#me collecting the actual 4 muses you don't already have

[invcntions]

💕

Send 💕 and I will tell you some muses of ours I think could work as a ship.

radi / grace — hear me out here but i've been wanting to give radi some form of bodyguard!au forever and it's a cliche but the bodyguard/princess pairing is everything to me and the potential for angst? very on brand of us. radi does not fit anywhere less than monaco either, it'd be so interesting. vance / sienna — again a cliche but crime guy/prosecutor? he's the smart, level-headed one of his little crime world, just trying to keep everyone else in the most minimal amount of trouble but he'd for sure be turning up constantly for cases that don't otherwise seem like they should be connected and regardless of anything i just think he'd really admire her. ada / blair — i read trust fund baby and really it's ada's vibe, she's a fuckboy at heart and probably would see blair and be like why not hook up with the rich girl, it'll be interesting. except she falls for people 100x more easily than she lets herself believe and idk i think they could be fun. lucas / dakota — honestly this is just hot people do law, would be very suits of us. sad pining in the office? pretending they're not dating (or even just interested) because they're not allowed to? all in for all the possibilities.

[demispark]

7. You get the chance to assign five characters new talents! Who do you choose, and what talents would you give them? :3

Thank you for asking! I actually kinda had a feeling you would ask this one :3

I apologize in advance for the lengthy post that follows, I wanted to talk a bit about my choices.

The thing about this one is that I kinda want to give characters the talents they already have, but that I don't think we got to see enough of, if we even saw it at all. Mukuro as the Ultimate Soldier and Rantaro as the Ultimate Adventurer are two prime examples. Mukuro is the Ultimate Not-Junko/Ultimate Corpse and Rantaro is the Ultimate Vaguely Shady Guy.

I'll come up with some real talents though, don't worry! Here's the list:

1. K1-B0: Ultimate Investigator - Get this boy a real talent! He's a robot, and by his own admission, isn't particularly smart, strong, etc. He's sorta like Yasuhiro, with how he is hardly "Ultimate", but compared to others in his field, he's the best. Anyway, I'm not sure if "Investigator" is the right word for it, but ol' Kee-boy has loads of added functions that are incredibly useful for collecting data. Cameras, recording devices, etc. I want to make it clear that this is distinct from being a detective, as this is more broad and less focused on drawing conclusions from data.

2. Kiyotaka Ishimaru: Ultimate Life Coach - I'm not the happiest with it, but just hear me out. So, Taka's talent is (depending on the translation) Ultimate Moral Compass or Ultimate Hall Monitor. So somewhat lame and ill-defined, with the vague implications that this poor honors student is peaking in high school. I want Taka's steadfast dedication to his rigid morals to mean something other than being an annoying stick in the mud (I love Taka a lot but I can't lie that's just how it is). I also really don't want him to be military-related or some kind of political role.

3. Rantaro Amami: Ultimate Stylist - There may be a post lying around somewhere that may have influenced me, but I actually really like this one! Rantaro is kinda pretty, and he does Kaede's nails... I want to expand on that! Probably thanks to having so many sisters, he's great at hair, makeup, nails, the whole 9 yards to have you looking your best!

4. Shuichi Saihara: Ultimate Strategist - Okay, we need to get this poor boy a different job. He is smart, but canonically Team Danganronpa also created him to be the "weakest Ultimate Detective ever". One of the Ultimate Detectives needed to give it up, and sure wasn't gonna be Kyoko. Thus, from the ashes of his Ultimate Detective's wit, the Ultimate Strategist is born. Admittedly, this is more for games like Chess and video games like Fire Emblem, but that's just because I want to put his cleverness and intellect on full display while alleviating some of his insecurities.

5. Chiaki Nanami: Ultimate Brawler - Caught you off guard with that one, didn't I? While I don't hate the ideas I've come up with, they've been a little... safe. Boring. Uninspired, even. I wanted to shake things up with this last one, and Chiaki is the perfect subject! This idea came from two places. The first is a fanfic that I don't remember the name of, but I can find it for ya later if you'd like. There's a scene where Chiaki is in Towa City and is attacked by Monokumas. Drawing from her experiences playing Bayonetta, she pulls off her backpack and starts fucking them up. The second is a clip from DR3: Despair Arc, in which Chiaki performs some kind of Dragon Uppercut move on Teruteru, sending him flying. Being so skilled at fighting that you can pull off fictional moves successfully sounds quite Ultimate, no?

... And that's that! Sorry I got a bit long-winded with this one, I'll try not to ramble too hard if you ask another question. I hope you enjoyed my musings! :3

[rongzhi]

(Apologies in advance for typos.)

^ My original tags on this, but actually, I wanted to expand on my views about this a little bit based on some other collected musings I had about the XHS move (which—now that the dust has settled a bit, is it still going on? I don't even know). I'll preface this by saying that my own XHS has been pretty much spared of the wave of American signups, since my feed is mostly art/tattoos and not so much lifestyle/vlogs.

Mainly, I wanted to dig into that feeling of being "over it", a sentiment I've seen circulated on Tumblr by other Chinese diaspora. I think it's a IYKYK situation in some ways but I wonder if non-Chinese diaspora are precisely aware of why there is a underlying sense of caution and this side-eyeing toward everything going on. (To an extent, I think non-Americans who have to deal with us Americans dominating internet spaces probably also have some insight into this.)

Essentially, after that initial cute "haha" feeling of seeing people jump into a new space and meeting all the new people, for me personally, just from having run this blog for 4 years now, I feel distinctly aware that things could go wrong.

Others have said it better, be it pointing out the infantilising or inherent sinophobia, but there is a slant to that attitude of jumping on a new app and discovering that Chinese people can be funny, that they can be kind, that they are sociable and, in basic terms, "just like you", that leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. Oh, you just realised that? People can argue that it was never possible to connect with Chinese netizens before all they want, but in fact, clearly, it was as easy as downloading an app that's free on U.S app stores. Next, you could say, well, there's cultural exchange happening now, which is better than nothing, so what are you so pissy about! I agree, I'm not saying it's a bad thing that some Americans are finally making some attempt to converse with someone outside of their Western, Anglo internet bubble (even if they did so as in the comfort of what is essentially another bubble, as part of a trend). Obviously there is a net good to a person joining XHS, and my wariness mostly comes down to this sense of "discovery" coming with a feeling that Chinese people are still getting lumped into a monolith. Maybe now the monolith is nice and friendly; now the monolith is cute and funny and helpful.

What happens if the Tiktokers realise that some Chinese people also are more socially conservative, or that there are societal issues that Chinese people still have to work through, which aren't ideal or progressive enough for the Enlightened Americans—then what? I've already seen the answer in smaller doses over the years, so I don't know about others, but this is something that I—maybe—hopefully just cynically—can't help but keep my ears tuned towards: the other shoe dropping. Again, for Chinese diaspora (and no doubt, diaspora of any culture in a similar situation), it's "if you know, you know"; we've seen the fickleness of attitudes. The xenophobia and sinophobia that run rampant in U.S society (and I'm sure other western countries, but I speak as a USian) is well known to us in a way that mainlanders often don't take heed toward. Even if there is a sinophobic backlash over anything that arises online, the brunt of it won't be felt by Chinese netizens but us Chinese diaspora who spend the most time in Anglo internet spaces. So, I'm a bit over it all. I've seen how interest in China can play out—for example, how learning Mandarin or being a fan of cdramas or hanfu hardly frees a person of their sinophobia or from regurgitating xenophobic talking points.

It's nice but naive to think that the majority of the tiktokers playing around on XHS right now, trading memes and basking in the numbers of Chinese social media, will truly self-interrogate all too deeply. If some of them seem to have only just realised that Chinese people are ~so nice~, how Other have they been seeing Chinese diaspora? Is that still the case? Will they necessarily make the same effort to know and listen to Chinese diaspora? (People in cfandom will know the answer).

Again, I think there's an overall positive to all this, especially in this ~political climate~ (altho I doubt the people who need positive interaction with Chinese people the most downloaded XHS lol). I guess I just wanted to add all this because because I feel like my first response was quite vague and on second thought, I figured I might as well try to unravel some of my thoughts and impart them to anyone who maybe had no idea there was this perspective to things. Call me jaded or no fun at parties all you like, but that's literally just how it is.

Lastly, I'll just say that from me scrolling douyin, I've also seen how people in China have reacted to the influx of Americans on XHS, so I can tell you a little bit of the other side. It also corresponds a little with what I'm trying (but maybe failing) to say about Chinese diaspora: the people who have been having as much/equal fun with the convergence of internet spaces have been mainlanders with no general dealings with Americans. In the past week, the bloggers I've seen who've been vocal/warning about Chinese people not bending over backwards to start speaking English all the time, or just following/kissing up to Americans because they're white*, have been Chinese netizens—mainly students—who live/study abroad.

