#me every year at the matsuri

[ackerfics]

to the girls who are failed by the narrative: masterlist | jjk

enclosed here are stories of tragedy; of loving someone too much that his loss becomes your ruination, of waves of blue and black that threatens to wash your cheeks with the colors of summer, of curses trapping you in prophecies not even a red string can break, of unlikely saviours and damsels who fell harder for each other.

note: all of these are connected. every character has their own 'reader' (except for yuta). once we move on to the next character, the previous reader will be given a nickname. i am actually excited about this <5 consider this as my official comeback (?) here on this site.

my love is mine all mine — zen'in toji (later fushiguro) x reader

: 'the glorified womb', 'the heir bearer', 'the blessed flower of the jujutsu society' — they are just some of the titles given to the women of your mother's clan, and all of them eventually fell to you, the prodigal firstborn who has the misfortune of birthing someone who will be stronger than their predecessors. with the fate of someone's clan on your shoulders, there are only a handful of things told to you while growing up; be as demure as you can be, never open your mouth and squash your thoughts, sit with a posture befitting that of a lady wearing an invisible yet heavy diadem. but the one that rings the most goes like this: your only purpose in this world is to be a silent wife to a man who will give you the opportunity to carry the next generation of powerful sorcerers. you remember all of these as you walk toward zen'in ogi in your uchikake, the constricting material around your waist akin to the gripping hold of your cursed technique.

and in fate's funny little ways of fabricating legacies and stories, you forget them when you are spirited away by the man who always welcomes the coming of the seasons with you without fail.

chapters:

i: their redness talks to my wounds

ii: in our circle of green

iii: the answer will be an echo: why did you do this?

iv: coming soon !!

v: coming soon !!

to love and be loved is to rest  — gojo satoru (w. geto suguru) x reader

: you knew you will never love gojo satoru, the godling that will make kingdom come if he so wished it, the moment he pushed you into a puddle of muddy water the day your older sister was announced to be engaged to the possible heir of the zen'in clan. with your new kimono drenched in brown splatters and your hair in disarray, the little white rat had the gall to cackle in front of majority of the jujutsu society. that was the day you vowed to always harbour hate for him. yet for some weird reason, gojo becomes a constant in your life — the only one to ever see you at your weakest when your sister abandoned you to become the next bride and the only one who promised to return your youth to you by being your semblance of normalcy among the decaying beliefs and elders of the jujutsu society.

you thought you will never know love until you met geto suguru and all his gentle smiles, warm demeanour, and weird fringe. and before you know it, your little world with gojo expanded to include geto, ieiri, and the colours of summer throughout the year. but summer will always fade away to autumn, a season that chills you to the bone and sets glaciers in your blood, its fingers promising change like no other.

because it was fall of 2007 that you wish you never knew what love is at all.

chapters: coming soon !!

except for your eyes, no blade can control me  — fushiguro megumi x reader

: coming soon !!

[bonus] hearts be burned asunder with love — okkotsu yuta x oc

: it's a new generation of sorcerers and the flower of the jujutsu society truly lived up to her fate of carrying new heirs for a dying clan. from her union with the nefarious sorcerer killer comes a blessing and a festival; a shepherd of umbras in the shape of animal curses and the other an amalgamation of opposing energies.

the moment fushiguro matsuri first sung her pleas to the world, the shadows danced and the flowers tried reaching for a speck of light. and it is when she was finally swallowed by the mass of shadows that her twin brother first saw how cruel their part of the world can be.

it's november 2017 and a cursed womb has been spotted hanging like an ominous raindrop of cynicism above a remote forest near a clan compound. all sorcerers near the area are dispatched to the scene but fushiguro megumi has one request to his mentor (begrudging uncle), bring the first-year jujutsu high student he met a few months ago to where the cursed womb is. after all, okkotsu yuta is the only sorcerer megumi openly respects to save his sister and matsuri is the only person everyone expects to neutralize the queen of curses if the time comes for the sword to reap its harvest.

: coming soon !!

send an ask or reply if you want to be added to the taglist <3

[dark-night-hero]

「Thru these tears」 Getou Suguru

↳ In which In the end, you're gonna be alright. But it might take a hundred sleepless nights to make memories of him disappear but right now, you can't see nothing through these tears.

It was one of those days, rare days where he was not by that annoying Gojo Satoru's side. Probably has something to do with him and his love aka your best friend currently walking side by side in front of the two of you and Geto. Nevertheless you could only sigh and roll your eyes, trying not to pay attention to the guy right beside you, looking equally bored as you as you mindlessly follow the leading pair.

"Hey. Wanna stray away from them?" "And leave my bestfriend with that guy?" "Well I can't see why not, they're enjoying." He shrugs acting like the four of you were adults in this Gion Matsuri festival when you were just a bunch of 15 year old teenagers sent on a joint mission with the Tokyo branch to survey the ongoing festival. A mission in which your best friend with his fiance made as their date, catching up with each other as if they have not seen each other for a very long time in which you really doubt.

"Come on, let them be." "But-" "I saw some interesting stalls back there, wanna check them with me?" "..." Looking back and forth between your friend looking safe and side right beside Gojo and his guy right beside you, you sigh. Putting your full attention to him, "What's your name?" You did not fail to notice the way he seems to be taken a back by your question. "Geto, Geto Suguru." "So it's you." "You've heard about me?" "About you and Gojo Satoru over there actually. I'm (Lastname)(First name). It's a pleasure to meet you." You introduce yourself, holding up a hand for a handshake. "I've heard a lot of stories about you too, actually." He replied, taking your hand as the two of you shook hands before letting go, walking on the opposite direction of where the other two was heading. "I hope it's a good news not a bad news." "I could say the same thing about me and Satoru..."

That night was nothing new. The mission came to an end that same night as there was no suspicious person nor special grade curses lurking that night like the report says. Probably because you and your friend have already taken care of things right before the actual joint mission due to your friend wanting to spend more time with Gojo. Looking back of it now, all the stress of that was now gone as you end up experiencing a different thing from what you expected off which is third wheeling from your friend and their fiancee.

"I had fun." You mumble under your breath as the two of you, you and Geto-san is currently waiting at the meet up spot the four of you have agreed to meet upon. Glancing at the man beside you who was quiet, one phone in hand, the other on his pocket. You ended up looking as soon as he glance back at your direction, earning a chuckle. "I had fun today." "Me too." "Though it's quite a shame since there was no curse in sight like the report says" "Ehem. I wonder about what too." "You do?" Once again he looked at you and your eyes end up meeting. Though this time, you end up rolling your eyes at him because he was looking at you like he knows very well why there was no curse in sight. "They're here." You spoke, spotting the couple from distance when you felt a tap on your shoulder. "What's the matter Geto-san?" You asked, looking at him only to find him... quite flustered? "If it's okay with you, can I have your number?"

Your head was throbbing and damn you do not know if it was because of the memories or has something to do with the bandages on your head. It hurts every step you take. Nevertheless that did not stop you from going where you want to go. With a bandage all over your head, dry throat and bleeding hand due to the harsh removal of the IV drop. You navigate your way to see the man you really needed to see right now. Gojo fucking Satoru. The man that could only answer your questions right now, the only one you would listen to right now.

And there after knowing for what is like forever to you walking down this hallway of who knows where. You spotted him, heads down as he dumped into you and damn, never have you ever seen him looking so damn pissed off right now, almost scaring you but you did not dare backdown. "Look where you're goi- oh. It's you." And now by the tone of his voice, the way he was looking at you. He looks more pissed than before yet you did not miss the way those blue iris of his looks at you in embarrassment and pity. Why?

Why do they kept looking at you like that? All while avoiding where in the fucking hell is Suguru was? Despite your throbbing head, you took a hold of Gojo that was about to walk away from you. "Where is Suguru?" You asked, gripping on his wirst. But he did not answer, nor he tried to pull away from your hold. He just stood there, unable to look at you in the face as he if was contemplating to even talk about it. And you are having none of it. "Gojo Satoru. Where is Suguru?" "... know." "What?" "I said I don't know!" With his sudden outburst, you were taken a back, a sudden force between the two of you caused you to let go of him and almost hitting the wall beside if it was not for the person who grabbed you and pull you towards them.

