucial important part of the story.

This is most obvious, of course, in the case of Qi Luo. QL, after the repeated rapes by her stepfather, is obviously someone who’s not only locked her sexuality away and threw out the key, but she is someone so incredibly traumatized when the drama starts that she can’t even bear to interact with boys in any fashion at all.

She is terrified of Ling/dislikes him in the beginning (and it’s a vague general dislike that she shares for the rest of the world, not specific to him) when he does nothing more than politely asks her for directions. This is the girl who used to pray every day that no one speak to her in school.

And yet, paradoxically, part of the reason she is OK with Ling at the very start, even before she falls for him, enough not to shut him out is that he is so open about everything, sexuality included. I am thinking of that bit at lunch where he is trying to talk to her and she is staying silent so he jokes whether she would like him to open her mouth with his tongue. It's ridiculous and overt like all his pick up lines which have the subtlety of a brick. But it’s all open, on the surface, nothing hidden, what you see is what you get. She knows where she stands. Everything out in the open (well, not his issues but that’s a matter for another discussion) and he doesn’t treat her as a weirdo but an attractive girl, but also his attentions are so good-naturedly out there and so general that she doesn’t have to worry about him pouncing for real. It’s just talk he’ll do with anyone and if she doesn’t take him up on the offer, he’ll find someone else and he is not really pursuing her. In fact, she sees how protective he is of her.

He is not like her stepfather or that teacher (as she actually tells him at one point.) She is terrified of ‘normal’ because she’s seen what horrible things it can hide. With someone like Ling, it’s not hidden at all and the very fact that he doesn’t lie or pretend, that all the weirdness is out there so she knows what to expect, makes her feel safe. (Of course, as we later find out, a part of her is drawn to Ling precisely because of the violence, because he is acting out what she so much wants to do, to her tormentors, in her head. Tong Dao might assume she is Ling’s good angel and he is right. He is also right that if she were to disappear Ling would go full blown psycho (even at the very end, when Ling says he wouldn’t get revenge on Tong Dao, I don’t know. It’s tremendous growth that he can even think that but I think he really would snap in some horrifying way if QL died). But, in some ways Tong Dao is very wrong as she has an enormous deal of darkness in her. After all, she is the one who wants the stepfather dead, and it is Ling who stops.)

And as she starts to interact and falls in love with Ling, she begins to open up, both emotionally and physically. Part of the reason she is so adamant about not giving Ling up (when Qing Mei threatens her and tells her she will smash her hand and so QL won’t be able to paint, QL replies that it’s only her right hand and she can teach herself with her left) is because he really is the only connection to humanity and to feeling normal she has. She has so few outlets that she is desperate to keep this - she clings to him because he's her first/last chance (and she is his.) And of course, through being with Ling, through letting in another person, finally feeling secure to feel, she begins to let others in as well: Da Ye, Qing Mei (who goes from enemy to a friend), etc. I love that she will always be an introvert, the reserved one. But she is so much more functional at the end.

But she opens up physically, too. I am thinking of all the kissing and hugging and the amount of physical contact, which must be such a novelty to her (the scene that kills me is when she later tells Ling that he is the first person she’s kissed because through everything, she’s never been kissed.) It's gradual and fraught and lovely and culminates with the sex scene after which, significantly, the sexuality thing is not really addressed again except in normal fashion of her waking him up in the morning or his father asking about kids blah blah.

Tangent: with that scene, it’s so crucial that she is the one who makes the first move, because after knowing of her rape, there is no way Ling would make the first move. It's pretty telling, the way she phrases her request to him: to take her back to the time before she was 16 (which is when she was raped). For her, making love with Ling is really reclaiming herself, fully freeing herself from her trauma, being fully who she is supposed to be, a college girl with a boyfriend who does all sorts of normal couple things, sex included. I think that is the crucial thing: for her, sex itself is made normal because she is doing it with whom she chooses and when she chooses. It is not forced on her and so she does not have to feel forced. (Side note: I rewatched this bit out of order and I love that Ling is so attuned to her that when she closes her eyes he realizes she is beginning to freak out and tells her to open her eyes and look and see that it’s him or that he tells her he’s never seen anything more pure than she is when she starts freaking out she is dirty…But I think it’s the look on her face at the end that kills me the most: it’s this total surprise that wow…this can be good.)

The interesting thing is, the narrative is pushing sex with love is great but sex outside of that even if not forced can be OK or can be a sign of something else. Just look at Ling. He is all about meaningless fun sex before Qi Luo. He would never force a girl or even chase one that’s not interested and he is very into having the girls have a good time as well, but the whole point is, his whoring around is a symptom of some of his problems: he doesn’t want to make emotional connections. He doesn’t want to feel, to be vulnerable, to open himself up to loss again (I bet part of the reason he ran as fast as he could from Qing Mei is because she wanted to get serious). In his extravert, gregarious way, he has walls even thicker than Qi Luo. But that’s the whole role reversal in effect in their relationship: loving him makes her able to open up physically. Loving her makes him patient about this with her. And makes him incapable of being with others (physically, no less!!!) Because it’s all about being able to connect.

