#let me see if can contribute anything hmmm

[sectoralchromatics]

Is today International Henri Toivonen Day or something because why are there so many Henri posts 😭 ? (Not that I’m complaining )

[cristaq]

Og pricesoap fighting Shepherd here we go!

Soap sits at a table on the shore of Barcelona on a sunny day of early summer. The heat waves that usually dominate the Iberian Peninsula are a distant thing for now, with the sea breeze making its own contribution to the pleasant weather. Even though the view is stunning, his eyes are fixed on the man sitting across the table that skims through today’s news on the phone. Even though they’ve retired for a while now, Price still likes to keep up with the world. He wears the ugliest summer vacation shirt one could buy and yet Soap can’t take his eyes off his gorgeous man.

Price raises his eyes from the phone and smiles warmly, grabbing Soap’s hand and giving it a light squeeze. Soap snaps out of his trance and realises that Price is saying something.

“I need your help, love!”

Soap shakes his head, visibly confused. What did he just say?

“Get up soldier! Wake the fuck up!”

Soap’s eyes open for real this time and he gasps for air like he’s been submerged in water for too long. The pain is excruciating and his nerves waste no time to remind him that he has a knife stuck in his abdomen. Somewhere in the distance he can hear grunts and the sounds of a fight and it’s hard to make sense of all this sensorial overload. The sand burns beneath him, his vision is unfocused and…

“Get off me… son of a bitch!”

Price? Soap lifts his head just enough to see Shepherd over Price, beating him up. The fight has a clear winner, with Price struggling to keep his guard up and defend himself against the flurry of punches. And Soap can’t move a single muscle to help. Unless… his eyes settle on the knife poking out of him.

He grabs the handle of the knife and starts pulling. The pain sends him reeling and dark corners engulf his vision.

For Ghost…

He pulls harder and blood starts bursting out of the wound. HIs arms get ever weaker but he tries to stay silent and swallow his screams.

For Roach…

Price’s defence gets obliterated due to exhaustion. Shepherd is restless and keeps on hitting him.

For you, love…

Soap manages to fully pull out the knife but can’t keep his voice down anymore.  He shouts in pain when the blade leaves his body, making Shepherd turn around towards him.

Soap grabs the knife by the blade and aims for Shepherd’s head, or at least he tries to. His vision is blurry, his movements shaky but something inside his soul is desperate to stay alive and to save Price.

He swings his arm forward, keeping his wrist straight, and lets go of the knife.

For myself. See you in hell.

The knife connects with Shepherd’s eye and the impact throws his head backwards. He falls flat on the ground, right next to Price. Soap lets out a relieved sigh and rests his head back on the sand, his body capable of taking only so much. He screams for Price’s name but there is no response. Tears start forming behind his closed eyelids.

Now, where were we? Ah, Barcelona…

“Soap?! Stay with me, love! Come on, please, I beg you!”

Soap slips in and out of consciousness. Is that the sound of a helicopter or the waves?

“Nikolai! Help me out!”

Hmmm… definitely the waves.

“Stay with me, you muppet!”

The waiter brings two coffees to their table. Black for Soap and milk and sugar for Price. He always had a sweet tooth, not many people know that.

“I am getting you out, I swear.”

Price takes a sip of the coffee. “Good throw by the way. That was the most impressive stunt you’ve ever pulled.”

Soap laughs and squeezes back his lover’s hand. “Someone had to save your sorry ass.”

“I love you…”

“Think you can survive this? Live another day?”

Soap sips his own coffee. It has a strange, metallic taste.

“For you? Anything.”

[tiantianxue]

First Summer's Strawberries

AO3 Link Fandom: Blue Lock Character: Chigiri Hyoma Word Count: 1031

- ♡ -

The strawberries you grew—using coffee grounds from his mom's morning coffee—were surprisingly big considering it was your first attempt. But you were the type of student to do your homework sooner and play later, so Chigiri wasn't that surprised to see that your strawberries grew well.

A neat row of repurposed milk cartons lined the balcony rails, sitting on top of wire racks from somewhere—also, probably, repurposed—and bright red strawberries spilled out of the cartons with some laying on the rack, waiting to be picked. You grew quite a few plants. Not nearly enough to use all the coffee grounds you collected from his mother since she brewed coffee daily, but there were plenty of strawberries for both of you to enjoy since they started ripening.

It would have been easier to buy strawberries from any store. Or buy them already in sweets to be eaten like daifuku or a fruit sandwich.

“Hmmm… I could have, but I think it's more fun to do it myself!” You grinned at him when you answered his question after a week of collecting coffee grounds and showing him your small balcony garden.

Chigiri was glad you did, because he might not have met you if you hadn't knocked to ask for coffee grounds.

You were right next door; it wasn’t difficult for him to visit and sit on your balcony for a bit even while he was going through his physical therapy. Coffee grounds were light, easy to carry even if they were still wet. You would pour it out of the bag to dry in your room. It always smelled like coffee because of that and the scent wafted onto the balcony where he liked to sit as you diligently scribbled away whatever assignment you had decided to finish early, or whatever topic had captured your interest. The summer sun was usually warm—sometimes unbearably hot and he would sit in your room instead—and there was usually a nice breeze on your balcony.

He hadn't known strawberries were tiny white flowers first, then red fruit. He didn't know anything about strawberries except what they looked and tasted like until you started growing them on a balcony near him.

“Will you grow them again next summer?” He asked, watching you pick tiny seeds from the strawberries you were going to eat.

You blinked at his question, red strawberry juice clinging to your bottom lip, before smiling. “Will you bring me coffee grounds again?”

“Obviously.” Chigiri huffed a laugh at your question.

“Then yeah, I'll grow them again. How many should I grow? As many as possible to feed you?” You gestured with your hand to the pile of stems he had. Easily twice your pile. He felt his cheeks get warmer despite the fan spinning nearby. You were just slow as you got the seeds before eating.

“Let's see if you can then.”

But he didn't want to wait until next summer to do this again—sitting on your balcony and spending time with you. Red juices staining both fingertips and lips. The scent of strawberries and coffee hanging in the air.

It didn't have to be strawberries.

“Oh, there's only one left.” You pushed the bowl closer to him. “Since you like them so much.”

There were still a few strawberries that hadn't turned red yet on the balcony so it wasn't the last one. Just the last one for the day.

Chigiri ate most of your harvest, but here you were letting him have another like he contributed beyond bringing coffee grounds over.

Quickly, he judged the distance between you and him across the small table and he pushed himself onto his knees and leaned over to press a kiss to your lips.

He grinned at the surprise on your face when he pulled back.

“Let's grow more stuff together.”

It was easy to grab the toothpick you were using while you processed his kiss and start picking off the seeds from the strawberry. He worked quietly as he waited for your response.

The fan kept whirring, providing a nice breeze in the room. Chigiri could hear the sound of insects buzzing outside. His fingertips were already red from the strawberries he ate, but now there was juice running down his hand as he picked at the seeds. He didn't know how much juice strawberries let out on their own nor did he realize how many seeds a strawberry had before.

Another thing he learned about the fruit thanks to you growing them. Chigiri didn't know anything about growing them except coffee grounds were great for the soil, but that was just the first thing you taught him about strawberries.

He licked his bottom lip. Strawberries. The taste on your lips too. If his sister found out, she would tell him how romantic and cute it was that his first kiss tasted of strawberries.

“I only picked strawberries because your hair color reminded me of them.”

Chigiri choked on the almost seedless strawberry in his mouth. You laughed as he coughed and tried to swallow the chunk in his mouth.

“I didn't know how else to talk to you since we go to different schools.”

You moved in next door right before the new school year started and he barely saw you until that day you knocked to ask for coffee grounds. He barely noticed you honestly, but that meant you had noticed him for a few weeks at least before summer started. A lot of planning went into growing something from what he saw, especially with how easy you made it look.

“... that's cute.” There wasn't anything else he could say to that. He could feel his face heating up. Knowing that you had your eyes on him for so long.

“I just wanted a friend close by, but I think I like you too.” You were right in front of him. He could smell strawberries again from how close your face was, just a centimeter or two from his. You looked unfairly calm with how close you were and how fast his heart was racing. “Your face is so red for someone who kissed first.”

[manheeiim]

chapter seven: don't need to be told

-- a ghostly love masterlist

I looked into Wally’s eyes, completely flustered. I wanted to look into his eyes but at the same time, I felt the urge to look away due to embarrassment. “I’m.. um, going to go to Charley.” I tell Wally. He raises his eyebrows a little but not really in a shocked way, more of a “I know what I do to you” way. 

“Yeah, alright.” He says and nods, looking over at Charley.

I hesitated before walking off to Charley who was still stabbing the football equipment with a stick.

“Charley!” I yell, trying to get his attention over his screaming. “Charley!” I say again.

The boy looks over at me, catching his breath. “Oh, hey, Lucia.” He greets me.

“Hey.” I smile.