"Satoru!" It was the sound of your best friend, though it was quite different from the last time you have heard of it. "You knew better than to lash out at them!" "Well I'm sorry! They just kept on pissing me off-fuck!" You have never seem him like that. The way the Gojo Saturu looking all distress and angry at the same time. You have never seem him like that causing a bad feeling on your chest. It made you unconsciously cling into your bestfriend's arms that was warped around you giving you some sort of comfort. "Suguru..." You utter your lover's name, looking up to your friend for some sort of answer. "Where is Suguru?"

But just like any other, your friend looked away from you. And if felt like something broke inside you. "Why are you looking away?" Your head is throbbing like shit. "Why can't you- anyone answer me?" Your eyes were bloodshot. "Why won't you say a damn thing?!-" "Because we don't know where he went!" "Do you think that's making any sense-?" You could not helo but to pause for a moment as your head throbbed painfully, awfully painful as some memories came into mind. "Come to think of it..." You look at Gojo, "You're supposed to be dead aren't you? Didn't Toji-? That bastard from zenin clan killed you? Why are you here? How come you're alive?? Also- right, He went after Suguru right? Where is he-?" "That was three years ago, (First name)." What?

"You've been in coma for three years." Your friend explained as gently as they could. "And well... So much have changed all those years ago, (First name)." Your friend then looks away from you and turn to look at Gojo, all you did was to follow your friend's gaze as Gojo looks at them before turning his back at the two of you as if he already leave the explanation in the hands of your friend. And they did, all those things that happened the moment you were in coma, the fall out of the two strongest, the way they started walking into different path. Your condition over the past few years which seems to put more toll not only to your friend but also for your lover. The death of their kohai and lastly. "Last night, it was reported that Geto Suguru killed... murdered 112 villigers and is now a fugitive, someone who is to be kill on sight."

You felt like your entire world was falling apart. It felt like someone ripped ot your lungs from your chest, you could not breathe. Your head could not stop throbbing, it feels like someone kept bashing a hammer in it over and over again. And yet all the words your friend have said was clear. It was so damn clear. "Geto Suguru is now considered as a curse user." Your ears were ringing. You could not help but to gasp, holding on into your head as you curl up forward if it was not for your friend holding you in their arms but you cannot feel it. It hurts. Why? Why why why why why? Why would he do something like that? Why? Just fucking why? Holding on into every bit of sanity you have, you gripped in the arms of your friend and was about to say something when everything went black.

"I know it was out of the blue but I think I like you a lot." Just like he said, it was out of the blue. Very random in the middle of the way you are having right not. Not so far away from you two was the couple who seems to have been spending every bit of time in their life right now. Something you would never understand, yet to understand. Not until the following years. "Quit being silly, Geto-san." You chuckle. Nudging him by his side. It was such a peaceful day, it was also the last day of the joint exercise from both schools. Meaning you would not be meeting again for the mean time.

As soon as you said that, he stopped walking, looking all serious causing your smile to fade away as you too stop walking. "Are you serious?" You asked, dumbfounded. Ever since the joint mission between the four of you, you and Geto have been in contact which each other taking about trivial matters, often talking over the phone with some random stuffs, mostly talking about Gojo and your best friend. Laughing over some matter and openly flirting with each other, something you thought was platonic did really end up having a meaning behind it after denying everything to your bestfriend.

"I like you..." He stated, a meter away from you. "A lot." He added, those black iris of his seems to be searching something from your (eye color) ones. With out mouth opening and closing. "More than Gojo Satoru?" "What?" "What?" Looking dumbfounded at each other, you could not help but to let out a laugh in which he too follows. "What kind of question is that?" He chuckle. "Of course I like you more than Satoru. He's my best friend but you are something else." "That's surprising." You did it again, eyes wide open as you hold up a hand to your lips, ruining the mood but he still laughs at it. "So if it's okay with you, would you like to go out with me?"

"Yeah, sure. Let's date." You replied. And for a moment, as the sunset within the horizon. It's golden like sunlight illuminate his face, causing your eyes to widen as a genuine, by far the happiness smile makes its way on his lips, brushing back his black hair that was still growing like he said he had plan to keep his hair long. He smiles at you and hold up a hand. "I'll make sure you won't regret that." "We'll see about that, Geto-san." You smile back at him, taking his hand. "Call me Suguru." "When I get used to it." "(First name)." It was the first time he called you by your name as it has always been your surname.

You blink, then you look away from him as you felt your cheeks burning. Nevertheless as the two of you continue to walk hand in hand within the same path your bestfriend and their fiance that now seems to have vanished from your sigh was going through, it was peaceful.

"So this is where you've been." You did not look at your friend, who have come by your side as you focused on the cigarette in your hand, right beside you was a countless bottle of beer. You were hoping to get drunk. A few years ago you would not even dare of doing such thing, you were still underage after all and yet here you are. In a blink of an eye you are adult now, very well drinking wishing the next day would never come. There was nothing to look forward into anyway.

Instead of replying to your friend, you just puff out a cloud of smoke before trashing your cigarette on the ground. Reaching out for another on inside the pack only to realize it is now empty. "Fuck." You curse, reaching out for another bottle of beer only to realize there was nothing left but empty bottles for you to throw away. "Fuck." This time you sound even more annoyed than you already are. Bloodshot eyes, dark circles under your eyes, messy hair, clothes you barely manage to put on. "(First name), let's go home."

"I don't understand." You states, brushing your friend suggestion off. "It was just like yesterday... Everything was so fine, we were still students, going on into missions once in while... and now we're adults." "(First name)..." "Everything was fine damn it. I have you, I have Suguru and a huge bright future a head of us. What happened?" "... So much happened..." Your friend replied and you shake your head. "I know that already... I know that already... But for me it was just like yesterday where everything was fine and now..."

Looking around in the same spot where you and Suguru used to go to alot. Hoping, wishing to at least see him in here. But he's not, nor does he ever show any signs of showing up right in front of you, something he had given the chance to Gojo and Shoko.

"Everyone was expecting me to just shrug it off." You chuckle. "They're expecting me to not give a damn about it and trust me, I'm trying." You look down at your shaking hands as your vision starts to get blurry. "But the more I am left off with myself, I kept thinking, why? Why would he do such a thing? I know Suguru, I know he would never do such a thing unless there was a reason behind it." It was just an endless unanswered thoughts of whys. "Why... why would he leave me all alone?" This time, you look at your friend who ended up pulling you in their arms, whispering endless apologies. It was none of their fault anyways.

"It's going to be okay? Alright?" Your best friend caresses your back. "It will be tough, but I'll get you through this- we'll help you through this- okay?" "No... No... You don't understand it. Suguru is the only one I have... Without him... I can't... I just can't." You smile despite the tears rolling down your cheeks. "I don't understand... How did we come into this?" You were late, years too late.

"Stop." "Stop what?" He smiles as you shove your hands on his face. "Stop staring at me like that, I'm embarrassed." "You look like you were enjoying it tho." As you glare at him, you hears a gagging noise right in front of you causing you to roll your eyes at the white haired guy currently playing with the star plasma vessel within the shore. "Don't be like that Satoru, we didn't say a thing whenever you and your fiance kept sucking each other's face right in front of us."

Loving Geto Suguru was fun, a one of a kind love you would never trade for something else. It was the kind of love you never thought you were looking for. He was kind, caring, spoiling you every now and then, and even despite being in the same case of being a special grade sorcerer, he knows how to make you feel protected. With Suguru by your side, you felt sheltered and protected, almost away from the complicated jujutsu world that you live in. Suguru was home.

