#like the writers cannot be unaware of this right????

[always-a-joyful-note]

*shakes the ainana timeline like a maraca* Zero disappeared 15 years ago. That means Mitsuki was like 6 years old. Why are 3year old Iori and 7 year old Mitsuki writing him a letter l, I'm BEGGING YOU WRITERS -

[daisukitoo]

I am 40% of the way through Gideon the Ninth. There are no plot spoilers below.

What is refreshing about Gideon as a protagonist and POV character is that she is a jock. She fundamentally does not care about all this nerd shit going on, i.e. the entire setting and plot. She misses exposition, background, and other explanations because, as one person who starts explaining how magic works observes, "right, you're not even pretending to pay attention."

Most writers are writers, so this is not a common perspective for a book to hold. Plot-relevant details can be sprinkled freely because Gideon's narrative will see them and not even shrug before moving on.

GIdeon lacks the emotional and mental maturity to be a good person. She is not evil as such, just apparently unaware of the existence of moral implications. When we meet her, her motivation is to get out of this hick town and join the military, because fighting is glorious and cool and this hick town sucks. She likes weapons and fighting and working out and hot chicks. She fantasizes about leading military charges that bring death to new worlds and fuel necromantic rituals because that would mean hot goth babes would see how cool she is and be grateful. She does not dwell on the thought of worlds that apparently have never known death and her plan to look cool leading imperial invasions and killing enough people to fuel necromantic rituals. She does dwell on the thought of that prissy bitch from her high school having to see how cool and hot she is now that she's a war hero who gets medals and hot babes.

You as the reader can be carried along very quickly by this incurious perspective that does not think twice about things. You as the reader may want Gideon to backtrack and dwell on something or explore it further. The weirdness of the setting is more or less swept under the rug by Gideon's not noticing it. 98.5% of the children on a planet gone (died?), but Gideon doesn't devote a second sentence to boring backstory like that. What was that about galactic conquest, in a setting where the main weapons are swords and necromantic magic? How little advancement has there been in technology or magic in 10,000 years, despite a possibly continuous civilization that whole time? Or some references to what sound like dark ages? Damned if Gideon cares or even notices.

The necromancers are dying to talk shop about their powers. Gideon rolls her eyes and wants to talk to that woman about the cool flip she did, because Gideon wants to look cool doing flips during fights and have girls notice how cool she looks. Also her biceps. Gideon cannot pay attention for a full sentence on necromantic magic, but she does have a half-page to dwell on girls noticing how big her biceps are.

[thephantomsdream]

so I've been reading real published romance books and they cannot fill the void that ao3 and company do fill, but they did give me an idea. ok, lmfao, hear me out. (I've had this in my drafts for way too long, i decided to release it because why tf not)

content: alien!141, soulmates!141, abduction, intergalactic human trafficking, space shit; very vague idea of anything ever; probably made up alien names; writer is at work while dealing with annoying costumers so it's rushed and dumb.

imagine:

Good ol' you, in your house, unaware that in the deep, vast universe, trafficking also existed. Not long ago, a reptilian race found out about our warm bodies, interesting features and intelligent yet primitive brains, and started to abduct and sell men and women to rich buyers. It was good business, especially considering our side of the universe wasn't even aware of extraterrestrial life, so they couldn't even guess where they disappeared! The treaty and all intergalactic laws were vague about us. "Let them be" meaning "Let them fuckers figure their shit out, lol idk".

Well, as you can understand, the Sheh'deauz (lmfao stay with me) decided to in fact not let us be. So back to lovely you, yeah?

Home alone, playing videogames or something, when suddently you see some flashes of light out the window. It was weird considering it wasn't raining but you remained calm, as you assumed maybe a storm is approaching? Mainly, you couldn't give a shit but the moment you heard scratching and hissing outside your door, you panicked. Long story short, your house slowly started filling with an invisible gas that just made you pass out, but you did see your door opening, same weird blue-white light emanating from under it as it did, and a scaly leg entering your home as you fell on the floor.

You figured, as the genius that you were, that you were, in fact, not dreaming as you spent many hours (days? felt like days) in a cage. Very oddly technologically advanced. In another strike of genius, and of course, after seeing your kidnappers, you figured it was a spaceship and you were in some deep sci-fi shit. (maybe after laughing and asking them where are the hidden cameras. i would...)

After throwing tantrums and having the ugly multi-colored creatures mock you and hiss at you, you kinda gave up and sat by the very human bed you've been given and allowed time to pass. You were given food every so often, a toilet nearby, water at your disposal. But you feared for your life.

Well, let me tell you something. You have the luckiest misfortune of all, really. Or maybe, just maybe, things are meant to be this way. Maybe it was all meant to happen like this. Allow me to explain.

In another corner of the universe, four of the greatest warriors of the Intergalactic Army frowned at a holographic screen. A female alien, older, still beautiful, ethereal looking, skin creamy white with some lavender edges and striking blue eyes was frowning back.

"You're fucking kidding me." Their captain said (in a different language than ours but your writer here is multi-lingual, don't worry), getting closer to the screen. She just nodded, rubbing her forehead.

"Where is that again?" Asked another.

"So like—" a third one, this one with a distinct accent compared to the others, tilted his head incredulously. "They're our cousins genetically?"

"You can say so." She groaned. "The Council decided to not touch that part of the galaxy. They are being observed. Fucking hell! They were going on the right path."

"If they don't destroy their own planet before." The captain muttered, voice tired and coarse. In his many, many years lived, he's seen it happen again and again. Greed and stupidity almost whipped their race, so he's been following the Terrans close-by, as close as a mere Intergalactic Task Force Captain (stick with me lmfao) could follow.

"So what's the plan?" The tallest one asked, mask made of what others assumed was one of his most dangerous prey's skull was placed on his face.

"We give them hell." Captain commanded, Laswell nodding.

"Stay close, at the outskirts of their galaxy. We intercept any package and find their buyers."

"What do we do with our lil cousins then?"

"Eliminate any witnesses."

Shit went down really quick. You figured they were preparing for something as the guards by your cell somehow summoned some advanced looking chairs from the walls to strap themselves on and hissed at you mockingly, as they've done before. You just sat in a corner, by the bed, and wanted to cry. You were going through all stages of grief every few hours and it was getting exhausting. You were just now starting to understand how dire your situation was and how little chances you had of going home.

They turned off the main lights and a thousand scenarios crossed your mind. It was as if they were bracing for something. You frowned as you saw the guards tense as some alien hieroglyphics appeared on a holographic screen. It looked... like a countdown... You grasped the bed, trying to brace yourself for something. And good that you did because it felt as if the ship collapsed with something.

It basically shook you off to the ground, and while you'd think this was supposed to happen, you quickly realize it wasn't since the guards unstrapped themselves from the chairs and started shrieking as alarms suddently blared. After that? Seconds and it was over. Two white blasts ended them both, hitting them exactly in the middle of their ugly skulls. You did not hear any footsteps but you saw a shadow approaching your cell, so you scurried closer to your bed and now presumably magic shield that will block blasts that melt alien skulls.

The barriers from your cell unlocked, sliding to the sides and someone jumped in front of you. Someone big, dressed sleekly in black, although you could swear the edges of his frame looked transparent for a second. It was big, yet had the complexity of a human so you stayed locked in place, big scared eyes on the person pointing a big son-of-a-bitch gun at you. You heard it growl and speak something shortly, and the hairs on your whole body pricked.

World stopped for Price as he cracked another neck, just after locking eyes with the leader of this "cargo" ship. He was about to take a step forward to gently guide this person towards personal enlightenment by confessing all the information they needed, even if it would be involuntarily, when Soap spoke... well, growled just one word in their comms.

"Mate."

[writer-by-the-sea]

Oh, how I loved Autumn. (NSFT)

As the temperature drops, the leaves turn to yellow and red, and I find myself digging in my closet for my light scarfs and gloves; I welcome Autumn with open arms.

I believe it is one of the most potentially romantic seasons of the year.

An excuse to go outside and find my way to a pumpkin patch, humming to myself and picking up pumpkins as though I am suddenly an expert on the Autumn squash. Gently knocking my knuckles against it's orange exterior, giving an aura of a poor lost soul who cannot possibly choose which pumpkin is the prefect one. The farmer finally making their way to me and taking the questionable pumpkin from my hands, their fingertips softly caressing my own in the process.

"Take this one," the farmer offers with a smile, holding out a new pumpkin for me to inspect. It's wide but short, a light orange with creases of white, and a beautifully twisted stem. I take a step toward the farmer, closing the distance between us as I examine the pumpkin of which I have yet to take from their hands.

"I wanted to try making a pie this year," I lie. "Will this work?"

"Oh," the farmer nodded and gently placed the pumpkin back on the ground. "Then you'll want pie pumpkins, these ones are mostly for display."

I smiled to myself as the farmer led me to another patch, making a mental note to come back another day for the decorative pumpkins. And perhaps another time or two after that.

"See these smaller ones? These ones are great for pie," they explained and grabbed yet another pumpkin for me. This one was very round and a deep orange, similar to a pie I would never make.

I reached out and carefully took the pumpkin from their waiting hands, making sure to overstep and place my hands over their own. To my surprise and delight, the farmer didn't step away. Their eyes held my gaze, their cheeks darkening, and their breath picking up.

"It's perfect," I whispered and finally took the pumpkin from their grip.

Then, I leaned forward, and pressed my lips to theirs. The pumpkin fell from my hands between us, completely forgotten as the farmer stepped into our kiss, their hands sliding up and chest and around my neck.