“What’s up?” Charley asks.

“Nothing.. I just.. you said that I can talk to you if I needed to, right?” I asked. 

“Yeah, of course.” Charley tells me.

“Well, it’s more of a question actually.” I say and he nods, signaling for me to go on. “Did Wally have a girlfriend before he died?” I ask, guessing that he did.

“Yeah, he did. He talked about her a lot when he first died but after a while, he’d only mention her every once in a while. Honestly, I think he only did that to annoy us.” Charley answered. “But, ever since you got here, he hasn’t mentioned her once.” He tells me.

“Oh, um, okay.” I awkwardly say.

“Why? You have a crush?” Charley asked, wiggling his eyebrows.

“Don’t even. I don’t have a crush on Wally, or anyone for that matter.” I lied.

Charley looks at me with a “yeah, right” look. “Whatever you say, Lucia.” He tells me.

I look over at the football equipment, “Have fun, Charley.” I say, patting his arm gently before walking off.

<3

I walked down the crowded hallway of my school. As I walked, I looked around at the people that I knew and didn’t know so well. As I was walking, I spotted my best friend, Chloe. She was standing with two other cheerleaders on the team. The two girls were talking while Chloe just listened, nodding along, and making sounds like “Mm-hm” as a way to somewhat contribute to the conversation.

It looked like she wasn’t taking my death too well. Maybe this is wrong, but I’m kind of glad. Well, not that she’s feeling this way, definitely not. I’m just glad that I can see that someone actually cares, even if that’s a little self-involved.

The bell rang, meaning it was time for the next class. “Let’s go to lunch.” One of the girls said.

Chloe and the other girl followed after this girl, all heading to lunch. I watched as they walked away, just standing there. I then looked down at my cheer uniform and adjusted it a little with a sigh. I looked ahead, and continued walking down the hall.

<3

“I’m afraid reciting all of Ginsberg might have us howl-ing at the end.” Mr. Martin says as he stood in front of a chalkboard and we all sat in a circle. Charley gave him a sorry smile as no one was really laughing or even smiling at the joke. Mr. Martin awkwardly cleared his throat, “Lucia, do you have anything that you want to do over the weekend?” He asked me.

“I need to figure out if I’m a bad person or not.” I answered.

“Um.. I don’t really know if that’s fun but I’ll put that on the board.” Mr. Martin says, turning towards the board. “Hmmm, I’ll put “self-reflect” on the board.” He said as he wrote it down.

“Why do you think you’re a bad person?” Wally asked me.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if she was one.” Rhonda commented.

I do my best to ignore Rhonda’s comment as I look at Wally. I think for a moment, wanting to know how to phrase this properly. I then looked down at my lap, “I think that I’m a bad person because I felt kind of good after seeing my best friend obviously sad about my death.” I say.

“Yeah, definitely a bad person.” Rhonda said, nodding her head.

“Wait, Rhonda. Let her explain.” Mr. Martin told her before looking at me.

“It’s not that I felt good in a “I’m so happy that she’s sad right now” way, but more that I felt good in a sense that seeing her like that made me feel cared about.” I tell Mr. Martin. 

“Hm, well that makes sense. You needed reassurance. That’s normal.” Mr. Martin tells me.

“I guess so.” Is all I say as I look at the board behind him. “Movie night?” I say and Mr. Martin nods.

“We figured it’d be a good way to break up the monotony.” Mr. Martin explains.

“If I may,” Charley spoke and I looked over at him. “to be fair, watching the same fives sports movies over and over again is kind of monotonous, Mr. Martin.” He says while looking at Wally.

“I thought you loved Rudy.” Wally says.

“No.” Charley responded. 

“Wow.” Wally exclaims. “Just w- I can’t even.” Wally says

“Wait, what’s Rudy?” I ask Wally who gasps. 

“If you want to be with me, you have to watch Rudy.” Wally says.

“Who said I wanted to be with you?” I asked, teasing him. “No one had to say anything, I could tell.” Wally responded, crossing his arms over his chest as he leaned back and spread his legs.

<3

I was sitting down on a couch in the library, Rhonda on the floor near me, a book in a hand as she drank from someone’s cup. Not that it mattered anymore nor did it affect this person. Wally and Charley were looking for movies. 

“Okay, Bull Durham.” Wally suggested to Charley who’s on the other side of the bookshelf.

“Eh, too much baseball.” Charley told him.

“Okay,” Wally looks through the movies on the shelf, “The Natural.” He suggested. 

“Way too much baseball.” Charley says.

“Boom, we got it.” Wally gets another one. “Rad Racing.” He held up the movie.

“Oh, is that the one where they do the BMX bike ballet at the school dance?” Charley asked Wally.

Wally nods, “Yeah, it is. And it’s freakin’ amazing.” Wally told him. 

“Oh, no. It’s absolutely not though.” Charley retorted.

<3

We all gathered in the kitchen to get some food and some food for the movie night we were having. I grabbed a salad before walking over to Wally who was grabbing a bunch of food and putting it on the cart. I look at all the things he had on the cart.

He glanced over at me as he opened a container-shelf-thingy and took a cookie out of it. “Want a cookie?” He asked me.

“Sure.” I say and he hands me one.

I take a bite and immediately scrunch my nose at the taste. I swallow it down. “It’s bad?” Wally asked and I nodded. He holds his hand out to take it and so I give it to him. He then takes a bite and makes a face as well. We continued to walk when a janitor walked by with an open container. Wally put his arm out in front of me and dropped the cookie in the tray, making me smile.

We walked over to Rhonda and Charley and I looked over to see Chloe walking through the cafeteria with the other girls, seemingly having just had practiced. “Um… one sec.” I say before walking over to them, following after them and leaving the others behind. Yes, that sounded creepy, but it was only so that I could see how she was doing.

<3

Chloe said goodbye to the girls before she walked over to the bus stop bench and sat down. I’d completely forgotten that this would be what she’d have to do after practice now. Before, I used to just drive her home since she didn’t have her license. Now, since I wasn’t here, she had to take the bus. Or, actually, she could have ridden with someone else on the team but I get it, they could be a lot sometimes.

I sat down next to her as she leaned back, I could see her holding back tears. I watched as they slid down her cheek and I watched as she started sobbing. I felt awkward. I always did in situations like this. I was never good at comforting people when they were upset in life, nor was I in death. Not that I could comfort her anyways. I was just, never really taught that skill.

I glanced over after seeing something in the corner of my eye and I was met with Rhonda, Charley, and Wally standing on the other side of the glass bus stop-thing. I looked over at them before I got up from the bench, walking over to them. “Who’s that?” Charley asked.

“My best friend, Chloe.” I answered.

“Oh.” Is all he said. “Hasn’t been taking it well, has she?” Charley asked.

“I mean, would you if your best friend died?” Rhonda asked him.

“True.” Charley said.

“Let’s just… go inside.” I say, shrugging, refusing to look over at Chloe again.

Charley just nods before leading the way, Rhonda goes with him and Wally stays behind with me. 

“Are you good?” Wally asked me.

“I’m- I’m fine.” I simply answered.

“You sure?” Wally asked.

“Yep.” I told him. “I mean, it’s just.. I feel bad.” I shrugged.

“It’s not your fault, you know? You dying. It was just a.. freak accident. Just like how I died.” Wally told me. 

I think about what he said for a moment, “You said you died at the homecoming game, right?” I asked him.

“Yeah.” Wally told me. I just nodded, not really knowing what to say. Once again, I’m not the best when it comes to comforting people. 

“Let’s just go inside.” I told him.

“Sure.” He said, understanding.

[vesanal]

happy (late) sts!

tell me about your favorite character at the moment! any silly facts? cool arcs? tell me!

and have a lovely day ✨

Hi! It’s still sts somewhere, lol right? So, let’s do this!! This is a great time to introduce my OC Aerlyra Ghorne from my current project, The Bone-Binder’s Covenant!! 

________________________________________________________

Aerlyra is a very work-oriented person. Most things she attempts are done to feel successful and good. She feels an impending doom that her time to be productive is running out. There wasn't really a moment of her accomplishing a thing that was deemed productive. She doesn't know what to do with herself. She feels lost. Aerlyra was brought up in an environment thinking that if she couldn’t find a use for herself in the world then she is nothing. She ended up believing this, which heavily contributed to the current state of her anxiety. All of her life as she hasn’t ever found a place to truly fit into place…until the Queen chose her, out of all the qualified people, to kill the Bone-Binder. He, who has just come back after 100 long years of peace, broke his deal with the nation and now must be stopped. She instantly grabs at this. Finally I have a purpose!! I have something to actually achieve!!! No reluctant hero here!! Now, this is an incredibly toxic mindset that she starts out with. No one is useless, even if they haven’t accomplished anything “useful enough”. And that is one of her major arcs. She shouldn’t have to have done something to be considered worthy, but she keeps at her mission because she wants to not because she has to prove herself. This is a cause to fight for. It’s for the sake of Pytharios and its safety. Her mission is about saving her country from evil, not to turn herself into the best weapon she can be for it. She is and always has been enough. Favorite character by far and totally not at all because of her similarities to me lmao. 

