#just catching up on asks don’t send any new mod asks

[the-eldritch-sorcerer]

I Love You, In Every Universe

Welcome home, my love.

This is a romance-based RP blog for people’s favorite user of the Mystic Arts, Doctor Stephen Strange. If you have need for your magical husband/boyfriend, then I am here to help provide that for you. My rules are simple, listed below. I am here to help people when they’re having bad days and there’s very few things that I’m not willing to do for people. The thing I ask above all is that you please be respectful of other people in the blog. Don’t reach out to another person and antagonize them. Stephen belongs to all of you crazy little monsters in this world, whether it be you yourself or your original character. We all need a place where we can go to feel safe and loved.

Rules (As of October 2022)

Everyone has their own Multiverse, please don’t overlap your/your character’s story with someone else’s. These interactions are specifically designed to bring you and your character peace.

Please do not god mod. If you have something you want/need specifically, message me @purplefeathersandblackleather and I'll make sure to put it in my next post. I don't allow DM from people I don't follow. Sorry in advance.

If you want a specific designation, then introduce yourself/your character in your first ask using parenthesis so that I know exactly what you want Stephen to address you as.

DO NOT HATE on other people in the blog. This blog is LBGTQ+ friendly. Slander, hate speech and antagonism will cause in an immediate block and remove all posts of yours.

If you want to address me directly, then either note to “Admin” or use a blue heart emoji ( 💙 ) before your post.

No NSFW posts on the blog! This is meant to be a soft blog where it’s romantic, not sexual content. Insinuation/talk of romantic planning is allowed. If you wish for more intimate interactions, please tell me on my OG blog and we will discuss how to progress it so that it rounds back to dashboard posts.

Notes

The interactions work in chapters. After 20 reblogs, a new chapter will start so that I can keep track of everyone's Multiverse easier. In time, I will be putting these into actual story format with permissions. (11/02/2022)

This blog is LGBTQ friendly. Your/your character’s pronouns are important so please send me a ask with a blue heart to tell me what you wish to be addressed as before you actually begin interacting with Stephen.

This blog is also Strangecest, IronStrange, PalmerStrange friendly. If you wish to see Stephen interact with a canon character that you are playing, that is perfectly fine, as well.

Having children with Stephen - whether biologically or adopted - is fully accepted. You may mention your children by name or plan to have one with him at any time. Simply designate what you wish for in your ask.

Please keep cursing to a minimum if possible. I wish for my content to stay as family friendly as possible.

A Beautiful Stranger

Pairing: Stephen Strange x Beauty Lincoln Beauty Lincoln is a woman working as a music teacher and aspiring actress living in the heart of New York City. She's normally an upbeat, easy-going woman who fills many people's lives with happiness with her smile. But when her life is filled with turmoil and her smile begins to fade, she begs for a respite, and it calls out to a leader of the Mystic Arts. In turn, he sends his student Stephen Strange to help her. But maybe, there's more to their story than either of them believed there to be. Chapter One | Chapter Two @sobeautifullyobsessed

The Men with Broken Hearts

Relationship: Stephen Strange x Tony Stark Tony Stark has been going to meeting after meeting, working on building up partners for his company even though it's now under Pepper's management. It's been three in a month and he's starting to grow bored as well as frustrated. But just as he's about to leave the high-end function prematurely, he catches sight of Stephen Strange across the room. He's immediately drawn to him, the burning of familiarity of companionship floods through him at the sight of him, but there's much more to it than he realizes. Chapter One | @redandgoldwarhero

The Lady with the Emerald Eyes

Relationship: Sinister Strange x Erica Wainwright Erica has fallen into a dark and mysterious realm where the world seems to be ripping itself to shreds. But instead of being scared, she finds herself at peace as the memories of whatever happened before she came here vanish like smoke on the air. As she starts to find herself comforted by the silence, the dark, mysterious man who lives in this realm - who calls himself Sinister Strange - approached he after sensing her warm energy. She may just find what she felt she never had in her own world. Chapter One | Chapter Two @strangelockd

As the Rain Falls

Relationship: Stephen Strange x Damon Renner Summer has been a hard season for Damon and Stephen, with all the magical responsibilities they've taken on around the world. So, when the first day of Autumn offers them a respite as rain taps on the windows, they take the time to talk over feelings they've been harboring for a while. But Autumn comes with personal monsters of its own, and the two learn to fight their personal demons together as much as they do the magical ones outside the walls. Chapter One | Chapter Two @purplefeathersandblackleather

The Golden Web

Relationship: Stephen Strange x Natasha Romanoff Stephen has been visiting the same coffee shop for the last year since becoming the master of the New York Sanctum. His life is normal - as much as it could be given, he's a Master of the Mystic Arts - so he's quickly growing used to his new sense of normal. But when a beautiful, mysterious red-haired woman shows up as a new barista, barring scars left behind by magic, he gets the feeling his "new normal" may start taking a new turn. Chapter One | @shieldagentnatasharomanoff

The Crown Hangs Heavy on Either Side

Relationship: Stephen Strange x Nathan Kujo Nathan is an IT who has been hired by Tony Stark to put a "up to date" communications room in Stephen's Sanctum since the wizard refuses to be a part of the Avengers. The young man didn't realize that his entire world would soon become a mishmash of science and magic after meeting the Sorcerer Supreme for the first time. But young love often turns to deep affection. Chapter One | @daphnelovedderby

OC/Headcanon Blog: @purplefeathersandblackleather Tony Stark: @redandgoldwarhero Reader Inserts: @multiversemusings Art Blog: @greyinthecolorprism

[thisweekingundamwing]

This Week in Gundam Wing 1 -7 January 2023

Here’s the last week’s roundup! January 1st - January 7th!

Remember to give your content creators some love! Be sure to join in on the events at the bottom! And remember to send in any new works you see or make next week!

~Mod Hel

Fanfiction/Ideas/Snippets:

@acrochetedgundam

beginning https://archiveofourown.org/works/44052550

Gen, Quatre Raberba Winner, Catherine Bloom

Teen And Up Audiences, No Archive Warnings Apply, background 3x4, their relationship is not the focus, learning to forgive, Building A Friendship, Found Family, cathy tries to be stern, but deep down she's a softy, new year's fic, no beta we die like Treize

New years can bring new beginnings. And maybe, sometimes, they can start to heal old hurts.

@bobo-is-tha-bomb

Ticket to Freedom (Ch. 29) https://archiveofourown.org/works/27688973/chapters/110768493

F/M, Heero Yuy/Reader, Duo Maxwell/Hilde Schbeiker, Trowa Barton/Middie Une, Quatre Raberba Winner/Catherine Bloom, Chang Wufei/Long Meilan, Past Heero Yuy/Relena Peacecraft

Reader, Heero Yuy, Duo Maxwell, Trowa Barton, Chang Wufei, Zechs Merquise, Relena Peacecraft, Hilde Schbeiker, Middie Une, Catherine Bloom, Long Meilan, Treize Khushrenada, Howard (Gundam Wing), Dorothy Catalonia

Mature, No Archive Warnings Apply, Romance, Alternate Universe, Band Fic, Alternate Universe - Rock Band, Drama, Fluff, Lemon, Lime, Reader Insert, Song Lyrics, Novel, Slight Relena bashing, I’m sorry she is not a likable character in this one

They were your ticket out of the sheltered and married life your parents had planned for you. And to be honest, you had always had a rebellious streak. You needed the freedom they offered, needed to taste life, live a little. But when they ask you to sing in their band, you are not so sure. How would a neatly brought up lady survive with a couple of wannabe rock stars? You’re about to find out.

Burn to a Cinder (Ch. 12) https://archiveofourown.org/works/18781273/chapters/110843250

F/M, Zechs Merquise/Reader, Treize Khushrenada/Reader

Zechs Merquise, Treize Khushrenada, Lady Une, Mariemaia Khushrenada, Relena Peacecraft, Chang Wufei, Dorothy Catalonia, OC - Character

Mature, Major Character Death, Romance, Drama, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Violence, Reader-Insert, Lemon, Lime

Your path had been laid out for you from an early age, allowing you to move into the higher circles of society and catch the attention of one of the most powerful men in the Earth Sphere.

As Treize’s mistress, you watch his rise to power and the disastrous war breaking out on Earth and in Space, putting your loyalty to the test. You are torn between your duty to His Excellency, and your unquellable lust for one of the top soldiers under his command. And when he rises to power in Outer Space, there is nothing you can do but stand back and watch them tear each other apart.

This is no game of hearts, but yours is at stake, and the consequences can be felt for years to come. Labeled as OZ’s whore, you struggle to find your way, only for things to fall apart around you again. But then there is still Zechs, and the undeniable way he makes you feel…

@miyurinq

Winter Lights https://archiveofourown.org/works/43601565

M/M, Trowa Barton/Quatre Raberba Winner

Trowa Barton, Quatre Raberba Winner, Duo Maxwell

Not Rated, Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings, mentioned 1x2, Christmas, Fluff and Angst, Sex, Hurt/Comfort, 3 x 4

Christmas is just around the corner and it should be perfect for him and Trowa. But things don't go as planned and Christmas is about to fall through for Quatre.

Only a miracle can keep Quatre's heart from breaking. But do Christmas miracles still exist?

Heart (Ch. 20) https://archiveofourown.org/works/40914714/chapters/110663985

M/M, Trowa Barton/Quatre Raberba Winner

Quatre Raberba Winner, Trowa Barton, Heero Yuy, Duo Maxwell, Chang Wufei

Not Rated, No Archive Warnings Apply, Post-Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz, Minor Violence, Fluff and Angst, Hurt/Comfort

All Quatre wants is to help. Even when the war is over, so many people suffer because of the consequences. Helping rebuild is the least he can do. But he seems unlucky, things go wrong all the time and people get hurt.

Trowa hardly recognizes Quatre. He has changed and seems to have problems. He reluctantly tells him about his bad luck, but Trowa doubts that it's just "bad luck" and decides to investigate.

@the-reanimated-bhg

Snow Day https://archiveofourown.org/works/44134011

F/M, Gen, Relena Peacecraft/Heero Yuy, Relena Peacecraft & Heero Yuy

Heero Yuy, Relena Peacecraft

General Audiences, No Archive Warnings Apply, Snow, Fluff, Post-Canon, Post-Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz

Heavy snow cancels Relena's work obligations, leaving her a few stolen hours to spend with Heero.

Fandom Discourse:

@invisibleenemy

https://gwgrrl.neocities.org

I was missing the old Geocities Gundam Wing websites, so I made a site on neocities where I could promote my favorite GW fanfics, old and new. It's a labor of love for the authors who made this fandom what it was and is.

Calendar Events:

@gundamzine

Battle Scars and Kitchen Cabinets

Applicatons Open~ https://gundamzine.tumblr.com/post/705258971113619456/applications-are-open-to-apply-fill-in-the

Applications close on January 31st!

@gwcocktailfriday

Cocktail Fridays!

Post responses on Friday, during Happy Hour between 3 & 5 pm in your own timezone.

Here’s the prompt for Friday, January 13th! https://gwcocktailfriday.tumblr.com/post/705925777657610240/cocktail-friday-post-responses-on-friday-january

In need of prompts!

@thisweekingundamevents

Events Calendar https://thisweekingundamevents.tumblr.com/post/644080386309275648/events-calendar-update

If you are hosting an event currently, or are planning on one, hit us up with links and dates! We’ll add them to the Calendar and reblog your notices to get the word out!

GW Holiday Gift Exchange 2022

Rules https://thisweekingundamevents.tumblr.com/giftexchange

Posting has begun! January 8th and 14th!