"Maybe we should go on a trip." "Hmm? All of a sudden? We're still in the middle of this mission you know." You replied to your lover of two years before looking at the still messing around Gojo and Riko within the shore. "Isn't he overworking himself? His infinity is still on." "I know, I was just about to talk to him about it." Suguru sigh causing you to give him a gentle pat in the back. "He has you and me here, there is nothing he should over work himself for. It's quite a shame my bestfriend is currently assigned overseas right now." Strange timing to be honest. "So about that trip you are talking about, what about it?" "Nothing, just you and me on a beach. What do you think? Right after this mission." He asked and of course, with the brightest smile on your face, you agreed.

"Should I cut my hair soon?" As you were about to stand up underneath the huge parasol shielding you and your lover away from the sun, you look back at him, topless and grabbing the end of his hair. "Should you? I think you look good in long hair." "It's quite annoying to maintain it." He huff causing you to laugh and flick his forehead before making your way into the shore where the two troublemakers where still playing at but not before looking back at Suguru before saying, "Hair holds memories you know, it's been two years since your last haircut, but if you do find it annoying. I'll go to the barbers with you."

You cannot sleep. More like you refuse to sleep. You are tired, constantly being sent into missions. Just drowning yourself into endless mission so you would not be having that much time to think about stuffs, to think about him but in the very end he still appears in your dream with memories you long to forget. So here you are, standing still wearing baggy clothes, your feet bringing you into the only place you find some sort of comfort with.

Usually you would stay there for a moment, at least when you finish a pack of cigarette you manage to buy from the nearest convenient store where you have left your car parked when you happened to come across a very familiar looking back. Though the hair that used to be shoulder length tied up in a bun was now let loose, it was not that long, but sure long enough to make you realize it had grown a little long just like how times have passed by while you were in a coma.

"Suguru." His name flowed out of your mouth before you knew it, a name you have not called for so long yet still vivid in your mind. It feels like everything just happened yesterday. And the man upon hearing his name, you saw him flinch, you did not miss the way he does as you took a step towards him but eventually stops. He did not look back nor he did not reply. He just stood there, a couple of steps right in front of you, looking forward into the city light as the two of you would often state at.

"Suguru." Once again you called out his name, this time, sounding a little, perhaps a bit desperate. "Suguru please talk to me." "You aren't supposed to be in here, (First name)." It made you flinch, not because of his words, but by the tone of his voice you are not familiar with. It sounds the same, but you knew it is not the same. "You knew better than to go in here and not expecting to meet me in the process." "That's true... maybe I was ho... I just couldn't go to sleep tonight." "What was that?" There was no reply.

This was not the scene you were expecting when you see him again. Not when the two of you looked quite tired, although his back was turned into you, you could see it by his posture. He was tired. And as much as you want to pull that man into your arms and tell him it was going to be alright. Something side was telling you that this person right in front of you was not the same guy you used to love, that this person right in front of you is someone who is now considered to be one of the most dangerous person within the world or sorcery and curses. But he was still the person you used to love, still love.

As you stand there on your guard, he turn around, causing you to unconsciously took a step back and for a moment, just for a moment you asked yourself if it was the right thing to do as you saw a glint of sadness within those black iris before it vanished like it was never there. "Let's not see each other again, (First name)."

You hate it. You fucking hate him. He was the one who left you with saying a thing, not even a note. So why does he sound like he would never see you again? Why does he sound so fucking sad and hurt when he said that was if he was tying to convince himself when he said that? Glaring at him as he casually walked passed you. You felt your eyes sting as you quickly turn around. "So this is it? Not even hi, hello, goodbye. Just straight up let's not see each other again? Really? Suguru?"

He did not turn around nor did he reply was he just kept walking away from you with in a very calm phase, as if it was intentional, as if he was really showing off the fact that he was walking away from you. "Suguru." He did not stop. "Suguru." This time you sound like you were commanding him. "Suguru." And this time was desperate. "Are you really going to walk away without even explaining yourself to me?" Fuck, fuck these fucking tears that makes your vision all blurry, making you wipe away the tears on your face. Then he spoke, "Nanako and Mimiko often wake up at night, I need to go."

You knew those names from report, the two girls that was causing trouble in that very same village that was murdered by this man right in front of you. You have always thought the two were killed alongside the villagers. And thinking about it now. You could not help but to chuckle despite the tears that was rolling down your cheeks this whole time. It make sense, at the same time it does not make anysense to you why he could easily abandon you over them. Because if he ask you to come with him, you would. You would fucking go with him.

You want to scream, you want to laugh, you want to cry as if you are not already doing that. You felt like you were going inside as you tried to blink away the tears in your eyes. You want to see him, you want to imprint this memory in mind while you can, this memory of him walking away from you in mind as you said your last final words to him. "Walk away and we're done, Geto Suguru." You were so confident when you stated that, so confident that he would, in fact walk away from you and in that, you would finally be able to leave everything about him behind as you finally know the reason why he did such thing.

Except he did not. As soon as you said that, you watch him halt. What the heck? "I said walk away and we're done, Suguru." You look at his back like he was insane as he stay in place. "I said walk away and we're done! What are you doing?!" You are mad, you are starting to go mad. "Are you fucking kidding me?! Are you trying to screw over my feelings? Huh!? Answer me Geto Suguru!" Funny how he chooses them, how he chooses his new ideals over you and when you are finally letting him call it quits. He just could not.

"Fuck!" You screamed, wanting to pull your hair out of frustration and madness as you continue to glare at that back of his. But you knew very well why. He just loved you so much, so much that your accident left a huge scar over him. A guilt of not being there by your side when you almost died. Geto Suguru might have chosen this path but he just could not let you go. And you knew that, you knew that. Those stares you were feeling whenever you went out to finish some dangerous missions. Those anonymous help you kept receiving during critical situations. Just as much as you could not let him go, he could not let you go too. And you hate him for that. You fucking hate him for that.

As tears roll down your cheeks, as painful sobs escape your lips. "I hate you." You sob. "I fucking hate you, Suguru." You knew that he loves you despite of everything. So why does it hurts? "I hate that I love you so fucking much." You do not want to love him anymore. For the sake of both parties, one must step away of you are both doomed. "Goodbye, Suguru."

You hate that at the very end of the way, it was you who decided to walk away. Walking passed his figure, purposely bumping into his shoulder in a very gentle manner. You did not look back, you do not want to look back. For only doing so would make you waiver. Walking back into your car, you started it and never look back, driving away from that place and never to come back. But half way through the drive. You stopped, hitting the breaks before pulling it to the side of the road.

It was clear to you what you both had and who the two of you before and now. But right now, as you curl up in your seat, one hand covering your mouth as you try to cover up your ugly sobs, the other clenching on your chest when your phone rings. But you did not play attention to it because aside from the undescribeable pain you are feeling right now, you cannot see anything else thru these tears. Why does to be in the very end, had to be you who walks away with so much memories between the two of you.

[ⓒdark-night-hero] 2024°

: Might or may not make a part two in Geto's POV cuz why not but also might not because this might end up as a ff book series if I had more time in the future. Inspired by Thru these tears by Lany.

[feyspeaker]

Hi! I made an account just so I could follow your work. Your art is brilliant and honestly and inspiration to where I want to be. I’m an older artist who has all the anxiety when it comes to improving my process. I’m trying to get into digital portraits and I have so many ideas in my head, but it’s frustrating because I’m not where I want to be to make this happen. What are some tricks that help you/software do you use? Of course, you don’t have to share anything that makes you uncomfortable. I currently have procreate and an iPad, but I feel a little lost. Wondering if I need a different writing tablet and photoshop. Not sure. I just eventually want to find that 3D, but also artistic look you are able to achieve.

hey there! thank you so much!!

ultimately, I will sound like a broken record but I always recommend you sign up for local figure drawing or painting classes. have people pose for you at home and sketch with charcoal and paper. go to the zoo and sit down in front on an exhibit for an hour and try to draw the animals in front of you as fast as you can and fill a couple of pages, move on to a new exhibit and do it again!

nothing is more powerful of a tool to learn than whatever writing utensil you have in your purse and the back of a napkin when you see something you'd like to capture. I've spent quite frankly my entire rememberable life doing this. I used to spend every single day in middle school/high school/my brief failed stint in community college with a pack of cheap sharpies and a beat up binder full of old worksheets and homework to draw on the backs of.

drawing/painting from life will teach you better than anything.