Tilting my head to the side, I sighed into the kiss, pulling back for a moment before kissing them again even deeper. The farmer let our the softest moan as our tongues came together, teasing one another and forgetting the world around us.

Their hands fisted the back of my shirt, tugging me closer and gasping as they felt my cock stiffening between us. I released our kiss, quickly ducking my head to settle at their neck. The farmer let their head fall back, sighing as I sucked at their tender flesh.

"Elliott," they whispered, one of their hands slipping down my chest and to my belt. I gently grazed my teeth against their neck, my hips shifting forward and into their open palm.

"Want you," I mumbled into their neck, quietly groaning as their hand slipped past my waist and--

"Excuse me, farmer!"

The farmer shoved me back, hard. My bottom falling onto the ground with a loud thud and a small shout.

"Yes, I'll be right there, Emily!" They shouted to the woman standing near the cabin, waiting for help with her own pumpkin. Blissfully unaware of the dangerous game we were just playing.

The farmer playfully glared down at me, tapping their boot into my leg. "Were you ever actually planning on making a pie?"

"No."

They laughed and walked away from me, "Just for that, we're making a pie tonight."

I chuckled, "Yes, dear. Although, I'm not sure we own a pie dish."

They continued walking, not looking back as they said, "wasn't talking about that kind of pie, husband!"

Oh, how I loved Autumn.

(Follow, like, and reblog for more Elliott content. If a writer doesn't receive praise they wither away to nothing ;P)

[theonevoice]

Rumination n. 6 - It was all Jim's fault

Well, not all his fault. He walked right into a 6000yo situation of unspoken "do I... would you... could we...", but I think, since he fills the role of comic relief, we are not fully taking into account his impact on the whole ineffable miscommunication mess.

Because he is not just a plot device, he is a character that pushes Aziraphale and Crowley to act in unplanned ways and - most of all - brings some of their worldview biases and traumas out of their dark corners. And I am increasingly convinced that his presence plays a major role in the final breakup, acting as a catalyst for their millennia-long misalignment of hopes and fears.

Sure, he is there to make us smile and Jon Hamm is a joy to watch (I cannot get to his line in ep 1, when Aziraphale tells him that he can see that he's naked, and he goes "Oh! Well, what do you know? Ahahah!" without burst out laughing, even after countless rewatches), but that humor is mainly for us viewers to detect. From Aziraphale's and Crowley's point of view, he doesn't appear as funny as he does to us. For them, he is a source of worry and danger, and I would argue that he is also an incarnation of different desires. And that's the point.

Let's consider for a moment Aziraphale's perspective. He sees his former boss, "most holy archangel" Gabriel, pop up one day at the bookshop, reduced to the mental capacity of a smart dog, vaguely aware that someone was planning to do "something terrible" to him. It is a terrifying spectacle to behold. It's not just the mere danger of having one of the most powerful entities in the universe, possibly still in posess of all his powers, acting like a child. It's the terror of witnessing what Heaven can do to your identity and your mind: imagine Aziraphale - book-lover, diary-writer, Antichrist-locator Aziraphale with the capacity, as per the book, to solve math problems that only people with Nobel prizes could master - trying to process the idea that his former boss doesn't know the alphabet anymore. The idea that he could be reduced to that degree of utter ignorance and unawareness if Heaven decided that their truce is over.

At the same time, what Aziraphale sees is that, once stripped of all the layers of Heaven's legalism, Gabriel is legitimately a great guy. 

We all love Muriel to death, of course, but the more I watch s2 the more I believe that Jim is the most similar "angel" to Aziraphale out of all the ones we see. He is jovial (think at whatever that cheeck squishing thing is that he does during the ball), he is enthusiastic (think at his reaction at his first sip of hot chocolate, and also his genuine "hurray! Let the bookselling commence!"). He is affectionate and open about it ("You're funny, I love you"). He is caring (sure he was struggling to read the room during the demon attack, but still in that moment of danger he has the altruism of thinking to ask if anyone wants hot chocolate, and hot chocolate is the symbol of comfort for him, it's the first thing Aziraphale offers to him to make him feel at ease in the bookshop and the thing that Crowley brings him to soothe his angst after the memory conversation). He is helpful or at least he wants to be (rearranging the books in an order that, if you think about it, follows the criterion of medieval manuscripts illuminators, who usually embellished only the first letter of the first sentence on a page, which makes sense as a frame of reference for an angel whose only experience of books probably goes back to some old Bibles). He is generous and brave (giving himself up without a second thought when he realises that Shax is threatening Aziraphale and all the others because of him). 

As Jim, memory-wiped Gabriel is both Aziraphale's worst fear and his deepest hope: that after all Heaven is the side of good, that all the cruelty and the callousness and the total blindness to the value of life on Earth is just a mishap, that if you scrape off the absurd obsession with World Ending Great Plans you will find underneath a form of good that is pure and gentle. I think Jim, way more than the Metatron and his shitty offer-threat, is the main thing that brings Aziraphale back on the mission of fixing Heaven, "making a difference," not for the greater cosmic good, but to create a safe place for him and Crowley. So they can be safe together.

But something similar happens from Crowley's point of view. He also sees Gabriel as the concrete manifestation of both his worst fear and his deepest desire. The former Supreme Archangel renews the momentarily forgotten awareness of what Heaven and Hell can do to you if you cross them: destroy you either by throwing you into hellfire or holy water, or now by hanging the threat of the Book of Life above your head. Force you to live in a constant state of danger, pressing you against the possibility of your non-existence, making you feel like you have a loaded gun constantly placed against your skull and no magic trick to avoid the bullet.

At the same time, just as Aziraphale, what Crowley sees is that, if you are determined and lucky or maybe just inconsiderate, you can get away from Heaven and live your happy thoughtless life on Earth. Think of how bitter he is when he confronts Jim in ep5, calling him Gabriel and "Oh, yeah yeah, no no no. You're Jim now. Got everything just the way you want it?" I think here Crowley is projecting his desire to be "on the lam having a wonderful time and never be seen again." Sure, everyone is after him and they had to perform a joined miracle to hide him, but let's not forget that Crowley was not doing it to save Gabriel, he was doing it to keep Aziraphale safe. From his point of view, Gabriel did it: he run off, cut ties with Heaven, settled in his little neat new identity, cared and protected, not a thought in his head. And yes, Crowley is painfully aware of how awful it is to have your memory erased - I don't think he would consider it an acceptable price to pay for freedom. But still, Gabriel did what he would like to do. And it does not help that memory-wiped Gabriel presents specifically to Crowley some aspects of his personality in which he can recognize himself. He is curious and asks questions (think of the gravity conversation), and even more important he is ready to dispute the answers that are given to him ("but they don't stay where I put them"). He hears the plan about Nina and Maggie that Aziraphale didn't listen to, and afterwards asks Crowley how it went. He is insightful in his own instinctive way (when he tells Crowley "you're really nice" he's not just saying "you are nice a lot" but also "in reality you are nice", he's seeing through Crowley's rough mannerism even if just seconds before he was angrily shouting at him). He has lost his memory, which by now I think most of us agree it's what also happened to Crowley, at least partially ("I know, looking at where the furniture isn't"). And then, the final nail on the mirror-coffin: Gabriel run away from Heaven for his love. They run off together.

Having Jim right there, in front of his very eyes, I think it's the thing that pushes Crowley back to his old plan of running off together with Aziraphale: he is the living prove that it can be done, further confirmed by his final departure with Beelzebub. Of course, for a brief moment both sides of the metaphisical universe where hunting him down, which is not desirable. But Gabriel was the Supreme Archangel after all, it's only fair that they're looking for him. They are but a former bullied angel and a former already-replaced demon, maybe Heaven and Hell would not mobilised their hosts for them. They could be finally safe together.

So, when you put everything together, I think that what happened at the end of ep6 has more to do with Gabriel and how his presence affected them during the season, than it has to do with the Metatron, or even with the Nina-Maggie foil. It is Jim that pushed a wedge into the thin crack that had always been there, separating what each of them sees as the best way to be safe together.

[isagrimorie]

I want to know what changed in the Criminal Minds writer’s room that they finally remembered how to write for Emily Prentiss again.

Yes, she was around in season 12 but there was characterization drift in the later seasons where it felt like the writers were afraid of inter team conflict or even showing Emily as less than nurturing.

(Honestly I feel it was the wig that started it and then the clothes and the characterization followed.)

Also, Watsonian observation but it seemed by Evolution she really stopped giving a fuck and became more confident without overcompensating. I wish someone was around in the last seasons of the OG show like how Hotch was with Emily in season 7 as he called her out on overcompensating.

So maybe it’s not characterization drift its too much of Emily overcompensating. (Was it the Barnes thing? I have to track when that OOC oversized bag appears.).

But also, did anyone notice how observant Emily was in s16?

She noticed a lot even if she never said anything, and she was always quick to point out when someone was trying to be slippery.

My favorite was in s17 when Tyler Green tried to hide that he did anything shady during a stakeout with Tara and Rebecca. Or Voit trying to be slick with his morse code right in front of her.

He underestimated that no one in that room would notice forgetting or unaware Emily Prentiss was a legit spy.

Speaking of Voit’s fieldtrip with the Team…

Voit was lucky Prentiss decided to let Rossi to run that op and she opted to stay behind.

Prentiss wouldn’t tip Voit off about his possible assassination.