[kyriat-sims]

Happy New Year!

I hope you've been enjoying my Early Civ stuff? At some point ahead I will continue with a new era, with fresh CC and builds, but first I need to take a little break to do other things.

December was such a busy month for me irl, so first of all I need to catch up on everything, including patch updates, mod updates and general research. Secondly, I must admit that I miss playing just for fun, and posting for my story about The First Ones. On top of that I also want to upload more of my recolors to CurseForge, for what I hope is easier (or alternative) download.

Also, to be honest, I don't have any really good ideas for new sim-projects at the moment. Usually ideas come along when I play, so let's see what happens when I open my game 😊  However, if you have suggestions for simple recolors or builds, please let me know! You can also send me a message or ask.  

Sims is such a dear hobby for me, and I want it to continue to be relaxing and fun. No stress! So just now there is no schedule for updates (except for my story), but I will be back for sure, as soon as I have something to share!

Thanks to all of you for your support and encouragement, I wish you all a Happy and Playful New Year!

Happy simming!

💕

[lmanberg]

abby’s mindset of “it’s just jokes”, simping and being unprofessional (key word: unprofessional) over her own boss, and the dozens of lesbian jokes she had no right to make (and the fact there’s so many of them)... she clearly shouldn’t be a mod. but i doubt anything will change sadly because ranboo seems to not notice, and then only listens to his mods about issues involving them, even though they have caused them all - from the wiki, to the location leak and meet-up, to insulting tubbo or his appearance, to the lesbian thing. no mods should be putting their boss in a position where they have to CONSTANTLY defend their own mods, who should be passive and out of drama, and yet his mods do. he needs to realise that just because his mods have supported him for so long, it doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be removed for more mature mods who handle things better. hell, tubbo was friends with brandon ihellsmc (the admin who said ableist shit on twt about tone indicators) for a long time but that didn’t stop him from getting demoted after his second chance (ik it wasn’t really tubbo’s decision but still). i feel bad for ranboo bc he has very little experience and guidance on this but he’s letting himself get pushed around, all at the expense of bad mods who seemingly don’t even help that much. and it’s clear some of them like abby enjoy the exclusivity they feel of having contact with their fav streamer, and as such don’t recognise they shouldn’t be simping or going too far when they barely know ranboo on a personal level. they act more like glorified stans, not mods. and this is what ranboo needs to stomp out of his mod team.

^^^

[ask-willowleafeon]

Sequoia: “How does a game of Assassin sound?”

Spruce: gasp “An Assassin Pillow Fight!! Ooh, this is gonna be so fun!!”

Information and rules on the Assassin Pillow Fight Event below! This info can be found in further detail on the activity’s event page!

Welcome to the sleepover’s Assassin Pillow Fight! During this final mod event, your goal is to accumulate points by attacking your target! 

But here’s the catch! ... Who’s your target??

You can join this event by doing any of the following: replying to this post saying that you’re joining, reblogging this post and letting me know in the tags, or sending me a DM on one of my blogs!

After we’ve rounded up enough assassins, the games begin! It’ll be a simple game of sleuthing! And of course, there’s a prize for the person with the most points!

As always, the info and rules:

The game goes like this-- You’ll receive asks with clues as to who your target is, but there won’t be any names! Your target can be any character from any of the participating blogs (that includes characters that aren’t actually at the event, for the sake of earning more points!). 

Don’t publicly answer these clue asks! These clues are for your eyes only! When you’ve got an idea of who your target is, reply back privately, send back an ask, or DM me with the name of the character that you’re attacking and what blog they’re from.

If you’re correct, you earn a point and another clue will be sent to you! If you’re wrong, no points will be deducted and you’ll get another chance to take a guess before a new clue is sent to you. You’ll want to be right though, because you can win a prize if you get the most points!

Clue asks will be sent to you from @ask-willowleafeon only! If you receive an ask from a different blog or an anonymous sender, you’re getting the wrong clues! If you catch anyone else sending these clues, please let me know!

You can join in or leave the event at any time! If you want to leave the event, please let me know so I can take you off the roster!

Once again, this is a mod event, so no in-character post or asks are required to take part! But you’re welcome to as always!

You don’t need to be participating in the sleepover to take part in the pillow fight! However, you do need to have a pokemon ask blog with character references (drawn or written) easily accessible! I’ll be using the references to create clues, so this is very important!

Just like with the short story event, the prize is a fully-colored drawing of up to two characters! Best of luck to all assassins!

An example of how the game works can be found on the event page! If ya have any questions, don’t hesitate to send ‘em my way!

[edendaphne]

“Discordant Sonata” Chapter 19

>>Click here to read on Ao3<<

>>Click here to read on Wattpad<<

–––––

CHAPTER 19: ATTACCA

Music glossary:        Attacca - "To attack at once"; used as a direction in music at the end of a movement to begin the next without pause

–––––

(Mood music: "The Conversation" - Pearl Django)

Being mere months away from graduating lycée meant that their group of friends didn’t have as many classes together, due to their diverse individual interests and talents. However, they always made sure to make time to hang out after school before their extracurricular activities began.

And thus, Adrien, Nino, and Alya made their way to the classroom where the art club gathered to meet up with Marinette. From there, Adrien would make his way to either fencing lessons or Chinese, depending on the day of the week. Marinette would join him on days when he had Chinese (as she’d become determined to master the language ever since her uncle visited from Shanghai a few years back), Alya would go to her journalism club, and Nino would travel to his part-time internship at the local recording studio.

“–and the backlogs just keep piling up!” Alya spoke as they walked, voice full of vigor and excitement. “I’ve had to recruit yet another mod to help me keep order in the forums! Especially since the Ladyblog has started going international and we’ve had to organize servers in different languages. You wouldn’t believe how crazy it’s gotten in there recently!”

“Dang, babe,” Nino interjected. “Sounds like things are super rough for you right now.”

“Not really, more busy than anything. Especially because I have that big research article due next week, there’s just not enough hours in the day to try to read everything that goes on in there. But I have my mods report to me daily, ‘cause I always like to stay on top of everything that goes on in the chats!”

“What’s gotten everyone so riled up in the Ladyblog lately?” Adrien chimed in. “I don’t recall it being nearly this busy last year.”

The trio entered the art club’s classroom and settled down at the table where Marinette sat, getting her various sketches organized. The art teacher was quite easy going, so they didn’t have to talk in hushed whispers and could come and go as they pleased.

“Well, to be honest, it’s because of Chat Noir,” Alya replied.

Adrien tried to contain his surprise. “R-really? What– uhhh, what do people have to say about him?”

He winced inwardly. He knew he shouldn’t ask. But curiosity got the better of him today. Maybe learning the news through the filter or Alya’s paraphrasing instead of reading the negative comments firsthand would lessen the sting of what people said about him.

Marinette whipped her head around at the mention of his alter ego. “Wait, what about Chat Noir?” she inquired.

“Girl,” Alya replied, her voice filled with renewed exuberance. “You would not believe how much we’ve had to censor and moderate all the inappropriate things people have been saying!”

Adrien flinched in his seat. “Wow… do people really hate him that much?” he asked, trying to conceal the dejection in his voice.

Alya busted out into loud guffaws. “Hate?! Dude, most people don’t hate him; they LOVE him! By ‘inappropriate’ comments, I mean the kinda stuff you wouldn’t want your grandma to catch you reading! There’s a whole giant section dedicated to his new fan club!” she said as she removed her glasses so she could wipe away the tears of laughter.

“WHAT?!” Adrien squawked in confusion, his face feeling hotter than the ovens back at the bakery. “A fan club??”

Marinette burst into uncontrollable snickering. “Has it really gotten that bad?!”

Nino joined in, “Bro! Adrien, I can’t believe you haven’t heard Alya rant about these rabid fans before! They call themselves the ‘Noir Nation’, and the kind of things they’ve been writing would make adult romance authors blush like schoolgirls!”

Alya nodded, thoroughly amused. “And that’s not including all the fanfiction people have been writing.”

“Wait– the WHAT?! There’s fanfiction?!!” Marinette gaped in shock, as if she’d been hit in the face with an enormous pie. “Alya, how come I never knew about this?!”

“Why? You wanna read em? Girl, you’ll get no judgment from me. If you wanna check ‘em out for yourself, just go check under the hashtag ‘Ladynoir’.”

Marinette stammered as her arms flailed in her bewilderment, accidentally knocking her phone off the table and onto the floor, her eyes bigger and rounder than Adrien had ever seen them. “They have a ship name?!” she screeched.

“Just mind the ratings though,” Alya advised. “Some of them can get pretty steamy. You wouldn’t want someone to catch you reading those in public,” she added with a wink.

Marinette continued to sputter incoherently. “NO, I am NOT gonna read it!! It would be different if they were fictional characters, but I could never read fanfiction about real people!”

Alya raised a skeptical eyebrow at her. “Mm-hmm… Sure.”

Marinette’s hands flew to her face, trying to hide how red her entire face had gotten, and released a long squeak that resembled a hamster on helium. As shocked as Adrien was about these rather unexpected news, seeing Marinette’s over-the-top reaction brought a wide grin to his face and he busted out laughing.

He bent over to retrieve Marinette’s phone, since she was too busy being mortified to notice it had fallen to the floor. As he was about to hand it back, the screen lit up and Adrien saw the lockscreen wallpaper: it was the same photo of Ladybug and Chat Noir that he himself had saved earlier that day. He smiled, not exactly sure what to make of it, but finding it adorable that she’d liked the photo enough to set it as her lockscreen.

He tapped her shoulder, waiting for her to respond. She emerged from behind her impromptu hand shield and turned her head, then her eyes widened once again as soon as she saw what Adrien was showing her. She jolted straight up, stiff as a board, and her eyes met his, cheeks turning tomato red. He winked at her, amused about this little secret between them, and handed back her phone without a word.

Marinette accepted it with a meek-sounding, “Thanks,” looking like she wanted to explain the photo, but not able to do so unless she wanted Alya and Nino to find out that she was potentially a… ahem– “Ladynoir” shipper.

Switching the conversation to something else (which Marinette seemed to be eternally grateful for), the group chatted until it became time for them to scatter to their next destinations.

With a wave, Adrien exited the classroom and headed towards fencing practice, one of the few activities he decided to stick with despite not being forced to participate. Fencing, along with Chinese lessons, were not only enjoyable, but were also quite useful. Sadly, he didn’t have access to a piano anymore, so he wasn’t able to pursue that hobby for the time being. Hopefully later down the line, when things had settled down and he’d found his own place to live, he’d be able to finance one.

Thinking about the future had become an exciting pastime instead of an anxiety-inducing one, and it was all thanks to his friends and those he cared about. He smiled as he reached the door to the locker rooms, continuing to daydream of what was to come.

(Mood music: "Recollection 3" - Shirō Sagisu (BLEACH OST, "The Diamond Dust Rebellion")

Adrien finished getting dressed for fencing, his head still blissfully floating in the clouds. He stored his belongings into his assigned locker, shutting it with a loud clang, which echoed through the empty room.

Huh...? Empty?

He swiveled his head around, surprised that there was no one beside him. He stood up and began walking down the large room, peeking down the other locker rows looking for his classmates; but there was nobody.

Where was everyone? There’s no way that every single one of them was running late. Had his lessons been cancelled and he’d somehow missed a text message or email? He began heading back towards his locker to check his phone for any schedule changes.

Before he reached his destination, however, heavy thudding footsteps broke the eerie silence. Adrien whipped his body around to greet whoever they belonged to.

The owner of those footsteps was one of the last people Adrien expected to meet here.

“Gaspard?!”