I use a very outdated version of Photoshop, and only got a "nice" tablet in the past 7 months.

Also, a huge tip to you and anyone else reading this: do NOT get too focused on a "style" that you want. Obsessing over that just ruined me for years and years. I wanted so, so, so badly to be the next Matsuri Hino when I was a kid. I copied her work religiously and it NEVER looked right. Frustrated me to no end. And you know why my stuff never looked like hers? Because I'm not her! You can't force your art to come out any way that isn't natural, and the sooner you can accept the art your hand wants to create, the happier you'll be and the easier art will get for you.

The past couple of years before I started diving into this more realism based work, I was just shoving myself through trying to make what art I envied of others. Very stylized/textured watercolor comic book style stuff. And I just was NOT getting any better at it. I have always been more inclined toward realism work, but I've hated it and yearned for stylized work. Yoshitaka Amano? God, I just drooled over that artstyle and beat myself up for never being able to capture it in studies or otherwise.

I finally essentially restructured my entire career around making the art that makes me happy instead of what I "wanted" it to look like. I was extremely depressed, my life was falling apart, and I still needed to make art to survive but I couldn't "art" if I was depressed and hated doing it, so I just had to step back and stop worrying so much about what I thought I wanted to make, and started making what felt most natural.

there's no easy way, and art can be a soul destroying path at times, truly. your software and hardware should come very last place compared to practicing from life (it doesn't matter if you want to paint cartoony stuff of realistic stuff, always start from life). naturally you will find what makes your heart sing the most.

I get a lot of messages from people telling me similar stuff "oh your art is EXACTLY what I want to do!" but I promise you that kind of thought process is chasing a dragon that is likely to harm or drag your creative process down. art style is such a deeply personal thing, so of COURSE it's important to find inspiration, but the second looking at someone else's artwork stops inspiring you and starts frustrating you, put it away.

There are some artists who I love, that I do not check up on often because their artwork ignites, like, serious bitter jealousy in me. It's the truth. I get so mad at myself for not being more like them, and it's such a poison. I think more artists should be transparent about this feeling because I KNOW the art community has a lot of jealousy and ugliness in it.

A fact of being an artist is that you will never be completely happy with a piece you make. You are always going to see the flaws, and that doesn't change whether you'd been drawing for 2 months or 20 years. Occasionally, you will get one piece that you are like "how did I make that???" and then get frustrated that you can't recreate it lol! It's a tough beast.

It's just really important to step back and work on yourself and where you are at, because at the end of the day, the way your soul wants to express artwork might be WILDLY different from what your brain wants, and it can be really detrimental to let those two go to war.

I hope this helps. I'm very passionate about this, and when I started out I ALWAYS ignored the artists who gave the same exact tips as above. I thought they were so annoying and unhelpful, but now I /get it/.

[michidrawsathing]

I had such a good time at Bold Matsuri this year with my boothmates at @lovechucreations ! This was our booth set up. We just keep getting more and more creative with how we set this baby up! I saw a ton of awesome cosplayers this year, I wasn't able to grab their @'s, but you all look amazing!! (The blank spot in the corner was for my new SatoSugu print, btw not a single purchase on it, so give it some love when it drops in the store :) )

I have more, but it wouldn't let me post any more photos! By the way, that Flynn Rider was actually so sweet, and we both went silly talking about how Tangled is our comfort movie. There were so many awesome, awesome experiences!

I love boothing so that we can interact with the community and get to talk to wonderful people each and every year!

[suzuran777]

Revisiting Gakuen Handsome: Backstory + short review

I think every BL fan has seen something related to Gakuen Handsome at some point in their lives, it's a parody BL visual novel with quite the legacy. It was originally released in 2010 by Team YokkyuFuman and it also got its own OVA and anime adaptation in 2015 & 2016. The protagonist, who is an unnamed seventeen year old boy, moves back to the city after a seven year absence. He enrolls into Baramon High School, a prestigious all-boys school which takes pride in being the best of its prefecture. From now on, his life will be changed forever...

First of all, the developer team's backstory is probably one of the most unique ones. In 2008, eight film students from the Tohoku University of Art and Design formed Team YokkyuFuman (チーム欲求腐満). Their blog mentions that a year later, they attempted to submit the Gakuen Handsome opening movie to the 9th edition of the Niconico Film Festival (their submission was completely ignored). After that, the opening movie was uploaded on NicoNico Douga, where it was quite well received. The description of the video mentions “to be released in 20009”, as they originally probably had no intention to create a full game.

After it became a hot topic on NicoNico Douga, the team decided to continue production, and in 2010 they released the game "Gakuen Handsome". Their university even gave them permission to organize an official exhibition: Gakuen Handsome Matsuri (or just Gakuen Handsome Festival). Visitors could watch the opening movie, learn more about the characters and take pictures together with the life-sized cardboard cutouts. The exhibition also featured rare merch: A drama CD which would be released in "20009" and canned bread.

This exhibition was apparently not only held once, but many times according to their blog. The game was finally released in 2010 and many fans were happy to finally play it, supporting the team that created it. Togo Mito, who many of you know as the creator of (in)famous BL game Hadaka Shitsuji, also collaborated with them. These are some pictures I found on Togo Mito's old blog, Mizoguchi and Juro drawn by Togo Mito and the Hadaka Shitsuji cast drawn by Team YokkyuFuman.

Even after graduation, it seems like they would occasionally invite some of Gakuen Handsome's creators. In 2014, the university tweeted that they would not be able to host the exhibition that year due to renovations, but visitors could take pictures with the cardboard cutouts. There's also an interview from 2016 on the university's website, in which they talk about how things have been after graduation! I absolutely love how the university supported all of this.

Now about the game itself... Where to even start? You'll have to trust me, but the game is actually good. Many parody games can be quite a hit or miss, but this visual novel is something I still catch myself laughing at years later. The inconsistent art, pointy chins and strange jokes really create an experience unlike anything else. I don't think any commercial company would be able to create something like this, even if they tried. One detail that the anime adaptation doesn't really show is that many different artists worked on this, whose styles widely vary from each other, making absolutely no attempt to create one consistent artstyle. Most characters have at least 2 ~ 3 sprites that often look completely different from each other. For example, sometimes Saionji sensei looks like a clean-shaven teenager/young adult, but in the CGs he suddenly turn into an older looking man with a stubble.

Yes he's talking about eating paint in the screenshot above, why not. Anyway... the voice acting in this game is something else I wanted to talk about, because it adds so much to the game. Of course it's not professional, but I think that's what makes it amazing. You can sometimes hear the voice actors trying really hard not to laugh, and they will occasionally completely mess up their lines. Of course all of those lines are kept in the game and they didn't re-record them. I also loved it when they started swearing in English for seemingly no reason. Also, instead of just avoiding the name of the protagonist (who you can give any name you want) they pronounce it... by improvision. Just imagine how one would try to pronounce a "adfgdf" keysmash and you'll get an idea what it sounds like.

There are 6 characters in this game who you can romance. The protagonist's childhood friend Takuya, who is a bit obsessed with the protein bar Calorie Mate (which is censored in the new version of the game, so you just hear a BLEEP sound), outlaw teacher Saionji, school principal Juro who basically only functions as a save point, student council president Kagami, chuunibyou transfer student Shiga, and last but not least, the captain of the soccer team Mitsurugi, who also murders people with his chin sometimes. The protagonist's sister also has a (non-romantic) ending, which you need to play in order to unlock the extra scenario (which... is a ridiculous murder mystery story for some reason). I also could not find the guide I used a long time ago, so I just looked at some videos on NicoNico to see what others were doing and that worked pretty well...!