Also, was Rossi just focused on Voit when he forgot to establish perimeter security?

It doesn’t seem like Luke is in charge of tactical the way Derek was… wouldn’t Luke, as an Army Ranger more versed in drawing up tactical and securing the perimeter, etc?

Anyway, I think Emily has to start training JJ as her second. Sure Rossi has seniority I think he has shown and expressed how much he does not want to be in charge. Especially since Emily mentioned in the OG show how she really wants JJ to take over the BAU once she’s ranked up to a position she cannot oversee the unit anymore.

JJ's moving to New Orleans threw a wrench in those plans and when she returned from NOLA, Rossi was already made Unit Chief.

(Much to his dismay.)

And Emily was made Section Chief— whether she still is… It’s like Schroedinger’s Section Chief is Emily Prentiss still Section Chief or not???

TLDR I have way too many thoughts about Emily Prentiss and I like her way better than the strange OOC Prentiss we got in the final seasons.

Ron Swanson needed to appear and then cause trouble in the BAU in the final seasons. They were far too chummy!

[bitimdrake]

pssssst hey quick question on the dl - who is helena bartinelli??

i cannot answer anon questions on the dl, so answer on the up-high, which she deserves:

HUNTRESS

a.k.a. Helena Bertinelli, a.k.a. Gotham's coolest and most notable antihero, crossbow-wielder, and purple bat-associated vigilante.

Helena was born to an Italian mob family, but spent her childhood blissfully unaware of the family business--until her entire family was slaughtered in front of her when she was eight. She stayed with family overseas for the rest of her childhood, learning how to fight and protect herself.

She came back to Gotham for both vengeance and justice, and became one of Gotham's many vigilantes. Though her focus is on the mob, she'll step in to stop any crime.

She's also a schoolteacher! Good for her.

She is discerning in who she chooses to kill, but she does kill. As you can imagine, this put her at odds with Batman for a long time. Helena is pretty much the premiere example of Bruce trying to claim control over every vigilante in Gotham, no matter how little right he has. The argument on killing/ethics is valid, but his default was basically "do exactly what I say and fall in line under my command, or stop completely," which is why he's an asshole control freak and why I'm constantly mad about how she was treated 👍

She was an absolute mainstay of the Batfamily before Flashpoint (2011) and it is personally hurtful to me that people don't know her. (Like, to be frank? She had far more of a presence than Damian or (living) Jason in the post-crisis era.)

You could count on seeing her in any major Batfamily crossover, from Cataclysm to Battle for the Cowl.

She was central to the biggest Batfamily crossover ever, No Man's Land, where Gotham was locked off from the rest of the country and turned into a lawless wasteland. Bruce left to sulk for the first couple of months and in absence of any other vigilantes in the field (only Oracle having remained in the city), Helena donned the mantle of the Bat for herself to protect the city. And when Batman came back, in return for all she'd done, she got...yelled at, assigned impossible tasks and criticized for not achieving them, her costume stolen and given to someone else, lied to, abandoned in the face of impossible odds, and shot multiple times protecting kids. Absolute fucking hero, honestly.

She also was on the Justice League for a while, though admittedly I have barely touched that run. To my understanding, despite nominating her for the position, Bruce was also the one to revoke her membership there.

Fortunately! things improved!!

In the early/mid 2000s, Helena joined the Birds of Prey, Oracle's team, and found legit friendships and support there with teammates like Dinah Lance/Black Canary. She finally got more respect in the community, and had a much better time.

Additional relationships include:

A big sister/annoying little brother type thing with Tim, who may disapprove of her killing but simply likes making friends too much :)

A great relationship with Vic Sage/the Question

One single issue where she met Steph that presented SUCH interesting potential that I desperately wish had been followed up on

On and off romantic/sexual tension with Dick, depending on the writer, which culminated in a single hook up that apparently most people around here would rather pretend didn't happen, though I really don't think it's that bad

A complicated relationship with Barbara, partially due to clashing personalities and conflicting morals (with Babs being nearly as much of a control freak as Bruce), and partially due to a shared history with Dick because DC loves making women be catty

Surely others from her first solo or time on the JLA that I don't know well enough to list!

She's rad and determined and takes no shit but cares a lot, and I love her. We deserve more stories tying her teaching day job into her night work. We also deserve more stories with her in general.

If you would like additional Helena beyond just cruising my tag, I recommend:

Batman/Huntress: Cry for Blood - far more Huntress than Batman, this is a great 6-issue miniseries about Helena reckoning with her past, ft the Question.

Batman: No Man's Land - if you have the time for it, a big storyline but worth it.

Birds of Prey vol 1 (1999) - Helena starts to appear around issue #57 and becomes a central character from there.

[the-six-that-thrive-if]

PLANS FOR 2024!!

IT IS A BRAND NEW YEAR!! WITH SO MUCH TO DO!!

In truth, I'm unsure of what I want to do for 2024. I'm not a good plan in advance and far more of a "this'll be fun to do" type of person. Especially when it comes to writing. So I am going to share what I want to do in the moment and my current feelings.

One Thing: I hate The Six That Thrive.

That is the ultimate looming threat, I'm facing, and want to put this out there, not because I'm going to scrape TSTT. I simply want to make it better. Working on other IFs has just made me realize how much I could add especially seeing that TSTT is my first ever IF, and if you were there when I first began, it was an utter mess.

Chapter Six has been in production, but I cannot work on it with a clear conscience, knowing how much I hate the previous chapters, and if I cannot somewhat like the old, I can't move forward. So as of right now, I think I am going to go on hiatus.

So now, you might ask. "What about the Patreon?" The Patreon is a mix of those who want TSTT content and mainly that, while others are down for supporting me in general. I am still going to be posting TSTT content. Sharing fics, drabbles, backstories. I may as well drop new and improved chapters.

So, what will I do in the meantime? As ridiculous as I am, I'm going to be posting new demos for unreleased IFs. Mainly to have the option to jump around and not feel guilty for it. I've realized that I've been sorta holding myself back from doing the things I enjoy in fear of what others felt and thought as well with overworking myself. But I am coming to realize what is best for me as a writer and it's the ability to write when and wherever. So I've planned to move forward without feeling guilt.

Things I've been facing and fear for the future. The amount of access everyone has to me. As in a sense online and how easy it is to reach out to me. For one, I'm not upset or bothered by those reaching out and haven't received harassment or hate. But there are subtle demands from strangers that I have noticed and simply expect me to do, because I want to be super inclusive. Which is a huge difference from suggestions and asking kindly. They just demand it, and I'm still learning to regulate it.

With School. Right now, I'm fantastic at balancing school and work, simply because most of the chapters I've wrote and write happen in a large chunk so that's not something I'm worried about. I also don't got a job so there's that.

ON MORE POSITIVE NOTES:

—The Dragon's birthday past. Jan 1st. Now when they get a little drabble, idfk.

The One Year Anniversary of TSTT is a day before my birthday so that's also exciting!

I turn 19 next month!! (Which I feel a lot of people are unaware of.)

More IFs! More genres! I have a pretty much horror track record, that's definitely ain't gonna change, but with my future IF that I plan to share hopefully by the end of this month, I'm EXCITED.

FINAL NOTES:

I truly don't know what I have in store for 2024! But I do want to make the best of it. As always, I want to thank you for your neverending support and patience and I'm excited to share this year with you all!! Please do not worry about my mental or physical health, I swear, that I am an 100 out of 10.

[whomstwedointheshadows]

THE NICEST POSSIBLE INTERPRETATION of PAUL SIMMS

I suggest using this as deposition prep when Nandermo sues for emotional damages.

Earlier in the panel, the writers confirmed a plot card exists on the wall in their writers room with Nandor + Guillermo + Kiss. Look, they’ve thought about it before!

‘People’ even want it. Whomst could be amongst thee people, he’s not naming names. Ignore the history of queerbaiting as a grand tradition of showrunners, did those showrunners ever tell you the writers room periodically comes back to the discussion of a ship and keep a dedicated index card of space to a potential kiss?

So as far as explicit statement that Nandermo ship is not sexual, keep your showy gays away- Paul does not restate it in exact terms. He still support that it’s a love story- even if that love story is not as we want it right now. He’s not confirming in this statement it’s a chaste one of ONLY boss/employee nor is he saying it cannot grow into another form.

Furthermore, this entire statement is in response to a question. So, he confirms the foundation of love story, divergence between what is desired at this moment and what the writers intend, and even the framing as turning=infidelity/broken trust. Now, just because it wasn’t sexual doesn’t mean it doesn’t impact their greater love story.

I think it’s very useful to dig in here to the actual question poised to Paul; the question explicitly eliminates Paul giving a response that acknowledges the plotline as explicitly romance-advancing in function.

(Even if this plotline is instrumental in their greater romantic storyline and personal journeys which may become romantic.)

His response has to be about the connection between them, and he cannot just respond, “oh because they love each other deeply and wanna fuck.” It’s a nuanced response to a question which took away a romance pairing between the two to explain it as about the interpersonal dynamic. That’s also not the driving factor of the characters.

I also think the writers know what ship they made, and constantly have address the question of Is It Ready Yet? Could, from a creator perspective making a show that is character driven, see a difference between ‘just hook up already’ because that’s what the fans want and these two characters become the richest possible combination because of how they grew together? I don’t know about you, but I tweet about just fucking do it already and write long metas on tumblr about epic loves. I want to see an epic story, not just doing something to get it off their backs.