It's made repeatedly clear, as I mentioned, that outgoing daredevil Ling is much more messed up and fragile than Qi Luo. The results of her trauma are very very visible: withdrawal from the world, lack of interaction, almost pathological shyness. Ling, when we first meet him, appears to be a fun extravert, popular if a troublemaker. But as we get to know him, we see that his demons are so much much worse even than Qi Luo’s. One doesn’t get locked away in a mental institution for nothing. Ling is terrified. He isn’t terrified of physical things. But he is afraid of himself: he is afraid of losing his mind (with good cause), he is afraid of the kind of person he is. If Qi Luo has loathing for her sexuality (or her lack/presence thereof), Ling things of himself as completely unworthy as a human being. He thinks he is useless academically yes. And a failure as a son and brother, true. But what really is the crux of the problem is that he thinks of himself as a monster. This is something Tong Dao latches on and Tong Dao isn't wrong at least in the sense that there is an enormous potential for darkness in Ling. I love that the drama doesn’t gloss it over. He is the guy who almost shot someone when he was a kid, he used to get into these completely awful fights which made Domyoji’s seem like mild temper tantrums (and before his committal they were getting worse and worse) and he is the one who almost chokes Tong Dao and stubs a cigarette out on his hand.

But that is why he needs Qi Luo. Qi Luo has seen him at his worst or knows of his worst actions and still loves him, and still believes in his goodness. In fact, she never lets him put himself down even as an offhand joke. Qi Luo loves him for him, not for the image he might project or because he’s cute or whatever. Just as QL is sometimes puzzled as to why he’d want to be with her, you can tell that a part of Ling is permanently astonished that someone who is ‘good’ and knows him so well actually continues to love him.

If Ling is Qi Luo’s ticket to normalcy, to interaction, Qi Luo is likewise a ticket to sanity for Ling.

He is someone who grew up in a horrible unstable environment, with a crazy mother and a father who tried to be distant. His almost pathological dependence on his brother, as they were sent away from family while still kids, is understandable but considering what Sheng was like, only led further down to trouble. Sheng is what really screwed Ling up, I think. Not just the suicide (though that is horrific enough) but because Sheng used Ling as his ‘id’ to act out his revenge fantasies/bad side, an outlet to everything the model son could not do, but he also would prevent Ling from developing a separate healthy identity. Just look when Ling tried (in high school).

I think Qi Luo is the first person Ling has who both loves him and cares for him (in many ways, from the most physical: she takes care of him when he’s sick and I realize that no one probably has before, or she cooks from him and he says that he doesn’t remember his mom but she’s unlikely to have cooked. I love that she makes him a silly, pink, ‘hello kitty’ lunch box and he looks at it and grins and is totally happy and you can tell that’s when he really thinks he wants to marry her), but she is also the first person in his life who loves him without manipulation or hidden motive and expresses her love as support and wanting what makes him happy for him. He has worth in someone else’s eyes for the very first time as a person, not an expression of something, or a symbol or what not. And I think that allows him to discover stability in himself. (Stability and tenderness. So much tenderness. The scene that really stays with me on rewatches is a very little one. It’s where she is alone at home and he knows she is afraid (though he doesn’t know why) and he stays by her bed the whole night, keeping her company, only to leave quietly in the morning.)

I better stop, this went on tangents and got insanely long...

[hikomichi64]

(Spoiler Free) Some Quick Thoughts On Dragon's Dogma 2

[Pic is from the official DD2 Twitter Account https://twitter.com/DragonsDogma/status/1741640475705033071?t=Pfr3vQbpXjitF0OUGwjI3Q&s=19]

Having finally beaten the game and taken the time to mark down my thoughts I would like to share some of the with you all.

First of all, this game is essentially 2 Dragon's 2 Dogma meaning that almost none of the issues of the first game have been improved while almost all positive aspects have been expanded upon.

I'll start with the Negatives since I like saving the Good for last.

Pawn AI is still unhelpful in a pinch and even with the correct specialisations, equipment and skill selections they still end up being nothing more than distractions for bosses or meat sacks for said bosses.

Without going into spoiler territory the main-plot/story of the game is clearly rushed and underdeveloped.

The Bottom Half of the Map is Under-Used and also Underdeveloped, like writing a long essay for a test at High School but noticing that you are running out of time so you rush the latter parts.

The Spawn Frequency of Enemies is too high at times and can also make the post-game extremely exhausting.

Lastly, Visual Clarity is a Glaring Issue (that most AAA games have). You will be climbing a monster trying to reach for its weak point just for the frames to drop massively due to the number of magic effects cluttering the battlefield making the poor invisible cameraman have a stroke and for his camera to go all over the place making something as easy as climbing up a confusing ordeal.

Now on the other the Positives.

The OST is incredible, it breathes life into the world of the game making every inch of every settlement or forrest or wherever feel distinguishable and one of a kind.

Exploration is rewarding and a massive step-up from both its predecessor and its peers. Relying on the lay if the map and your party knowledge from beyond the rift makes the overworld feel alive without it feeling intimidating as there are no endless markers and GTA-style gps routes.

The Art Direction is laser focused and jaw dropping cooperating perfectly with the OST to elevate the over quality of the Open World.

The Pacing of the game, how fast you reach new villages or cities or the quest rewards and when said quests are made available to you work good with the Action part of this Action RPG making my ~50 hour play through feel like 25 hours -and I mean that as a compliment.

Finally, my favourite improvement definitely is the Voice Work. Every and I do mean every actor brings their A-Game to the table and it shows. Both the directing and the individual actor's skillset shine brightly together.

Overall the game has some rough edges but the pros DEFINITELY outshine the cons. Having played the original when it came out on the PS3 as well as on the port PS4 I can safely say that I was left satisfied and my itch was scratched. Seeing the devs stick to their guns a decade after the first game is a sight to behold and I can only look with glee to the future for what else lies in store for this franchise.