My favorite scene is probably still that one scene in Mitsurugi's route, in which he stabs people with his chin. It's also one of the scenes that gets referenced the most in fanart. The context makes it even more ridiculous, Mitsurugi gets really upset that some people like the chunky variant of red bean paste (tsubuan) and decides they should die. After stabbing his teammate and multiple other people he runs outside. The protagonist however, isn't safe either and also gets accused of being a "tsubuan supporter". If you survive though, you get a chance to marry Mitsurugi!

Honestly one of the reasons I wanted to write about this game is because many people only know the OVA and/or anime, but the game is so funny I think everyone should play it if they're interested. I also think the team behind it has such a funny backstory and I love seeing how supportive their university is. Right now the team is still active on their Twitter account and they sometimes create new content. Last year they released Gakuen Handsome Fighters, a short fighting game featuring the Gakuen Handsome characters.

If you are interested in purchasing it, I recommend getting the "Special" edition which can be purchased on DLsite! I couldn't find a working download link anymore of the older version, but I think the creators deserve the support, so I don't regret buying it (it was about 15 USD). It includes the original game and 5 shorter stories which were originally released as smartphone apps. While I think the original game is still the best one, it's fun to explore some of the extra scenarios as well. One of the shorter games takes place in an alternative universe in which the boys live in the Heian period, and for some reason some of the sprites are animated... yeah.

[pesulapikan1412]

Happy Birthday, Aoko! Wait for me i hope i could do more full render art this year! oh yeah if anyone wants to see a lot of kaiao fanarts since it’s Aoko’s bday, u can searching w hashtag #快青祭り2024 (you can see the fanarts every day in September) on Twitter/X! happy Aoko’s month and happy KaiAo matsuri 2024, everyone!

[yume4evere]

vampire knight Volume 10 Edition

HINO : Zero , Yuki and Kaname

YUKI: Without Yuki , I wouldn't have been able to start this story. She's a precious girl. When Kaname faced Yuki when she was born, he was so profoundly moved and felt such tenderness towards her that he thought every cell in his body had been rewritten. As for Zero , I think he spent his youth in darkness, filled with nothing but hatred and despair when he hadn't yet met Yuki . Yuki's worries are multi-layered and intense. There are people she wants to cherish. But she is inexperienced and helpless. Yet she is mercilessly forced to make a choice. The feelings she cannot pronounce are abundant. As a result, Kaname had to carry most of the burden, I put you through deep anguish in my opinion. I'm sorry. You joked about it in a Drama CD, but I really have to wonder if you haven't developed baldness with all the stress.

Kaname: You are a cornerstone of the story, but you ended up dealing the main blow of the various drawbacks, starting with my weakness as an author. I'm sorry, Kaname . If only I could go back to that episode… It’s always on my mind. When I think of this person, various thoughts and memories come to mind; I am filled with a feeling of helplessness at not knowing how I should have represented him and it pains me. I feel that...readers who were fans of his probably feel similar feelings.

Zero: Him, whose hair is always affectionately chewed by White Lily , or grabbed by the children he saves when he puts them on his shoulder. The stress he carries is at the highest level in the world of Vampire Knight . I wouldn't be surprised if he developed a bald spot on his head. While he is extremely delicate and vulnerable, he is a strong and reliable person who can be valiant when he has found a resolution. Even in the face of adversity, you tried to remain a kind person and suffered infinitely because of it - you are a person I respect.

Message from the author

Afterword

I would like to express my gratitude again now by writing an afterword in this way after the series has already ended. It's been two years and several months since the series ended. Since that, the series has received special chapters, a stage adaptation, bunko editions, and I've been given plenty of opportunities to sincerely reflect on Vampire Knight .

I thought about how I realized how much I enjoyed drawing Vampire Knight . I myself am amazed by this devotion. I had a lot of regrets during its serial publication and also after its conclusion..."If only I had done such and such, then... Why didn't I believe in myself, have more perseverance and more wisdom at the time?" I am tortured by these regrets. But my love for the series would not allow me to lose hope.

I ardently poured my heart into the finale, right up until the last panel. And fortunately, I was able to assess that my readers understood this, thank you to many for their warm and thoughtful words. I would like to thank them for following Vampire Knight . Thank you for being there in the happy and sad times.

Maybe because there are more special chapters planned, or because deep inside, Vampire Knight is still far from the end and continues to linger in me, I'm pumped up once again. That's why I would be grateful if you follow me a little longer in the world of this story.

September 2015 Matsuri Hino

[bladeydp]

I only learned about this shameful affair a few months after the release of Fake Worlds End in late 2023. In this post, I will describe what happened and my subjective opinion of lunariamv as an active domestic Charon fan on the Internet.

First let's understand who lunariamv is. lunariamv is an online game maker (active on Tumblr and tiktok) who has been reviled by charon fans overseas for pirated charon games. lunariamv started out as a painter, but one day he started to imitate charon's games. At first, it was just the imitation of the painting style, and then gradually began to copy the original. lunariamv's Doom Stones is a direct copy of charon's Makoto Mobius. Not long ago, lunariamv copied Mikoto Nikki again.

Now let's talk about my personal feelings

My favorite charon character is Mikio from Makoto Mobius. I've only been active on Twitter for six months now. The first time I saw the Doom Stones CG I naively thought it was some unfinished work by charon. And then I was misled, like an idiot, and I posted it on Twitter. Later, under the explanation of the Internet fans, I found that what I saw was something contrary to heaven. (I ended up deleting that tweet because it was disgusting to think of copycat stuff as a family thing) and lunariamv drew Mikio as a man...

lunariamv, don't you get it? The decision to change the original in order to make it look less identical is disgusting...)

(" I don't Want People Who are hindering Me to Interact with Me "is like a thief declaring that he is stealing from people around him and not to stop him.) He claims to be artistic and aesthetic without any consideration for anything else, like A saying to B: "I like your dress, but you will be mediocre without it, so I will get the same dress as you." Let me make my position clear: I do not oppose those who learn from charon's painting style, and the later development of painting style depends on the reference in the early stage. But isn't it a little cheeky to copy the plot? lunariamv claims to be a charon fan, but she would rather draw a fan map of her own game than a fan map of charon's own character. In addition, lunariamv's early works were found to have been copied by overseas charon fans.

Like Matsuri? That's right, because lunariamv doesn't make people.

However, lunariamv explained the plagiarism: "I didn't do it intentionally, it was just for fun."

One day I robbed your house of every penny left, and when I finally tell you, "I didn't mean to rob your house, it was just for fun," you will be happy.

Why are you calling this guy Mikio? You probably know that I like Mikio, and I think you're getting back at me and the other Charon fans, right? lunariamv, I should have known you had no shame.

And this guy is trying to mislead his uninformed fans by branding his game as a Charon game.

lunariamv posted a video of herself playing the game she copied from Charon on YouTube. lunariamv's YouTube account:

I argued with him in the comments section of YouTube and was met with sophistry:

Even if you have no business purpose, no intention of making a profit, but you have done such a reckless thing, especially against the Charon group, lunariamv, I just want to ask you, is your conscience being eaten by a dog? You don't talk back to other fans, you don't talk back to me, you use the law as a shield when I'm judging, do you really think the world revolves around you?

So I went to tumblr to argue with this asshole. Continue to expose this guy's evil deeds under this guy's blog, and then he responded to me like this:

Who gave you the courage to be a thief and scold me for exposing your ugly face? First: No one listens to your guile, your guile is against ethics. Second, other fans are helping me. I only look at the facts. Third: I am 18 years old. I was diagnosed with ADHD as a child and had symptoms of delusional disorder. But I'm not retarded. I think lunariamv's comments have violated my right to personal dignity, mocking me as childish, retarded, and incapable of respecting others. No, have you ever respected other fans who come to you to talk to you alone? (There are private messages from overseas fans about how this guy's stolen work compares to the original, but this guy doesn't reply) Do you respect Charon? You're talking about respect here?