Here’s the big quote:

Knowing that these questions were prewritten, screened, and answers were practiced because that’s their job on a panel to be prepared, it’s striking to me there was no denial of an explicit romantic relationship. He answered a carefully worded question with a carefully developed response. He’s about to get flustered by an audience interaction, and then dig a deeper hole.

Okay, now here comes our true soldier in the trenches interrupting the panel.

Does that final response not feel scripted? I wonder if the writers for an improv comedy show like to pull off jokes and throw people the scent. Or could that be an actual joke? Did they just spend the first four seasons giving Guillermo more autonomy and power and season 5 see Nandor fighting for his attention?

Or is it amusing to see someone twist themselves in knots trying not to state the obvious? Would the writers really be so unaware of everything else problematic on the show?

Just take a minute to think about the humor on this show. Does this feel like a bit to move the conversation along, away from the thing they don’t want to give anything away?

The love between them doesn’t just have to be sexual. {They could also be like, best friends, or something, like Lazlo and Nadja. Do you think there’s more than one type of love you can have for someone?}

Or, if you’re doing press for your show and your job today is to talk to the media and get the hype for season 6 and confirm filming in Jan, do you maybe have some tricksy talking points that will generate interest and capture attention while also preserving a surprise element. If I didn’t want to give too much away about the new season, especially if it was driven by the final episode and had some major developments on a personal and interpersonal level, I wouldn’t leave much room for further questions, probably drop the big news item to make sure the attention stays on that. Maybe the person doing the interview is a professional and knows the things a showrunner won’t give away before it airs, so there isn’t going to be a hard press to circle back unless the writers do it during their response time.

Also, look at the reiteration the writers explore multiple paths and pick the best one. They certainly picked an interesting option, if the goal was not to bathe the ship in romance tropes.

Oh wait, it looks like one writer (also exec producer) who won’t say spoilers wants to make sure there’s one last hook thrown out there. Almost like it’s softening the response from Simms from a ‘nope’ to a ‘watch and see’ like planned remarks at the end of a panel, or something.

My interpretation of Sam’s comment, in the most generous to shippers, is- this is a driving engine and intentional plot of our show. We want to make the best show. They pay off of getting together has to be worth it and interesting. It’s integral to the story we are telling. Part of our story is the journey and we’re on our timetable, not to rush this.

So, what does Guillermo want?

Can you think of why he’d stick around the vampires, as per the format, if not to become one?

TLDR: the bait is still on the hook. They’re going to keep it there as long as possible. Nothing has been ruled out, in fact it seems like they’re actually building against what they say would be the problematic aspects. I wonder if comedy writers ever a) keep secrets before something is even filmed so who knows what they decide is the best pathway on an improv show or b) tell jokes in plain sight. If they do things to twist our expectations.

It’s a queer show, so this is not queer baiting. It’s just a Will-they-Won’t-they. There are a lot of choices in plot and character arcs which point to someone in the writers room being fluent in better queer characters if not relationship representation. One would think, as a writer, they would Know Their History of Queerbaiting and associated tropes. {Personally, the ‘No One Dies in Shadows’ seems like a nose bop at Buffy, but that’s a meta for another day. }

I find the boss/employee line so unserious considering everything else in the show, and I wonder what tumblr would be like if we focused on the Kiss Card left on the writer’s wall instead.

[bingejesus]

It may just be me, but I think the writing of Judas plays it safe by pandering to people who think that Judas was never a "real disciple" due to the numerous scenes of Judas apparently not getting Jesus. The notion that Judas may have once been a "real disciple" is a terrifying one for many Christians. Judas could have been someone who understood Jesus better than some of the other disciples did, yet still suffered a massive lapse of judgement by the third act.

Instead, what would you have thought if Judas had been the one to lose a loved one instead of Thomas? And Judas' can't seem to find any answers about why Jesus raised Lazarus but not his sister, from Jesus? And Judas also can't find any much comfort from the other disciples, then Jesus can only sob and let things play out because scripture must be fulfilled. Then the priests seemingly try to comfort Judas by helping out his sister's family, and Judas decides to hand Jesus over because he thinks if Jesus is in a rough situation, He'll finally give out some proper answers. Then when Judas bumps into the other disciples, they say that he should have died instead of Jesus.

I've had this ask for a while and I'm so sorry I'm just now getting to it! But I do think you're somewhat right. I think they did kinda play it safe with Judas in some aspects. For me, it really seemed like they were pushing the Judas as an outcast among the apostles, which makes no sense. Sure, no one listens to his ideas, but they don't seem to really try and help him either? I mean there are the scenes with Zee and John where they offer advice, but to me they seem to be guided by the author's hand, and by that I mean the writer's know what Judas will do, so they kinda treat him as such. But the characters don't know. They are unaware of the narrative. Now, this is not to say that this angle could not have worked, I just think they rushed it. There was one season between, "Oh boy I sure am happy to be here!" and "No one understands me and I feel rejected." And we really don't see any meaningful interactions between Judas and the other disciples that aren't them telling him he's getting it wrong. Everyone else gets individual moments of humanity. Judas even gets less time with Jesus. (If I am forgetting any scenes with Judas like that please let me know)

How much more impactful would it have been if we'd seen, say, Matthew and Judas having some interpersonal connection? Connecting over losing their families in different ways, over their need for security, or how they both left lives of privilege and security to follow Jesus? Then when Matthew begins to suspect Judas of stealing from the purse, it hits home. It's not merely that Matthew is doing the math and its not adding up, it's that Matthew cannot comprehend that his friend, his BROTHER IN FAITH, would ever do something like that.

As far as the Judas losing someone instead of Thomas, that could also work, especially combined with what I mentioned above. There's a fantastic book by one of my favorite authors Tosca Lee called Iscariot all about Judas and his life and I highly recommend it if you want some good content like that.

[seidenapfel]

2023 in Review

In 2023, I posted 24 stories ranging from 432 to 48,056 words.

It’s Kinda Familiar | Rated: T | 2,983 words | Art by myself (masterpost)

Summary: It must have been a week since the cat appeared on his patio for the first time. The little sneak tried to break in every night, but Dean had avoided that nightmare scenario so far. He would have happily invited the little fuzzball inside to keep him company, but his stupid allergies prevented it. Dean entered the newly opened coffee shop downtown. Taking in a deep breath, he inhaled the notes of coffee and freshly baked pastries. It was heavenly, until he couldn’t smell anything at all. “Are you okay?” the stranger asked. The name tag on his chest indicated that he must work here. Castiel Dean read, but he barely noticed any of it, because, right in front of him, stood the most intriguing man he had ever laid eyes on. Tall, dark, and freaking handsome.

A little story I wrote for the SQZ Volume 5 in 2022. It’s a first because I wrote the story and created art for it which inspired me to sign for bangs as an artist as well.

Unbeknownst Soul Mate | Rated: E | 20,776 words | Art by Aggiedoll (art masterpost)

Summary: While suffering from writer’s block, Castiel’s life changes when he discovers an abandoned record in a thrift store. Although already hooked by the vinyl’s cover, the mysterious singer worms his way into Castiel’s heart. Frustrated after a disheartening recording session, Dean strolls into a bookstore, only to be stunned by the sci-fi novel he picks from a shelf. The impala headpiece on its cover could be a coincidence, but the author’s note cannot fool him. Whoever Emmanuel Allen is, he dedicated the book to him. Years go by, one dedication following another, and the hidden subtext of their works speaks for itself. Unaware of the other’s identity, neither is able to stop the feelings from becoming more. Something profound. But then Dean releases Unbeknownst Soul Mate, and their story becomes an internet phenomenon overnight. With their identities out in the open, it should only be a matter of time until they meet for the first time. Though their relationship can’t be the fairy tale everyone believes it to be. Or can it?

My story for the Pinefest 2023 is one of the few AUs this year. Aggiedoll was the first of many great artists I was allowed to work with in 2023.

Your Dreams Are My Reality | Rated: E | 10,883 words | Art by @sailorsally (art masterpost)

Summary: “When are you finally gonna tell him?” Sam’s words hit home. Dean starts to wonder and watches Cas. Paying closer attention, he sees things, little hints that give him hope and make him bolder. But when he finally flirts with Cas and receives reciprocation, he panics and flees. Cas finds him hiding in the bathroom. With the door between them, they begin to talk. Cas mentions a promise Dean once made: He wouldn’t die a virgin. When they finally seal the deal, it’s too good to be true. Cas is fully powered, and happy. It’s a dream, or isn’t it?

My story for the Dean/Cas Switch Bang 2023 with beautiful art by sailorsally.

An Act of Humanity | Rated: E | 23,527 words | Art by @xfancyfranart (art masterpost)

Summary: Cast out of the bunker, Castiel is lost. Adapting to humanity feels like a punishment for his deeds. When he becomes sick, weakened by cold and hunger, the battery on his phone allows him one last call to say goodbye. Alarmed, Dean rushes to save Cas. He’s right on time. But with Ezekiel threatening to let Sam die if Cas steps back into the bunker, they are forced to share a motel room. Castiel slowly recovers under Dean’s care, when an accidental kiss changes everything. Things might finally turn for the better, if it weren’t for the situation at home.

My fic for the SPN Angel Bang, this time with beautiful art by xfancyfranart.