Adrien stood agape, face to face with his old bodyguard, whom he hadn’t seen in a couple of years; not since he’d resigned and moved out of the country. Nathalie had mentioned that in his resignation letter, Gaspard said that he’d become involved in an overseas business venture involving the market of rare action figures. Nevertheless, Adrien couldn’t help but suspect that his father’s ill temper and poor treatment of their employees was the true reason for his departure.

Adrien’s first reaction was surprise and joy, and he rushed forward to greet and embrace him. However, as he approached and got a better look at the man’s face, Adrien’s mood instantly morphed into confusion and apprehension. There was something odd about his eyes.

Something wasn’t right. Why was Gaspard here? And why now?

He came to a halt about a meter before reaching him. An oppressive weight seemed to press in all around him, and he had to suppress a shiver. “Wait. Gaspard, did–” he gulped, “–did my father send you?”

His old bodyguard did not reply, but took a heavy step towards him. Adrien stepped back.

“Please… I can’t go back. I live somewhere else now, and I’m very happy there. Whatever he told you about the situation, it’s a lie.”

His bodyguard continued to approach him, his stare vacant and unsettling.

Fighting the urge to panic, he pleaded, “You don’t have to do this. If he’s offered you compensation, I can match it; it’ll just take me a bit of time. But we can work something out, right?? For old time’s sake?”

He continued walking backwards until he bumped into something firm, but it wasn’t a wall; it was another person. Before he could turn around, they grabbed him by the shoulders, detaining him and preventing him from running away.

He was about to shout for help when something sharp jabbed him on the side of the neck, injecting a cold liquid. Adrien’s eyes grew wide in terror.

Shit.

Adrien swore as he jerked away, elbowing whoever was behind him and managing to break free. Rubbing at the spot where the syringe had stabbed him, he glanced back to take a look at his other assailant, only to see... another Gaspard?

Why are there two of him??

This was wrong. Gaspard didn’t have a twin; he knew that for a fact. He’d worked for the Agrestes ever since Adrien was a toddler and was too young to even pronounce his name correctly (hence the nickname “Gorille”, which stuck around for years afterwards). Additionally, there was something uncanny, otherworldly, even, about the way these two men looked and moved.

He shook himself out of his stupor. He didn’t have time to contemplate any possible explanations. He had to get out of there fast.

He sprinted towards the exit, but only managed to travel a few paces before he lost his footing and tripped. He fell to the ground hard, almost hitting his head on a nearby bench. As he struggled to get up, he realized that his fingers and toes had already gone numb.

Not good.

Time was running out. Adrenaline coursed through him and, with a grunt, he hefted himself to his feet and scrambled towards the exit, as fast as he could despite a heavy limp. Though his heart was hammering and his legs felt like they were filled with sand, he pushed himself, concentrating on reaching the door.

After taking a few steps, however, he realized that even if he did manage to exit the locker room, the area beyond was an open courtyard. Meaning he wasn’t going to be able to reach someplace safe before getting caught. He had no choice but to transform into Chat Noir, and hopefully Plagg’s powers and strength could help him escape and find somewhere to hide.

He’d scarcely uttered the first syllable in the transformation phrase when he was tackled to the ground. A giant hand swiftly covered his mouth and Adrien felt his hands get bound together with thick zip ties behind his back. A muffled scream of writhing frustration made its way up his throat as his limbs became more and more useless by the second.

No… This can’t be happening! Please, this can’t be how it all ends!

Just when his life had finally gained a semblance of normalcy and he’d found happiness again, it would get ripped away and he would disappear without a trace, leaving everyone to wonder what had happened to him. Leaving his friends to think that Gabriel had pulled him from school and they would never see him again. Leaving Ladybug to wonder if Chat had abandoned her forever. Leaving her to fight Hawkmoth alone. Again.

He couldn’t let that happen. He thrashed and struggled as furiously as he could, fighting the feelings of overwhelming helplessness that threatened to consume him. Nearing despair, he was too distracted to notice Plagg phrasing through the wall, away from the skirmish, in search of the only person who could save him.

(Mood music: "Run" - Ludovico Einaudi)

Marinette fidgeted with her pencil, her feet wiggled and bounced under her desk. She didn’t understand; when she’d arrived at the art club, her head had been filled with inspiration and ideas that she’d been excited to draw and execute. However, at the moment, her mind was filled with noise and disquietude.

Having had enough, she excused herself to visit the restroom. Once she’d walked far enough from the classroom, she opened her purse to talk to Tikki about her current dilemma.

“It’s the same feeling as last night, Tikki! Except that would mean one of three possibilities. Option A.) It’s nothing and I’m going crazy. And— don’t give me that look, Tikki! I can see what you’re thinking and I don’t have time for your cheeky sass right now!” The kwami snickered while Marinette cleared her throat and continued, “Option B.) that Chat is here, at this school, which is impossible because his school’s on the other side of the city, that’s why he always leaves the house super early for his long commute.”

Tikki opened her mouth and looked like she was about to say something, but then didn’t (...or couldn’t?).

Marinette resumed, “Or, C.) that my–– what do I even call it? My ‘Spidey sense’??–– that it’s got a long distance mode, and Chat is all the way across Paris and he’s in trouble! But what am I supposed to do about that from here?! I wouldn’t even know where to begin looking!”

Tikki shrugged. “Follow your instincts, Marinette. There’s no harm in taking a quick look around the school, right?”

Marinette groaned. “UGH! It doesn’t make sense!! Am I going to get interrupted like this all the time from now on?” She shook her head resolutely. “No. I can’t just go off on random field trips every single time I feel a random fit of anxiety. I’m sure it’s just leftover jitters from last night. I’m supposed to call Master Fu after school anyway; he can help me figure everything out. I’m just gonna go back to class and forget about it.”

Tikki frowned, not quite convinced, but deciding not to press further.

Marinette made her way back to the classroom in a frustrated huff. But as her hand reached to turn the handle, the feelings of danger and urgency multiplied tenfold. Without a word, she sprinted away in the opposite direction, not even knowing where she was running to, only knowing she had to get there immediately.

She reached the large common area of the school downstairs. Her head whipped around, frantically searching for something, anything. In her haste, she didn’t notice a small black creature zoom into her open purse.

A few moments later, she felt a frantic tugging at her shirt from below.

“Marinette!! Over there! Check the locker room, quick!!!” Tikki whisper-screamed as she peeked outside the purse, her tone uncharacteristically frantic.

Marinette nodded, then sprinted to the locker room.

“Wait! You should transform first!” Tikki added.

No time!

“Marinette, wait!!”

Despite Tikki’s protests, Marinette raced towards the double doors, tackling them open.

Three sets of eyes landed on her as she skidded to a halt, but only one pair consumed her entire attention. She gasped in horror, hands flying to her face as she stared at what was occurring in front of her. Adrien let out a desperate, muffled scream urging her to run.

His panicked voice snapped her out of her dazed shock; but instead of running, she stood her ground, eyes darting back and forth across the area searching for something useful. The room was remarkably barren except for a lone broom a short distance away from her. She grabbed it and leaped towards the closest attacker (the one holding Adrien down), swinging it like a baseball bat.

The man didn’t even try to avoid the hit; the broomstick merely bounced off the side of his face where Marinette had hit him. She frowned in confusion, then tried hitting him again, bringing the stick down on the top of his head like an axe.

SNAP.

The end of the broom flew off, and Marinette stared in shock at the broken broomstick.

“What the hell are you?!” Marinette exclaimed, shifting her grip on the shortened wooden stub.

She pounced at the second bodyguard, bringing her weapon down in a stabbing motion; but he swatted at her hand, disarming her. She yelped in pain, leaping backwards to get some distance between them.

She was outmatched. The only strategy available was to use their own size against them. With a feint to the side, she shot at his legs for a takedown, hoping to catch him off balance. He called her bluff and shoved her backwards with his giant palm, then kneed her in the stomach.

Winded from the impact, Marinette doubled over with a gasping wheeze, fighting with all her might to keep herself from collapsing onto the ground. She forced herself upright and attacked again. With a clumsy jerk, she lunged forward, swinging wild punches at her opponent. The shots connected but his expression barely changed; it was like beating a breathing punching bag.

The bodyguard backhanded Marinette across the face. Pain shooting across her cheek, she staggered, almost losing her balance. In her daze, she watched helplessly as the man reared his arm back. There was no chance to dodge. His fist connected with her abdomen, delivering a liver shot that shut down her entire body. She crumpled to the floor as if boneless. She tried to call out Adrien’s name, but her mouth merely opened in a silent scream.

Marinette could hear Adrien’s distressed screaming, but it sounded distant, like they were underwater. The edges of her vision grew black and fuzzy, the entire room dissolving around her. She had to consciously force her lungs to inhale, but couldn’t fill them all the way, as if a boulder had been placed on top of her chest.

Faintly, she felt herself getting picked up off the ground and carried away over someone’s shoulder. Disoriented and semi-blinded, the sudden movement and rough jostling made her head spin and gave her vertigo. She gritted her teeth and squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block it all out.

A few moments later, they stopped moving, and she heard a door burst open. Where were they? Before she could gather her senses, she was in the air, thrown several meters away, landing with a hard thud. A sharp pain traveled down her body as she rolled into the wall across them. The shriek that tried to escape her throat emerged as a strained, shallow whine.

The man stomped out, leaving her alone in the room. “Stop…!” she rasped out, managing to tilt her neck upwards, head pounding.

The bodyguard slammed the door shut, followed by a bang and a clattering sound that could only mean he’d broken the doorknob of whatever room she was in.

Marinette's vision became more and more blurred. At the verge of losing consciousness, she fought to keep her eyes open as tears pricked at the corners of her eyes.

No, she couldn’t pass out! She had to save Adrien! Stay awake, Marinette, stay awake!!

She bit down on her lip hard, focusing on the sharp sting, on the swelling that was already forming around her right eye, forcing herself to feel the pain her body was in. At this moment, feeling pain was better than falling unconscious. She concentrated on her breathing, slowly regaining her senses.

She reached down to open her purse and get Tikki’s help… only to be met with emptiness. Panic settled in her gut as she realized that sometime during the skirmish, the purse had slipped off her shoulder. She sat up, slowly, so she wouldn’t risk feeling faint again from the change in positions.

She squinted, adjusting her eyesight to the darkness of the room. It seemed to be some sort of supply closet. After a failed few attempts to stand, she crawled towards the door instead, careful not to bump into the crates and shelves that filled the area.

The girl eyed the broken doorknob wearily. She was pretty proficient at lockpicking and breaking into things, but not as good at breaking out. Her only hope was that Tikki would be able to find her… if she was even nearby.

She swore to herself. Why had she rushed in and attacked two grown ass men (who, incidentally, may or may not be supernatural to boot!) instead of hiding and creating a strategy?! Now she was useless, Tikki was gone, and Adrien was surely on his way to get auctioned to the highest bidder in the criminal black market and ransomed off for an enormous sum. Great job, Marinette. Adrien’s been abducted and it’s all your fault.

Gathering all the determination she could muster, she tried to call out for help. But her voice was still too hoarse, and only a weak croak came out. She clenched her fists, grumbling irritably. Time for a different approach. Somehow, she needed to make noise.

After a brief search, she found a hard, metallic object that she could use to hammer on the door. She tested it out; it was surprisingly effective. She doubled her efforts, making as big a racket as possible. Hopefully, it would only be a matter of time before somebody heard her, let her out, and she could go find Adrien.

She couldn’t let anything else happen to another loved one. Not again.

–––––

I'M REEEAAAAALLY SORRY FOR THAT CLIFFHANGER JSHDKFJHSKDF ᕕ(╯°д°)ᕗ  I tried splitting up the sections differently but it didn't really flow as well.