Not only was I scolded, but lunariamv wrote a short essay in order to "repay" my exposure:

(I have three requirements for you :1. Stop infringing 2. Delete the works that involve plagiarism 3. A public apology to Charon makes it spam?)Stop using the law as an excuse. I've seen that too many times before, "I don't take Inspiration as my own," and when you posted your last rip-off and shamelessly called it original, how did I tweet it back at you?

Just because you acknowledge and praise the original work doesn't mean you can copy it, but if you acknowledge and praise the renovation of my home, you can pick the door lock of my home? What bandit logic...) How can you proudly compare yourself to everything in the world? A: Do you think in other people's shoes? Don't you ignore other fans when they explain to you calmly? In my private letter to you, I just repeatedly emphasized my three demands. Did I verbally attack you? Isn't it true that you plagiarized? (" I'll Take Criticism with a grain of Salt, "and then you posted this quibbling essay.)

"You want the same thing as Charon, Please don't expect it," Then you don't fucking get involved with Charon, you can't be original? Your work is too misleading, and some Charon fans who don't know the truth have begun to defend you, really fucking "Congratulations, congratulations" ah)(you have violated the bottom line of Charon and Charon fans again and again, my evaluation is either apologize or delete the number roll, pretend what big tail Wolf)

This guy played Fake Worlds End and still insists he didn't plagiarize, knowing Charon went through a plagiarism scandal and still plagiarized, so it's a little cheeky to defend herself, right?

By the way, this guy is already copying mix ore.

Finally, I gave it to lunariamv with one of our famous Chinese poems. Anyway, that guy doesn't understand the broad and profound Chinese culture.

《诗经·彼阳》

彼阳若至，初升东曦。

绯雾飒蔽，似幕绡绸。

彼阳篝碧，雾霂涧滁。

赤石冬溪，似玛瑙潭。

彼阳晚意，暖梦似乐。

寐游浮沐，若雉飞舞。

あなたは少し能力と度胸があるならば、私の郵便受けに来て私のフィードバックを探します:tamasuyouaya@gmail.com

盗作って何ができるんですか?

[cranity]

i saw you say you might go to anime matsuri next year -- please reconsider! as a fan that's watched the owners of this con since year one of operation, it's a terrible idea. there's loads of information available online on exactly how dangerous and unsafe the company they keep is. and if moral grounds aren't enough to want to avoid giving them money, they honestly treat artists like trash. every year there are new horror stories from the alley of the abuse they get away with. i cannot stress enough how bad of an idea it is to support AM! stay safe!

wowow thank you for letting me know! I've heard a lot if mixed things about it but I didn't know it was that bad!!

[lackuraphi]

Weasel story)Act Four: Weasel's Outing

Nobori's first outing

(⚠️Caution⚠️)

I used a translator

This is the Fan fiction

It’s different from the original

It’s unrealistic

The characters are Japanese names

Content Warning:confinement

—————————————

These days, the relationship between Kudari and his friends has become a little further than before, to the extent that the friendship bracelet tailored to Matsuri last year is overshadowed.

At school, the four of them are close as usual, Other than that, Kudari was spending time with Noㅠori, so he rarely met his friends separately.

"Kudari seems to be a little distant from us these days."

Kamitsure, Huuro and Arty were at a hamburger shop near school after school, talking about Kudari becoming awkward with them.

"But we're still close to him at school." "It's not like that outside of school at all, so it's a problem! Have we been somewhere with Kudari recently?" "Oh! And every time we made an appointment with Kudari, I think he always said he was busy at home and couldn't go with us." "Also, we haven't even been able to visit Kudari's house these days. Not long ago, we often visited his house to do homework…"

Kamitsure took a big sip of her diet coke and then stood up.

"I think Kudari is hiding something from us!" "Whaat?!" "What do you mean?!" "There must be another secret that Kudari is clearly hiding, like the room where he told us not to go in!"

Huuro and Arty said, putting Kamitsure back in her seat.

"But Kamitsure! Kudari's family is very busy!" "Yes, that's right, and his house also functions as a Shrine in our village!" "And Kudari is no longer a child, but an adolescent, so he's probably getting ready to take over in his family!" "But Kudari told us that the high-rank people in the house allowed him to prepare the Depot Agent." "Maybe the family needed a hand!" "But..!"

They each showed her a friendship bracelet on one wrist.

"And if Kudari had really fallen out with us, he wouldn't be wearing friendship bracelet!" "Kudari still wears that friendship bracelet" "G..guys…"

Kamitsure saw a friendship bracelet on one of her wrists.

"Yes.. Kudari is our dear friend as always.. He was just so busy these days that he didn't have enough time to be with us.. I'm sorry… I think I got it wrong…"

Nevertheless, Kudari's friendship with his friends remained unchanged.

Meanwhile, Kudari was running as fast as he could to his house with a look of more excitement than usual.

With a still precious friendship bracelet on one of his wrists..

Arriving home, Kudari ran to Nobori's room, literally "full speed ahead." (Luckily there were no adults in the house.)

"Welcome! Kuda.." "Nobori! NOBORI!!! NOBORI-!!!!" "KUDARI?!" "Huff..! Huff..! Nobori..! Huff..! Huff..!" 'Hey! You're so excited right now! You just need to calm down first!' "Huff..Huff..! sorry..! I can't calm down…!" "What's going on. Kudari?" "Huff..! Wait a minute…!"

Kudari pulled out his smartphone and fiddled with it for a while, then showed Nobori and Ohnyula the smartphone screen

'Huh? Train?' "It's a train I've never seen before. Is it a new type?" "Yup! That's right! It's a new train to be introduced!" "Bravo! That's so cool! The design of the train is sophisticated!" "Yup! Yup! Does it?" 'Well, well.. What he likes is completely similar to Kudari~' "And don't be surprised and listen, this train is passing through our village from today!" "Is that true Kudari?!" "Yup! And so..let's go see this train!!!" "…Whaaat???" '…What!?'

Nobori and Ohnyula were startled by Kudari's unexpected words and lost words for a moment.

Soon after, those who came to their senses again spoke to Kudari.

'Hey, I know you're excited, but don't you already know that? Nobori is still confined to this room because of Priests.' "Lady Ohnyula is right. Kudari, if I had the freedom to go out, I would have grown up to be a normal boy like you. And as soon as I heard the story you told me, I would have prepared to go out." "But please listen to me!" 'Yes, we'll listen to it once.' "What are you trying to say?"

Kudari started persuading Nobori and Ohnyula.

"After hearing the story of your Matsuri outing before, I started thinking that Nobori must go out. And I came up with a way. It was surprisingly simple! I'm going to use Lady Ohnyula's whirlwind teleportation!" "Do you mean to use the whirlwind that you use to send back to your room?' "Yup! That's how we sneak out of the family high-rank people! And the surveillance… we'll have Nyulas do it!" 'Using my whirlwind… That's a good idea. But Kudari. My whirlwind has its limits.' "The limit?"

Ohnyula explained her whirlwind.

'My whirlwind can move myself and others to places they've visited once. But now I am stuck in Nobori and can't go anywhere, and I have to say that there is virtually no place where Nobori can go because he has been confined to this room until now. ..And I cannot agree with you because I am not sure that the place you are talking about is the place you have visited.'

Kudari told Ohnyula with a rather imposing smile.

"Don't worry about that!" 'Hmm?' "That's a place I already know! It's a railroad crossing of an alleyway in village! I searched it and found that it was a place I've been to before!" 'Oh! That's good news!'

Ohnyula smiled and told him the good news

'Just in time, Priests are away for business at the foot of the village, and the foot of the mountain is a long way from here, so it will take a long time for them to return home!' "And my parents are coming home late today, too! They told me to eat dinner on my own!" 'Maybe we can eat out today! No wonder the wind was flowing well today! It was all for this!'

When Kudari and Ohnyula were enjoying the thought of going out, Nobori asked them carefully

"But… how do I get there? I don't even know where that place is…" 'You just need to hold Kudari's hand. Then you can move with Kudari.' "Rreally…?"