From Zero to Family | Rated: E | 11,773 words | Art by @ephemerastardust (art masterpost)

Summary: Everything has happened so fast. Castiel’s whole life has changed irrevocably. Just a week ago, he was single. A very lonely single, with a boring life and a boring job, who was helplessly, and hopelessly in love with his best friend—has been, for years. Now, Castiel not only has a baby to take care of but also has a boyfriend. A boyfriend who asks him to move in with him. And so, from one day to the next, they all live together—Jack, Castiel, and Dean—like a real family. But it all seems too good to be true. It can't be real, or can it?

My fic for the Dadstiel Mini Bang 2023 is a sequel for a oneshot I wrote during Suptober 2022: You, Me and Jack. My first of two bangs where I got claimed by ephemerastardust.

High Time for a Romantic Adventure | Rated: E | 12,302 words | Art by @wigglebox (art masterpost)

Summary: Yanked to 1814 England, Sam, Dean and Cas have no idea how or why they ended up there. While they try to solve the mystery of their time travel to Jane Austen Land, a body lands in front of their feet. Ghosts, demons — nothing seems to add up when some old friends appear. But Dean and Cas barely pay attention. After all, there’s an unresolved confession to deal with, and the setting is undoubtedly very romantic.

A time-travel story for the SPN Regency Bang with beautiful art by wigglebox.

Mark of Darkness, Spark of Hope | Rated: E: | 48,056 words | Art by @ephemerastardust (art masterpost)

Summary: All it takes is one night in an abandoned warehouse—violent, rough, and perfect. A fallen angel, running low on his stolen Grace and a demon, turned by the Mark that distorts his soul. It’s a night to remember that one forgets and the other can’t as a spark lights up deep within him. None of it should be possible, and yet, it’s there. Even though he tries to ignore its presence, the spark is slowly growing and burning through the darkness of Dean’s soul. Everything changes with the cure that Sam forces on Dean. Reunited with Cas, and suddenly human again, there is no way for either of them to deny the truth any longer. Doomed by the fate that awaits the human mothers of the Nephilim and cursed by the Mark of Cain etched on his soul, Dean’s future looks bleak. But then again, Dean is neither precisely a mother nor fully human, and Castiel is intent on saving him. After all, they have months during which Dean carries the growing life inside him to term—an impossible child and a miracle of love between Heaven and Hell.

This one might be my favourite this year. I hadn’t expected to write an mpreg story at all, but then I ended up beta’ing @hawkland’s Playing for Time, and got inspired for my own story. Once again, Ephemera claimed my fic and created beautiful art.

Our Troubles Will Be Miles Away | Rated: E | 17,369 words

Summary: Jack storms into the bunker's kitchen, an elf dangling from his fingers. He is too excited by the elf's promises to lead him to Santa that he doesn't listen to Cas' warnings not to trust the fairy. Yet, the warnings are already too late anyway. A flash lights up the kitchen, and Jack, Sam, Cas and Dean find themselves in a snow-clad forest, far away from Earth. With the fate of the world only one snap of Chuck's fingers away, and a shadow looming above Cas' head, the last things they need are a teenager turned toddler chasing Santa and the King of the Fairies remembering Dean fondly. Or did they just find a way to save the world?

The only WIP I posted this year. Like last year, I attemptedA Very Prompty Christmas SPN Edition 2023 (12 Prompts of Christmas - SPN Edition), this year with 12 prompts. It’s a fun little canon fix-it that I wrote and posted starting on December, 14th and ended on Christmas Day. That’s the reason why the story is unbeta’d so far.

Suptober 2023

Behind the Veil | Rated: T | 614 words

Summary: After a hunt goes wrong, Castiel is trapped behind the veil, forced to witness Dean's grief.

Never Been Better | Rated: M | 871 words

Summary: When Dean decides to visit a pumpkin patch on their way home from a hunt, Sam has enough. He is so done with his brother and his angel and the constant tension between them. Little does he know what surprise is waiting for him.

Irresistible Muse | Rated: T | 432 words

Summary: Dean and Cas are inspiring each other.

Timestamp for Unbeknownst Soul Mate.

I Like Past You | Rated: T | 507 words

Summary: After finding himself in 2014, Dean meets Cas' strange, future version and is up for a surprise.

Colouring the Darkness | Rated: T | 932 words

Summary: Dean draws Cas' portraits to remember. Pencil on paper because the day he lost Cas, the world lost all its colours. Everything changes when Jack sends him a box of coloured pencils.

Full Spread Buffet | Rated: E | 1,004 words

Summary: Let down by his porn, Dean relies on his fantasies when Cas walks into the room.

Becoming More Familiar | Rated: E | 739 words

Summary: Cas purred in response. He leaned into the touch and Dean couldn't take his eyes from his familiar. As always, the stunning blue eyes captured him, but only for so long because he couldn’t help his gaze trailing down Cas’ body. What had just been a black cat had turned into the sexiest human being right before his eyes, and Dean's body reacted accordingly. Who could fault him? The man of his dreams, his best friend, sat in his lap and straddled him — completely naked and obviously very aroused.

Timestamp for It’s Kinda Familiar.

Let the Sun Shine on Your Face | Rated: T | 1,056 words

Summary: Castiel worries about Dean after Dean has trapped Michael inside his head. But when Dean opens up and flippantly asks Castiel if he is happy now, he notices that something is terribly wrong.

Tales in the Night Sky | Rated: T | 598 words

Summary: Castiel and Dean are stargazing. They remember the missed opportunities the last time they did so. It seems to have been a different life altogether.

Little spoilery timestamp for An Angel’s Tale.

A Too-Close Shave | Rated: T | 819 words

Summary: After a run-in with a hellhound, Sam is done with Dean and Cas. He can't stand seeing either of them grieving the other any longer. In a spur of the moment, he locks them in until they get their shit together.

We Sounds Epic | Rated: T | 1,231 words

Summary: After Dean visited the nearby pumpkin patch with his daughter, he can't stop thinking about the handsome farmer. It's not that he is— Well, maybe he is. When he can't stand it any longer, he decides to go back.

This fic includes all 2023 Suptober prompt words.

Alpha to Omega, Omega to Alpha | Rated: E | 2,310 words

Summary: For years, Dean has lied to his friends, pretending to be a beta instead of accepting his true self. Even Cas doesn't know. But when Dean's heat is approaching and a freak accident causes them to switch their bodies, everything changes.

Weird, Dorky, Little Guy | Rated: T | 664 words

Summary: After Dean flirted with the security guard, Charlie calls him out. Or, how Charlie learns about Cas.

Burning With Love For You | Rated: T | 1,276 words

Summary: When Castiel gets a call from Sam, telling him that Dean is suffering from a rising fever after a spell, he rushes to the Bunker to help. Yet, his Grace won't do anything. This spell requires a different kind of cure.

One Last Deal | Rated: T | 884 words

Summary: When Cas returns from the Empty, Dean is overwhelmed by his feelings and once again, relives the night of Cas' confession.

Tiggers Are Awesome | Rated: T | 1,564 words

Summary: Dean is preparing for a very special Halloween and bantering with his brother, when the door rings. Someone has arrived far too early.

Thanks to Suptober I started the tradition of an annual Halloween fic. So, this is my third one.

Art masterposts

Art masterpost for A Little More Time by Tossukka (@sitruunavohveli)

Art masterpost for Moonlight on the Water by @nickelkeep

Art masterpost for Ethereal Feathers by @atlas-assbutt

Art masterpost for Forged in Thunder by flyingkafka67 (@anathewierdo)

Pencil sketch of Dean

[ivyprism]

My Outcode Skeleton Boys (Info Dump: Revamp)

Trigger Warnings: Mentions of death, killing, violence, etc.

------

Tusche - Ink Sans (Variant)

Personality: Tusche once awoke in the antivoid with his brother as a baby's bones. He has no remembrance of his AU before waking up. He became the universe's guardian because he was committed to safeguarding his sibling. He is a gentle and sweet skeleton who strives to do the right thing, but he is often misguided. He is terrified and apprehensive when he feels numb and wants to avoid getting dust on his hands. He can be a little naughty and cruel, but it's not intentional. He appreciates the creators and wants to know more about them. He enjoys pranking people, but not very often.

Appearance: Tusche has a bunch of dried ink bloches on his bones. He has creative changing eyelights. He also has a tan scarf that has rainbow ends.

Acrylic - Inktale Papyrus (Variant)

Personality: Raised by his brother, he has no desire to know his former AU. He, like his brother, is a prankster and mischievous skeleton. He works hard and is willing to fight people if necessary. He spends his free time painting and blending acrylic paints. He enjoys reading writers' works. He is a bit of a dirty painter, frequently getting paint on himself. To his brother's dismay, he avoids generating problems by spending the most of his time with Virus. He thinks creators are cool and hopes to meet as many as possible. He primarily talks and sketches. He chooses his fights very carefully.

Appearance: He is a skeleton monster with acrylic paint on him and ink.

Lenovo - Errortale Sans (Variant)

Personality: Lenovo awoke in the anti-void with a younger brother not long after Tusche did. They created a fierce competition with the colorful skeleton. He's a nasty, merciless skeleton. He shows little interest in the AUs. He is ferocious and protective of his loved ones, despite his icy and harsh exterior. He despises being touched without first asking permission. He prefers to be alone and makes few acquaintances; when he does, it is entirely inadvertent. He may build and destroy, but he primarily destroys. He recognizes the need of maintaining a balance and makes an effort to do so.

Appearance: He also has a blue scarf on his neck. He has blue marks on his cheeks. His jacket has ripped and resewn patches.