Hmmm. Some silly facts about my girl is that she is an absolutely terrible singer and musician. To be fair, the academy didn’t have any actual music classes (Not that she would have taken them anyway). 

Also, she has no concept of greenery and plant life. Since Pytharios is kinda stuck in an eternal winter she has yet to see a tree that isn’t dead/dormant. At least, at this point in the story. 

One more thing is that she doesn’t like fish. Any kind. None at all. She can’t keep it down. It’s absolutely disgusting to her. Despite it being a very popular food in Pytharios, making its way into many of it's dishes. It’s definitely a struggle for her but she gets by on the tasty, yet somewhat expensive, Ursara meat. ________________________________________________________

Thank you @seastarblue for the ask! Have a lovely day too!!

If anyone would like to know more about The Bone-Binder’s Covenant (story, characters, and world/worldbuilding/magic system/etc) I will be posting more about it in the next few days. Stick around! You can also send me an ask too! Asks are always open! Have an amazing day everyone <3!!

[shivunin]

Petal-Crowned

Borrowing the lovely @greypetrel's Aisling for this piece! I adore Arja and Aisling both and I also think they would be good friends and good for each other. When I saw her absolutely gorgeous piece of Elowen and Aisling, I couldn't help but want to write a piece to fit it. So---here is my contribution. Thank you, as always, for your friendship and for letting me borrow your baby!

(Recommended listening)

(Elowen & Aisling Lavellan | 874 Words | No Warnings)

"yet here’s eglantine, Here’s ivy!— take them, as I used to do Thy flowers, and keep them where they shall not pine. Instruct thine eyes to keep their colours true, And tell thy soul, their roots are left in mine." ---Elizabeth Barrett Browning, "Sonnets from the Portuguese 44..."

The sun was warm, the air was sweet, and half the meadow’s flowers clung to Elowen’s hair. She felt as if she was half-dreaming here amongst the soft grasses and bright colors of this glade, but she knew that she was not. Perhaps the beauty of this place only felt dream-like because things had been so miserable for so long that beautiful and nice things must feel, by some token, somewhat dream-like.

Thoughts better not to dwell on, she supposed.

“When do you think the others are coming back?” she called to Aisling, who was wandering some distance away, judging by the rustling of her feet through the flowers. 

“Hmmm,” Aisling said. “I’m not sure. But look!”

Elowen looked, fingers still busy on the twined flowers in her lap. Triumphant, Aisling held an elfroot plant in the air, dark earth still clinging to its roots. 

“I’m going to bring it back to Skyhold,” she announced, beaming at the slender stalk. “I know just where to plant it.”

“It’s perfect,” Elowen agreed, taking in the slight woodiness of the stem, the healthy green of the leaves. It was easy to plant elfroot seeds, but much more difficult to transplant an existing specimen. For all that it seemed to grow all over Thedas, the plant did not take well to being uprooted. 

If anyone could coax it to take to a new home, Elowen was certain it would be Aisling. 

“Do you want any more of this or should I put it away?” she asked while her friend carefully bundled the plant away. 

Aisling glanced at the saddle blanket they sat on, which also held the open pack and the scattered remnants of their lunch. The cheese was nestled under an active ice spell (Aisling’s contribution; Elowen had never been good with frost magic) and the bread had been set neatly aside where it could avoid any potential dampness. The remaining fruit, purchased from the nearby and very grateful residents of Crestwood, was nestled in an open satchel. 

“Hmm,” Elowen’s friend said. “We can leave it. There’s time to have more later.”

Elowen made a soft noise of assent and turned back to the half-made chain of flowers in her lap. It took a little deftness to do this without losing anything crucial. Petals wanted badly to fall off once the flower had been plucked, and if she was not careful she would wind up with fingers stained green and a chain of battered stems. 

After a time, Aisling sat behind her, back pressed to Elowen’s. Elowen made little progress, half-dozing in the dappled sunlight, and for once she did not blame herself for it. It would have felt silly to hold herself to such deadlines and pressures here. This place was far too comfortable to bring herself to care. 

“Elowen?” 

“Hm?” she roused slightly, eyes heavy, and almost fell backward when Aisling moved away from her. 

“Here!” Aisling said while Elowen steadied herself, “I picked the ones that seemed to fit. See—the green of the leaves here match your vallaslin precisely.”

It took her a moment to comprehend what was happening, fingers still tangled in the chain she’d begun to weave, the sunlight almost too bright now that she’d opened her eyes again. But—while she had rested, her friend had made something beautiful and bright. It hung from her pale fingers now as Aisling held it out: purple and yellow and white against green leaves that—yes, actually would match Elowen’s vallaslin when they weren’t in direct sunlight. The petals of the pansies looked unimaginably soft, velvet-sheened in the sunlight. Aisling grinned at her, smile just as bright as the sunshine in the meadow.

“I think it suits you,” she said. Elowen smiled as the little crown settled over her head and Aisling leaned forward to kiss her cheek. 

What a gift this was. A gift—to have the easy company of a good friend, to sit in the sunlight and smell the flowers. A gift, to be safe and full and cared for

“Thank you,” she murmured when Aisling rocked back onto her heels. Aisling clapped her hands together, eyes fixed on the ring of flowers atop Elowen’s head. 

“It’s perfect!” she said, grinning. 

Elowen leaned forward and pressed her lips to her friend’s cheek in turn, sun-warm and soft as it was. 

“It is,” she agreed, and turned her attention back to her lap. “Perfect. It’s beautiful work, truly.”

Forget-me-nots still clung softly to her fingers as she wove a lily into its place near the center. What a pleasure it would be to give her friend the joy she’d been given. How remarkable, to offer something simple and good to someone she cared for. 

Behind her, Aisling began to speak again, describing a mishap with her dear horse and a thorny bush. Her voice had a pleasant cadence, rising and falling like a friendly and familiar tune. The bees hummed nearby, drifting from flower to flower. Soft breezes brushed past stems and leaves and bobbing blossoms. Sparse clouds drifted between them and the sun, never obscuring the light for too long. 

Elowen listened and found herself glad beyond measuring to simply be herself at this precise place and time. Smiling faintly at the sound of her friend’s voice, she lifted her fingers and wove on.

[seeingteacupsindragons]

Um hi!! Aspiring writer here I just wanted to ask if you had any tips on actually getting down what you want your story to be about and forming a general framework for the plot and events?

I have so so many ideas but they stay ideas because I have no clue how to go from there?

Thank you thank you if you do decide to answer and apologies if im bothering you or its a bad time but I think you’re writings very neat and conveys emotions and characters very well so i wanted your input!

Hi! Thank you for compliments, etc. I appreciate that a lot, and emotion and character are really what I think I’m best at.

Structure (framework) and plot are…well, not, but I’ve been working really hard at getting better at these things lately, so I’ll see if I can’t come up with something to give you a hand.

Generally, my writing starts with a story “seed.” This is basically a character and a concept. They look something like “modern fairy tale with an aro ace witch protagonist” (actual story I have written) or, like, “teenage boy finds himself magically bound to a wizard and forced to obey him” (other actual story).

Sometimes this seed is from a prompt or something floating around in my head as a good idea. Sometimes this seed is from the first couple random paragraphs of something I wrote just to write something—it’s hard to write a couple of solid paragraphs without A Character in A Situation.

So for that first story seed, the first couple paragraphs of “modern fairy tale with the aro ace witch” I started with “witch protagonist hanging out on a broom and contemplating a couple and wondering how he could play the role of a fairy tale witch about them.” Because…I don’t know, that was just the first stuff I typed, and it seemed fun to have a witch actually intentionally playing their role in fairy tales?

And then I just keep spinning the Scenario for a while, making stuff up as a I go along. Okay, he’s on a broom above the sky, what if he also has a familiar, what is the familiar saying, what kind of ideas is the protagonist having, how does he even know these people, etc., etc., etc.

And then once I have enough building blocks of just playing improve on a seed for a bit, I take a look at what’s there and what I can do with it. Switching stories here, basically, I have things like, “Oh, only the teenagers are doing anything to fight back against the magical disasters destroying their city…this sounds like a climate change metaphor.” Or, “Hmmm, I have this situation where the characters’ own passions are negatively affecting them…sounds like they have an unhealthy relationship with art/work/etc.” Sometimes this happens mid-first draft. Sometimes this happens after I have a full draft that was created entirely on playing “yes and” with a scenario.

Once I’ve identified these bits and pieces that seem like they’re threaded into the story in multiple places and what’s standing out to me as prominent in the story, it’s time to make sure everyone else sees them. Plot points that are distracting or don’t contribute to a thread get cut. New ones get added to say something else about the topic, or changed to really emphasize a point I want to make or to clarify what was happening, or to sew various story parts together.