* Yes, obviously there are non-White Americans, but white people are, as ever, uplifted the most by society on the basis of being white. We know this.

how do you feel about so many americans getting on 小红书?

[rickie-does-random-stuff]

Planning out my 2025 (in writing + content creation)

Writing can feel like juggling with fire — exciting, daring, and more than a little chaotic.

My personal problem currently has been that I feel like I have so many ideas and not enough time to do anything real with them. I start stuff and it takes forever to actually come up with a smooth conclusion. And now that I post my work online, I have the added pressure of followers/readers that follow some of my stories. Which is cool, but it is another important thing to keep in mind. It's easy to become overwhelmed. Lately, for me, it seems as though there is so much to think about that it is hard to move forward and know what to do next.

I do know that my main goal right now is to finish something, and actually have a refined and polished result in the end, and not a decent but rather rough outline of a story (which is essentially what the majority of my "finished" projects are. Like the Steph's Crew trilogy, for example. Technically it is "finished," but I wouldn't say it is publishing ready at all). Only thing is, I have multiple projects that I want to finish... I think I'll just tackle them one at a time, to prevent myself from burning out.

Here are all my WIPs and writing projects, ordered in prioritisation, I guess.

1. Artificial Galaxy

This is a collection of interconnected poems and short stories that weave together themes of technology, city life, relationships, regrets, loneliness, hope, and just musings about this futuristic world. It’s my experimental dive into lyrical storytelling, and it’s near the top of my list because it’s so different from anything I've ever done, making it the most exciting to me.

2. Zeke Coleman’s Guide on How to be Hopeless (previously known as Untitled Teen Romcom)

A deeply personal, humorous, and heartfelt novel following the titular Zeke Coleman as he navigates life’s absurdities and his own doubts. It’s quirky, messy, and full of life—everything I want in a character-driven story. My sister gave me the idea to write this, so I'm dedicating this project to her!

3. The Threadweaver’s Pattern

I came up with this idea while reading Narnia (I still haven't finished the series... but I got a lot of inspiration from the fantasy world and all the symbolism in the books. It's beautifully written). This is a fantasy novella that centers around a realm where destiny is crafted with literal threads (which, now that I think about it, is a lot like the plot of that Disney show "Evermore". If you don't know what I'm talking about, then feel free to look it up. I wasn't conscious of this similarity when I initially came up with this story idea, I promise), and it follows the tumultuous journey of a weaver in training who tries to change her fate, and the group of misfits she encounters and befriends along the way. I’m excited for its blend of magic, rebellion, and intricate world-building.

4. Hope Kamani’s Uni Sequel (not the official title, don't worry)

The sequel to Zeke Coleman’s story, told through the perspective of his frenemy/crush, Hope Kamani. It’s a parallel narrative with its own voice and arc, making it both challenging and fun to write as I outline and build it alongside Zeke’s story. Technically, this should be number three, since my thing with sequels/series is that I kind of plan/outline/write all books in a series at around the same time or consecutively side by side. But I wanted to give a bit of space between the two stories this time around. It's good to shake things up every once in a while.

5. Behind Closed Doors

I've already posted about this one on my main blog (@rickie-the-storyteller). This is the one that I'm arguably the most passionate about right now (and simultaneously the most apprehensive about). It has everything that I'm into as a reader — a complex tale of love, friendship, resilience, and redemption that explores deep social and personal issues. The reason I'm putting it last on this list is because I want to give myself as much time as possible to kind of sit and ponder upon the ideas for this one. I have already planned and outlined the full story and plotted it out, and I have even done dialogue plans for it like how I did with Steph's Crew (planning to start posting those in December on my main blog). But there's no official first draft yet. It's basically ready for me to start writing it, but I'm going to give myself a minute or two to prepare for it first.

I aim to finish these projects one at a time, and then publish them for others to read! Either on here, Wattpad (although I'm kind of losing my patience with Wattpad to be honest... I'm seriously thinking of deleting my account on there soon), KDP or whatever else I end up deciding to use as a platform for my work. I'll figure it out eventually.

Aside from all that, though, we also have to deal with this:

The "Steph’s Crew" Trilogy:

I made it clear before that I definitely do want to get this series published once I was done with it. My mind hasn't really changed on that... I see a lot of potential with it, I guess. Plus, I've spent the longest amount of time with this one (it was the first story I started sharing when I first began sharing my work online), and I started it when I was in a rough spot and needed escapism lol. It would be nice to be done with it. Not in a bad way... just to draw the final curtain of that chapter of this segment of my story, you know?

I want to seriously think more about that after I'm done with university, which won't be for a few years yet. This means I have a bit of time to polish it up and make it ready for other to read in its entirety!

1. The Misfit Manifesto

A gritty, heartfelt dive into the lives of a ragtag group of teens facing their final year of secondary school and all the drama that comes with it. This trilogy opener sets the tone for all the craziness to come in the future instalments.

2. Unreported Violent Crimes

Yet another sequel of mine that happens to be set in university! The stakes are higher, the crimes bigger, the past reveals itself to be darker, the relationship drama is crazier, and the lines between right and wrong blur as the story deepens. This sequel ramps up the tension and tests the characters’ loyalties.

3. Story of a Broken Thing

The final section in the trilogy, where they all do a ton of travelling around the world (it ends up lowkey being a theme that ties a lot of the main characters together even though they are mostly separate in this last instalment. Travelling to different countries outside the UK. And breaking the law, but that's kind of a given). It's a epic world tour grand finale that brings closure, resolution, and the ultimate test of each character’s growth and principles.

Other Miscellaneous Content...

I love connecting with readers in a more spontaneous way on these platforms. Expect everything from fanfics to my AU series, to even rewriting stories that I think need a fresh spin (which I guess also counts as fanfiction. I don't know, I've never done fanfiction writing before. But I do have a lot of ideas for it... I've often watched shows and stuff and wondered if I'd be able to do as good a job or a better job at writing certain scenes, arcs and plot points) These side projects keep my creative muscles flexed between major drafts.

Each of these projects fuels my passion in unique ways. By tackling them one at a time, I hope to pour my best into each story and share that magic with others.

(BTW - I plan to make a separate unique themed logo for each of these! Like the one on my main blog for Artificial Galaxy for example. Its just a fun little thing to do)

I might make a part 2 post discussing my ideas further.

[ghostsandmirrors]

actually, I want to write that essay about the last edit bcus it's eating my brain rn.

(this is probably only interesting to ash-muses)

Important Context when I do pair aesthetics like that, there's two things that I like to do (if I can); - shared meanings or aesthetics, - mirrored positioning,

this means that it is important to remember that the images are not linked to the one matching their position, but the exact opposite. I will be numbering them 1-12 (not including shared; they'll get a section) for ease of understanding.

Shared Meanings or Aesthetics This is also something I do in solo aesthetics, too. In the case of the first of the two (not using names to avoid search), we have; important locations (Asgard vs. where he was taken to heal), something significant with opposing meanings, shared background for text, and then face.

With duo aesthetics, there's links within the solo and the pair as a whole.

1 and 12; places that caused their isolation and loneliness in different ways. One was a place that was supposed to be home, was supposed to be safe, and turned out to be a lie where he was already an outcast of sorts. The other is a place that was never supposed to be safe, that intentionally isolated him and caused him pain. Both are the sources of their problems.

2 and 11; home or a place they belong in. 11 is literally from CA:CW and is of the safehouse he lives in. They're intended to be homely, warm, welcoming images to push the idea of finding a place with each other where they have someone. That someone may not know everything, but they're there and they're willing to be there.

3, 4, 9, and 10; face. These were meant to be mirrored (blue with blue and then lens flare with lens flare due to the aesthetics) but it looked terrible, so it ended up being imprisoned (3 and 10) and controlled (4 and 9). They're a reflection of each others' histories in a weird way.

5 and 8; representations of loneliness. One reads a lot while in a less than favourable situation (T:TDW imprisonment). The other has trouble sleeping and often deals with these issues alone. Also there's something about an empty, messy bed that reads aggressively Barnes to me. Idk what it is. If you look at his Unsplash collection, there's six images of beds.

6 and 7; external home. 6 is the village mentioned in the tags, and 7 is just where he feels most comfortable. Both are intended as 'places of acceptance in some way'; opposites to 1 and 12.

Shared Images and Text Placement I said they were there to make people cry and I meant it.

The screenshots are images that don't feature these two characters after they fall. The one that doesn't have a connection to that character (mountains for one, space for the other) has the lyrics closer together, to draw attention away from the centre in some way; either by covering the centre of the image (space) or by being in the corner (mountains).