Virus - Error Papyrus (Variant)

Personality: He is a cold and aloof skeleton, but he is incredibly curious. He gets easily lost and lacks sense of direction. He's mainly interested in meeting new people and speaking with them. He feels nervous around others and dislikes social events. Mostly, he has a tense connection with his brother. He is inquisitive about many minor details and adores and admires the AUs, whom he would prefer not to damage if possible. He also guarantees that his sibling never tampers with particular items. He also enjoys crocheting. He contributes to Lenovo's fight. He doesn't care to learn about his old au.

Appearance: He is a tall skeleton with orange markings on his face.

Bliss - Dream Sans

Personality: A very kindhearted and sensitive SOUL, working to make amends with his sibling. He feels terribly sorry, but he knows that he cannot blame himself because he was unable to protect his brother from the locals and was unaware of the cruelty. He is working hard to make apologies and bring his brother back into the light. He understands he will never see his brother again, but he expects to see a resemblance of him. He isn't afraid to hurt people in order to protect his loved ones and wishes to stop his brother, but he recognizes that he requires negativity as much as optimism to survive.

Appearance: He has gold spots all over his bones and he has freckles. He also has wings, but he prefers they stay hidden.

Dusk - Nightmare Sans

Personality: A nasty and cold-hearted man who, in reality, is really loving and not as frigid as he appears. He adores his brother but can't forgive him. He's not sure why he can't let go of something Bliss couldn't stop, but just thinking about it makes him angry, and his main dread is revisiting the terror of what happened to him with the people. He bears profound anger toward Bliss. Despite appearances, he can be really nice and has a soft spot for some children. He knows he needs negativity to survive, therefore he thrives on it with the help of his group.

Appearance: Dusk is a goop skeleton, but it's entirely optional. He prefers to be in his goop state to intimidate and scare off foes and only shows his normal passive side to his partner. He has a scar on his right eye.

Comet - Dream Papyrus

Personality: He's a cheerful, eager skeleton. He adores his family and wishes to mend the rifts among his brothers. He is gentle, kind, and caring. But don't be fooled: he can and will flirt with you till you're red-faced. He genuinely cares for his brothers and will go to great lengths to protect them. On the other hand, he is typically shy and withdrawn because he is not a fan of inflicting harm on others. He is constantly looking at the stars and enjoys drawing. He enjoys creating his fantasies and doing his best to look after his siblings. He truly cares about each of them and simply wants to help them.

Appearance: He is a skeleton monster. He has golden positivity on his torso. He has wings that he hides. Comet has a simple small scar on his left cheekbone.

Umbra - Nightmare Papyrus

Personality: He has a rough yet frigid personality. He is a modest yet powerful man who adores his friends and family. He often looks after his brothers and his loved ones. However, he is on the verge of becoming enemies with certain individuals. He is soft, pleasant, and flirtatious, but he is genuine. He may not have as much goop as his brother, but he does have some. It's only that it's hard to see and just affects his torso. He typically keeps it buried until absolutely necessary. He adores his brothers and avoids getting involved in the quarrel between them.

Appearance: He is a skeleton monster who has a large chunk of negativity goop on his torso and arms. He also has a scar on his left eye that is diagonal.

Spiro - Killer Sans

Personality: Killer is thoughtful. He works hard and is really flirtatious. He really adores battles. He adores killing and inflicting pain on others. He defends his loved ones when necessary, and he is not hesitant to go for the throat. He despises being insulted and is a typically bad character who will fight till the end. He is more at ease with the truce and is more willing to make friends. He feels genuinely sorry for what he has done (deep down) and is quite unstable depending on the scenario, but he learns to push through it. He strives to ignore and dismiss any remaining thoughts of guilt.

Appearance: He is a skeleton with a large scar on his left eye. He has black markings on below his eyes.

Dagger - Dust Sans

Personality: He is a very sorry and rather disturbed individual. When someone attempts to touch his brother's scarf, he becomes aggressive and upset. He is overcome with remorse and struggles to get through the day. He can be homicidal and has a grudge toward the bulk of mankind (particularly genocide perpetrators). He is refraining from causing harm to others as part of a truce. He doesn't admit it, but he does occasionally envy others. He is working to get through his guilt and anger. He is learning to deal with what he has done.

Appearance: He has a void face and a scar on his left eye.

Wraith - Phantom! Dust Papyrus

Personality: He is a relatively cheery and serene skeleton. He maintains Dagger cool and appears to have a deep hatred of violence. He truly cares about his brothers and will go to great measures to protect them. His emotions have been softened by his death, yet he still feels them and wants his brother would let go. He cares about his sibling and is continuously concerned about him. He is stern and frigid when it comes to direct threats, yet he does his best to believe in others. He believes in humanity, but reluctantly.

Appearance: He is a skeleton with a large scar on his chest. You can touch him, but he's cold to the touch.

-----------

Ink Sans by Mye Bi (Comyet) Error Sans by Lover of Piggies Dreamtale by Jokublog Killer Sans by Rahafwabas Dusttale Sans by Ask-DustTale

[3liza]

I've been discussing with my friends and personally mulling over the New Yorker article about the elimination of phonics based reading instruction in many American schools since last night and I want to bring up a few things.

1. the author of the New Yorker piece starts the article by reporting apparently without self-censure or reflection that she has never attempted to teach her kindergarten-aged daughter to read, nor asked the kid to read aloud. this writer is apparently a fully self employed author of books and articles and i don't know what her home life is like but you would have to physically restrain me from teaching my own child literacy at home. the fact that she goes the entire article without apparently linking the fact that she was completely unaware that her 5 year old has no phonics education with the fact that she personally has not taught her daughter any literacy skills would be hilarious if it wasn't so fucking awful for the little girl. i cannot imagine leaving the education of my children to a school of any kind, regardless of my personal employment situations but especially not if i was a self employed writer, presumably working from home.

2. this pattern is noted in the article itself AND IN THE TUMBLR COMMENTS: the single consistent difference between children who can read well and children who can't is whether or not their parents intentionally and directedly teach them one-on-one at home. in real life this usually translates to socioeconomic differences. poor kids get less teaching time with their parents

3. lots of people in the Tumblr notes as well as multiple references in the article to how difficult and nonsensical English is, as a language. that is a commonly-accepted truism about English, but it isn't true. the third part of literacy teaching, after phonics and grammar, is etymology. this part is ignored because it's considered "humanities" and useless. it isn't. Greek, Latin, and proto-Indo-European word origins are how you teach children why words are spelled the same and sound different, or spelled differently but sound the same, why letters are shaped the way they are shaped (alpha is from "aleph" which means "ox", which is still what A looks like when you rotate it around to its original orientation), where words come from and more importantly, when they come from. all the "nonsensical" parts of the English language are not nonsense at all, they are the stories of how we got those words and how we have used them for thousands of years. you cannot skip etymology and have a complete mastery of a language. teaching children stories about words will help them remember everything else about words. you cannot crowd out information with other information, information only reinforces itself the more you add.

4. a couple people in the notes brought up something interesting which is that they were people or knew people who had been taught the shit way of reading as kids, had always been bad at it, and then learned phonics as adults and suddenly got way better at reading as a result. that's fantastic. it means you don't have to be stuck at the level of reading you are at now if you don't want to. you can go back and learn the right way if you feel like it and if you have the capability

5. speaking of capability!!! I've done a lot of reading about dyslexia because my partner has a severe, life-altering case of it that, speaking of school incompetence, no one fucking noticed until i diagnosed him via sheer observation at age 30. he's spent his whole life masking and covering for his disability and just not knowing he even had it. in my reading about dyslexia I've read a lot of descriptions of how dyslexic reading works, especially in the book The Gift of Dyslexia, and i know everyone with dyslexia isn't a monolith so I'm sure it varies, but i talked to my partner and described the process in the book and he agreed that was how he "read" things. the dyslexic reading process was extremely similar to what is described as the "vibes-based reading" in the New Yorker article. specifically, the way that dyslexics are extremely visually oriented and so will try to sidestep the confusion of reading series of letters and words by looking for visual cues: words that have a certain shape, or start or end with certain letters (because the letters in the middle can get switched around by their brains), and also just vaguely scanning text and getting the gist rather than trying to interpret its actual meaning. this process has to be untaught to dyslexics who have taught themselves to read this way because it's useless for comprehension, speed and fluency. this really caught my attention because it means the Calkins method of teaching reading is teaching a method so awful it is recognized as medically and neurologically dysfunctional and considered a DISABILITY when children with dyslexia teach themselves to do it as a way to cope with the way their brain has trouble with language.

6. i read /r/Teachers a lot and although the sub is mostly full of people who hate children and are very stupid, one thing that seems true everywhere is that schools are fucking desperate. if i was a teacher right now i would just be teaching whatever method i knew actually worked and not bothering with dysfunctional syllabi because what are they going to do, fire me? from reports, it seems like a great many public schools actually cannot fire anyone who is even vaguely showing up on time and putting any effort in. i hope the teachers working in places like this are taking advantage of their defacto tenure and doing away with bad teaching plans. all the BEST teachers of my life have been rogue teachers who just ignored what the administration was trying to get them to do.

[ten-cent-sleuth]

4, 5, and 30? For the fic writers ask?

Yayay, thank you so much for the ask!

4. A story idea you haven’t written yet?

Well. Most of them. xD But I’ll talk about the third WIP on my roster: my post-“Grace” angsty fic, as I call it in my pinned post. (The first and second WIPs in line I’ve technically started writing for!)