But the next chapter is almost done, so I'll have it ready by next weekend!!

[eijiroukiriot]

#8 kiribaku? :D

8. ...in secrecy

In Katsuki’s mind, most things are black and white. Easily reducible to a single snap judgement. All Might was the best hero because he never lost. Those Class B losers are the worst because they think it’s Katsuki’s fault that he’s better than them. The dorms are great because Kirishima is there. 

The dorms are the absolute worst, because the rest of the idiots in their class never leave them alone. 

“I’m telling you, I’m taking back my crown tonight. I’ve got a new technique,” Katsuki hears Kaminari say. He can’t even stand to walk as a part of the group anymore, so he keeps pace five steps ahead of them. You’d think that after a month of living together, Kaminari and Sero would pick up on what a bad idea it is to block off not only every Friday, but every Saturday and Sunday, too, as “friend time”. Game nights and movies and choking down Kaminari’s shitty modded ramen. They still haven’t fully earned friend status in Katsuki’s book, but Kirishima never says no when it’s Soy Sauce and Dunce Face, and Katsuki isn’t just gonna hand his boyfriend over to a couple of losers for all the time they could’ve been spending together. 

So, game night it is. 

“You got a new technique since last night?” Sero shoots back. He’s probably elbowing Kirishima to egg him into joining - no, Katsuki knows he is. He’s not gonna turn to look. The sooner he gets to the elevator, the sooner they’re down in the common room, the sooner those two drive themselves into a one-on-one death match and Katsuki can ignore him in favor of Kirishima on the couch. 

But as Katsuki’s finger hits the down button, Kirishima says, “Wait, Bakugou,” and that’s the one voice that can get him to turn. 

Kirishima’s stopped in front of his door, hand on the doorknob. “I’ve gotta give you back your chem notes, right?” 

He’s looking at Katsuki with the same certain smile as usual. 

Katsuki glances at Kaminari’s confused face, then back at him, and says, “Right.” 

With a nod in Katsuki’s direction, he ushers him towards the door, and points the grin at Kaminari and Sero - a don’t worry about it that could break down any skeptic. “We’ll catch up to you guys in a sec.” 

There’s definitely the beginnings of a typical clueless what? why don’t we just come in? on Kaminari’s face, but before it can make its way out, the elevator dings. “Okay, but be fast. I wanna get my Smash on.” 

“What, you’re in that much of a hurry to lose?” Sero says, stepping in behind him. Before he presses the ground floor button, he waves.  

Kaminari’s groans of protest echo all the way down the hall. Kirishima stays perched in the doorframe, like a sailor waving to a departing boat, until the door’s completely shut - and then, in one swift motion, pulls his own door shut and clicks the lock behind him. 

“You don’t have my chem notes,” Katsuki says. 

“We gotta tell them Friday is date night,” Kirishima blurts, before Katsuki’s done speaking. He breaks out so much air with it that his wound-up shoulders drop three inches. 

This is the first time they’ve been alone all day, and Kirishima had to break his men don’t tell lies code to make it happen. It pulls a laugh out of Katsuki, which he covers with a, “Fucking finally.” 

“You know I love those guys, but I wanna have some alone time, too.” 

Too, as in he had noticed Katsuki wanted to get away from those idiots, and broke his men don’t tell lies code to make it happen for him. “So tell them.” 

“Yeah.” Kirishima looks set on the decision, but he’s still pressed up against the door. 

“Shouldn’t we go down there,” Katsuki asks. If this coming Friday will be just for them, he doesn’t mind pushing Kaminari off a video game stage for an hour tonight.  

“Yeah, but,” Kirishima says, and then pauses. He showered before they met up, so his hair’s hanging down around his face, and curling up a little as it dries. It hides his ears, but there’s a little bit of red peeking into his cheeks. 

His face breaks into a little half smile. “I really want to kiss you right now.” 

They’ve only kissed four times so far - Katsuki’s counted - and this is the first time they’ve been alone all day and Kirishima had to break his men don’t tell lies code to make it happen because he wanted to kiss him. 

God dammit, Katsuki should’ve told them to get lost himself. 

His own cheeks are definitely heating up, so before Kirishima catches on, he grabs the collar of his shirt, which he stole from Katsuki a few days ago, and pushes his lips against his. It’s not graceful, but fuck graceful - “watch how much force you use” sounds like advice one of the girls in their class would try to give him without his asking. As soon as he realizes what’s going on, Kirishima starts pushing back, too; it’s hard, but there’s no bumping, or awkward collision of teeth. The thought sends a rush through his body that makes it feel like he’ll fly straight off the ground - they’re definitely getting better at this. 

“Hang on,” Kirishima breathes, pulling away just long enough to move them over to the edge of his bed. The way he sits, one of his legs is over Katsuki’s and one of Katsuki’s is over his; it’s an uncoordinated landing, but the hand that cups Katsuki’s face is gentle, and when Kirishima leans into him again, it’s to leave three soft kisses on his face - the side of his nose, the inside of his cheek, the corner of his mouth. 

“That’s,” Katsuki says. He doesn’t really know what he’s going to say next. His throat feels dry, and Kirishima’s looking at him with the warmest eyes in the world like he’s the only person he wants to see. 

Needless to say, it takes them a few minutes to get downstairs.

[forbidding-souda]

Can I request the V3 boys brushing their fem S/O's hair?

DV3 Boys brushing their fem S/O hair

YES!! Cute stuff right here

I’ll just say Saihara’s is still hair related but he doesn’t brush her hair technically.

-Mod Souda

Shinguuji Korekiyo

“Do you think there are going to be things you haven’t seen before?” You ask, still a bit flustered by the feeling of his hands brushing against your neck.

He hums in amusement. “Things I haven’t seen before? Quite possibly. But I’m sure I know their history better than any contemporary source.”

A new museum opened up, and with the news popping up, you wanted to take him to it. He accepted happily.

Before every date, though, he always helps you get ready. Helps you get out of the shower, dries you both off together, dresses you, and does your hair.

Not something flashy, you told him, and he listened. The soft coo of the brush replaced the typical electric purrs of a curling iron. 

“Can I add a braid?” He asks, already sectioning off parts of your hair.

“Korekiyo - a small one.”

“A small one,” he reassures. 

Rantarou Amami

You curl against your pillow, holding it like it another person.

And he sits behind you, holding your hair softly, brushing it. The soft sounds of the brush soothe you.

You have a hard time sleeping, which is not a new thing at all, and it seems like nothing but his touch can ease you into sleep.

There’s a silence in the room. No words. No ticking clocks or birds outside. Just the soft hums of the hairbrush.

When you close your eyes, it feels like you are safe. Like this is where you are meant to be. 

Shuichi Saihara

“You can’t brush your hair when it’s wet,” he says from his spot on the sofa. You walk past him in a hurry to the kitchen, dressed in pajamas.

His words didn’t even process to you. 

You stop, hairbrush still pulling through the wet knots. “What?”

“It’s more fragile while it’s wet, you’re going to weaken it.”

And after dragging you to the bathroom, he uses his fingers to calmly soothe the parts you hadn’t reached yet.

You watch his movements in the mirror. He seems at peace like this. No concern laced into his brow.

He pulls a towel off the rack and hands it to you. “I’ll be right back,” he says, “don’t wrap your hair.”

Jeez. All you think to do is squeeze sections of it, trying to collect the water. You think you’ve seen a beauty guru do this one time. It sounds about right.

“Alright,” he appears at the doorway once again, “here.”

You don’t even recognize it as an object at first. Oh! It’s just a bonnet.

“Why do you have this?”

He just shrugs. “I used to have long hair. Put it on, it’s good for your hair.”

Kokichi Ouma

He puts a small kiss on the back of your neck. It illuminates your spine, sending your nerves dancing like fire flies. 

A small noise even leaves your lips. 

“Oh? Did I catch you off guard?” He snickers, continuing to run the brush through your hair.

“I just wasn’t aware that was even an option.”

The response amuses him enough to smile behind your back.

His brain keeps swirling for possible ways to catch you off guard, until, after a second, he leaves the thought alone.

Plus, you seem seconds away from falling asleep in his arms.

Maybe next time.

But for now, the calm aura maintains.

Gonta Gokuhara

“Can Gonta try?” He holds his hand out for the hairbrush. He wouldn’t dare try to take it from your hands - nor would he even want to try and demand it from you either.

A smile forms on your lips. You just got done brushing through his hair, braiding parts of it and adding butterfly clips throughout it.

“Of course you can,” you hand him the brush.

You continue, “start at the bottom and work your way to the top, just like I did with you.”

He whispers okays under his breathe while his big hands runs down the first layer of your hair. Calmly. As if smoothing it with his fingers.

The breath in his lungs remains there. What if he moves a little too rough? What if he pulls on your hair?

A few of his worries subsides when he hears you hum in happiness at how kindly he was brushing your hair.

Kaito Momota

“I don’t trust you - not one bit, Kaito Momota!”

“Ay - I got it, I got it, just let me see the brush!”

You complain about brushing your hair all the time. Sometimes, if you are just lazy enough, you will refuse to do it altogether.

And as entertaining as it is... it does open up an opportunity for him to take.

He snatches the hair brush out of your hands with a confident look on his face. “Prepare to be amazed,” he whispers, a little calmly this time.

A bit of your heart melts when his rough demeanor calms down. There’s no jabs. No silly teases and whispers.

All you get are soft hums and the calming presence of his fingers through your hair.

Ryoma Hoshi

“Please,” you sit down, back leaning against the bed. “I have a presentation in like an hour and I’m not done with my makeup - could you brush my hair for me?”

He sits up and rubs the tired from his eyes. Even though he’s in a daze, he doesn’t need you to repeat yourself. He had heard all of what you said.

“Is there a specific way I’m supposed to do it.”

“Uhm,” you pull your mirror closer to you to try and focus on your lipstick, “I don’t know, bottom to top?”

He grumbles back the instructions before sectioning your hair. There’s a lot of thought he put into it. Big sections? Small sections? 

The sound of the brush waving through was something he hasn’t heard in awhile. It’s a soft noise. 

The bristles slow, and the noise gets softer. 

“How long do I have to do it for?” He asks in a much quieter tone.

“Until I’m done with my makeup, I suppose.”

The answer amuses him. It was worth being woken up for.

Kiibo

You switch your gaze from him to the hair brush in his hand.

“And you say you saw it in a movie?”

“Yes!” He chimes back. “And I thought that I could try it! If you are okay with that.”

Out of instinct, you run a hand through your hair, testing out the knots. “Good news, I am okay with that.”

A smile forms on his face. The first thing he even does is sit down, and motion to the floor in front of him. “Sit here! And I will brush your hair.”

Following his instructions, you smile. “Very exciting.”

A lot of things are new to him. Things you were surprised about at first. He didn’t understand why you painted your nails, or why people use blowdryers.

This is one of the simplest things he’s been curious about.

He lifts up a part of your hair, getting a bit... anxious? Over whether he will pull too hard.

Is hair fragile?

But worry not, he runs the brush smoothly through.

It’s so much more effortless than he imagined. The steady pace of the brush gliding through your layers lets out a soft hum. 

You find no words, nothing to say. You don’t want to interrupt him.

He finds it very romantic, as well. It makes a soft pink pull to his cheeks.

[inscryptiondoodles]

HELLO THERE!

I’m your one and only mod, Three-Blood! I’ll be quickly laying out a couple of things before we get this on the road. 

Specifically, these are hard rules on requests and what you are allowed to request. Please read this post if you’re new here!