The one that does, that's the location of their fall, has the words more spread out and avoiding the area (roughly) that they disappeared into. The intent is to draw attention to what is being avoided; the cluster and the... I want to say 'river' but I'm truly not sure what it is at that distance. The intention is to link these shared images both in that their pasts involve a fall into being controlled and also to link them to the correct one; the alps don't mean a lot to the one from space and space isn't personally connected to the one who fell off the alps.

They're shared to have images that visually and literally link them. All of the others, even while sharing meanings or aesthetics, are different. These are the only ones that're the same images.

In other pair aesthetics (especially ones for my own characters like this one), there'll be a matching theme instead of them literally matching (unless the background is a solid colour). In that one, the words are on paper that match the character, for example.

Another aesthetic to have 'same image, different area' like the one being talked about is this one from years ago. The background is the same but flipped to show different sections of the image. It's honestly such an easy way to link aesthetics, even in the event that the other images aren't that similar. It makes them a set without it being hyper obvious and I love it. It's so simple. I'd highly recommend for anyone who decides to do an edit like that.

---

And that's my shorter than expected ramble about that edit. It can be applied to any of my aesthetic edits in that style, too. Some are more obvious than others, but there's always some kind of mirror/link. Sometimes it's literally just that they were too close in colour originally so they had to be split or else it'd look weird, but it's still a thing.

[writingonesdreams]

How to coax the story out of your head

The key is to find the process that suits you. Duh.

This is actually way more complicated than it sounds and requires some serious autoethnographic exploration and empirical experimentation.

Remember, there are no wrong or right answers. Whatever works for you is the best method. Don't let anybody tell you otherwise.

Writing is serious work. Don't let others belittle that, they obviously don't understand how hard a commitment that is.

Writing requires time. Space. Quiet. No disturbtions. No obligations jumping out the corner.

Sacrifaces of things, easier things you would rather be doing. Visits. That new Netflix series. Scrolling through social media. Reading another writing advice book.

Don't strain yourself. Even if you are in the flow. If you do, you will power down, exhaust yourself and are less likely to start. Your brain will go all defensive and won't allow you to get back into something as straining again.

The hardest things for most people is to start. So don't fret about starting. Idea to try: surprise yourself with sudden jumping to the keyboard and writing. Don't overthink. Overthinking is paralyzing.

Perfectionism is more common in people than the opposite. Everyone wants to do it well. It's the enemy of creation, spontaneity and playfulness.

Let the pressure go woozh. Ideas: Write the worst thing you possibly can. Freewrite. Call it the shitty first draft. If that's too evaluative for you (it's for me anyway, brr) call it the Zero draft. The no pressure draft.

Listen. Redrafts are normal. They are the sign of professional writers. Students and people who don't know how to write go with their first drafts, all vulnerable and unpolished, because they have waited that long or can't look at it anymore or don't want to permit themselves to be mistaken.

Professional writers know there are at least 3 stages to every text. Zero draft where you play and create. Second draft, where you put things in order to make sense. Third draft, where you let out the perfectionist who fine tunes the details. (Use however many more drafts you need).

The edits don't mean it was necessarily bad or wrong. It means the wip could shine even more. Try seeing it as underlining, polishing, highlighting.

The first drafts don't have to be shitty. I'm personally not a fan of this saying, cause usually they contain the most magic. We should value our first drafts for what they are. Sweat and creation, collection of fun and work.

There are outliners and pantsers. They come in all shades in between. Most people use a mix of both, wandering somewhere on the spectrum.

Thing to try: Freewrite about your day before writing as a way to 1) clear your thoughts 2) get into the flow 3) warm up exercise 4) to get rid of the respect before the blank page. Cause you have, y'know, already written something today.

Some people like reading before writing. Sets your brain for words and sentences and nice phrases.

Many people use rituals of their choosing to set their brain into the writing mode. Specific drink, position, smell, place, time, music, reading a similar book, reading what you have written, rereading the outline or notes from last session, etc. This is how you can create a habit. This is how you can get inspired "on command". Trian your muse to show up, when it suits you.

Positive mindset and good mood are way more productive than negative one. Fear, stress, unease all hinder you. Try to have the most relaxed attitude you can. Positive associations with writing are crucial.

When it stops being fun, change something. Take a break. Find the problem and fix it.

Listen to yourself. Trust your brain to connect things and figure them out.

If you are blocked or writing feels too much like a chore, work on figuring out the why. Freewriting is (again, I know) a great way to do this. Let yourself write whatever crosses your mind. Follow your thoughts and see what comes out. Maybe you hate the scene you are writing. Maybe you have a plot point you only feel like you need to have there, but don't actually want there. Be honest and raw with yourself.

When you feel like something has to be there, it's usually just holding you back. Leave it out. Jump over it and come back to to reevaluate it later. It's your work, your story, your tastes. You have all the right in the world to include things you want there. Don't feel like you have to do anything you don't want to.

To try out: Montage writing. Write out of order. Put the things in order later. Jump with your thoughts to any scene/part you want. Put in brackets for things you will figure out/add later.

Lots of novels were created at "walks". This means the writers spend lots of time thinking about their story in detail while on long walks, and then just threw everything they figured out onto the page.

Quick drafting works well to get the most from intense focus on your story and writing it all down as fast as possible. Quick writing also helps to hinder the inner editor - the creep can't keep up if you write fast to keep up with your thoughts.

The speed is really individual though, depending on numerous factors, so don't compare yourself to others and listen to yourself instead.

Depending on your process, speed and care at the first stage, the first draft requires different levels of editing. Not all first drafts have to be shitty and not all of them require the same amount of rework. I repeat, first drafts don't have be shitty, first drafts don't have to be shitty...(the need for editing does not make it a requirement by any means!)

Writing is a physically difficult acitivy. It requires lots of sitting without movement. Don't underestimate the strain it puts on your body.

Writing is mentally exhausting. You literally create something out of nothing (the definition of magic). So be kind to yourself. Take breaks. Refill your creative well.

Writing advice masterlist

[thememory]

alright, time for an official ooc post and a moment of complete transparency:

my goal with this blog, this time, is to collect a nice little group of people to write our portrayals with before i go full private. like, closed to new rp partners private. it had always sort of been my intention last time but when i joined the ff rpc the remake had just dropped and the actual group of people was pretty large - with new muses being picked up and dropped pretty frequently. and it was great! tbh, i kind of miss how busy everything felt, the dash was never really slow and everyone was chatting.

but my list of mutuals got out of control and i spoke to less than 1/4 of them one way or the other. i made some amazing friends, i met some people whose portrayals were incredible and honestly influential to my aerith, and time went on. but i often felt as if i was someone people just followed, maybe noted occasionally, but never really interacted with. and i am here to write, so i won't let that happen this time.

i'm going to do my best to reach out to people i follow first. i'm going to be re-doing my carrd (currently a wip, with more stern rules, too) and attempting interactions. if things sincerely don't work out - if the interest isn't there (and that's totally fine) i will softblock to break the mutual. likewise, if i've sent a few memes / inbox things to get interactions started and they go unanswered for a period of time, i will softblock to break mutuals. that show me you're not interested - and that's also fine. i just want to keep things clean on my side.

i'm going to be 33 in less than a month and this is very much a hobby for me. that being said - my goal is not to make longstanding, close, irl friendships. if it happens, that's great, but i'm very wary of befriending people in the rpc because of a few instances (one of which was a stalker who did harrass me a bit on my first rendition of aerith, who knew my irl address - and tracked me on multiple blogs in attempts to reach out, even a year+ later). i'm not really interested in getting super close to people like that because of how i've been burned before. you can write with someone, chat with them ooc, but not need to know their blood type and their SS# as well.

if you are one of those blogs that has preferred writing partners - and has them on their pinned post, and has a preferred aerith ... and you follow me - i am likely going to softblock you to break that. you have an aerith you prefer to write with, and that's amazing. i don't really know why you're interested in my portrayal, and i'm flattered, but you have a main that you already do most of your writing and ideas with so i'm not sure where i'd fit into that.

i will not be duplicate friendly. i am not duplicate friendly. i can admire other aerith's - and i do, and i support you, but in my experience following one another is just us ... following one another. and if we do write, it's usually the "one aerith is a clone / sister" and that doesn't really go very far. just maybe two posts, etc. i support you guys, i love you guys, but i don't see us having a writing history. and with the ultimate goal of this blog being finding partners to write with in the long haul, i don't see this happening for us. best of luck to you.

that was a lot to say. but that's it! i'll be around, posting things and haunting your dashes. thank you~

[breitzbachbea]

End of the Year Review

I guess (?) I was tagged by @kitaychan - Thank you!

1. What fandoms did you create for?

Hetalia.

2. How many works did you make this year? Fics (posted on ao3 or tumblr or wherever), edits, gifsets, moodboards, playlists, fanart, vids, meta?