In the book I’m writing at the moment, the first draft had this plot arc about a secret underground coven that like, worshiped the main character’s people. It got cut, because while I thought I was going to say a lot about putting people on pillars and how it’s unhealthy, I didn’t really have anywhere for that thread to go, it was kind of messy and weird, and a lot of stuff I wanted to do worked better when I shifted it to focus more on the main character learning to work with people who were resistant to him and bolstering another character and incorporating their opinions into the Discussion—and also I had some idea of where to go with the latter and not the former.

Let’s take a story seed is about the second daughter of a royal family becoming queen, because I haven’t written this story, dangit.

There’s not really any plot points in that seed. Maybe one way toward the end of the book!

So you need to add some more stuff to get it going. Let’s open with her hanging out with her best friend who’s the first son of an Earl.

Now we have a lot. We have plot points about whatever they’re talking about or doing while hanging out—what activities they like to do, or what’s going around them. And, I’ve got a ready-made juxtaposition in there for their succession stories and how they happen and the challenges they face and the story is now about, idk, coming into power or coming into responsibility, or growing up, or facing expectations and what you do about them. And I can use all of that stuff from the first sentence of the paragraph to emphasize those bits.

If they’re about coming into responsibility, you get to write plot points where the two discover all the things their ancestors have been managed silently and behind the scenes (how are they told this? Are they also managing things silently? Like what?). If it’s about what you’re going to do with power, you add in a plot line about them discovering how their parents failed (how do they discover it—is it something they mentioned doing or were seen doing?).

Each of those subplots (and if you’re writing about growing into responsibility, there’s a lot of different ways that manifest and each can have its own subplot branch) branches out into more and more ideas and things you can do to emphasize each point and say what you want to say about whatever the plot/theme is.

I don’t know where you are in your ideas you can’t write down—if you just have a seed, or you have a seed and one theme/point/thing you want to write about and don’t know how to actually branch that into plot points. I think you’re at the latter. So what I say here is: the plot points you pick/choose/write are the ones that seem like they’re going to give you something to say about it and contribute to what you want to say.

If you want to write about growing into power, maybe you don’t need that plot point about our princess sneaking out to hang out with the Enemy, but you do need a scene where she teaches her younger sisters. Hanging out with the Enemy might fit better in a story where she’s learning how to heal political rifts. If the story you’re writing is about both, cool! You can figure out a way to have one or two of those scene do double duty as both and then keep both scenes. Maybe you don’t need a scene where she learns how to handle a sword in favor of a ball where she’s introduced as the heir apparent.

And then there’s…well…how things get resolved says a lot about the topic, you know? If you have a character with an abusive mom, and at the end she forgives her mother, that Says Something Different than if she cuts dies with her mom. And what is says depends on a lot of details, of course, but it’s really important to keep in mind that how the story ends really is your final statement on the matter.

I…hope this helped? I think I answered your question anyway. This is about where I’m at with my writing and how I’m trying to make it work, anyway.

[dream-meister-translations]

MEL CHARACTER CARD #1

━

If you're beautiful, you become prone to jealousy. If you're brave, you get hurt. If you're kind, you get taken advantage of. And if you're smart, you learn to fear everything. And that can't be good at all, can it?

One day, when I was working as guild keeper to the Dream Weavers…

EMMA : Volks-san, I've come with the documents you requested.

VOLKS : Thank you. That must have taken a lot of time and effort on your part.

EMMA : Oh, it's nothing. If there is anything else I can do just, please, let me know.

EMMA : Wow! It's so beautiful! Is that what they call a diamond in the rough?

VOLKS : Yes. the colors are exquisite, are they not? Still needs a good polishing but it has potential.

MEL : Wow, really? So these are the kind of gems you look for, Volks?

EMMA : Mel?

Mel, the Black Fairy, appears, from the key, looking over at Volks' hands with his typically perfect posture and eccentric pose.

VOLKS : Oh, so you're interested in these gemstones too, hmm?

MEL : Well, yes and no. I can't help but wonder how a gemstone can quite have so many obvious flaws...

VOLKS : Flaws, you say?

MEL : Yes, yes. Look closer. Look at that stone right there. It looks pretty at first glance, yes, but there are very fine cracks in it.

MEL : And that stone is tainted with carbon, so even if you were to polish it, it would only sell cheap on the market, no?

MEL : This is utter nonsense, my dear.

EMMA : What do you mean by cracks? And what's wrong with the gemstones containing carbon?

VOLKS : It's a contributing factor to a gem's declining market value.

I looked closer at the gem Mel pointed to, and quickly identified the same tell-tale black spots of carbon within the gem.

VOLKS : You are quite knowledgeable and observant, Mel!

MEL : It's only natural to know this stuff, no? If anything, I'd think it crazier if you didn't know!

EMMA : (I know it's a little late to ask… But surely it has to make Mel suffer always maintaning a pose like that...)

MEL : So… Why is a Meister Dream Weaver and pyroxenite connoisseur inspecting such junk gemstones?

VOLKS : Because these gemstones are not mere junk, Mel.

VOLKS : While it is true that these stones have their defects…

VOLKS : They also shine brightly and have remarkable color among gemstones. Cracks do not make the whole stone worthless.

VOLKS : We aim to maximize on the potential each stone's individual qualities, cutting and polishing them creatively to remove any cracks.

MEL : ………

VOLKS : As for this stone with the carbon, is it not otherwise a beautifully clear gemstone.

VOLKS : The carbon itself is very fine, and I believe it possible to decorate the stone with such elements with careful cutting.

EMMA : I see… So it all depends how you process it…

VOLKS : Yes. To assume the value of anything is to foolishly squander its potential.

MEL : Hmmm? But that's just forcing a bad stone to be something it's not, isn't it?

MEL : A bad stone is still a bad stone no matter what you do to fix it. If it isn't perfect, it isn't worth anything to me…

EMMA : (He's arched his back even more…)

VOLKS : …………..

VOLKS : So tell me, Mel. Which of these gemstones do you think is the most valuable?

MEL : Huh? It doesn't really matter which one I choose, does it? They're all junk. If it's not perfect, it's pointless.

VOLKS : If they're all the junk, and none are perfect to begin with…

VOLKS : Then what does it hurt to pick one?

MEL : ……You're persistent. Okay, then it's this one…

Mel picked the single most boring, plain looking gemstone of them all.

VOLKS : Hmmm. It would seem you have a good eye after all.

MEL : Huh? No, I certainly have eyes and can see perfectly, that's true, but…

MEL : I just picked that one at random, okay? Is this really all you do?

No matter how many barbed words Mel muttered, Volks calm demeanor never shifted an inch.

On the other hand... Seeing Volks look so calm seemed to really be getting under Mel's skin…

[romirola]

🥚 Any easter eggs you put in a fic that you hoped people would notice?

😮 Anything you included in your fic that you didn’t expect people to like?

🏳️‍🌈 Do you write the most m/f ships, f/f ships or m/m ships?

and the ladder one (which didn't copy/paste but I've been 🥂 so I can't figure out how to get it back easily so idk here it is)

🪜 I'm greedy and I want four things Please give them to me 🥰🔪

From this ask game, still open!

Thankyou for these asks, @frenchiefitzhere! I'm here and happy to satisfy that greed!

🥚 Any easter eggs you put in a fic that you hoped people would notice? Yes!! I have some characters that appear or are referenced in multiple fics for continuity that I hope people notice. For instance, Sydney, a dreamwalker-rookie on Sweetheart's squad appears in Cross My Heart,, this Milo/Sweetheart oneshot, and this (rated M, so 18+ only, please!) other Milo/Sweetheart oneshot. Sergeant Watkins, Sweetheart's contra-water elemental supervisor, appears or is heavily mentioned in Stubborn Stealths and Worried Wolves, Cross My Heart, and this Sweetheart and Cam friendship oneshot. Deena, Miguel's little sister, is mentioned in Stronger Together and Packed with Love. Another headcanon that I often reference, and channel whenever I write Asher is that his parents are humanborn wolves who came to the States from Ireland. That is depicted explicitly in Packed with Love and discussed in Secrets Between Friends. I don't know if anyone notices and if they don't, that's okay, but I like seeing how all these things can be inflected in the stories and build upon another another as the world is fleshed out in a way that contributes to the plot and characterizations.

😮 Anything you included in your fic that you didn’t expect people to like? Hmmm... I'm not sure if I really give much thought as to what people may/may not like when I write. I suppose I write the story how I see it, tag it appropriately, and presume that people will read if they wish. I will say sometimes I get notes that my fics are too long for people to read, which always feels unexpected because there's no set date by which you have to read the fic. It's there, living on AO3 and ready for you to read at any pace! But perhaps these notes are telling me that my fics are long without the payoff of exciting plots, which in that case, I would say thanks for reading and letting me know what you thought.