1. Inscryption related requests only! This can be about any characters, settings, cards, etc. as long as they’re related to Inscryption.

2. No NSFW or explicitly shipping content. I’m a minor, and I’m not exactly in the market for drawing characters smooching. Just keep it to asks like hand holding if you wish, but I won’t be doing any romantic connotations myself.

3. I may not do your request, and you’re going to have to accept that. I’m one person taking time out of my day for this, so please don’t be rude or spam requests if I’m slow or simply choose not to do a request.

4. Use your common sense. This is a catch-all rule for people who may use hateful language, send hurtful requests, etc. etc. I have every right to block you if you act rude.

That’s it! Now, run along and send in some requests!

P.S. If you recognize me from anywhere else, please don’t bring it up. I will be inconsolable and incredibly embarrassed.

[autumnslance]

About Plagiarism

I left a long, planned essay on Twitter tonight. I will copy the meat of it here for y’all, as recently a friend was copied (a rarer ship in the fandom, so very noticeable by the writer and their regular beta reader) and it seems we need a Talk, kids. Links and screenshots and my rambling underway.

------

Apparently we need to discuss what is and isn’t plagiarism. Especially in FanFic where we're interacting with the same characters, settings, ideas. Let’s start with the dictionary and continue the thread from there (I like the word origin/history personally):

Definition of plagiarize

transitive verb  : to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own : use (another's production) without crediting the source

intransitive verb : to commit literary theft : present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source

The Kidnapping Roots of Plagiarize

If schools wish to impress upon their students how serious an offense plagiarism is, they might start with an explanation of the word’s history. Plagiarize (and plagiarism) comes from the Latin plagiarius “kidnapper.” This word, derived from the Latin plaga (“a net used by hunters to catch game”), extended its meaning in Latin to include a person who stole the words, rather than the children, of another. When plagiarius first entered English in the form plagiary, it kept its original reference to kidnapping, a sense that is now quite obsolete.

“Ideas” is fuzzy in the Merriam-Webster definition. There are story archetypes that exist in many forms. Joseph Campbell’s Monomyth/Hero's Journey outlines many famous stories. And it's popular to say that “Avatar” is “Dances with Wolves” is “Pocahontas” is “The Last Samurai” etc.

But note how while those films have similar plotlines--”Military Guy falls for Native woman, learns to appreciate her Culture, stands up to Evil Bosses”--none of them execute those ideas in the same way. Sully’s story is different from Dunbar’s not just cuz one’s a Science Fiction epic and the other a Western. Disney's “Pocahontas” Very Loosely takes history and uses the same story beats. The Last Samurai uses the Meiji era Westernization. Same ideas, different executions, even beyond settings.

None of these are plagiarizing each other though the ideas are similar. They’re told in their own ways, own language; both in the genres they belong to (Western, Pseudo-History, SciFi, Animated) and how characters interact with each other and settings. Original dialogues (variable quality).

We also see this in books as similar novel plots get published in waves so we end up with bunches of post-apocalypse teen revolutionaries or various vampires or lots of young wizard stories all at once. Sometimes ideas just happen like this; multiple discovery, simultaneous invention, concurrent inspiration, cognitive emergence are all phrases I’ve seen for it. So it happens in original content as well, and legality gets fuzzy (Also why you don't send authors your fanfic ideas).

In existing properties, this gets trickier but even “Elementary”’s Holmes and Watson are nothing like the BBC’s “Sherlock” characters. Who are nothing like other versions of the Detective and his Doctor pal over the decades in various media properties.

FanFic's in a similar position where like Sherlock Holmes we play with the same characters, setting, and storyarcs but give our own spin to them. People can and will have similar ideas about plots. Trick is to use your own words. Take the characters and make the story your own.

I have a good example courtesy of @raelly-writing​. We both ship Wolcred. We both wrote soft post-Paglth’an scenes with Thancred and our WoLs. Both features the couples helping each other undress, examining injuries, bathing, bantering. My fic was written soon after 5.5 part 1 came out. Dara’s is much more recent. Yet at no point reading hers did I feel she was copying my words. The PoVs differ. Our characters focus on different things. Mine has a mini-arc concerning the Nutkin.

The links for comparison’s sake (and maybe leave kudos/comments if so inclined please and thanks). Note while the scenes are very similar no phrases are written in the same way. Mine: https://archiveofourown.org/works/25417882/chapters/76059467 Dara’s: https://archiveofourown.org/works/26067565/chapters/81832915

Dara and I both hang out in certain Discords and I know conversations about Thancred and WoL caring for each other post-battle has come up in those channels and we've both participated. It’s a stock FanFic scene to boot. Cuz it's soft and feels warm and snuggly.

I HAVE been copied before, back in WoW. My case is pretty clear cut so here are the images of my old RP Haven profile (1st, old RP website) and the plagiarist’s RSP (2nd, an in game mod to share descriptions and basic info). 

This was a decade ago on Shadow Council and I think the character deleted so any Availa’s in WoW now aren’t the same person. I left the names to point out what changed. Just the names and a word or 2 to make sense for the class changes as well. Otherwise lifted directly from my RP profile.

The funny part is how the person got caught. Literally walked into our weekly RP Guild meeting that I was running and asked to join. Folks noticed right away the similar backstory; after all there may have been more Outland-born Azerothians. My initial excitement at a character I could weave into our story turned to gut-twisting rage and grief as I recognized my own exact words though. Words I’d carefully crafted and constantly iterated on to improve over time (before and after this incident, until the site died).

When caught they tried to claim their significant other had leveled the character for them and made up the backstory based on Skyrim. If you know WoW’s Outland story and Skyrim’s plot you know how ridiculous that is. Also tried to lie about other drama I knew about thanks to roommate's characters but hey. I had to be blunt that I’d shared the info with Haven mods and other guild officers Alliance and Horde. That we would not “laugh about this” one day though lucky this was “just” RP not original or academic work. Cuz if it'd been monetized or academic I would've raked them through the coals.

I felt violated. Hurt. Had anxiety attacks. They took MY WORDS and tried to claim them as theirs. Have another character born in Outland trained by Draenei; Awesome! Our characters have an instant connect in similarities and differences of that experience. Don’t steal my characters wholesale!

Then the audacity of trying to come into my guild as if no one would notice. ShC wasn’t a large server by then, still active but not nearly Wyrmrest Accord or Moon Guard big. My character was well known due to my writing and RP. Speaking of how easy it is to get caught in specific spaces...A case of a self-published novelist getting noticed for plagiarizing fanfic was discovered recently (explicit erotica examples through the thread).

One way they got noticed was how much content they put out in only a year, lifted from fandom. The examples in Kokom’s threads show how the material was altered but still recognizable. In some cases, just the names are changed as in my experience. In other passages more has changed but you can still see the bones of the original fic poking through in the descriptions and character interactions, even with adjustments made.

Similar ideas happen. Similar plots exist. Same 'ships with friends are fun! In FanFic we’re working with the same material. It’s possible to write a similar scene differently. To make that scene and characters your own. All we’re asking is not to copy others' words. Others' characters. Others' specific phrases and descriptions used to bring those words, those characters, to life. Use your own. In the end you’ll be happier.

I get wanting to have what the perceived “popular people” have. I get seeing concepts others succeed with and wanting some of that too. We all get a bit jealous now and then for various reasons. Sometimes we don't even realize it, consciously. But do it in your own way. Maybe check to see if you’re getting a bit too close to the “inspiration” you admired, maybe reread often. Don’t hurt your fellow creatives. If you do and get caught don’t try to double down. Have the grace to be abashed at least and work to do better. Eventually you WILL get caught. All it takes is once to throw all else you've done into question. Ao3 doesn’t take kindly to plagiarists. Nor do a lot of fan communities focused on writing and RP. Getting back that trust is hard. The internet doesn’t forget easily, for good or ill.

[omorial]

AUSTISTIC SUNNY FIC AUSTISTIC SUNNY FIC AUSTISTIC SUNNY FIC AUSTISTIC SUNNY FIC AUSTISTIC SUNNY FIC AUSTISTIC SUNNY FIC A

Just a note- I'm not autistic! I did this based on my own research and what I've learned from friends. I had someone read over it to make sure it wasn't being insensitive, so I hope anyone who reads likes this!

- Mod Zale

Mari loved her little brother!

Sunny was the light of her life, the center of it, and she cared about him so much. Even the things that some people might consider weird, or be mean about. Because those things made Sunny Sunny, and people who were mean about it were just bullies.

Like how he didn't talk much. People were mean about it, but Sunny just didn't like to talk, and who cares? He can still communicate, and it makes him happy! As long as he's comfortable, it didn't matter if he talked.

He also wore the same thing a lot, but that's just because it made him comfortable. Routine helped him, and if it helped, it was fine. Having a signature outfit was cool, too! Like you were a cartoon character!

He had favorite foods, too! Like steak! That was one of his favorites. He says some foods bother him and make him feel icky, so they don't make him eat those, because he should eat what makes him feel good! Eating is supposed to be fun!

As long as Sunny was happy, it didn't matter if he did things other people thought was weird. Those things made Sunny Sunny, and she loved him for him.

•••

Kel was excited!!

Hero said they had new neighbors, and he was finally taking Kel to meet them!! Hero said he hadn't taken him yet because they needed time to adjust, which was kind of weird, but whatever. He could make a new friend!

"Calm down, Kel, he hasn't met anyone else in town yet and his sister said he's nervous." Kel looked at Hero, pouting. Hero bent down, looking at Kel. "Also, I was told he doesn't like to talk much. So be nice to him, okay?"

Kel nodded. "Yeah! I'm super nice!"

Hero laughed again and Kel stuck his tongue out at him as he stood up.

He bounced in place as he waited for someone to answer the door, excited to meet someone new.

"Hey, Mari." Hero said, and Kel looked at the girl who answered the door. She must be the big sister! "This is my brother, Kel. How're you all settling in?"

"We're settling in well, Hero, thanks for asking." Mari turned to Kel, and he beamed up at her. "Hello, Kel! You should meet my little brother, Sunny! He's in our room upstairs right now, the door on the left, you can go up there if you want!"

"Hi!! Okay, cool! Nice to meet you!" Kel rushed out a response before sprinting into the house, giggles from Hero and Mari following him.

Kel rushed upstairs, almost tripping in his excitement. He made his way to the door he'd been directed to, barely remembering to knock before opening the door.

There was a boy sitting on one of the beds, probably Sunny, with short black hair. He was fidgeting with something, and didn't seem to notice that Kel was there. 

Kel knocked on the doorframe before walking into the room, waving slightly. "Uh, hi? Sunny, right?"

He still didn't seem to react so Kel walked further into the room, trying to get his attention. He walked up to the bed, and Sunny still didn't seem to register he was there. Kel bounced in place little before deciding to tap Sunny on the shoulder.

Sunny startled a little, looking up. 

Kel smiled sheepishly and waved again. "Sorry, didn't mean to startle you. Uh- I'm Kel! I'm Hero's brother, you've met Hero right?"

Sunny looked at him for a second, before nodding. He grabbed a notebook off the nightstand beside the bed and Kel moved a little so he could see it better.

'I'm Sunny. Nice to meet you.'

"Hi Sunny! Uh-" Kel glanced around, eyes catching on the cube thing the other boy had been fidgeting with. "What's that?"

Sunny fidgeted with the pencil he was holding for a second before replying. 'It's a Rubix Cube. You have to solve the puzzle by getting the same color on all sides.'

"Oh, that's cool!" Kel looked around to see more things that looked akin to Rubix Cubes on one of the shelves set up in the room. "Do you collect them?"