I don't think my historical musings for Hetalia AUs or Scenarios don't count as meta. Apparently I've added 4 new drabbles to the Drabble Collection, finished the last two drabbles for 'Tis but a scratch, published the last chapter and Epilogue of Italian Affairs, a new chapter for Herz auf Beat on Fanfiktion.de and published 7 One Shots (6 on ao3, 1 on tumblr). I've also wrote another TurGre One Shot and another part for The Amulet that are unpublished as of now.

3. What are you most proud of?

Finishing Italian Affairs and Part 4 of The Amulet (The Amulet is not yet published). I've been working on Italian Affairs since 2015 and to have finished it is a sensation that is quite hard to put into words. I've often been afraid I'd never see the day. It's such an achievement. And Part 4 of The Amulet, a story I've been writing and editing since 2017, was another thing I'd fuck up. But it turned out so incredible and gutwrenching that it really reminds me why I write and why I put so much work into it.

4. Any stats you wanna tell us about?

Between Me and the Goddess (and You) has a bibliography of 5 books :) (No but for real, I can't remember how many words I wrote this year or anything else).

5. What inspired you this year? Any specific works or creators?

I feel so bad answering this question because everyone else linked a bunch of people and their fanfictions (and I was among them), but there was only one fanfiction that truly inspired me. The İstanbul series by sadlygrove touched me deeply for personal reasons and it was so formative for how I approached the climax of The Amulet. It really put into words why this relationship is such a tragedy.

Aside from that, my inspirations were the usual - The world, its history and music. Maggie Kilgour's book "From Communion to Cannibalism. An Anatomy of Metaphors of Incorporation" really opened a third eye in terms of how to analyze and speak about my Like Father Like Son Series. Actually - I won't tag this person but you should check them out - it was @/catilinas cannibalism tag (Upon what meat doth this our Caesar feed) that started the entire obsession with cannibalism as both tool for writing and tool for literature analysis. Truly inspiring - and now rereading my stuff is even more interesting, for all the unconscious Incorporation themes I've already included in my works throughout the years.

So yeah, I've used my term paper, which I wrote about the Bath curse tablets, for one drabble and I've read a lot of literature which left its mark on me. As did my trip to Palermo.

However, I do want to thank everyone who read my works this year, because it's still bonkers to me. @needcake (One day I will get around to read more of your stuff and maybe, maybe deliver some more neighbourhood AU), @shithole-state (I know I promised to get back to you on the ancient celts, sometime, my friend, hopefully), @fireandiceland @hetaari @kitaychan @i-declare-the-poland-rule @cunchishai @exi-stencil-ism @chaosintensifies.

I'm probably forgetting someone and I am very sorry for it. But it's so nice to see that people care! I feel almost bad that now I am already turning my back on producing content specifically for the fandom, when everyone welcomed be back in so wonderfully! But it's been great to meet you all and talk to you about certain things, about my writing and see someone else's perspective! If you ever left me a comment, trust me, it was the highlight of my day.

6. What’s a piece you didn’t expect to make? Why?

No Rest For The Wicked, because the the premise for this one was whacky as all hell for my standards (aka it felt super self-indulgent in its character selection) with a paperflimsy plot. But then I felt like going for it anyways, took a gamble ... and hey, other people liked it! And I've had one hell of a blast to write the different character relations in it, I'm very proud of the interactions and the piece actually helped me grow as a writer. (And I got to listen to Shimmy Shimmy by Takagi e Ketra ft. Giusy Ferreri on repeat for hours).

7. What are you excited to work on next year?

I really hope I'll get started on the rewrite of Irish Problems. Priority No. 1 right now is the last chapter of Herz auf Beat, which I also look forward to! As well as Part 5 of The Amulet, which then will also be finished! But man, I've got so many ideas for the rewrite of Irish Problems. I'm so excited to finally tell the story I've wanted to tell for years now. Like Father Like Son has been my life since at least 2014 (I started in 2013), so that's eight years I spent with these kids and their friends (and enemies). I just cannot wait to lay the groundwork for so many more adventures to come, for a complex but fun story with so many more characters. And to talk with people about the rewrite! The blessing of 2021 was that people read my stuff and finally, after years of isolation, I have more than three people with who to talk about my writing! It's quite freeing and thoroughly magical.

Tag some people!

I think everyone and their grandma already got tagged, but hey, if you see this and wanna do it - do it.

[old-hyper-super-clover]

Squeeze that bunny tail!

Part 4

Description: The RAD student council as well as the exchange students help out at a bar where, oops, the staff´s dress codes are those sweet bunny outfits that we all know and thirst for. The MCs, Violet and Clover, play a game of who can touch the most bunny tails over the evening without getting caught. Prepare for fluff, funny innuendos as well as my thirst over hot boys in bunny outfits.

The story is divided in several parts and will be updated every few days. find the other parts in my masterlist.

Story continues below the cut. Have fun!

Finally having stomached the midnight clothing change, the girls had to get back to work, so they kept their strategic meeting short.

However, when they finally stepped outside into the public again...

The demon lord was waiting for them.

Arms crossed, expression serious.

He was staring at them.

"Lord Diavolo...!" Violet pressed out while Clover gave a quiet but terrified "oh no he will actually kill me" as both backed away on instinct.

"May I have a word with you two?" the demon prince asked, however it felt more like a demand. They have never heard him speak in such a serious tone before.

The girls not able to give an answer other than a nod, Diavolo gestured at the staff's office room.

He let them step inside before closing the door... And locking it.

None of them have ever felt like shitting their pants more than in this moment.

"Violet, Clover" He raised his voice.

Clover had called her own death, and had accidentally pulled Violet with her.

"There is an urgent matter that I have to discuss with you two..."

That was it. The end.

Diavolo kept them trembling in a horrible silence for way too long.

"Y-yes...?" Violet somehow managed to say.

He took a heavy breath. The girls swallowed their fear.

Then, he spoke up.

"... Why do you keep squishing everyone's bunny tails? Is it some kind of human tradition? I'm dying to know!"

The girls literally felt like they just died.

"I've observed you for quite a while now, but I can't make out the reason behind it" Diavolo continued. "Please, fill me in...!"

----------------------

It took a while to recover, but in the end, the girls confessed about their game.

"We just look how many of those tails we can squeeze" Clover said.

"It's nothing more than a joke..." Violet mumbled. "I'm sorry to have upset you..."

Diavolo blinked at them.

"Upset?"

"Uhm... Yes..." Violet frowned in regret. "We will stop being childish while working. Again, sorry for-"

"Can I join your game?"

Silence.

"Y... You want to... Squeeze the guys' tails with us?" Clover asked.

And Diavolo's natural smile said it all. So, it seemed like another opponent joined the game at half time...

---------------------------

The three parted quickly after as they were needed in the local, but Clover had an idea on how to keep things organized:

* Clover formed the group chat [Squeeze that bunny tail!] *

Diavolo: Hello!

Violet: ... Are you sure we shouldn't call the group something else...?

Diavolo: I quite like it.

Clover: Thank you, Sir :D

Diavolo: This is the first group chatroom I am in without Barbatos.

Violet: Should we add him?

Diavolo: No. Don't tell him. I am experiencing a new kind of freedom right now. Anyway, I wish you girls the best of luck in our competition!

---------------------

As this story is ridiculously long, let’s do a quick squeeze round!

Violet got very lucky... She caught Luke while the angel had been trying to reach for something in the kitchen shelves. He was still in his first outfit (because even demons do not support children nudity, that's gross), and looked adorable, standing on that stool to be tall enough.

After squeezing his tail, Violet offered her help.

... Only to realise she wasn't tall enough either.

But oh well, luckily, Solomon appeared and was there to grab those tiny cocktail parasols.

Later, Violet also worked with Asmo at the casino area for a while and got herself another point.

As for Clover... She tried.

Tried to squeeze Mammon´s tail a second time, but the greedy boy was also a very bouncy boy.

She also worked with Barbatos for quite a while, but as much as she wanted to go get those juicy two points, she just couldn't.

Something about this pretty man was scaring her... She found out later what it was.

Violet and Clover were serving drinks.

And for two girls without any real waitress-practise whatsoever, they did quite well.

But at one table, it had to happen.

The first broken glass of the evening. Clover had been holding the tray a little too sloppy.

As an ugly scream bubbled up her throat, she already felt the full glass of demonous fall, but was unable to do anything. The shattering of glass echoed through the bar, but what was worse was the growl that the customer pressed out.

Looking down on himself, Clover had perfectly spilled his drink onto the demon.

"You little..." he grunted, standing up and ready to break her neck this instant.

Clover backed away, of course, and felt how Violet had been there immediately to back her up.

"W-we apologize for this accident" Violet pressed out.

The demon seemed to get even more agitated, now raising his hand to hit her.

"Shut up you fucking-"

Then, another silhouette stepped in front of the girls.

Barbatos was gently holding the demon's hand back.