Nobori's eyes began to twinkle like Kudari's

"Yup! This is Novori's first real outing!" "..BRAVO! EXCELLENT!!!" "Wow! It's Nobori's amazing shouting again!" "I can't believe it's my first real outing! I'm looking forward to it!" "Then what are you procrastinating about! Let's go now! We'll miss the train passing!" 'Before that, wait a minute.' "Huh?"

As Ohnyula bounces lightly with her claws, clothes fly from somewhere in the wind and quickly change Nobori's outfit from the black yukata he was wearing.

Nobori wore his father's black baseball cap on his head, Kudari's white hoodie and blue long pants, above which he wore his father's black jacket, and Nobori's hands held Kudari's black and white striped slippers.

'Honestly, that black yukata stands out too much..' "Wow! Nobori! you are so cool!" "I've never worn anything other than that yukata…" "Hey. Nobori. How do you feel?" "It's not Yukata's cloth, but the different fabrics of other fabrics that touch my body give a new feeling! In particular, these pants make my legs warm…" "Oh, those slippers are worn as soon as you go outside." "Hoo hoo.. Kudari. I already know that." "But you've always been barefoot for 14 years since you were born." "Oh.. you're right.. I went barefoot during Matsuri, too.." We have no time to procrastinate! The train will soon pass!" 'Then let's go now! Nobori! Kudari! Are you ready?' "Right!" "Let's ring the departure signal!" 'Okay! Let's go!'

Ohnyula wields her claws vigorously and raises a whirlwind, and Nobori and Kudari, holding each other's hands, disappeared somewhere with the wind.

A railroad crossing in front of an alleyway located in a village where people don't come to visit very well, Nobori was amazed at everything he felt for the first time in his life.

A blue sky with bright sun light and white clouds, sparrows and crows flying over it, a gentle breeze, plants blooming everywhere, alley walls made of gray bricks, a long electric pole, and structures related to the train that he saw only in pictures…

Nobori was slowly walking around, seeing, hearing, touching, feeling everything he could feel with his senses, and feeling his first outing with his whole body.

The place became the first place Nobori visited in his life.

Kudari, watching Nobori in silence, asked Ohnyula carefully.

Come to think of it, Nobori has Lady Ohnyula, and I think the high-rank people in the house will do everything Nobori wants, but why has he never been able to go out?" 'Priests do everything Nobori wants, but sometimes they interpret it as they want to hear it.' "What? What do you mean?" 'This is a very troubling story to tell you…'

Ohnyula started the story to Kudari.

By the time Nobori began to speak as a child, Ohnyula taught Nobori the language all day long, doing her best to help his speak completely. Her plan was for Nobori to personally ask Priests to go outside, send Nobori to the hospital, then get treated, get well again and return to his parents and Kudari. 'I'll make Nobori free as soon as possible by opening up his words completely…!' And when Ohnyula's unrelenting efforts opened up Nobori's speech as completely as possible, Nobori told Priests for the first time. "I want to go out." But contrary to Ohnyula's expectations, Priests interpreted Nobori's words strangely. "Lady Ohnyula's first revelation is 'I want to go out'…!" "Well, when she say 'out', she mean other villages, right?" "It would mean to let other villages know Lady Ohnyula!" 'Huh..?' "Oh! Lady Ohnyula…! That was such a deep meaning..!" 'Huh?!' "We will promote Lady Ohnyula to other villages!" "Don't worry, Lady Ohnyula. We won't cause inconvenience to other villages." 'Something's wrong…' Ohnyula and Nobori were taken aback by such Priests, but they thought this was not an accurate representation of his thoughts, so Nobori said when the priests came back to him. "I have to go to the hospital as soon as possible." But Priests interpreted Nobori's words strangely again. "By the way… I heard that village hospitals are getting free flu vaccinations these days." "This is Lady Ohnyula's revelation to send Kudari to the hospital!" 'Oh Dear.. Sorry Kudari..' And this time, Kudari got caught up in it. "..Kudari..?" "Why? Mom?" "Do you want to go eat Pork Cutlet with me?" "Yup! Yup!" Nobori told Priests in more detail this time. "I don't have time. I have to go to the hospital and get treatment as soon as possible." "Come to think of it… Kudari has been putting his hands on one cheek a lot these days…" "It's Lady Ohnyula's revelation to send Kudari to the dentist!" '…Even if you hate us, we'll understand you all… Kudari…' But even if Nobori told Priests in detail like this, it was Kudari, not Nobori, who was going to the hospital. "Kudari..?" "yes mom?" "Do you want to go eat ramen with me?" "Ramen? Yup! Yup! I am Kudari! I want ramen!" Nobori then became disillusioned with Priests, who interpreted his words as they liked, so he stopped talking to Priests. Other than formal conversations with them, he rarely spoke first. (If Priests were waiting for a revelation from him, Ohnyula's flow of wind was passed on to Priests on her behalf.)

When Ohnyula's story ended, Kudari was shaking slightly.

"Then… the reason why I was forced to go to the hospital when I was young..Ahhhhh…!" 'I'm sorry… You can hate us for the rest of your life…' "Oh, no, this is all the fault of the high-rank people in the family.. I..I am..Okay..Ha..haha..really..haha..ha…" 'Kudari….'

Ohnyula changed the topic of conversation to lighten Kudari's mood.

'Hmm… By the way Kudari. Have you decided where you're going to eat out today?' "Well, while I was listening to the story, the story of ramen passed by briefly, but I couldn't eat ramen and forced myself to go to the dentist, so I wanted to eat ramen because I had a little regret." 'Ramen… Wouldn't it be too stimulating for Nobori?' 'If it's miso ramen made from soft miso(Japanese soybean paste), it's probably no problem for Nobori to eat." 'I see. Then go ahead and tell Nobori.' "Okay! Lady Ohnyula!"

Kudari shouted at Novori, who was gently caressing weeds with his hands growing between asphalt roads.

"Nobori~!" "Why~?" "Today's dinner is ramen! Let's eat ramen together at a nearby ramen restaurant!" "Really? I'm looking forward to it! Kudari! It's my first time eating ramen in my life! But what if it's too stimulating for me?" "I'll prepare a soft ramen for you!" "Thank you for being considerate of me! Kudari!" "You're welcome!"

A little time passed and the time that I've been waiting for has come.

"Soon the new train will be passing through here for the first time! ..Oh! This is your first time to see the subway in person, right?" "Yes! That's right! I'm really excited about Bravo excelent! I can't believe the day will come when I see the subway moving in front of my eyes…!"

Soon the red lights flashed, and there was a loud 'deng deng-' sound around, and the railroad crossing blockers slowly descended before the twins.

"Finally..! Finally..!! Finally..!!! Finally…!!!!" "It's coming..! It's coming..!! It's coming..!!! It's coming…!!!! It's coming…!!!!!"

And finally, in front of their eyes, the new train they were waiting for passed by with a loud sound of wheels and wind.

"WOW!!!!!!!"

After the new train passed completely before his eyes, Kudari turned to Nobori.

"Wow! Nobori! The train was incredible…Nobori?"

But Novori was not there.

"Nobori..? Nobori? Nobori???"

As Kudari looked around with a restless look and anxiously searched for Nobori, who suddenly disappeared, Ohnyula's voice came from Kudari's head.

'Kudari, I'm sorry. Just before the train passed by, I was informed by Nyulas that Priests had already reached the Torii threshold by finishing the schedule too soon than I expected, so I had no choice but to rush Nobori back to our room.' "Oh no..!"

Nobori had no choice but to go back to his room before seeing the real train for the first time in his life

'I think Nobori's outing is over.. …and I think you'll have to eat the ramen alone…' "….."

Kudari was not in the mood for ramen at all, but he was hungry, Kudari walked 'alone' to the nearby ramen restaurant where he had originally planned to go with Nobori

"Welcome!" "Miso ramen and shoyu(soy sauce) ramen… No, one miso ramen, please…" "Yes Sir! one miso ramen!"

After a while, the miso ramen he ordered came out and Kudari started eating miso ramen.