🏳️‍🌈 Do you write the most m/f ships, f/f ships or m/m ships? I try to ensure that the ships featured in my Redactedverse allow for a reader to maintain whatever kind of conception of the listeners they have, which leads me to describe the listeners through a gender-inclusive lens.

🪜 Tell us a random fact about any fic! This (rated M, so 18+ only, please) Gavin/Freelancer oneshot that features nonsexual intimacy facilitated by consensual hypno-magic was supposed to be kinda smutty, but actually turned into something poignantly tender. It's fairly long to be in a oneshot collection, and I kind of regret putting it there rather than making it its own story, but alas, what is done is done. Gavin/Freelancer are an intimidating couple to write because Gavin is just so... good at all things love/romance/intimacy/trust. But, overall, I'm quite proud of how that fic turned out and grateful for the opportunity to stretch my own imagination!

[littlemissmanga]

hello there~ sending these bad boys for the fic writer ask meme! 🤍💋 💌

Oh! Let's see...

🤍what's one fic of yours you think people didn't "get"?

Oh this is an interesting one! Hmmm, I'd say my Boba x reader fic. I was trying to get across the sense of power one would feel having Boba "in your corner" so to say, even if you're not the type to be used to or ever really want that feeling, how you can grow stronger because of your partner. But idk I think it comes off as self-indulgent enough that if people aren't in that kinda mood, they're not going to relate/vibe to it.

💋when you leave comments on a fic, do you want to hear back from the writer?

Not always, and I never expect it. More like, if I add a headcanon or ask a direct question, then I think responses are a great way to create a conversation over a mutual obsession, which is always fun and often leads to even more thots/ new fic ideas. But I often just shout back the lines that I like/that really struck me and how much I loved them and why. For those kinda comments, I understand that usually the responses are more emotional/appreciative and it's hard to respond in text.

💌share something with us about an up-and-coming work (WIP) that has you excited!

Date Night Pt 3, my contribution to the matchmaking AU, is going to star my OC, Yen (who is named for Yenta) as she faces her toughest challenge ... Dogma! Yen is my first OC since returning to writing, and the first one in truth I consider a unique character and not a self-insert/reader. Not that there's anything wrong with those, obv., just that this is a new challenge I'm excited for. Added to that is the fact that Dogma is also a new character for me. I'm really excited to try my hand at him, and the way I have it planned so far, I'm loving his interactions with Yen. It's unique to what I've written before just based on the characters - they're both so different than who I usually write for and it's been really fun getting into their heads.

[idkhowtopickausername]

2, 7 and 17 for utena?

Yaaay thank u for indulging me! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

2. My favorite thing about it is actually like a dozen interconnected things I really love how it critiques the idea of saving someone and the savior/saved dynamic (and how poignantly it does so) and also how it deconstructs the idea of the pure innocent victim vs. the conniving evil manipulator, and how complex and real Anthy is as a character, and how it shows that other characters perceiving her as one or the other is self-serving and contributes to her pain and denies her full humanity. I also really like how in Utena’s character arc she starts out with a goal that depends on success within the current system but is also doomed to fail both as a means of helping Anthy and as a means of being who she wants to be because success within the dueling system leads to Akio who enforces a level of conformity and complicity that goes against who she is. And the way that she really has to confront that she was complicit in hurting Anthy in a way that I rarely see ‘heroic’ characters forced to self-examine. But that despite the power of these structures and the suffering they lead to, they are neither natural nor inevitable but constructed and upheld by lies and illusions and authority and preying on people’s pain and insecurity. And the fact that Utena’s idealism wasn’t intrinsically wrong or naive, just misdirected, and they needed to let the structure crumble and walk away from it to create something new, despite how terrifying that prospect was!!! Anyway in short I think it manages to confront a lot of pain and disillusionment in a very real and nuanced and brutally honest way but still offer a form of genuine hope that doesn’t feel fake or ignorant or patronizing. Sorry that was long.

And my least favorite thing is that I think despite providing really meaningful, insightful, and gut-wrenching critiques of the sexualization of underage girls, it’s not totally exempt from doing the same thing at certain isolated moments (that would be easier to overlook if it weren’t for parts of the movie and marketing + and the fact that I’ve heard it’s sort of a problem in Ikuhara’s other works as well). And I think also, while incest plays a really important thematic role in the story and is handled really well textually, I don’t feel as confident as some other fans that the choice to focus on it was purely for reasons of criticism despite how insightful and worthwhile that criticism is (mainly because the bathtub scene with Kozue and Miki in the movie was…very weird and unnecessary imo). Additionally I think the way it handles race is not great either. In short my least favorite thing about it is that the things that bother me about it are in such close proximity to the things I think it does well and that I love about it 😞

Wow that was a long-winded response to one number.

7. Character that feels like home: Hmmm maybe Utena. Anthy is my ultimate fav but there’s something very homey about Utena and the way she chatters about things.

17. Line I quote most: I wouldn’t say I really quote anything from rgu that much (although “It’s a big mistake to think you’re the only one who can turn into a car” is pretty funny to bring up) but quotes I really love and think about a lot are:

“We’ll be living happily in the castle…but what about Himemiya?”

“Himemiya you don’t know, do you? The only time I’ve ever been really happy was when I was with you.”

“You really don’t know what’s happened do you? It doesn’t matter. By all means stay in this cozy coffin of yours and continue playing prince. But I have to go now…She isn’t gone at all. She’s just vanished from your world. Goodbye.”

Plus the whole rooftop conversation and cantarella scene. Also I think, while being perspectives that are critiqued later and don’t fully reflect the message of the show, the “in the end…all girls are like the rose bride” quote and Utena saying “I’ll become a prince and save her” in the flashback in episode 34 are incredibly powerful in context.

[blorbologist]

26 and 37

26. You must swap one nat 1 die roll with one nat 20 die roll. They must both be from the main campaigns, but can be cross-campaign. Which are they, and why?

Ooooof, how dare you make me have to do research for this? :vvv

See, I'm torn between making them both of similar magnitude or pulling a cheap shot and taking a nat 20 that didn't matter much to swap for a nat 1 that did matter.

Okay, let's take two important ones and make them both WORSE, because I'm a bastard

For the 1 -> 20, hmmm let's say Caleb trying to persuade Essek to pretty please let him invite mages that want to kill them both onto this expedition. Gives Liam his bisexual maelstrom early, and it would so badly fuck with their dynamics. Would Caleb backshift into bad coping mechanisms? Would Essek call him out? Would Trent or Astrid or Wulf try to kill either of them? What the fuck! Just about one of the few times I think a high roll would actually be worse for everyone involved. Another that came to mind was Kaylie's initial confrontation with Scanlan. (A good one to turn into a 20 would be the Sunken Tomb 'Sam immediately jokes it's instant death and SIKE IT IS', because it would change SO MUCH of the campaign.)

For the 20 -> 1 :) well since you got me in an angsty mood :) True Love's Nat 20 made into True Love's Nat 1. Even if the roll had succeeded over-all thanks to the other contributions, I can't see Percy coming back if he didn't hear Vex specifically. We'd have Molly in Campaign 1. Vex might do something reckless and Briarwoods-esque to bring him back (winks loudly at Nova). Completely derail everything. (Of course, there's any number of villain Nat 20s turning into Nat 1s would likely be huge net positives, but I don't feel like researching any more than I already have :V)

37. You have to take a 16 hour road trip with one NPC from each campaign (all at once, ie, three other people). The NPCs cannot shorten the road trip in any way and the road trip must be via driving but you can do it in two 8 hour days and share a motel room if you'd like. Who do you pick?

... I read this as PC at first FUCK ME. Including the two I'd written for PCs + why I didnt pick my fav under the cut as a lil bonus.

a) Essek. Okay, hear me out: yes he is a war criminal, but he's also dealt with trying to get grant money and as someone procrastinating on two deadlines rn? mood. I'd poke his brain for hours about blasphemous magic if I could. Also, soup is cheap for when we're done for the day and an easy meal. I think he'd either be a perfectionist backseat driver or a panicky one and either way the research talk is worth it to me ok. I'll survive.

b) Vesper - never said specials were excluded, and she IS in her 30s by this point in the timeline! We have no clue about her personality, but I think, given her family, she's likely very smart and good conversation. Has money to throw at any problems we run into. Also allows me to get De Blorbo lore without wanting to throttle her dad. If she doesn't count because she's a Baby in the oneshot she's in, I guess Cass? Look I adore her but I worry she's never driven a day in her life + trauma + is a noble would make her a pain in the ass to be stuck in a car with, BUT I love her enough I'd take it in stride For Her.

c) Imahara Joe. Look! He's a vibe! If anything goes wrong he can fix it! He can keep conversation going! I have huge Mythbusters nostalgia!

a) Caleb! I think we could talk about our respective cats for hours, or I'd hope we could, and talk magic-science, and Keen Mind would make keeping rest stops/the time/maps/etc. in mind a breeze. And if he isn't up to talk he would just! be quiet! and read a book! which is good for my stress brain! And if both of us are overstimmed that's a 50% vote on getting people to turn the music fucking down so we can relax.

b) Fjord, actually? He's captn' Tusktooth, he knows how to organize a voyage and what goes into sharing cramped quarters with other people for hours on end and how to keep distracted and not kill eachother. Plus, Star Razor is a convenient flashlight if ever. His music selection would also likely be fun to sing as a whole car together - shanties or good roadtrip songs.

c) oufff this one's hard.