"In the name of the owner, I'd like to offer my deepest apologies as well. In cases like these, the local would like to immediately return the money you have spent this evening, and offers compensation in form of three free drinks of your choice."

Barbatos did a little bow after having finished.

"Screw the money..." The demon hissed. "I wanna tear those humans into miserable pieces. That´ll do as an apology."

Barbatos did not look up.

"... In that case..." the butler continued. "Guests who actively threaten the well-being of our dear staff will be treated according to their own attitude."

He straightened his back, beaming the demon a formal smile. "I will show you the exit. Please, do not think of coming back anytime soon."

Despite being so cocky before, now the customer flinched heavily. Finally, he seemed to follow the butler's orders. He spat on the table in some disrespectful dick move, then left the local.

---------------

Violet and Barbatos helped Clover clean the mess afterwards.

"Thanks for dealing with that guy..." Clover mumbled.

"Oh, there is no need" Barbatos hummed. "If not for me, one of the demon brothers would have come to your aid. And I fear a person like Mammon would not have left the situation without a fight, so I figured it would be best to jump in myself."

The girls gave a small giggle.

"That's true..." Violet mumbled. "But that only makes you even more impressive. It's rare to see a demon so calm."

“Calm?” Barbatos looked up from the broken glass he had been collecting. He seemed genuinely confused for a moment, then his usual smile was back.

"How cute" he chuckled.

"C-cute?!" Violet blinked in surprise.

But Barbatos was already making his leave.

"Ah, don't mind it..." he mused. "The naiveté is what makes you humans so charming."

----------------------------

Clover felt safer sticking to cleaning instead of potentially making another mess, so she was wiping the tables when she heard Diavolo calling out to her.

"Are you busy right now?" he asked.

"Not really, I'm still on cleaning duty but there isn't really much to do right now... Can I help you with anything?"

Taking a careful look around, Diavolo stepped closer, lowering his voice as well. "I am in trouble."

"Uhm..." Clover swallowed her stress. "And why?"

"I lost the master key. The one the owner gave me."

"... The one you need to lock the whole place with? The one that basically gives you control over the whole bar?"

"I see you smell the trouble now."

Clover gave a nod. "I do... Should I help you search?"

Diavolo's expression changed into a smile.

"That's what I wanted to hear! Thank you."

"No problem. Do you have any idea where it might be?"

So Diavolo gave it a thought, concluding that he must have lost it during his break.

"I looked through the bathroom already” he explained. “Which leaves only the kitchen and the staff's room."

Suddenly, a third voice joined the conversation.

"I did not notice anything like a key in the kitchen" Satan said, coming to a stop next to them.

"Oh, Satan, so you have overheard our conversation..." Diavolo crossed his arms.

"Don't worry, I won't spill anything to Lucifer" the blond laughed. "He'd only scold you, wouldn't he?" Then, his gaze fell on Clover. "I can help you search."

----------------

Clover and Satan looked through the whole staff's office.

Luckily no one was there to ask what they were doing, especially since they just couldn't find anything. Satan gave a sigh.

"Nothing... I even looked through Mammon's jacket in case his kleptomania had struck again..."

Meanwhile, Clover was rummaging through one of the desks. Giving a resigned breath as well, she was about to give up when she spotted something shimmering behind the wooden desk.

"I think I found it...!" Clover called out.

Satan came up to her, seeing as well how there was a key stuck in the web of cables behind the office desk.

"Wait, I'll get it."

He tried reaching it from above, but some computer monitors kept getting in the way.

In the end, Satan was crouched down, head under the table as he fiddled with the cables.

"I still can't reach it..." he pressed out under his breath.

Clover grumbled in displease, kneeling down as well. There wasn't enough room for her to help in any way, so all she could do was watch Satan do his thing...

Oh no.

She had THE perfect chance to squish Satan's tail. Due to his position, his booty was right in front of her, and he seemed more than busy to even bother her presence.

Three points, she thought...

Just a little tap, she thought...

Holding her breath, she stretched out a finger and reached for the pompom...

Merely a second later Clover found herself landing on her back, her wrists being pressed against the floor next to her head.

"I'M SORRY I'M SORRY I'M SORRY I'M SORRY."

Satan's body hovered above hers as he held her in a tight grip.

Clover was panicking.

"I'm so sorry - I shouldn't have done that - I'm sorry Satan Sir please don't kill me - I'm an idiot - I'm sorry I'm sorry - I love you sir I'm really sorry I'm-"

"Explain yourself" he interrupted her pleading.

"Hnnngh...” Clover fought actual tears but finally calmed down. "I... Uhm... Violet and I might be playing... A game..."

"Go on" Satan demanded in a sharp voice.

So Clover took a deep breather, speaking terribly fast in her fear.

"It's a competition. We wanted to see who can touch the most bunny tails over the evening, without the people noticing. Look, it's weird, I'm sorry, Violet has some kind of pompom kink and suggested it and I can't say no to people so I joined, also because it's funny, oh also please don't tell Violet I said anything about a kink, she will kill me."

His glistening greenish eyes kept mustering her flushed red face.

"I'm not satisfied yet."

The girl gave another whine.

"Pleeaase... Dearest Satan, Sir..."

"Keep going..."

"Ah...uhm… Oh lord, my man, oh how I plead for thy mercy, oh mighty Satan...! Thy tail was so tempting, I couldn't resist reaching for it...... And also I suck at this game and need points so desperately...! It was just too perfect of a chance, please forgive m..."

She stopped.

He was smirking at her, his grin almost dripping with this sly and cocky attitude.

Clover only now felt how there was something else in-between his left hand and her wrist.

The key.

And she remembered what Violet had texted her earlier today.

"... Did you trick me? The key wasn't actually hard to grab, was it?" she asked. “You knew I would try to touch your tail.”

His smirk widened.

"Why the fascination with bunny tails?" Satan nonchalantly ignored her questions.

"... They're fluffy..." Clover mumbled bashfully. "Just... fun to play with, y'know...?"

The blond tilted his head. "Never played with one."

"... Try it, it's nice."

"Yes, I would like to" he said, enjoying the flustered mess underneath him as she tried to figure out what he was implying. "Right now" he added.

So Clover tried to stand up... But Satan wasn't letting her.

"Uhm... I-I would let you touch mine, b-but... Could I stand up first...?"

"No."

Silence.

Probably the only thing audible was Clover's boiling head as she slowly raised her hips off the ground, constantly being focused by those sly eyes of his.

One of his hands let go of her arm, reaching down while his whole body lowered slightly as well.

Instead of reaching for her back, however, he first placed his hand on her thigh. Through her fishnet stockings, she felt his touch wandering up her leg, only then he'd brush over her side to her back, finally finding the bunny tail in his grip.

"Interesting" he mused, poking and squishing the pompom as he pleased, visibly amused at her embarrassment. "Yes, very-"

They heard the office's door falling shut.

Both, Satan and Clover, stopped in their motion, even in their breathing, as footsteps came closer.

"My jacket... Where did I leave my jacket..."

They were staring at each other first, then at the person casting a shadow on them.

And... well...

Luke stared back.

Stared at the demon bending over the human, the human arching closer to the demon, touching each other in those... those clothes...!

The angel could only press out some dying squeaking noises as his face exploded in an outraged blush. He took a step back, raising an arm as if shielding himself from the evil.

"S... S-s..."

Clover was the first to move again.

"Luke, this is not what-"

"SIMEEOOOOOONN....!"

Aaand Luke ran out of the room in a great whine. Slowly getting over the shock, Clover let out a sigh.

"... He's going to arrange some exorcism for me now, ain't he..." she mumbled.

The demon only gave a chuckle. "Serves you right" he hummed.

"Wha-?! You're the one who start..." her voice gave in immediately after meeting again with this almost sadistic stare.

"S-s-stop... Satan... Since wh-when are y..." Clover stuttered as the demon continued to play with her tail.

He leaned in closer.

"You should know that trying to play pranks on me will always backfire thrice as much..." he purred into her ear.

Then, Satan let go, pulling back and rising onto his feet.

"Well, I think that is enough of a punishment for now. I'll go and bring Lord Diavolo his key."

Clover sat up as well, but her legs were way too wobbly to do any more than that.

She glanced up at him, seeing him wave a goodbye.

"See you around" he hummed, adding a little wink before heading out of the room.

-----------------------

About another hour had passed when Clover and Violet decided to check up in Diavolo again...

Clover: Lord Diavolo, how is the game going?

Diavolo: Good! I have 62 points so far.

Clover: WHAT

Violet: U-uhm... May I ask how you got to have so many...?

Diavolo: I asked Barbatos to let me touch his tail.

Clover: ... For all of the points?

Diavolo: Yes :)

Violet: ...

Diavolo: What is wrong? Is that not a good score?