Sunny nodded.

"That's so cool! Can you show me how to solve one?"

Sunny's eyes widened slightly and he nodded, moving some so Kel could sit beside him. Kel beamed.

•••

School had started, and Kel was excited because he and Sunny were in the same class. Sunny was fun, and liked talking to him, and he knew so much cool stuff! He was such a cool friend!!

Sunny seemed nervous, so Kel tried to send him silent support any way he could. He seemed to appreciate it, so it was a success!

It was lunch, and the two of them had sat down at a table. They'd both brought lunch, so they didn't have to wait in line! 

Kel started eating but stopped when he looked at Sunny, who was frowning at his food.

"Sunny? You okay?"

'... Fine. Mom just gave me Mari's lunch instead of mine.'

"Oh." Kel glanced at the pasta Mari took for lunch, then back to his pb&j sandwich, tilting his head. "Want mine? It's just a pb&j."

Sunny frowned more. 'Are you sure?'

"Totally, bud! You can have it, I don't mind."

They switched food and the issue was averted, lunch going smoothly after that.

•••

Basil fidgeted with his bag, looking nervously at the friends Aubrey was introducing him to. It wasn't that he didn't think they'd be nice! He trusted Aubrey! It's just- he was nervous.

The boy in orange- Kel, right? -smiled before speaking. "Hey Basil! Nice to meetcha! I like your bag, the flowers are cool!"

Basil flushed, stuttering out a thank-you as the two older kids- Mari and Hero -said hi as well.

The last one, Sunny, waved a little. He was wearing short sleeves, which confused Basil because it was kind of cold out.

Sunny held out a notebook in front of him, and his eyes widened as he took it.

'I don't like wearing long sleeves a lot. It feels weird.'

"Oh!" Basil gripped his bag, handing the notebook back to Sunny. "Sorry it was obvious I was wondering! I- I didn't mean to be rude."

Sunny put the notebook in front of him again, and he read it.

'It's alright, I don't mind. It's nice to meet you. Flowers are pretty cool.'

Basil looked at Sunny, eyes wide. 

"Uh- okay. Thanks! Your notebook is pretty cool." Basil looked at the drawings on the cover. "Did you decorate it yourself?"

Sunny nodded.

"That's so cool! You must be really good at art."

Sunny wrote something down and Basil read it.

'Um- I guess. Thanks, though. It's fun.'

Basil smiled a little. This was seeming okay.

•••

Sunny closed the door to the bathroom, pulling at his hair. His eyes stung.

His wrist, his fingers, everything hurt. He couldn't do this- it hurt.

He wiped at his eyes, sliding down against the door as he tried to calm down. It just- it was too much. Mari was pushing him too much. It hurt.

He pulled at his hair again, trying to hold back his frustrations as the crying got worse.

He didn't want to play the violin anymore.

It hurt.

•••

Sunny had collections.

He had, rubix cubes, and stuffed animals, and he had so many of them.

It was fun. It gave him something to focus on. And he liked them.

The stuffed animals were comforting, and soft. The rubix cubes were fun to fidget with, and it was fun to figure out how to solve them, too.

Drawing was also fun. It was fun to do, and he could do it in bis own way, just for fun.

He could draw his friends, and draw out his frustrations, and it helped.

Collecting things helped.

[merrock]

monday; phew, hi!

Popping in super quick now that I’ve cleared the inbox and caught up on mod work for a few minutes! I wanted to say hello and welcome to our new (and returning) players! If you need anything at all, please don’t hesitate to ask, and we’re really excited to write with you and get to know you on our dash. And thank you for being so patient with me, as well!

If anyone would like the link for our OOC blog, please just let me know and I will be sure to send it to you ASAP.

Also, if you notice any errors I’ve made when adding people to pages, or anything I might have missed, don’t be afraid to come talk to me to let me know. I try my best to catch everything, but it’s very easy to make mistakes, and I want to get things right for you guys.

Hope you’re having a great Monday! xx

[gordonradiotv]

GordonRadioTV Masterpost

Hi there! You must be new here, or you’re a returning reader seeing this post for the 800th time. Whatever it may be, welcome! This is just a little something something to help out new readers navigate without having to dig through thousands of posts to catch up with the story.

The following is a summary of what this blog is about, how to go about reading the story and interacting with the blog, etc. PLEASE read this post if you’re new and want to know where to start BEFORE ASKING THE MOD ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT IT! Thank you!

So without further ado, lets go!

[ Put under a readmore for the sake of your convenience lol]

So what is GordonRadioTV? 

This is an ask blog for HLVRAI Gordon Freeman (and the rest of the cast!) that follows a set narrative that can be influenced and interacted with by the audience! It uses both audience interaction and comic art to progress the story. Each story arc is tagged as a “chapter” of the story, and you can find each chapter linked over in the Chapter Index section of the blog!  PLEASE NOTE: This is not a roleplay blog! I will not be interacting with any other asks blogs, rp blogs, etc. in character due to the set narrative that I already have set that involves the entire cast

GordonRadioTV takes place after the events of Half Life VR But The AI Is Self Aware. Gordon has returned home with his son Joshua, Coomer and Bubby are soon to be married, Tommy’s spending some quality time with his father, and Benrey hasn’t been seen since they defeated him in Xen. Everything seems to be going just fine, but then the day of the wedding occurs, and something…unusual happens. That’s the most I can say without spoilers.

This blog also has a sequel! @grtvgamechanger ! Once you’re done here, maybe go check that out! [NOTE: The sequel is incomplete and on indefinite hiatus.]

WARNINGS

GordonRadioTV is a story that discusses topics such as PTSD/other mental health issues, canon typical violence, death, memory loss, apocalyptic scenarios, possession/mind control, etc. While the story does have a happy ending and everyone who goes through these things ends up okay, it’s still best to consider your mental health when reading through this story and read with caution. Everything will be properly tagged, of course.

NAVIGATION

PLEASE NOTE: If you are a mobile user you will have to access these pages via your internet browser (such as chrome or safari) instead of the tumblr app because tumblr sucks

Chapter Index - This is the main “navigation” of the story. It includes a list of chapters that are all listed and linked in order. Just click on the title and you’ll be at the start of the chapter! Don’t worry, the tags are ordered chronologically and DO NOT INCLUDE any of the out of character posts.

Rules - What it says on the tin. These are rules for sending in questions- please for the LOVE OF GOD read them before you send in an ask. 

About + FAQ - If you have any further questions for the mod it’s best to check here first! It details what the blog is about + some questions that the mod gets asked a lot

Chat’s Craft Corner (Fanart Gallery) - Not important to the blog story but it IS very important to me so! This is a tag full of fanart, fanfics, etc. that you guys have made for this blog! I wanted to have a little area to appreciate the stuff you guys have made for me so!!! Check this out if you have the time!

If you have any further questions feel free to ask (please read the FAQ first, though!) Happy reading!

SOUNDTRACK:

The GordonRadioTV soundtrack was completed by Selene Highchurch, aka @stygiuscantus! You can check out the full album here:

https://stygiuscantus.bandcamp.com/album/gordonradiotv-remastered

A DISCLAIMER: 

As a warning, there are elements of Bubby and Benrey’s character designs in this comic that are considered antisemetic (meaning they’re both occasionally portrayed with pointy ears, claws, etc.) At the time of me running this ask blog, I was unaware that these design elements whenever applied to antagonist characters like these two were considered antisemetic. Regardless, this isn’t an excuse and I’ve stopped including these design elements for these characters since then, but I still feel like I should give a warning for the fact that they’re present in this blog’s story, which I deeply apologize for. Proceed with caution if this sort of thing bothers you, and again I apologize for the inclusion of these design elements.

[askaceattorney]

Dear 91teivos,

Mod Vera: Thanks! Everyone in the world is going through some kind of existential crisis, so it made sense for the AA characters to join the party! (And since it was another follower who gave us the idea, we might just keep that idea in the think that after all...)

Dear dawsongfg,

Mod Vera: No need to apologize! We like to space out letters from specific people a little, but we’ll answer as many as we can!

(Referenced Letter)

Dear Bluedragoncody,

Co-Mod: Don’t worry.  I doubt they’ll have much luck against the Ace Attorney crew, even without the Proto Badger.  They have the ultimate weapon against despair in their arsenal, after all.

...They’re doomed, aren’t they?

I can’t make any promises, but if I ever gain enough skill in the art of animation (which has been a dream of mine for a long time, it turns out), I’ll keep that idea in mind.

Dear skibot99,

Mod Vera: Probably Tumblr bein’ weird. (What else is new?)

Dear sheeeesh,

Mod Vera: Mods get brought on as needed, as you can see with the arrival of Mod Edgeworth! Also, DGS2 is one of the few AA titles I’ve never played, but rest assured. Where there’s a letter, there’s a Mod who can answer it!

Mod Edgeworth: To add to Mod Vera, even if you weren’t accepted during any mod applications, that doesn’t mean you have lost all chances. I applied early January and lost to Mod Vera. Regardless, Co-Mod informed me that, even though I was rejected, he saw my potential and kept me in mind for if I was ever needed. Now, here I am.

Just because you get rejected, that doesn’t mean it’s game over. Show that you have potential and make yourself known by sending letters to us. That is what I did, after being rejected. I made myself known to the mods by sending letters. We do read them and they tell us how much you know the characters and games of AA more than any application. Of course, you must also follow the guidelines. That just goes without saying.

Co-Mod: I think my actual words were something like “Don’t tell anyone, but you were my second choice.”  But yeah, what they said is true -- becoming a Mod here, like many things, may or may not happen to you, but you can definitely increase your chances by waiting patiently and demonstrating your potential.

As for DGS2 letters, I’m afraid those are still off-limits unless you know of a way to play or watch the game in its entirety, translated into English.  I guess I could check to see if the Dai Gyakuten Saiban 2 channel finished translating...

(Translation: Whaaaaaaaaaaaat?!  ...D-Don’t tell me?!)

...Okay, looks like I have some watching to do.  Don’t know how I missed that.

So, uh...  That part in bold was what I was going to say.  Now that both games are finally getting an official English version, all I can say is, hang tight!

(Previous Post)

Dear Inferno again,

Co-Mod: Yeah, I agree.  I was just joking around.  For anyone who didn’t catch it, that was a reference to Sbemail #108.

The event’s technically over, but we’ll answer the rest of the April Fools’ Day letters when they reach the bottom of the queue.  I’m as eager to see Trucy’s reaction to the news (after the stunned silence) as anyone else, after all.

(Video in Letter -- Strong Language Warning)

Dear Ella,

Mod Edgeworth: 

I can’t see the first link and....

How did you find this masterpiece and where can I play this game?

Co-Mod: We don’t check for direct messages on Tumblr, if that’s what you’re referring to, so it wouldn’t have made any difference anyway.  You can always send links in your letters, of course.

(Previous Post)

Dear Inferno,

Mod Edgeworth: That mad lad would be me and thank you. 

I like to put my heart and effort when answering these letters. With this one, I figured you wanted to see Trucy in costume, so I just searched up an image on Google for the Ancient One’s costume, a sprite of Trucy and a bald head to put on her. The rest I photoshopped on GIMP. 

We’re still going through letters from January. Hopefully we will get the rest of yours soon enough.

Mod Edgeworth: Thank you very much. Your support and the others’ support that have liked, commented and reblogged it mean a lot. As you have stated, a majority of the fandom seem to consider him the worst. I’d like to think it’s because how AA had created this villain of a character to be universally hated was pure genius. Not even the Phantom gets this much hate… and that’s saying something.