I don’t want to go into specifics since I am really excited to hear people’s reactions to The Reveal, but basically the story will explore my take on who the little girl is / what she symbolises to Carter in “Grace”. Because of course I’ve read the common perspective that Grace represents Carter’s wish for a child and stands in for her future daughter with Jack—but it’s never sit perfectly right with me, so this fic will be my alternative two cents.

And also an excuse to have Sam and Jack meet another mirror version of themselves! (This is what I was referring to in my tags on this post, actually!)

Ngl, this just might be the WIP I’m most excited about right now. But ah! I have my “48 Hours” fic and my “Moebius” fic to finish first. xD

5. First sentence of the fifth paragraph of an unpublished WIP?

This is from Old Thorns, a canon divergence AU for Sense and Sensibility that I will never give up on.

Major General Ashby subscribed to that rare but forcible conviction that all good things are worth not waiting for.

I cheated—this isn’t quiiiiiite the fifth paragraph—but oh well, the real fifth paragraph’s first sentence was not very intriguing. Ashby is an OC who is a friend of Colonel Brandon’s. He facilitates Brandon’s spending time with the Dashwood sisters while they’re all in Town, a plan by Marianne to surreptitiously console Elinor.

Because the canon divergence I mentioned? Yeah, it’s that Marianne finds out about Edward’s engagement much earlier but believes Elinor is unaware and thus takes it upon herself to protect and prepare her. If this sounds convoluted and contrived, trust me, my outline Doc is way worse.

But I love this WIP. I love it so, so much, and I really hope it won’t be an “unpublished” one next year.

30. Share a fic you’re especially proud of.

Sometimes I feel like “Inextricably” is when I peaked and everything I write from now on will pale and tremble in comparison, but I’m not going to share that one here. (Although you’re free to check it out on my AO3, ofc. xD) Instead, here is my one and only—as of now—X-Files fanfic since @agent-troi recently made me think about it so I just reread it last night.

I am proud of how many threads I pulled through various episodes, scenes, and themes to weave together this fic. And still there was one major parallel I didn’t get to include because it didn’t end up fitting into the flow of Mulder and Scully’s conversation. (It was about Scully’s grief about her father.) I also didn’t get to include several scenes near the start because they were dragging me down while the deadline was approaching, but I’m proud of all the now-unused research I made into cross-species influenza and immunisation science for those scenes, lol.

Some of the emotionally wrought lines (in particular I think of “See? You knew what to say to her after all” and “like he was holding his own beating, bleeding heart” – quoted from memory so might not be exact) took me by surprise. Like they came out of me without planning, without preconception, and whenever I revisit the fic, I genuinely still cannot believe I came up with them. In general I just think this is one of my most emotionally charged fics, and I’m proud to know I’m capable of it!

And of course, I am forever proud of my courage in signing up for my first gift exchange and in vanquishing my anxiety about a) posting in such an intimidatingly big fandom as TXF and b) writing for one of my favourite authors in the fandom who also happened to be quite well known?? Ig ultimately “Nature’s Impossibilities” is just very special to me, although I definitely don’t think it’s perfect. (Some of the aforementioned weaving is kind of forced-sounding in the text, agh!) But yeah, quite proud of it. :P

Keep the fic writer asks a-comin’! 👻

Thank you again for the questions. :)

[insecateur]

"Search Tags" on AO3

I've noticed that a lot of people don't seem to be aware that this is an option, so I thought I'd write an informative post about the AO3 feature that allows you to look up tags!

What is this and where can I find it?

It's a page on Archive of our Own that can be accessed by selecting "Search" in the upper bar and then clicking on "Tags." Or by clicking this link, if you'd just like to go there right away!

As the name indicates, it's a form you can use to look up a list of AO3 tags corresponding to a keyword (or multiple.)

How can it be useful to me?

I think it can be useful in a number of ways! I'll try to cover most of the ones that come to my mind in this post, but there might be more I haven't thought of.

As a writer

For me, the Search Tags page is most useful as a fic writer (or general creator on AO3, for those of us who also post non-fic works!) I use it mostly to look up freeform tags and check pre-existing tags and canonicals. Technically, you can check canonicals by making a new work and entering a keyword in one of the sections, but for me, this is less of a hassle. Not to mention, this way, you can even see non-canonical tags that people have already used, some of which might be very popular despite not being canonicals!

(Why would a very popular tag not be a canonical, you ask? Well, I'm not an AO3 volunteer, so I can't speak on their behalf. But as someone who writes kinky porn, there are a couple of sex-related tags that lack canonicals but still span a large number of works. The most obvious example, to me, is "Free Use", which is used by over 1200 works, and is not a canonical tag. For those unaware, the difference between a canonical and non-canonical tag is that it cannot be filtered; as such, it does not have a separate Works/Bookmarks page.)

If you're part of a challenge, exchange, or fest that only accepts ships with a certain number of works (i.e. rarepairs) it can also be used to check whether a specific shiptag even exists in the first place or to easily find the Works page of a specific shiptag so you can double-check the number of works there. I will discuss this more in the next section.

As a reader

What inspired me to make this post was actually seeing someone asking on Twitter if it was possible to filter every ship involving one specific character. As far as I'm aware, this is not possible; however, you can use the Search Tags form to find all the existing shiptags (canonical or not) featuring said character, and then check every Works page individually. Not super convenient, but still better than trying to wrestle with the filters, I think!

Okay, this is all very interesting, but how does it work?

Using the Search Tags form

When you access the Search Tags page, you will be greeted by this form:

If you click on the little ? bubble next to "Tag name," it will show you the usual list of common modifiers you can use to look up keywords, just like in the "Search within results" option from AO3 filters:

Here, what you can do depends on what your goal is. I'll cover in the order of the suggestions I gave in the previous section of this post.

Looking up freeforms

So, let's say you're in the process of, or just got done, writing your newest fic. You want to tag it properly, but there's some stuff you're not sure can be covered with the canonical tags AO3 suggests to you when posting a New Work, and when you try searching keywords in the regular search, you get mixed results. This is where the Search Tags form can be very, very useful!

I'll use an example I've used in the past. You want to use a tag that gives your reader an idea of how the fic ends. To do that, you can type up "Ending" in the "Tag name" box. For this example, we'll decide we want only canonical tags, so we'll check "Freeform" and then "Canonical."

This gives use nine whole pages of canonical tags. Canonical tags are shown in bold to separate them from non-canonical tags, but as we're doing a Canonical search right now, you won't be able to tell the difference. Here's what (the top of) page one looks like:

Immediately, you might have noticed something is amiss. Because we haven't specified a fandom, the search is giving us tags that are fandom-specific, like "Abandon Ending (OMORI)," on top of giving us tags that are non-specific, like "Abrupt Ending." This can be a good thing or it can be a bad thing, like in this case where we just want a generic ending tag. Thankfully, there is an easy solution!

Indeed, tags on AO3 are sorted by fandoms... including non-fandom tags! So all we have to do is enter the Fandom as "No Fandom," and then...

Ta-dah!

Note that there are still fandom-specific tags that might fall through the cracks, as tag wranglers are obviously not infallible, being human beings doing volunteer work. For example, although I cut the screenshot short, the next tag on the list is "Memory's Crannies Ending (Ib)" which seems to have the "No Fandom" category incorrectly applied to it alongside its actual fandom, "Ib (Video Game)." There'll also be non-fandom results that are actually pointing toward specific fests, bangs, or similar events, like "No Happy Ending Fest."

However, as I've mentioned earlier in the post, you can technically achieve the same result by typing a word in the Freeform box when posting a new work and seeing what AO3 suggests. So let's talk about what this is most useful for, in my opinion: finding established non-canonical tags.

This time, let's say you're writing something spicy involving a trans male character being the Dominant partner in a D/s relationship. There is a "Trans Male Character" canonical freeform, but if you look up "trans male character" in the tag search, you may also find:

You might be wondering, what's the point of doing this? Well, in some cases, some freeform tags have a lot of uses despite not being canonicals. Even without getting into the extreme I've already cited, for example, the tag "Honor Bondage" has over 100 fics to its name. Since it's not canonical, and as such can't be filtered, it also can't be synned to, which means that the best way for people interested in honor bondage to find works easily is to have as many people using the most commonly used tag as possible. By guaranteeing that you're using a pre-existing tag, even if it's non-canonical, you're helping more people find your work.

(For those unaware of the term, "synning" refers to a non-canonical tag being made synonymous to a canonical tag. When looking at a Tag page (not its Works or Bookmarks page) you can see a list of all the non-canonical tags synned to it, like this:

I'll cover this again a little later.)

Generally, I also think it can be useful when you're not sure how to tag something and are looking for inspiration. Also, getting to see all the silly tags people have used is pretty funny.

Looking up ships

In this section, I'll cover both the "writer" and "reader" situations.

Let's say you're participating in an event that's all about rarepairs. The requirements are that your chosen ships can't have more than, say, 100 works. You've decided you want to write a ship involving your favorite blorbo, but you don't know if the ship you have in mind even exists on AO3.

For the sake of this example, we'll say your blorbo is Cloud Strife, and you want to write... (throws dice) Cloud/Reeve. Let's go back to the Tag Search, and this time we'll use the "Relationship" box.

We're going to look up canonicals first (for reasons I'll explain later) so for this step, you have to make sure you have the right phrasing to look up your character. In the example I'm using, I don't think it'll matter much (it's not like there are that many characters named "Cloud") but if you were looking for, say, Peter Parker rarepairs, you'll have to make sure to use "Peter Parker" and not just "Peter."