(I'm Not saying Percy because so help me I'd want to throttle him within the hour. Beau would bully me I think. Both are also so hot and my favs I think I'd die and be incapable of driving. Laudna would also make Noises with her Existing and I think I'd lose my marbles, sorry babe :c)

[alltheotherblogs]

Hitting things that aren't punching bags, and wishing I could go to an amateur boxing gym.

I punch hard. Really hard. I always have. I punch so hard that I've broken three punching bags! Well, my luck ran out first. There were no more free punching bags being offered on FB marketplace, lol. Then, my patience ran out.

I wanted to train, badly, and so I did! Despite having nothing to punch anymore. I decided to make due with shadowboxing, the lonely lack of a sparring partner, and just do my very best even though I knew it wasn't enough. It's needless to say that being self taught as a boxer and fighter in general is fairly unheard of, welcome to the gatekeeping. In the world of fighting sports, lacking a proper trainer kind of means you're fucked, and trainers cost money. One day, I go outside to do my runs! I run a course I made in my back yard which goes up and down hill. But, every time I go outside during the spring, summer, and fall, I always check for still-water sources that could breed mosquito's, they are a rampant problem in my area. That's when I notice these unused unmanaged rain barrels sitting under a tree not even collecting rain... I punched it. It was perfect.

I found two tires, filled the base one with dirt, and put the rain barrel on top, making it sort of average human height. (However I'm quite tall, by most standards.) I later made adaptations by tying it to the tire securely so it wouldn't fall off. And, after about a month, I have yet to break it! It's made of a flexible grooved plastic, so it's structural integrity is quite high. I just feel bad because I hit so hard that whenever I punch it, it makes this LOUD drumming sound! Over time, I've been able to sort of train myself in certain guards by shadowboxing and how to hit by striking the barrel! I'd like to put something on top to sort of give the barrel a head, and make it around my height. But I don't have anything sturdy enough that won't also break my hand. But, that takes me to the point of this post...

Unfortunately, I don't have infinite robux to magically pay for a gym membership, I don't even have a job right now. I lost the best job in the world to unfair business practices, and have been looking and getting turned away ever since, rather unfairly might I add. Hiring practices are really trash in todays modern america, and it reflects on just how many jobs have denied me despite me being an ideal candidate. "Have you been to prison?" "No." "Have you ever murdered anybody?" "No." "Hmmm... Are you a man of a particular skin color?" "Yes." "Oh, sorry Mr.Others we're gonna have to pursue other candidates." I'm sure that my race and sex are a contributing factor at this point, because people don't just turn down a cleaner with over a year's experience for an entry level position in favor of some woman whose been to jail six times. I've applied to a lot of jobs, workshopped my resume, work doesn't come in, I get nothing. I need to start calling small businesses, cause at this point I'm certain that everywhere is like Amazon using racist and sexist hiring practices.

Regardless! Back on topic, self taught fighters are very much gatekept from getting a boxing license. I'd like to call around and see if anywhere is hosting a tournament I can sign up to for free, but the area I live in isn't exactly boxing central. It'd be difficult to find anywhere that'd let a gymless boxer fight, and as far as I'm aware most gyms that host tournaments gatekeep said tournaments. Don't get me wrong with what I'm saying, a trainer DOES HELP! It makes a huge difference! But you have to realize that there is a certain point when a fighter just understands things. I had a trainer, you know? For most of my life I've had trainers. But, there comes a time when other things take priority in a mans life. Living the way I do, I can't just do boxing. It isn't that simple. This results in needing to make time to do things! I happen to be free right now, I happen to be out of unemployment funds, I happen to need stuff to do and have a determination to be fit and ready to fight... So I'm using my free time to do that instead of being depressed and just sitting on my ass like "I wish a gym would accept me for free wah wah." We've seriously come a long way from the days of fighters getting picked up off the street. But, I can't help to think, if I was born just a few years earlier, I could have a lot of money by now and be investing in my hobbies. I do want to pro fight in boxing, kickboxing, and maybe eventually MMA. But, I recognize that it isn't likely I ever will get THAT far, even though I trained in MMA for a large portion of my life. If I can just do the boxing, I'll be remarkably happy and pleased with my life, I don't care what my career looks like on paper, as long as I had fun and did a fraction of the things I know I was born to do.

There is a certain point where a persons individual skill makes them qualified to do something regardless of if they've been to school for it or whatever. A mechanic can get a job working on cars without an automotive engineering degree, so long as they've worked their way up with experience. Boxing isn't a science, it's a branching path of something we all instinctually have in us; The want, nay, the need to fight. To remain fit and be confident we can protect those around us. To stand above all others. I was born a few hundred years too late. I accept that, and accept that I like the world I'm in now. But what I can't accept is that everywhere I look it is being ruined or held off from me by limits out of my control. It's like living in a Perfect Hell, a hell so perfectly devised that everything I truly want is always JUST out of reach, like a carrot on a stick. It's refined me, made me so perfect that I just KNOW what I want and how to get it now. I can plan out a month of spending like nobodies business, and organize my schedule like it's tetris. So, the only thing actually holding me back from being independent, exploring my hobbies, and having a good life... Is the fucked economy. This is why I don't trust democracy anymore, albeit our democracy is a shallow fucking shell of it's former self, and very corrupt. They either need to go the full distance and mandate politicians to pass IQ tests, and not be too fucking old and disgusting, or just do a full stop on all the shitty rules and let everyone vote for whoever they want, and let anyone who wants to run RUN under whatever party they want. I'm not gonna get into that, I fucking hate politics, it's a bastardization of philosophy, and a sad sad husk built by fucking idiots to look sophisticated. "Oh well why don't you make a better system then?" I FUCKING DID! I WROTE AN 80 PAGE PAPER ON HOW TO MAKE A PERFECT FREE COUNTRY. NEWS FLASH MOTHERFUCKERS, IT JUST WORKS! DON'T FUCK UP WHAT ISN'T BROKEN. Ahem, excuse me.

If things were how they should be, and not stupid to a comedic extent, I'd be a pro boxer right now slowly working my way up the light-heavyweight class. But, we don't live in a perfect world.

Don't be afraid to go out on your own and do what others won't step up and do for you. Pursue your passions like you mean it.

[dashawfrostart]

This Week In "Time & Again" #9: LINEART IS DONE!!! And My Adventures With Krita Assistants! [Longread warning]

First things first! It took me a while (again) to make yet another one post, but taking a small social hiatus was totally and utterly worth it, let me tell you!!! Because here's the news:

THE LINEART FOR CHAPTER 5 IS COMPLETELY DONE!!! Yaaaaaay!!! 🥳

(happy cheering, happy music playing (my personal favourite is Skinny Puppy - very happy indeed), sounds of jolly hand clapping, and a cake, somebody please bring in the cake!.. wait... the cake is a lie... 😱 hmmm, every time I refer to this joke, I want to alter it and say, "A pie is a lie, but the cake is fake!" Personally, makes me happy, but also makes me sound a bit like Mad Hatter to everyone around😅 which is fine, I love "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland")

Not gonna lie, it feels like I spend a little bit more time on lineart alone comparing to what I've been expecting from myself: different factors have contributed to the delay, and among of them was a short-term loss of a creative spark as well (which is always incredibly unpleasant, yaaarrrr!), but nonetheless! It is done!!! And let me tell you - it is done in style 😎 Ich bin sehr froh 🥳 However, contrary to what I've just written above simply for fun, it's not time to celebrate just yet. I'll probably take a small 24 hour break from my project - to take a breather and recalibrate my brain to successfully switch to colouring mode, ya know - and I'll just keep working on it to keep up the pace! The Colouring Stage is waiting for me, wheeeeeee!!! ... Wait, but so happened I already had my 24 hours off drawing yesterday. 🤔 WELL, NO TIME TO SPARE NOW: BACK TO WORK!!!...

But only after I'm done writing this post, for I have a moral obligation to finish it up 😁

So, earlier I promised to share my experience with Krita Assistant Tool with you. This is going to be very technical, so prepare yourselves, happy folks. Here goes.