Unfortunately, I’d like to keep my real identity outside this blog a secret. I write a lot of letters here and I don’t want to break the spell for anyone. Think of it like a Disney theme park. The cast that play the characters will never admit their true identities, outside of family and close friends, to prevent the experience from being ruined. I want to do the same as a Mod. I don’t want to break the spell of writing to your favorite AA characters. This blog had helped me through my tough times and I want to help everyone else as a mod.

However, I will answer your letters and, if you post anything on your account, a mysterious friend I know may linger and give you a like ;)

(Previous Letter)

Dear Ali S. Fakenamington,

Co-Mod: Beautifully so.

(Previous Letter)

Dear Sinyove,

Mod Edgeworth: That letter was made in 2012 before AA5 and AA6, which was WAY before I became a part of the AA fandom. I’m certain a lot of us were not here when this letter was made, except maybe Co-Mod, but you’ll have to speak with him about this. I will say that the mod that answered this is no longer working here... I think. At the very least, I haven’t heard from him.

That being said, AA4 or Apollo Justice was the first AA game I’ve ever played. Despite all of the hate I saw towards that game, I still loved it regardless. Though, having not played the trilogy, playing the tutorial of AJ was a pain in the ass. I remember going to YouTube to find out how to beat it, because it was so hard. I also played it on PC.

I do see where The Mod was coming from. Had the two sequel games never existed, Apollo Justice would have more holes than my brothers’ socks. My only critique is that Phoenix wasn’t any better either with having Mia babysitting him during almost every trial AND investigations. Hell, Phoenix needed Mia to know how to talk to a kid, talk to a perverted old man, almost gave up in most of his trials in the first game and never conducted a trial without Mia until Turnabout Goodbyes when Maya literally couldn’t summon her. For the most part, Apollo was doing fine on his own without Phoenix, with only Trucy assisting him for the two middle trials, only almost giving up once and Phoenix having assisted him during times when Apollo was not in a normal situation (like when the criminal turned out to be his own co-council/mentor or when he had to lead a trial that included the Jury System). That’s more than Phoenix ever did on his own in the first two games and I think Apollo deserves more credit than he got in that letter in my opinion.

For me, Apollo Justice is one of those games you either like or you hate. I love it for what it is. My least favorite AA game would have to be Ace Attorney Investigations, the first game. The second one is my absolute favorite.

Co-Mod: Sadly, I haven’t seen or heard from the Mod in a while, so it may be time for us to declare him MIA again.

Erm...  Sorry, poor choice of words.

I’m fairly certain I wasn’t around 5 years long ago, but I have to say, Capcom did a great job of making Apollo and his story more interesting over time.  He may not be Phoenix, but he certainly carried his legacy forward pretty well, both as an attorney and as an Ace Attorney protagonist.

Now, WHAT ABOUT ATHENA ALREADY!?

Dear BDC,

Co-Mod: It fits like a glove, if you ask me...although it also kind of reminds me of 101 Dalmatians.  And thanks for that bit of info!  I never get tired of watching people enjoying the fun dialogue and plot twists of Ace Attorney, so I might have to look him up.

I’m not sure I feel the same about watching Dahlia’s voice actress, though.  I’m sure she’s a nice person and all, but the thought of hearing that voice for so long...  *shudder*

(Previous Letter)

Dear dawsongfg again,

Co-Mod: I wasn’t trying to say that natural deaths can’t happen in the Ace Attorney universe, just that most deaths aren’t what they seem.  I knew right away that Archie Buff’s death was no accident, for one thing.  Waaaaay too much of a coincidence, know what I mean?

-The Mods

[ronnie-azumane]

Kitten?

This is something I came up with at midnight while trying to complete my numerous missing assignments. I apologize in advance

Summary: Tsukishima Kei is a mod of a discord server And with his luck, he finds his first love on the server he runs. He falls head over heels, and vows to fulfill all her needs. However, not everything is what it seems.

Tsukishima was a simple man with simple likes. Granted, However, these likes weren’t as commonplace among his peers.

Sure, he moderated a Discord Server full of people of all ages. In said server, they would play games and talk about the various shows they watched together, some of which were considered children shows.

“Anyone catch the new episode of My Little Pony?” someone on the server would ask.

Tsukishima would bat in immediately, saying, “Remember the two-week spoiler warning, everything else must be covered and properly tagged.” He was the perfect mod, as he was both online all the time he didn’t have school or practice, as well as he was a stickler for the rules. Plus, he had only recently gained access to last week’s episode not long ago, therefore, he had not seen the new episode.

Another thing he liked to do on this server was talk to others on the voice call feature. He enjoyed talking to the many people who decided to join the server, even making a couple of friends, which he refused to believe for the longest time.

One of these many friends was a user that went by the name of gamergirl05. She was a peculiar person, only logging in late at night and logging out early in the morning, only to be away from her computer until late that night again.

She intrigued Tsukishima. Not only was she one of the only girls on the server, she always seemed to be on the voice chat. She never typed messages, never spoke, unless she was spoken to on the voice call. 

Her voice was soft and breathy, with a medium pitch. Her profile picture was a white cartoon cat against a pastel pink background. Sometimes, when playing videogames, you could here her grunt in frustration every once in a while.

Tsukishima couldn’t help from gaining a crush. 

She didn’t seem clingy, she seemed rather chill and independent, it was like God itself sent this woman into Tsukishima’s life. 

She was perfect.

Tsukishima couldn’t help but get excited whenever he saw that she was online. He would always join the voice call whenever he saw she was online.

They would have meaningful conversation. Tsukishima would learn much about her. She was living in Tokyo. She was a year older than Tsukishima; a second year in high school. She had been playing videogames for as long as she could remember. She has an overactive imagination, pretending that she was getting chased by dragons and facing checkpoints every time she walked to school in the morning. She wasn’t popular, but had a couple of close knit friends.

The more they talked, the more Tsukishima fell head over heels. However, the more he started to fall for her, the more he realized that he didn’t know how to express himself in a positive way. He was known as a negative nelly most of his life, with his relationship with the fellow members of the Karasuno volleyball club solidifying that feeling of disgust he felt toward others. Ever with his best friend Yamaguchi he was unable to show positive feelings toward, even though he didn’t feel anything negative toward his best friend.

Unknowing what to do, he looked up online ‘how to show someone you like them,’ only to come up with a website offering a free test to those wondering what their love language was. perfect.

Tsukishima took the test, answering each question as truthfully as he could, even asking his mom what she thought of him for one of the questions.

After thirty minutes of reading, understanding, and clicking, Tsukishima gat the result he was looking for- his love language.

His love language was gift-giving.

He knew exactly what to do at that point. 

Later that night, he stared at the voice call box, waiting for a certain someone to join the call. At 11:00pm on the dot, gamergirl05 joined the call. Tsukishima joined the call soon after.

“Um, hey, uh, how was your day?” Tsukishima asked her.

“My day? I guess it was okay,” she replied. Her voice was still light and breathy as usual. Not too high-pitched as to make Tsukishima believe that she was fake, and not to low to make her sound unattractive to him. The perfect voice for arguably the perfect human.

“Do you have Nitro by any chance?” Tsukishima asked her.

“No, I don’t see the benefit for paying for it myself,” she replied.

“If someone got it for you, would you use it?”

“Sure, I don’t see why not.”

“I-I Don’t mid gifting it to you, if you tell me your Venmo, Ill send the money right now!”

“Ok.” 

She read off a couple of letters and numbers, spelling out her Venmo for him to gift money to. Tsukishima used his mom’s credit card to send her over $50, with the unspoken promise of paying her back one day, even though she didn’t even know her youngest son stole her card.

They talked the rest of the night, until Tsukishima had to go to bed.

XxX

Tsukishima didn’t let up on his gifts to gamergirl05, or Cat as she started referring herself to. Anything she mentioned offhandedly form a new skin to a longing for a fast food meal, Tsukishima sent her the appropriate funds needed to retrieve that item. 

Each monetary gift he sent on Venmo was given a reply of the kissing face emoji.

Tsukishima was over the moon. Not only was he becoming better at volleyball every day after school, but he was also getting closer and closer to Cat. When he found out that he was going to Tokyo for a training camp, he excitedly went online that night to tell cat about how he was going to be in Tokyo and that maybe they could meet up.

“Sorry, but I have plans for that weekend,” Cat said. Tsukishima sighed, but figured as much. He was disappointed, but not surprised.

However, he picked himself up by the bootstraps and packed up his stuff to go to Tokyo for the training camp.

XxX

The weekend was tough. Karasuno faced loss after loss against the Tokyo powerhouse schools. However, the team had learned a lot about both themselves and their offensive and defensive power.

After a long weekend of training, all the guys were sore. All their muscles were aching and screaming, begging for some relief.  The coaches complied, supplying all the players with all the watermelon they could eat.

All the players gathered into groups, talking within each other’s friend groups. Tsukishima kept his distance from the others, with Yamaguchi joining in with them. They talked about various topics here and there, but nothing too serious.

Tsukishima was starting to zone out, thinking about Cat, and what she may or may not be doing. He hated to admit it, but he was head over heels in love, even though he had never seen Cat in a picture, much less in person.

While Tsukishima was zoning out, thinking of his unofficial lover, Hinata, Kenma, and Lev gathered nearby, talking loudly about who knows what. Tsukishima wasn’t paying attention, until the topic of discord came up. All his focus then went into listening in on this conversation.

“So you guys are on discord? What servers are you guys in?” Hinata asked.

“Not too many, I bet Kenma’s on a couple though,” Lev replied, only for Kenma to grunt in reply.

“Oh really! What servers are you on, Kenma?”

“Ehh, just a couple here and there. I frequent a My Little Pony server because a mod there gives me money a lot.”

Tsukishima felt a shock run throughout his body. A My Little Pony server? Maybe he was on the same server as him. He would never bring it up, but he was glad to know someone on the server; talking to 12-year-olds all day did get old.

“Wait, someone pays you to be on a My Little Pony server?” Lev asked.

“No, I think he is somehow attracted to me, every time I mention something I want, he sends me money.” Kenma replied, taking a massive bite out of his watermelon slice.

‘That’s kind of odd, who would give money like that to a guy like Kenma?’ Tsukishima thought.

“How did you do that, Kenma? I could sure use the extra cash,” Hinata asked.

“Well, Kuroo taught me to raise my voice like this to sound like some kind of gamer girl,” Kenma explained in a girly voice. Not too high to sound fake, not too low to sound unattractive. Perfect.

Just like Cat.

‘This has to be a coincidence, there’s no way that Kenma and Cat are the same person’ Tsukishima desperately thought. 

“Oh, do you guys want to be friends on Discord, so we can keep in contact?” Hinata asked.

“I guess. I’m gamergirl05#0000,” Kenma replied, essentially murdering Tsukishima with his response.

Tsukishima stood up from where he was sitting. Forgetting the fact that he was still supposed to be in a conversation with Yamaguchi, he left the area, trying to find a secluded area, eventually settling for a small ally in between two of the gyms.

Once making sure he couldn’t be seen, he let all his held-in emotions out. He screamed up to the sky as the threw his watermelon rind against the wall, watching it break into numerous pieces. 

“My Heart!” he screamed out, “I loved her!” He sank to the ground and let the tears flow. As he wailed out in despair, he covered his face with one hand while knocking his fist against the grass with his other.

Yamaguchi, who saw this all go down, ran up to go comfort his best friend. He didn’t know what was going on, other than the fact that his best friend was a mess on the floor.

How was Tsukishima going to tell his mom, who was already suspicious of him stealing her credit cards, that the money wasn’t being spent on her future Daughter in law? How was he going to log back in on the server, knowing he was cat fished?