Clover:

It is... But... We actually had made some rules that we didn't get to explain...

Diavolo: Oh! Which would be? :)

Violet: Uhm... For example, you are not allowed to squeeze the same tail twice in a row, and the target is not supposed to notice you...

Clover: Meaning... If you simply touched Barbatos' tail 31 times in a row with him knowing... You would have... No points yet...

Violet: ...

Clover: ...

Diavolo: :(

----------

Ironic enough, Diavolo had been taking a break in the staff room while texting.

Minutes later, Barbatos came in to bring him something to drink.

"Barbatos! You are not allowed to notice me anymore when I touch your tail. Apparently I did it wrong the whole time!"

"Of course, my lord" the butler answered, the slightest smirk glistening in his eyes.

Diavolo noticed immediately, pointing out how Barbatos looked way more relaxed than usual.

"Oh, do I?" Barbatos tilted his head. "Well, it certainly is a weight off my shoulders to have a crew to rely on. For most parts, at least."

He was heading for the exit already.

"And I am glad to see you are enjoying yourself, my lord" he smiled. "I will have to thank those girls for that..."

----------------------

Violet was working at the bar.

Lucifer had promised her to teach her some cocktail mixing, and there they were.

Turns out she was learning quickly, and the demon soon entrusted her with serving drinks to actual customers. Keeping an eye on her, Lucifer watched as Violet worked, also receiving help from Asmo.

... Which was impressive, by the way, because anyone could sense that Asmo had been sneaking some drinks here and there, and was getting a little... Tipsy.

It showed at one point, though. A customer came up, asking for a drink rather difficult to mix.

"I can do this!" Violet assured her friends and started mixing the juice.

But just as Violet was bending down to put some ice cubes into the drink...

They heard -- and Violet felt -- a slap that was audible even despite the quite loud music playing.

And everyone around them went quiet.

Blinking, Violet straightened her back again, turning to find Asmo behind her.

"Did. You just."

"Slap your ass? Fuck yes I did!"

"Asmo!!"

"Come on, you CAN'T expect me to NOT go for that booty when you're stretching it RIGHT into my FACE."

Lucifer next to them barged in. "But you can't just do th-"

"It was on INSTINCT" Asmo said.

"What do you mean, instinct?!" Violet asked, her face still in a slight blush.

"Oh my godddd, I'm the avatar of LUST, if I see a cute butt I just can't help it!"

"Asmo, that's not okay", Lucifer scolded. "You need to learn to control your sin."

"WHY?! Y'all have your quirks too, why am I not allowed to be myself?! That's so unfair, I always get shouted at! Like, Beel's also snacking our whole storeroom empty but THAT'S fine, huh?!"

Lucifer´s eyes widened. "He's doing WHAT?!"

"And Mammon is stealing money out of the guest's pockets, but NO, let's sue ASMO for giving a booty the appreciation it DESERVES!"

Lucifer looked like he was about to have a stroke. A growl crawled up his throat.

"MAMMOOOOOONNN...!!!"

And he was gone.

Asmo turned to pout somewhere, and Violet was left at the counter, still a little overwhelmed.

The customer slowly raised their hand.

"... Could I... Get my drink now...?"

[strangergrove]

× VOL 001 × 04.19.2020 ×

TUMBLR | @bambixxblue AO3 | moonlight_xx

× these hearts adore (every other beat, the other one beats for) ×

WORD COUNT: 10,569

CHAPTERS: 2/?

My Tumblr prompt fics all in one place. Some pining, some angst, but usually always a damn happy ending.

1. peach, curve of an ear, coffee grounds, veined hands, thunder

2. ways to say 'i love you' - 'i brought you an umbrella.'

The writing in this is so exquisite. It feels like cracking open a favourite book on a rainy Sunday morning, when the rest of the world is still asleep. It's comforting and poetic and incredibly heartwarming.

The first chapter takes us along on a sweet little vacation to California, a last hurrah of sorts, before the kids head off to college. It's sweet and peach-soaked and you can feel the ocean breeze against your skin with every passing word. It's the exact brand of happiness our boys deserve.

The second part is an achingly beautiful redemption for Billy. He learns how to let his wounds heal, learns how to let others in, learns how to trust and love. His initial interactions when he meets Steve are so precious and it shows how complex of a person he is, the softness beneath his concrete shell. I will devour any update to this amazing collection.

× the light of day shows me how ×

WORD COUNT: 39,173

CHAPTERS: 7/7

And from Robin, a single picture: the official cast list.

ROMEO MONTAGUE...BILLY HARGROVE

JULIET “JULIAN” CAPULET...STEVE HARRINGTON

Ah, fuck.

(or, Steve and Billy are in ballet school. They're cast in LGBT+ Romeo and Juliet. Featuring mutual pining, angst to fluff, and an Ancient Slavic demon cult. It gets weird.)

This is such a fun read. The spattering of background into the story really carves out the characters so well, choreographing the story in such a way that you fall into their lives without realizing it. You sit down to watch Steve practice his role for Julian and suddenly find yourself wondering if that small stutter you just saw has anything to do with any number of little details you know of his past. You see Billy storm across the studio floor and know that he’s trying to bury something that keeps resurfacing, but he refuses to let anyone help him.

It’s wonderful watching the way the boys play off of each other, pushing one another to better themselves in both their dance and their personal lives. Watching Steve fumble with his newfound and confusing feelings is sweet, hopeful, just waiting, waiting for it to tip over the edge, for the boys to fall into the space they’ve always belong: by each other’s side.

I’ve never done ballet, only watched it here and there in movies and shows, but I fell in love with this story, the way their dances are described, their movements. So if you’ve never been that into ballet, don’t let that deter you from reading this story. It’s so much more than just ballet.

× friends should sleep in other beds ×

WORD COUNT: 13,517

CHAPTERS: 2/2

It isn’t easy being in love with your best friend.

It especially isn’t easy being in love with your best friend if he’s the practical-Godfather of your university.

(or, 'I won't let anyone hurt you; you're safe with me' prompt fill where Steve thinks his love is one-sided but it absolutely isn't. Feat. loving girlfriends and Hawaiian vacations.)

This story is beyond achingly stunning. It’s all whirlwinds and longing and the white-knuckle deathgrip of trying to hold onto something you’re convinced is going to slip away. The deep, binding relationship between Billy and Steve is beautiful and heartbreaking and hopeful at the same time. Both characters have obvious trenches of emotional trauma they’ve had to trudge through to get where they are, trenches they’re still slowly crawling their ways out of.

The words are so wonderfully crafted that I felt the sway and break of Steve’s emotions at the same time he did. I felt the longing, the sorrow, the sputtering flame of hope that just refuses to gutter and die. I want to say I wanted more of this story, but I don’t know if my heart could have handled it. No, it was the perfect length, detailing the long harrowing journey of love and friendship, of finding family that doesn’t come from blood, of holding desperately onto things that are worth the bruises they leave on your fingers.

TUMBLR | @cameorabbit AO3 | CaffeinatedBunny

× Life Is Sweet ×

WORD COUNT: 8,676

CHAPTERS: 4/4

Snapshots of domestic bliss, between loving boyfriends.

(This story will be marked as complete but I will be adding chapters as the muses come to me or when I need a break from some of my larger wip)

This wonderful little collection offers us a sweet insight into the boys' relationship. We get small glimpses into the boys' pasts that add layers to the stories. We get to see little snippets of Steve's relationship with his mother and grandmother. We get to see Billy's insecurities. 

Each story has it’s own little theme, if you will, from baking Christmas cookies to battling insecurities in their relationship. Each story gives us a little more, brings us a little deeper into these boys’ lives, adds that next layer to them that has you coming back to see how they’ve developed. I'm looking forward to any future additions to this collection.

× When I run out of road (You bring me Home) ×

WORD COUNT: 5,316

CHAPTERS: 1/1

The road back to Hawkins Indiana is long and tedious with neither of them really wanting to reach their destination; so to distract them both Billy has a plan to make it as pleasurable for both of them as he can.

Uffda. This was a fun read. Now, before I dive into the review, just a heads up: this is a PWP with dom/sub. And apologies in advance for my inability to be eloquent about smut.

The dynamic between the two was a joy to read. Steve's mannerisms as a baby and the way Billy handles him as his Daddy was fantastic. It's not heavy dom/sub here, but you can tell they've had this relationship for a while. They're both comfortable in their roles and both know exactly what they're doing, and how to get a rise out of each other. But between the power play and the drops of backstory, there's actually some beautiful writing here, too. There were a few lines that I found myself rereading just because they sounded beautiful.

Also, I just have to say... The way Billy handles his own cock... Why do I love that so much? Just little things, too, like tapping it against the steering wheel while he's teasing Steve.

× I'll Keep you Mine ×

WORD COUNT: 3,926

CHAPTERS: 1/1

Billy's forged a kingdom and took an empty throne, and he'll burn anyone and anything that tries to take it from him.