This is what our search looks like for now.

I have to go through a few pages, but on page 3, I find the Cloud Strife/Reeve Tuesti tag. It says it has four fics, but in my experience, the count can be a little messy, so we'll double check on the Works page just in case.

There we go! A tried and true rarepair. 🫡

If you can't find the ship anywhere in the list (even when double-checking by entering more keywords) it's probably because it doesn't exist at all. I'll use a less popular character as an example, Professor Birch from Pokémon:

Because there are so few results, you can tell right away that Professor Birch/Professor Sycamore doesn't exist. 😔 (Actually, when looking up "Any status," it does exist as a non-canonical that doesn't have any fic tied to it. BECAUSE OF ME. But I'll talk about this at the end of this section.)

Now, let's say you're a reader and what you're interested in is finding out how many ships Cloud Strife is involved in on AO3. You just want to read about your blorbo getting into all kinds of relationships. Good for you.

You like to live dangerously, so you're going to go as far as looking up "Any status." I'll explain what this implies in a bit.

I also want to make a note of something. I was previously under the mistaken impression that specifying a fandom for your Relationship searches would affect whether or not crossover ships show up. Unfortunately, this doesn't seem to be the case, as a Relationship tag seems to always have every fandom each character is involved in as a parent tag. (So, for example, Ardyn Izunia/Cloud Strife has all of these as parent tags: Ardyn Izunia, Cloud Strife, Compilation of Final Fantasy VII, and Final Fantasy XV.) I don't know if there's a solution to this. If you know of it, I'd appreciate you letting me know!

Immediately, the ~400 results for Cloud Strife Relationship tags jump up to over 1500. Amazing.

Now, the issue (imo) when looking up Relationship tags using "Any status" is that it'll also give you non-canonical tags that are synned to canonical tags, which means you'll just end up with a bunch of repeats. It'll be a lot of things like, One-Sided Zack Fair/Cloud Strife, or Past Aerith Gainsborough/Cloud Strife, or tags written in the wrong order like Cloud Strife/Zack Fair, or tags formatted wrong like Zack Fair x Cloud Strife.

Therefore, especially when looking up very popular character, I wouldn't suggest looking up non-canonical Relationship tags. For unpopular characters, though, the list should be short enough to be combed through without too much of a hassle. Unfortunately, this means you might miss newly created Relationship tags that haven't been made canonical yet.

I'd suggest trying more keywords in this case. For example, in the Cloud Strife/Reeve Tuesti example, I could have just looked up the full tag straight away:

Additional Information about Tags

To conclude this post, I'll talk about something some people might not know regarding AO3 tags.

Tags are actually added to the database as soon as they're either added to a drafted work, added to a bookmark, or approved for an exchange. So, for example, if you created a work, tagged it Peter Parker/Cloud Strife, saved it as a draft, and never ended up actually posting the fic, the tag will still have been created.

Similarly, in the Cloud/Reeve screenshot above, I would wager that the shiptags with "(CoFF7)" and "(FF7 Remake)" at the end were actually created for exchange purposes, so people could ask for specific versions of the ship.

This is also what happened with the Odamaki-hakase | Professor Birch/Platane-hakase | Professor Augustine Sycamore shiptag, which was created when I submitted the ship for an exchange a few months ago. As a result, it's empty because no work was posted for it (YET.)

This applies to all tags, including freeforms. This is why, when looking up tags using this method, you'll sometimes run into tags that have no work tied to them.

...Okay, I think I've covered all that I wanted to cover! If you have questions, please feel free to ask them in the comments of this post. I hope this can be of help to anyone. When I discovered this option a few years back, I was floored. I genuinely think it's really useful, as someone who has a hard time with the regular AO3 search.

If you got to the end of this (very long) post, thank you for reading!

[firespirited]

Confession time. After destiel went canon and broke tumblr, I read the entire wiki for the main characters before watching the final episodes and felt the finale was so out of character that I mentally wrote a fix it fic.

Here is me writing it down in honour of the third anniversary. A show that to me: consists of 3 episodes, a lot of meta posts that trended over the years, jokes about loving your car, some manic wiki reading and that odd dude who inexplicably did iffy prolapse photomanip fanart.

I have made no attempts to polish this. The voices probably aren't right but I tried to write an open ending that stays true to characterisation (aka as tumblr presented these three beloved characters which may be the opposite of what the writers of manly male, rock loving, hunters with guns in a muscle car and dead girlfriends had in mind) .

We follow the final episode as it began except after the pie festival and the vamp mime first murder, they're off to hunt but a flaming meteor falls from the sky and they follow it in the car. It hits a field, they see a human figure, run and use their coats and feet to put out the flames. It's Cas. They put him in the car, they're all very shaken no answers to Sam's many questions, awkward glances in the mirror from Dean then Cas breaks his silence and asks for his slice of pie... the one in the glove box. Sam is confused, Dean looks like he's going to vomit.

We restart the episode from a different point of view: After Castiel got sent to the empty, Dean began praying to whomever, whatever would hear (silently or under his breath but constantly.) he thinks he might be insane from grief but after all he's seen he has the smallest hope) . Jack as God can't technically rewrite all the laws of the universe but he's receiving these "prayers". He smirks when he finds a bylaw that he can make a saint of Castiel so that prayers to him are redirected straight to him and cannot be diverted (heaven's bureaucracy is complex).

The empty has known no peace for six months. Dean's internal monologue of prayer has been echoing around and amplified the more the empty tried to create silence. The empty has tried to kill Dean so many times but he's got a protective barrier on his hand that looks like a scratch (placed by a grateful angel) so he's been dodging these deaths like it's looney tunes, completely unaware. (insert scenes of echoey overlapping narration of longing and yearning over near misses of murder by multiple means. For angst broken up by comedy)

Back to now, to the car. The brothers staring at Cas, Dean gets out of the car to hyperventilate and try to hold it together. We focus in on the ringing and rushing blood sound in his ears as Sam seems to be asking questions again and Cas seems to be talking. Sam gets out of the car, asks his brother if he's OK, he obviously lies and says Yes.

Sam sighs and says "Yeah clearly, you look fantastic. So uh Cas says he wants in on the vampire mimes and is eager to do more hunting evil... and I know it's not the time but damnit when is ever the right time? ... Look, when I talked about a more normal life, I meant it. We write our own stories and maybe it's time for you to go try something, anything else really. How about you take a vacation? Cas and I will handle things."

"I've, well, I've given normal life a lot of thought, I've never truly fit in and I could try but I can only fake it for so long. Funny, but when I allowed myself to daydream of a different life, I imagined careers that led me back to the road and back to making things right, you know? I think at the core, that's who I am... And, hey, since you brought it up, I never asked you if this life is the 'normal' you want....To be honest: I know it's not. and I didn't want to be alone, at least not these past few months, I know I've seemed fine but"

"Oh no no, you did not seem 'fine' but I wasn't going to go out of my way to point it out. You didn't even wash for days at your worst. You mumble under your breath sometimes. Those guns are cleaned down to the last speck of dust. I wasn't going to leave you alone, not ever."

"Okay - Ok.ay! Since we're here having the 'talk', aside from your duty as my brother, have YOU let yourself imagine what you'd want normal to be, for you?"

He blurts out "Eileen... It's Eileen. I know she's out there somewhere, I felt a strange pang and it was relief." he's speaking so fast "She's back. My mind races at the possibilities, I haven't dared to let myself start. I'm not sure how I want to live but I know it has to be with Eileen"

"I'm calling a taxi. You have a serious phone call and some travel ahead. Older brother's orders. I'll do the blood suckers"

"Work again. Will you ever open up about what's been going on with you? You wouldn't even tell me how Cas summoned the Empty."

"I, uh, these things take time, more of an actions over words kinda guy. *stares at phone* Oh your taxi is two minutes out."

"I don't know what to say"

"You don't have to say anything, you already told me through all you've done. Text me when you arrive safely, or don't, if you're otherwise occupied"

"You're the worst. And the best." They hug

A car pulls up, Sam yells at Cas though the window that they'll talk soon and to keep Dean out of trouble. Cas gives him a thumbs up.

Dean gets back into the car after watching the taxi drive away until it's completely out of view. He hands the vamp case notes to Cas to read, instead Cas puts them aside on the seat. "It could be the six months, it could be the new body: this appears to be an empty copy, my host was spared the empty thankfully. Yes it could be the new body but you were right this pie is exactly to my taste"

"I don't want to know do I?"

"Indeed, you'd be mortified, it's a word you used a lot about your inner conflicts but, you've faced hell, I promise that voicing your thoughts isn't as terrible."

"Uh your coat and top are burned and falling apart, here have my jacket."

"I mean, voicing your feelings can get you sent to the empty but that's the worst case scenario"

"Nice. Reassuring." *goes quiet*

A phone dings, Cas pulls it out of the jacket. "You have a new message from Sam: "Eileen fine and well, two exclamation marks" aww, he's going to Eileen? She's wonderful isn't she? "meeting at station at 3am. Capital T, A L K and get answers from Cas you idiot skull emoji skull emoji laugh crying emoji"

"Vamps first... then I need a drink" Dean looks out of the window with a mixture of apprehension and giddiness, there's a small smile creeping across his lips that fades into seriousness, there's a flash of fear, then the smile returns with a tremor as if despite himself.

Various old friends are sat around in heaven: they reminisce, they can't know the boys future but they know it's nothing they can't handle, the senseless cruelty is over.