He didn’t know what tomorrow would bring. All he knew at that moment was the soft an warm hand of Yamaguchi softly rubbing his back in an attempt to calm him down.

[reachfolk]

For the writing prompt, let's go with ruin.

request: alexandria silver-blood + "ruins" (elder scrolls writing prompts — OPEN)

summary: Alexandria's teaching methods may not be conventional nor are they always pleasant, but Lucien can't deny their effectiveness.

tags: fluff, lucien flavius, canon-typical violence, alex and lucien are still pretty new as companions so he's still Baby, lexi is an arguably good teacher, not proofread bc it turned out so long lol

warnings: none

word count: 2.3k

ao3 link: [tough love]

author's notes: for those that don't know, lucien is a modded follower who starts as a wimpy little imperial scholar and you train him to get better at combat. this was SO much fun to write, i feel like it really shows some of my fav things about lexi and her dynamic with lucien! thank u so much for the request dearie <3

The door to the old nordic tomb was jammed after what must have been centuries without being opened, but with a heavy shove, Alexandria was able to force them to give. As soon as they swung open, the smell of decay and rot overwhelmed Lucien's senses, and he found himself struggling to hold down that morning's breakfast.

Alexandria, on the other hand, had no such qualms. Instead, she took a deep breath and smiled at the smell. "Ah, I love these old tombs. You can just feel Lady Namira's influence in the air. Makes the eyes water though, doesn't it? Or maybe that's just the dust." She fanned her face, letting her eyes dry out for a moment before readying her sword in one hand and a simple Firebolt spell in the other. "You ready?"

"Uhh," Lucien hesitated. "Do I have a choice?"

"Nope!" With that, she pushed him through the doors, and he nearly toppled over. "You'll be taking the lead this time, alright?"

"What?! Me?!" He sputtered. "Are you sure that's a good idea? No, don't answer that. It isn't a good idea whatsoever."

Alexandria didn't seem to share a single one of his concerns as she placed a hand on his back and pushed him deeper into the old ruins. "It's a chance to practice sneaking and to test out that Turn Undead spell. Two birds with one stone, as they say."

"I only learned that spell last night. Who's to say it'll even work? Don't you think the stakes are a little too high?"

"Of course they are," she said in her usual, all too cheery tone of voice. "You're not going to learn anything by staying firmly in your comfort zone. Besides, don't you trust me to keep you safe?"

It was certainly a good question. In spite of how she presented herself, Alexandria was a difficult person to read. While he often did appreciate her optimistic attitude (it was certainly an improvement over the glum nature of most of Skyrim's citizens), there were more than a few moments where it almost felt like she enjoyed tormenting him. This wouldn't be the first time she pushed him beyond his limits; ever since she started training him, she seemed to make a game of torturing him and justifying it with reasons such as, "You need to learn to take a hit," or "You've got to get out of your own head." And, well... he wanted to trust her methods, but she make it quite difficult.

"If you take any longer to answer, it's going to hurt my feelings, you know."

"N-no, I don't mean to imply anything bad!" Lucien sputtered. "I'm just nervous, is all. You've been a wonderful guard and I don't mean to offend you in any—"

His ramblings were interrupted by her bursting into laughter, and the sound echoed throughout the chamber. He felt a brief panic, but it seems the sound didn't reverberate far enough into the ruins to alarm any draugr. Alexi, it seems, didn't share his worries at all.

"Calm down, will you? I was joking!" She chuckled. "Believe me, no one understands anxiety better than I do. But that doesn't mean I'll allow you to let it control your life."

Lucien had a hard time believing she of all people, in all her confidence and self-assuredness, could relate, but her words were a comfort nonetheless. "Right," he replied, letting her words sink in. He took a deep breath to calm himself, then firmly regretted it as the stench of death filled his lungs.

Alexi chuckled again at him and patted his arm. "You'll get used to it."

"I really don't want to," he said, but readied his spells nonetheless.

*

The pair made their way through the old ruin, crouched low and sticking to the shadows, just as Alexandria taught him. The muffle spell she cast helped them stay quiet and made it easy to make out the sound of draugr footsteps farther into the depths of the tomb.

Lucien stopped in the middle of the hallway they were crouched in and leaned his head around the bend, leading into a larger chasm. Two draugr patrolled the area, moving in circles around the perimeter.

Alexi leaned back on her haunches and whispered, "So, what's the plan, boss?"

It was strange, the way their roles were swapped. "Uhm," Lucien thought back to what Alexandria did the last time they were in this kind of situation. "Wait until they wander to opposite sides of the room, out of each other's sight, and shoot them down one at a time."

"Okay," Alexandria said simply, but the minimal response was enough to send Lucien doubting himself.

"Is that not a good plan?" He asked, unsure.

"Huh? I never said that. I told you, you're the boss here! I'm just following your lead."

"Right," Lucien muttered. "Right. Uh, I just... need to be more sure of myself."

Alexi didn't respond beyond glancing around the corner, watching the draugr.

"Right?" Lucien asked.

This time, she simply chuckled. "Dearie, how are you not realizing the irony? You're still asking for my approval. It's a good plan. Now go ahead before you start getting in your head again."

Unfortunately, his doubts already took root and refused to budge. Even as he drew his bow and had it aimed at the target, he found himself frozen in place.

After the second opening he missed due to his own hesitation, Alexandria leaned over his shoulder and whispered, "Can I give you some advice?"

"Please do."

"Great!"

She grabbed him by the neck not unlike one would grab a housecat, dragged him up from where he was crouched, and tossed him into the open chamber with the two draugr. As he yelped in surprise, the two draugr turned at the sound and drew their weapons.

The rational response was for Lucien to be angry at her for being so cruel, but in the moment, it was all he could do to bash his bow against the draugr that rushed at him with a greatsword. The attack staggered the enemy and interrupted her mid-swing, giving Lucien enough time to switch out his longbow for a sword and spell.

Just as the zombie had regained balance, Lucien took a swing, putting all his might behind it. It wasn't enough to bring her down, but as the sword connected with her shoulder, the two-handed sword she carried fell from her grasp. He used the chance to shoot a Firebolt spell at her, which sent her flying backwards, unmoving.

Before he could celebrate his victory, an arrow whooshed past his face, just barely grazing his skin and taking a few of his hairs with it. It would've sent his heart racing if the poor muscle wasn't already working at full capacity.

He turned his head to the archer, who already had nocked another arrow and shot it in his direction. He just barely managed to dodge by side stepping behind a column. There was no way he could rush at the archer with his sword, and he was clearly outmatched with a bow. Should he just try to pelt it with Firebolts, or—

Suddenly, he remembered the new spell he'd just learned the night before. It was a risk trying it now of all times, but the adrenaline rushing in his veins made it difficult to rationalize it too much. He charged the spell, then ducked out from behind the other side of the column and cast it before the draugr could even release the arrow it had readied.

The second the spell hit, the draugr immediately pulled its arrow back and turned it's back, running in the opposite direction in the signature awkward steps that all draugr take. Now that the threat of being pelted with arrows was gone, Lucien rushed at the creature and grabbed it by the back of its thin, wiry hair. He stabbed his sword through its back with enough force that it jutted out of its chest. When the creature stopped moving, he released his grip on it and let its limp body fall to the ground.

It took him several seconds to catch his breath. When his heart rate finally returned to normal, a high-pitched squeal broke through the calmness and spiked it once again. Thankfully, he realized quickly enough, it was only Alexandria excitedly cheering for him.

"Good job, Lucien!" She applauded, rushing towards him from where she watched. "Oh, I knew you could handle it!"

"I... I did! Didn't I?" It was still hard to believe he could manage in a battle with her support, so to win two-against-one was inconceivable to him.

"Obviously," she laughed, giving him a playful shove. "See what you can do when you stop freaking out? When you don't have time to doubt yourself, your real skill shows."

He couldn't help but join her in the laughter as the reality of his accomplishment dawned on him. "Does this mean I'm now a proper adventurer? I never thought I had it in me!" He puffed out his chest proudly, beaming at his companion.

"I'm well aware of that. That's always been your biggest problem," she said. "Lucien, you've gotten so used to thinking of yourself as some weak little milk-drinker that no matter how much I trained you, you refused to recognize your own progress. I needed to do something to get it through your head."

"Not to imply that I'm not grateful, because I truly am," he replied, "but was throwing me to the draugr really the only thing you could think of?"

She gave a shrug. "It's how I was taught. Well, for me it was sabre cats. And fire. Oh, and also flowers, but that one's less exciting. And plenty of harsh lessons, really. How do you think I got these scars?" To prove her point, she lifted up both arms, showcasing a large array of scars, burns, and calluses that she'd acquired over the years. They moved down throughout her body, displayed for all to see under her Forsworn armor. The injuries had accumulated so much that it was hard to tell one from the other, let alone deduce what had caused them.

Lucien was curious about it since the day they'd met, but it felt rude to ask. But seeing as she brought up the matter herself, and she didn't seem to have any discomfort talking about it, he found himself asking, "What actually happened?"

"Oh, what didn't happen?" She chuckled. Pointing at the rough shape of a bite mark on her right arm, she explained, "I got this one when Auntie Ursula wanted me to get sabre cat teeth because I'd used up her entire supply when making potions. She wanted to teach me a lesson about recognizing alchemy as more than just mixing things together. Respecting the ingredients the land blesses us with, and honoring the Hunt as a crucial part of the life of an alchemist."

She then pointed to the burn marks along her palms and fingers. "I got these when Mother Helle was training me in Destruction magic. A lot of mages hesitate to progress their knowledge of the arcane arts, so she often pushed us to lean into the pain rather than fear it. Learning advanced fire-based spells results in plenty of injuries, but I couldn't have learned them if I didn't stop being scared of getting burned. After getting lit on fire a few times, it stops being so scary. And, more importantly, you learn to control it better."

"What about the flowers?" he asked.

She held up her fingers and wiggled them a bit. They were rough and calloused, and the state of them made him wonder how she could even comfortably hold a weapon. "These were the first scars I ever got. When I first started working as Auntie Bothela's assistant—I think it was shortly after my tenth winter, she made me dethorn every single flower that was in stock at the store until my hands bled. Then she made me use those same flowers to make a health potion to cure the cuts, and then I'd start over. I wasn't so good at it in the beginning, so my skin didn't end up healing very well. But once most of the skin was scarred, it stops hurting, and it helps when working with more advanced recipes."

"That sounds... quite harsh," Lucien observed. It was odd how she described such unpleasant experiences with a bright smile, as though they were treasured memories.

"All my teachers were Reachfolk, and usually followers of Lord Hircine," she explained. "It's part of his teachings—to suffer is to learn and all that. It's not exactly the nicest way to teach, but I always found it... kind, in its own way. They were with me through every step of the way. There was never a moment of my training that I felt alone or lost."

Then, her voice grew softer, a kind of uncertainty he hadn't seen in her before. "I hope I've been that kind of teacher to you. It may not always be easy, but I wouldn't put you in any situation that I don't trust you to handle, even if you may not always trust yourself as much. And, well... I know you're still making up your mind, but I do consider you a friend. I want the best for you."

The confession made Lucien's heart swell, and he wondered how on Nirn he ever doubted her intentions. And, after today, he couldn't doubt her results. "You have been," he said. "I'm glad to have you by my side, friend."

Her eyes lit up at his words, and the sight was reminiscent of that of an excited puppy. "Me too!" she said, her voice back to its cheery tone.

With that, Lucien drew his sword again and gestured to the path leading deeper into the ruins. "So, are you ready to press on?"

She gave a salute and followed his lead, drawing her own sword. "Sure thing, boss!"