(My Dudes this whole story is pretty much the Grumpy Possessive one claims the Sunshine One - Literally. And I ain't even mad.)

Here we get a gorgeously written tale that spins the events of the Upside Down in a different light. I don't want to spoil what that is, as it's not explicitly stated in the summary or tags, so you'll have to read to find out! This idea could easily be fleshed out into a much longer piece, but there's also something about just getting a small taste of an idea that is very enjoyable.

There is this persistent sense of danger beneath all the beautiful imagery. It's in the pacing of the story, in the way Billy needs to claim Steve. We get enough of a taste of this otherness to want more, to want to see exactly how everything unfolds.

TUMBLR | @wickedlydevious AO3 | wickedlydevious

× Weak Hands, Weak Lungs, Strong Heart ×

SERIES: Strong Heart

WORD COUNT: 2,771

CHAPTERS: 1/1

After the events at Starcourt Mall, Billy is recovering in the hospital and bored out of his mind. The only bright spots are when Max comes to visit.

And then Steve Harrington starts visiting too and that's even better.

There is a very beautiful light and warmth throughout this story. Billy's character feels so accurate, and the way he deals with being in the hospital and everything that entails is exquisitely portrayed here. What Billy has to deal with in the wake of the Mind Flayer grates against his entire personality, but it forces him to step outside of his comfort zone, outside of himself, and relearn how to interact with people, namely Steve.

The thing I loved most about this story is that we get to see these different facets of Billy, facets that maybe even he didn't really know were there, ones he never allowed himself to show because of his father. Still recovering, still being dependent on other people forces these different aspects of him into the world, and it's beautiful. It creates this very special sort of relationship between Billy and Steve that is just so pure and heart warming. I'll definitely be coming back to this when I need a spark of joy.

× Weak Backbone, Strong Convictions ×

SERIES: Strong Heart

WORD COUNT: 3,212

CHAPTERS: 1/1

After the events at Starcourt Mall, Steve starts bringing Max to visit Billy at the hospital.

And then Steve starts visiting on his own.

The sweetness continues with the second part of the Strong Heart series. The events of the first part are retold, but this time through Steve's POV. I've always loved the idea of telling the same events from different perspectives and this did not disappoint. The events may be the same, but you feel them differently than when they were told through Billy's perspective. Though the tone of the previous installation is ultimately uplifting, it's clear Billy is struggling. This part, however, is overflowing with hope, which only adds to the already beautiful feeling of the last piece. Don't think that because you already know the events that will take place because you read the last part that you shouldn't read this one. It's beautiful and moving and there are moments added that would be a shame to miss out on. I really hope this series continues, because it is wonderfully uplifting, but it stands strong all the same, just as it is.

× T(h)ree Mistakes ×

WORD COUNT: 4,559

CHAPTERS: 1/1

It’s their first Christmas in their own apartment and Steve reluctantly tasks Billy with getting the tree.

Mistakes are made.

This is a great read for the holidays. Billy's tree-getting adventures brought back so many memories of going to the tree farm down the road from our house as a kid and making a day of trying to find a tree that didn't look like trash and wouldn't break the bank. The feel of the story is cozy and sweet, like a warm and sleepy holiday morning. The kids, now teens, make a short but fun appearance that really makes this story feel like it's about found family. 

This story is like coming home, rounding up all of your best friends you haven’t seen in ages, and making a night of the holidays. It’s sipping eggnog, the lights turned down low, and listening to the sweet croon of gentle music somewhere in the house. This story is comfort and happiness and love. Now I want some hot apple cider...

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[magespuddle]

(updated) The Classes comparison while Classpecting (part 1: the general list of traits, Witch, Thief, Knight, Prince, Heir, Sylph)

*this post is a translation of my work on VK. Other translations will be tagged appropriately*

It has been a long time since one particular Mage of Blood has promised to make a comparison post for Classes, but what else to do on a quarantine? So here we are. I am going to compare those roles which cause the most confusion and mistakes during "on the field" Classpecting, since otherwise the post would be enomorous. Thus if you want to know more about differences, not mentioned here, you can send me an ask, so that I add the info you needed.

First of all, I should list all the points of comparison I will be using, so that no one gets confused in the terminology here. But there is an important detail: despite Classes being divided into groups under these points, each of the groups is actually a spectrum of traits for different archetypes. For instance, there is one called "Dependant Classes" (explained further in the post). It contains six Classes, while each of them have a different level of dependance, from the lowest to the highest. It is still comfortable to place them into one group or the other, but we should always remember that subtle traits make Classes uneven despite being under the same label. 

Аlmost all of Classes' traits can be used as branching points for comparison, some of them can be derived from the graph below.

The full list of traits and explanation goes like this:

1. Dependance-Independance — how strong the need in allies is for the Class to perform its function.

2. Activity-Passivity — these terms are quite well-known, but they actually include a vast variety of traits, which are often different for the same Class under the label of "passive" or "active". Therefore, I've cut it into distinctive parts; in the context of our current subject this trait determines whether the Class performs its function directly, is the deliver of the action (active), or indirectly, through other person's hands (passive). For example, the active Prince destroys the Aspect or via Aspect, causing the damage with his own hands, while the passive Bard is more like a catalizator and an initiator for others to break the Aspect.

3. Action-Interaction — can be mistaken with Dependance ones, but these determine whether the Class is occupied with influencing the environment or the people around him accirdingly. Corresponds with A, I and E, S Bartle's types (explained further).

4. Deficiency-Abundance of the Aspect — kind of a vague characteristic, since the topic of Aspect amount in the family system and individually is quite complicated, won't fit into this post for sure... Well, to put Deficiency-Abundance simply, it determines whether the Class is "hungry" for the Aspect and willing to put his hands on it or completely full and willing to share accordingly. 

5. Practice-Theory — practical Classes are more intuitive and prefer to act and improvise over planning first, they are better at working with their Aspect, than understanding how it works; theoretical Classes are the opposite: they absolutely have to understand how the Aspect works, but not necessarily be good at using it. Most practical Classes are Deficiency ones, theoretical - Abundance ones.

6. Basic skillness in the Aspect — I am using the word "basic", because, as I've previously stated, everything exists on a spectrum as well as many things are dynamic and changeable. The skillness in any sphere changes with time, but many people are used to think that, for example, the Knight is skilled in the Aspect, while the Bard isn't, which is not always true, though this point is still needed for the differentiation.

7. Class type — all Classes can be divided into the ones who distort, change the Aspect in any way, affect its shape (the Changing group: the Prince, the Bard, the Knight, the Page, the Witch and the Heir) and the ones who do the opposite with keeping the Aspect as it is, multiplying it, sharing it around (the Saving group: the Maid, the Sylph, the Thief, the Rogue, the Mage and the Seer). To not mistake the Changing type for the shared function of the Witch and the Heir, I will be referring to the latter as Manipulators in this post.

8. System function — can be mistaken with the individual Class function. The system function determines the overall solo effect of the Class on the Aspect balance in the session (system), which is based not so much on the personal skills as on the amount of the Aspect in the system and in the Class we are talking about, on the relationship of the Class with his Aspect. System function goes like this:

Classes that increase the Aspect greatly: Creating Classes (the Maid and the Sylph), the Page

Classes that increase the Aspect slightly: the Muse (only if we are talking about solo impact!), the Heir, the Seer, the Knight

Classes that decrease the Aspect slightly: the Lord (solo), the Mage, the Witch (changing the part of the Aspect limits the ways it can express itself), the Rogue (via dispersing it around)

Classes that decrease the Aspect greatly: Destroying Classes (the Bard and the Prince), the Thief (via concentrating it on himself)

I need to mention that despite me writing about Muses and Lords here, people in average circumstances do not take up these roles and are not born with them as titles. It is a whole another topic, too big for this post anyway.

9. Egoism (labelled egocentrism on the graph) — how much the Class prioritizes his own well-being over other people's ones. Does not always correlate with the over-the-top self-esteem.