I've used Krita's Assistant Tool before. I started to use it quite extensively as the work on Chapter 2 began, for I had to represent strictly geometric shapes of rooms, and corridors, and even the whole floors, for almost the entire set of events was happening indoors. In a peculiar place. The entirety of Chapter 1 with the exception of, say, 2 or 3 panels at most, took place within Lothar's mansion in Sweden. That one also required quite a few geometric shapes, but for some reason I did well without any help of Assistant Tool - I don't remember for sure by now, but I only used it briefly for some panels/frames. And it did not require anything particularly complex then. Mind you, during the development of Chapter 1 I've been still learning my newly obtained graphic tablet - that was the first time I ever used one (and now I don't want to go back to neither mouse and keyboard drawing or a "blind" tablet - eff that! 🤣). In this respect, Chapter 2 was a game changer. I wanted to raise the plank further up and challenge myself to do even better with the perspectives of urban buildings and interiors. And since approximately that time, I believe, Assistant Tool has become a precious little helper for me. Thank you so much, Krita devs!

As you can see in the documentation, Assistant Tool has many features and different modes. I primarily use those tools to draw perfect - or almost perfect - urban perspectives, for those might be a bit tricky to do right off the bat. However, some of those tools might be used in a non-conventional or less expected ways. Let me show you some of my experiments with them.

Starting off with the basics, of course.

Above you can see the screenshot that illustrates how I used to normally set up the perspective assistant grid for the more correct view of a room - I've been doing that very thing beginning from Chapter 2. Basically I create a bunch of perspective grids and join them to create an imitated 3D view of a room. That really helps a lot.

I mentioned a certain video tutorial that really helped me out on my journey of meowstering - sorry, mastering the Assistant Tool in a way that's helpful to me. It was this incredibly helpful little video I watched trying to figure out how to build a one point perspective view for one of the panels I challenged myself to draw. However... I discovered something else instead: Parallel Rulers and an obvious "Snap To Assistants" function. Both of which are super helpful to use. I never paid attention to "snap to assistants" before. Now I wonder why 😅

Parallel Rulers help to draw totally straight lines when working on a perspective view - like the one that I was having a hard time dealing with when trying to portray an extremely skewed backstreet perspective. All of that is done without the use of the Line Tool.

While parallel rulers are something that I'm still learning and practising, the self-explanatory "snap to assistants" is an excellent function that just makes your life significantly easier.

I used a combination of Ellipse and Vanishing Point with "snap to assistants" function on to create spectacularly precise and nice looking sports wristwatch for Lothar. This is just how I love it: extremely geometric and correct, but with slight imperfections that make it lively and natural, with a visible hand-drawn "fluctation" to the outlines:

For example, here's a good comparison for you to see what I'm talking about: to the left it's a gif illustrating how I drew the wristwatch outlines with an Assistant with Ellipse setting that snaps to the assistants, and to the right there's a gif showing how to do the same (but way worse) simply using the separate Ellipse Tool using the same brush as an outline. Behold the difference:

For the record, I used the same neat trick to draw the nice lines around that "Hit!" special effect on another one page, to make it look cleaner and more professional:

Spline is yet another one type of assistant that might come in handy in certain situations, for some artists. In my case this time, I used it so add extra thickness to a certain line that has already been drawn to make it look more appealing and lively:

Thus, instead of trying numerous times to reproduce the same brush stroke (and inevitably failing at it repeatedly) to add just a little thickness to already existing stroke, one can simply draw a Spline "vector path" on top of it, turn "snap to assistants" on and draw a perfect, non-shaky line that doesn't stray somewhere you don't want to. Neat-o! If you're somewhat familiar with vector software (like I am), using Spline and making it exactly the shape you need is easy-peasy: it has two handles so that you could adjust the position and the curve of the assistant line. Works exactly as a basic Bezier Curve. Super simple!

That's gonna be enough for now. Since this post has grown fairly large in size (I never change, eh?), I'm thinking about taking a longer break in posting again. So I might return in about 2 weeks with more news on how the colouring of Chapter 5 is going!

Stay tuned, and have fun! Lothar is on his way back to you, and Jeanny will follow up, too 😉 Take care!

[thehitchhikerguide]

Season 1, Episode 1: Shattered Vows

Many times the first episode of a series isn't the best example of the show. It may not have figured out what it wants to be yet or maybe the characters haven't been fully realized. But let me tell you, this episode as a first start was fantastic. It pretty much had everything you would expect - the semi famous actors, supernatural forces coming out of nowhere, the crazy scenarios and the sexy results.

What I did notice though, in these early episodes, they seem to not really know what to do with this Hitchhiker character and how to relate him to these stories. I also need to mention that Page Fletcher was not actually the first Hitchhiker and the first few episodes were filmed with an actor named Nicholas Campbell playing the title character. The only version I can find of this episode was the version where they re-filmed his shots with Page Fletcher, so I'm not sure if anything was changed. In this particular episode, the Hitchhiker is shown hitchhiking and the main character's car drives past him fast, not bothering to stop for him. This appears to be his first mistake, possibly contributing to his downfall at the end.

But let's get into it. The episode starts with Jeff, played by Bruce Greenwood. This actor has been in a lot of things, but I mainly know him from the mostly forgotten late 1990s movie Disturbing Behavior. Yeesh, not even that awesome Harvey Danger song could save that movie. Anyways, he's apparently a professional water-skier, who doesn't like picking up hitchhikers. The Hitchhiker describes him as "not a bad guy" but comments that ambition can take people places they wouldn't usually go. This water-skier is soon to be in water way over his head.

After almost hitting the Hitchhiker with his car, he goes to an old Eastern European woman's house. We find out this is his grandmother and she is giving him a wedding gift, a old figurine of an old couple.

Thanks grandma, I'm sure this will totally fit in with my freewheeling, waterskiing lifestyle. He mentions something about how he is going to be living in a big house after he is married, so we can assume he is marrying for money. Waterskiing doesn't pay too much I guess.

Then we meet his wife-to-be or the old bag I guess. She is a very attractive semi-older woman played by Alexandra Stewart. She looked so familiar to me, but looking at what she's done, I realized I was remembering her from a couple episodes of Highlander, the series. They have sex while a bird watches.

It's hard to tell from this screenshot, but this bird is definitely forced to watch their intimacy and if you think that doesn't come up later, you are wrong.

After the soft core, we get a nice establishing dinner scene. Introducing, the sexy step-daughter, who says...well I have no idea. Let's just call her Mushmouth.

This is the old bride-to-be's step-daughter and you can tell there is some friction between the two and maybe some heat between her and Jeff?

He's just watching his favorite TV channel, the pool, when what do we have here? They have sex in a jacuzzi while there are no birds watching.

Then the blessed day arrives! The wedding day is here and I mean I know this was filmed in Canada but why is this bride dress like Anne of Avonlea? We get it, she's old.

This is where we find out all about Mushmouth's inheritance which she only gets if her step-mother dies. Hmmm interesting.

Then the maid, Edith Bunker lights candles on the wedding cake right near that old figurine from Grandma.

The wedding couple suddenly feel like they are burning up and then...

The couple also falls over after this figurine falls and gets a face full of cake. You know, I'm getting some serious Teen Witch vibes from this when she makes that voodoo doll of her teacher. That bird is watching this too by chance. Is this like The Crow, and the Hitchhiker is seeing all this through from the bird's point of view?

After another experiment involving the figurine, Jeff has now pieced together the connection and has a brilliant plan for being able to have his cake and eat it too. He will kill his new-old bride using the figurine so that he can have the young girl and all the money...wait did she say she was going to stay with him after she got her inheritance? Boy this guy is confident.

The plan starts with Jeff taking his new-old wife's friend scuba diving. Because you know he's a water-skier, so he's an expert. They don't get far from the land while Mushmouth is taking part in the other part of the plan, placing a glass case over the figurine.

Jeff has his regulator in, so he can breathe fine, but his wife suffocates and dies. Wow, I can't believe that worked.

After the funeral, it's time to have sex, and that bird is kept from the action yet again. He must not be happy about it because he squawks like crazy, escapes the cage and makes his way towards that figurine. You would think if this thing was basically the cause for his life and death, they would keep it in a safer place.

Blood starts pouring out of Jeff. Before you can say "scratch his eyes out", the bird does just that. By scratching the figurine of course.

He runs outside and then...shattered vows.

Mushmouth has nothing left to do but stare confused at what happened. Well at least she's rich right?

The Hitchhiker doesn't have anything too clever to close this, by voiceover only at this point. Something about stumbling into Hell.

Okay, but my question is why didn't the waterskiing come up again? Wouldn't it have made more sense if he was a scuba diving instructor at the beginning? It never comes back around.

All in all, a great start to this series. You get deception, someone wanting too much and a horrific, confusing ending. I can't wait to see what's next on this Hitchhiker's adventure.

[broiderie]

Lost Princessa 2

Ok... part 2. Here it is. Remember to be gentle. 

Please do not translate, repost, or steal any of my work. My mind is deranged enough without anyone else’s help. Thanks again to @drabbles-mc for letting me bounce ideas off you and helping with plot points.

Taza x Daughter!OC

Warnings: none (Let me know if I missed anything)

Megan meets the rest of the family....