10. The Bartle's player type — the Bartle's Classification describes four types of game players based on their relationship with other players and gaming environment. For the Classes these types are used in pairs for each Class, primary type and secondary. I won't be giving the in-depth explanation of each type, since they can be found online, only the combos for the Classes as following:

Strategists (S): SS (the Muse), SE (the Bard), SI (the Sylph), SA (the Seer)

Effectors (E): ES (the Prince), EI (the Maid), EA (the Knight)

Innovators (I): IS (the Mage), IE (the Rogue), IA (the Page)

Aces (A): AS (the Witch), AE (the Thief), AI (the Heir), АА (the Lord)

11. Overall weight of the Aspect — a number, signifying the sum of the Aspect already on Class'es hands and the Aspect he can get his hands on potentially. It describes "the weight" of Classes and the shift of the balance in Aspect pairs among inversion pairs, which in its turn influences the subjective heavyness of the role as well as the final Master Class of the person. In addition, this plays a role in the collections of roles one posesses in their Classpect profile as there are distinct formulas for the Classes' combos within related Aspects (topic for another day, though). For the inversion pairs the numbers are:

2:0 = Prince:Sylph, Bard:Maid, Mage:Heir

1:1 = Witch:Seer, Knight:Rogue, Thief:Page

12. Class category — the good-old function pairs (Relocators, Destroyers, Creators, etc.).

13. Relationship with the Aspect — some Classes coexist happily with the Aspect and it likes them back (harmonious Classes), while others don't like it that much and it returns the favor (disharmonious ones). If we make a spectrum of harmony, it would go like this:

Harmony <- +3 (Maids and Sylphs), +2 (Knights and Thieves), +1 (Heirs ans Seers); Muse

Disharmony -> -1 (Mages and Witches), -2 (Rogues and Pages), -3 (Bards and Princes); Lord

14. Inversion — some roles are impossible to differentiate without looking at their inverses. The inverse of the role is created by taking the opposite by function Class to the one you are starting with and another Aspect paired with the starting one to combine them into an inverse role. For example: the Prince of Void, the opposite Class would be Sylph and the Aspect - Light; this gives us an inversion of the Sylph of Light.

Inversion pairs for the Classes: Maid-Bard, Thief-Page, Mage-Heir, Witch-Seer, Knight-Rogue, Prince-Sylph; Muse and Lord are more analogous, than inverted.

!UPDATE STARTS!

15. Aspect source — this has stuff to do with the family system, inheritance, Activity/Passivity, but to put it simply: it is where the Class finds the Aspect to perform its function on/with. The Aspect may come from the family system of the individual (Internal) or from the people around them (External). The divide goes like this:

Internal source: Sylph, Seer, Bard, Page, Knight, Heir

External source: Maid, Mage, Prince, Thief, Rogue, Mage

!UPDATE ENDS!

So finally let's dive in the comparisons themselves. *You have no idea, how painful it is for me to rewrite the whole post after the device shut down without saving my almost done project. Anyway…* I will be highlighting only the key differences since some Classes are so far apart, that is is too hard to mix them up. 

1. Thief-Witch-Heir

Shared: all Classes are Independant, Action-oriented, Deficient, they posess the qualities of the Ace. The Heir and the Witch get mixed beacuse of thw difficulties in defining Activity, the Thief and the Heir — because of the Hunger for the Aspect, the Witch and the Thief — because of the Egoism.

Different: contrary to the Thief and the Witch, the Heir is a more Independant, Egoistic Passive Class, that Slightly increases the Aspect. What is more, he has lesser Overall weight, because the Heir doesn't attract the Aspect as much as the Thief and the Witch is more Abundant. In addition, this Class posesses the qualities of the Innovator. Unlike the Strategist Witch, the Heir is Harmonious with his own Aspect and Disharmonious with the inverted one. Apart from the Thief, there is no "hardest, fastest, strongest of them all" logic for Heirs in the Aspect. Not to mention, that overall the Heir is softer to the people around. He is just minding his own thing, without meddling with others.

Contrary to the Witch, the Thief is a more Basically skilled, Saving type Relocation Class, that Greatly decreases the Aspect. He is Harmonious with his own Aspect and Disharmonious with the inverted one (but usually nonetheless he is positive towards both), posesses the qualities of the Effector. In addition, the Witch is quite unpredictable and tries to bend the Aspect to her rules when she finds something she doesn't like.

Unlike the both Heir and Witch, the Thief has a remarkable Hunger for the Aspect, is impulsive. While the first two feel and behave as part of the group and care for others (the Heir is overall friendly, the Witch has a soft spot for a close circle of friends), the last one is self-centered and drops the team as soon as there is nothing for him to get. What is more, the Relocation takes the full transporting of the Aspect from one object/place to another, while the Manipulation needs at least one object and the Aspect isn't erased completely.

2. Thief-Knight-Sylph

Shared: all Classes are highly Basically skilled and Harmonious with their own Aspect. They get mixed up because of the perfectionism, that stems from different reasons for each Class.

Different: contrary to the Thief and the Sylph, the Knight is a Changing type Yielding Class. He is less Egoistic and his Overall weight is smaller, because of the lack of the Aspect attraction. His perfectionism is the result of the low self-confidence and high demands and standards he has set himself. The Knight is very good in the Aspect, not for the glory of being known as "the best", but to justify this in his own eyes. Therefore, he is not bragging about his achievements, quite the opposite — he is constantly loathing his excellent job, thinking of it as something hideous and "not good enough". Though likely you won't hear this from the Knight, since keeping his facade of competence is very important to him. In addition, they usually care specifically for the close circle of friends and do not play saviours with the random people just for the sake of it. Unlike the Thief, the Knight is more Disharmonious with the inverted Aspect, because the Rogues are not as compliant with their element as the Pages.

Contrary to the Knight, the Sylph is a Passive, Interaction-oriented, Abundant, Strategist-Innovator Creator Class. His system function is Greatly increasing the Aspect. He is waaaaaaay more Disharmonious with the inverted Aspect, while in the own Aspect the Sylph is not as much a perfectionist as an appreciation seeker. Thus the Sylph is going to meddle even with the unfamiliar people and show off his skills so that everyone would know how useful and precious he is. Alas, once the appreciation has been got, the mastering of the Aspect skills is no longer a goal for the Sylph. What for, anyway? Usually Sylphs are absolutely confident in their competence and they are not afraid to rub it in your face.

Unlike the Sylph, the Thief is a more Independant, Action-oriented, Deficient, Active Relocation Ace-Effector Class, that Greatly decreases the Aspect. He is less Disharmonious with his inverted Aspect and is more objective while bragging about his own Aspect achievements. The level of skillness is less valuable to the Thief than the quantity of the Aspect on hand. It is kind of like "the bigger — the better" logic. And as has been stated above, he is not as altruistic.

3. Witch-Knight-Prince

Shared: all Classes are Active, Deficient, Changing type. The Knight is here, because Witches and realized Princes often get Classpected as such (but only developed and realized Princes: Classpecting a decompensated Prince as a Knight is, well… not very well; you'll understand why).

Different: contrary to the Witch and the Prince, the Knight is more Basically skilled in the Aspect and the least Egoistic from the three. He is Slightly increasing the Aspect and is Harmonious in his own one, though more Deficient, while Disharmonious with the inverted one. What is more, unlike the Prince, this Class posesses the qualities of the Ace. Apart from the Witch, the Knight is usually more "noble", lawful and disciplined, while the latter is rebellious and flexible.

Compared to the Witch, the Prince is a more Egoistic, Dependant, Interaction-oriented, less Basically skilled Destroyer Class, that Greatly decreases the Aspect. He posesses the qualities of the Effector. While the Witch is prone to drop her playthings half the way to the goal and move onto another stuff, the Prince finishes the job due to the Sylph inverse. Unlike the Knight and the Witch, the Prince influences broad masses of people and doesn't limit himself with a tiny circle of friends. He is very Disharmonious with his own Aspect, sometimes even hateful towards it.

Contrary to the Knight and the Prince, the Witch is a more Independant, average in Basic skillness and Egoism Manipulator Class. Both the Prince and the Knight have a lower self-esteem and a higher perfectionism, than her, but the first one overcompensates with Egocentrism and the second one is convinced he is a loser in his Aspect despite all the evidence of the opposite. All in all, bragging and manipulating are more prominent in Princes and Witches.

4. Witch-Sylph

Shared: both Classes are average in Egoism, posess the qualities of the Strategists.

Different: the main problem comes from the difficulty of understanding the Creation and the Manipulation functions. The only difference is that the Witch needs to have access to the source of the Aspect to both make it stronger or weaker, while the Sylph can get the Aspect seemingly from the thin air, but afterwards can't put it away. In addition to that, unlike the Sylph, the Witch is a more Independant, Action-oriented, Changing type, Deficient Active Class and is more likely to leave her "toys", while the Sylph sticks like glue, is an Interaction-oriented, Saving type, Abundant, filled to the brim with the Aspect, Passive Class. The Witch has a lower Basic skillness, but just because it is measured among other Practical Classes, while the Sylph is a highly Basically skilled Theoretic. The system function of the first one is Slightly decreasing the Aspect and is more interested in mastering her skills (qualities of the Ace), has a higher self-esteem, whether the second one Greatly increases it and seeks social appreciation (qualities of the Strategist), has a lower self-esteem that is overcompensated to the size of arrogance. What is also important, the Witch is Disharmonious with the own Aspect and Harmonious with the inverted one, while the Sylph loves his own Aspect and hates the inverted one.

Part 2