Taza re-entered the conference room smiling and made his way over to sit next to Megan. “So, what’s your plan now that you’ve found me? I know what I would prefer, but I also don’t want to jump to conclusions.”

Megan sighed and pulled her long braid over her shoulder with a rueful smile. “Honestly... I’m not sure. I don’t honestly think that I got this far by planning anything.” She busied her nervous fingers by fidgeting with the end of her braid. “What would you like me to do? I understand that you may not want me around. I can disappear if that’s what your need. I honestly don’t know why I thought you’d want to know about me...”

Taza stopped her nervous rambling by covering both of her hands with one of his. “Megan, honey, breathe.” He waited for her to take another visible deep breath. “I’m glad that you’re here. I’m glad that you found me. I want to get to know my daughter.”

She smiled shyly up at him and blinked rapidly to clear her lashes of tears.

“Now. I have a ranch outside of Santo Padre. I’d really like it if you came home with me. It’s a bachelor pad, but we can make changes... we’ll do whatever you need.”

“Really? You... you want me around?”

“Yes, Chica. I want you around. My brothers too. You have a ton of men currently waiting to meet you down in the casino restaurant. We’ll get some food and then we can go get your stuff from where ever you’re staying and head out.”

She smiled brilliantly at him when he answered her, but her face fell when he mentioned getting her things. She cleared her throat, “There’s nothing to get.” She held up her battered backpack. “I’ve got everything here. And... um... I don’t have gas money or anything to contribute to the trip back. I used the last of it to get here this morning.”

Taza frowned at the small pack. It obviously didn’t hold much. Maybe a change of clothes or two, but not much else. Certainly not enough to get her across country like she had been. “Don’t worry about the money, Chica. It’s covered. We’ll have to stop and get you a helmet and jacket too. You can’t ride like that.”

She shook her head. “I can’t let you do that. That’s a lot of money to be spending it on me.”

“Mija- you’ll have to have a helmet. It’s the law and club rules. And you need a jacket to protect you too. I’m good, but everyone lays down sometimes and things happen on the road. I promise you this- it's not negotiable.” He squeezed her fingers gently. “Let’s go get some food. You’ll feel better.”

Taza stood and offered to carry her backpack, again noticing the lack of weight to it. Then he led her out of the room to meet his brothers. Her new family.

At the door to the restaurant, he paused and turned to face her head on. He nudged her chin up to make her look him in the face. “Listen, Chica, the men you are about to meet have been my family for a long time. They’re going to be your family too in time. They look rough, but don’t let them scare you. Any one of them would do anything to protect family and that includes you now.”

She smiled shyly and nodded. “I can hold my own, I think. I’m used to some pretty rough guys.”

“Thatta girl.” He checked his phone to find a text from Bishop to let him know that they’d commandeered the smallest dining room for an impromptu family dinner. “Let’s go eat.”

He led the way keeping a careful eye on his daughter. His mind buzzing. He had so many things that he wanted to know about her. He worried about how she would mesh with his brothers. She’d seemed so nervous and shy. He didn’t want the more intimidating ones to frighten here. He’d have to speak with them at Templo and ask them to be gentle as she adjusted to life with the club. He’d also warn the young bucks to keep their hands to themselves.  

He opened the door and laughed as all heads whipped around to see them and silence fell. He guided Megan inside and shut the door putting her backpack down with their gear. Bishop must have filled the club in on what was going on. They were way too curious about this new face.  

Bishop stood up smiling. “All sorted?” At Megan’s nervous nod he motioned to Taza to bring her around to a seat at the table next to him. There was an empty seat on the other side of her apparent chair for Taza.  

Taza guided her quickly to sit. He stood behind her chair for a moment and squeezed her shoulders reassuringly. “So... this is Megan. She’s my daughter. Don’t you all swarm her at once. Give her a chance to breathe. She’s coming back with us so we can get to know each other. Mija, you already met Bishop and Hank. I’ll let you meet the rest of the guys at your own pace.”

At her tiny awkward wave, they all cheered and went back to eating and laughing. Taza seated himself next to her and Bishop resumed his seat on her other side. Across from her was a man that she didn’t know and Hank was across from Taza. The man she didn’t know had dark hair slicked back and was wearing a kutte just like all the others, but she could tell that he was different.  

Megan smiled and offered her hand across the table. “Hi, I’m Megan.”

Alvarez smiled and shook her hand gently. “Marcus Alvarez. I’m a very old friend of your dad’s and a cousin of Bishop’s.”

Megan smiled sweetly. “Are you from Santo Padre too? Forgive me... I’m not sure how all of this works.”

Marcus laughed and took a sip of beer. “You’ll get there sooner than you think, but to answer your question- No, I don’t live in Santo Padre. I ride out of Oakland.” He tapped his charter flash. “Welcome to the family, sweetheart.”

Dinner continued with Megan slowly being introduced to everyone as they came by for Taza to introduce them. She tried to keep the names straight, but her mind was so tired that she knew that she’d screw it up if asked.  

Taza kept a gentle conversation going with Megan throughout the meal. Nothing heavy. Just little things. He asked if there was anyone she wanted to contact to let them know that she was safe and she shook her head. “There’s nothing and no one left in Tennessee for me. I left my job bar tending the day before I started this way. Hoping for a fresh start.”

Taza nodded. “We can do that, Mija. Fresh start it is.”

When Taza drifted to go talk to Bishop and El Padrino, Hank noticed that Megan drank only water and hadn’t taken much in the way of food. Really only what Taza encouraged her to take some of. He leaned over the table to speak quietly to her. “You okay, Princessa? Need me to order you something else?”

She shook her head quickly and quietly murmured “I don’t have the money for this...”

Hank smiled sweetly and reached to pat her hands that were twisting a napkin on the table. “Oh! Don’t worry about that. Family dinner falls on the club’s dime.” He saw her visibly relax. “You haven’t had an easy trip, have you Princessa?”

She grinned a little as he gentled her along and started to hand her bowls to get food on her plate. “I think I currently have about five dollars in my pocket. I’m going to have to find a job quickly in Santo Padre so that I can pay Taza back for all the things that he says that I need.”

Hank shook his head firmly. “No. We’ll get you kitted out proper. Don’t you worry about that. We’re going to take care of you now. It’s what family does.”

Taza had gotten up and had his head together with Bishop and Alvarez while keeping Megan in his sight at all times. “Bish... I know we’d usually drive straight through to get home, but Megan can’t do that. She doesn’t even have a jacket, let alone the gear for that kind of ride. Plus she’s exhausted. I don’t know when the last time she slept was, but I’d bet that it wasn’t enough...”

Bishop nodded. “Yeah. I noticed that. Where do we need to go to pick up the rest of her gear?”

Taza sighed. “We don’t. All she’s got is that backpack and it’s not even half full. I haven’t gotten a straight answer as to where she’s been staying. To be honest, I’m not sure that I want to know. I get the feeling that I won’t like her answer.”

Bishop sipped his beer and kept his eye on el pacifidore as he seemed to gently urge their newest family member into eating something. “Hmmm. You’re right. She looks exhausted. It wouldn’t be a good ride for her even if she had gear. Not tonight anyway. But there’s also no sense in keeping the entire club here overnight.”

Marcus smiled. “I agree. Why not keep a small group here and the rest roll out? The smaller group can follow in the morning so no one rides alone. I’d say put her in the van but that’s not an option with the weapons currently in there. She’s family, but let’s not scare her just yet.” He stretched his back. “I’ll admit, I was dreading the night ride myself, so I’m willing to roll out with the smaller group tomorrow.”

Taza laughed. “We aren’t as young as we used to be.” He finished his beer and grimaced. “I have to take her home to the ranch in the shape I left it. I’ve been at the clubhouse so much with this Galindo shit that it’s barely habitable for ME.”

Bishop patted his brother’s shoulder. “It’s settled. You’ll stay here with El Padrino and... two others?” He looked at Marcus questioningly.

“Yeah. Two would be good.”

“So let’s say... Hank and... who else?” Bishop gestured to the rest of the table. “Hank’s good with her already.”

Taza observed the rest of the club for the moment, trying to see them from an outsider’s point of view. He didn’t want anyone too intimidating. “Can’t be Creep. Road Captain goes with the larger group so he can drive the van...”

Marcus laughed. “Can’t be the prospect either. He’s gonna go clean Taza’s house before we get there.”

Taza’s face lit up at that idea. “Yes! I want him to move my shit while he’s there. Put her in the master. Girl deserves her own bathroom.”

Bishop laughed and stroked his beard thoughtfully. “What about Coco? Hank’s supposed to be keeping an eye on him anyway.”

Both Marcus and Taza nodded. “That’s set then. Everyone else head out after dinner. The new princessa’s escort will be Taza, Hank, Coco and myself. We’ll head out tomorrow morning after a shopping spree. We’ll keep you in the loop, but we gotta take it easy on her. We may be late.” Marcus patted the table and stood. “I’ll go arrange accommodations with the tribe.”