"…Thank you for the meal…."

Sadly, the taste of miso ramen was delicious as written on the black flag in front of the restaurant.

"………."

While Kudari was eating ramen, something began to wriggle strongly in Kudari's heart.

[poupeesdecirque]

Travel Blog - Anime Festival Kassel Pt 1 - Friday

Here we are with almost the last Con for the year, I had planned to attend two days (Sat & Sun) but as I got so much overtime at work I was able to leave earlier for once and could visit at least partially on Friday.

More under the cut.

Friday, Traveling or: 1, 2 oder 3?!

As already said I traveled after work but gladly this time I didn't get stuck in traffic and I told myself if I would arrive in Kassel (after checking into the hotel) before 4 I would get a ticket for friday.

I had decided to throw in my Cosplay of Link as it doesn't need much make up and I didn't feel like wearing Mana or Nea (especially with Mana's wig still not being restyled after the Connichi).

So I quickly redressed and headed to the con. I was able to swap my 2 day pass for a 3 day pass after paying the additional fee for friday. I headed inside.

I have to say the security guards were some of the nicest and darling ones I ever met, they just adored every little detail of costumes and were so happy to just meet people who were so excited for the whole convention. Another little silly story about them being adorable to follow later on.

Inside it was navigating through a whole new set up this time as the last time the Convention only had half of the location and now the had the whole building and a lot of things had changed.

If you come in there were a few vendors but majority is Matsuri Games and the signing area. If you headed through the concert garden you came into the Artist Alley which was significant bigger than last time, i took a very quick stroll but I was starving at that point, I headed outside into the garden.

Hopefully I will have more time to take more photos the coming days but you had some food vendors outside for Ramen, Yakisoba, Shakes, Taiyaki, Bao Buns, Curry and Bubble Tea. Before I decided to eat something I got distracted by the need to explore the area more, so we also had an anime car exhibition outside.

And the commercial vendor's room. In which I actually found some (sadly very overpriced) D.Gray-man merch :O I will take a stroll through that area again on another day. But hunger was speaking to me. Obviously I went for Taiyaki.

They had different fillings like Banana/Chocolate, Cherry/Chocolate and Red Bean paste, all of them were made with Matcha and Coconutmilk in the batter.

Then I went through the artist alley and met a super nice artist who is actually a tattoo artist but is also doing Anime inspired art and we talked about old series that aired in the 90s and prior. Which was actually a very fun conversation to start with as he said to me I should take a sticker and I didn't want to and we got into a chat and ended up by him asking me what character I am and I told him Howard Link from D.Gray-man and he went "Wow, I haven't heard that in forever" and that's how we ended up talking for like ... 30 minutes?!

After that I met up with Schu / @dragoncreatorlaurwen for dinner. We went to a place that sells buddha bowls as it's actually well priced for the amount of food you get. We talked a lot as we didn't see each other since March.

As we headed back to the Con we managed to take a few photos of my Link Cosplay as I only had Selfies/Phone Pics so far, thank you again. One day Link will get a real photoshoot... but I have to restyle the wig before that, it was more messed up than I thought even though I had rebraided it after the Dokomi.

Back in the hall I was yet to get checked again and... here is another reason why the security guards are just super precious. There were 3 of them and all waiting to check someone (as it was quite late), and one went "1, 2 oder 3 - wenn du wirklich richtig stehst, siehst du wenn das Licht angeht!" (which is a reference to a german kid's gaming show in which you get 3 possible answers to a question and if you got the right one (you choose by stepping in front of it) the answer will light up and you get points) and I then said "Oooh do I get a light?" and she went and LIGHTED UP HER PHONE just that I had the right one. This was just so incredible cute.

I explored the hall a bit more but as it was quite late already the vendors closed down and I wasn't actually able to see it all, i hope to see more tomorrow then.

As it was getting dark I headed back to the hotel, fetched a few things from the local supermarket (I'm always curious to try new foods and I actually stumpled upon my favorite kind of twix :O yes I love the white oneees) and had some dessert, settled down for the day. (And I didn't have a protein pudding in ages as I .. usually make it myself from scratch .. tbh i really disliked the taste it was awful q_q fine saving money from now on).

Next up will be the Saturday and the big cosplay contest.

[wander-across-the-firmament]

Final Fantasy 7 - Retry Prolog - A new will to live - part 2

Okay, I've decided to upload the entire prolog of my story here. I'm super nervous haha. I hope you like it anyway.

I have to admit that I had a lot of fun writing down my story and uploading it here yesterday :) I will link the first part here! I wish you much fun and thank you for your interest! written words for the prolog in total: 5.330 words ___________________________________

Five years later

Five years have passed since then.

During the five years Matsuri also learned how to use Materia and trained her magical skills against monsters with her new weapon that is called „Nova’s Lux“ A wand decorated with stars and moon motifs, so she managed to become a great magician - although she was still far from being able to hold a candle to Sephiroth when it came to her strength but at least she could defend herself.

Matsuri traveled through many places without a hint about Sephiroth. Of course there were many rumors about where he spent the night in hotels or that he treated himself to a vacation and settled in Costa Del Sol. Probably the most famous rumor that Matsuri heard was that he had already died in the well-known Nibelheim incident. Of course, she followed up on every rumor.

But no matter where she went, every single rumor was a dead end.

"Did Sephiroth actually die?" Matsuri thought to herself and after all the long years she searched in vain for him, she slowly fell into her own despair. She sat on a bench in Cosmo Canyon and took a deep breathe. Was it all for nothing? Had Shinra already interfered too much?

Was it already too late for Sephiroth, when he was born?

Her mind was spinning around and she couldn't find a single answer to all her questions. Matsuri began to take a break. A gentle wind blew over Cosmo Canyon and her long, black hair danced lightly with the wind. It was a sunny day and yet she was anything but happy.

Matsuri sighed and was about to get up again and continue walking when she noticed a group that stood out more than expected from the crowd. There were nine in the group and everyone began to rest differently by walking in different directions before continuing their journey.

Two of the group, a man with sunglasses and a gun arm and a man with spiky blonde hair with a large sword strapped to his back, began to talk. "Hey Cloud! I think we can all use another break before we continue searching for Sephiroth. That goes for you too. Got it?" "You are right..." Cloud started to sigh but agreed with a nod and started walking towards a good spot to rest.

The black-haired magician couldn't believe her ears and eyes! Did the man really mention Sephiroth?! Matsuri became slightly nervous and thought about how best to address the group, but unfortunately to her regret, she was anything but good at addressing strangers. So she waited for a more appropriate opportunity as she didn't want to disturb the group during their break. But before she could move her legs, someone in the group of nine seemed to notice Matsuri and walked towards her.

"What do we have here? A woman with a lot of question marks over her head? Can we help you in any way? By the way, my name is Cait Sith!"

A cute cat?!

She stared at the cat in surprise for a while before she could catch herself. "Oh, excuse me! I didn't mean to be intrusive and stare at you. My name is Matsuri and I went on a journey because I'm looking for someone." she knelt next to Cait Sith and smiled at him. "I understand and we can help you with that, right?" In the meantime, the other eight also came back and interrupted their break. They stood behind Cait Sith and introduced themselves to Matsuri. Barret and Vincent still kept an eye on her to intervene if necessary. "Yes, that's right. I'm looking for the person Barret mentioned. Sephiroth." Everyone's breath stopped for a second. "You know him?!" Cloud moved a little closer to Matsuri. She looked into his eyes and noticed that he had the famous Mako colour. However, she answered his question with a no. "I don't know him but I read documents about him a long time ago...and I want to meet him to understand how he feels and I want to help him because for me he is just as much a victim of Shinra as you are."

All alarm bells rang and everyone prepared to fight against her. "Why do you want to help Sephiroth, that criminal?! We should never have spoken to her, Cait Sith!" Nanaki bared his teeth. Matsuri didn't understand what was happening. A criminal? Sephiroth? Everything Matsuri ever read about him was in the documents she found in front of the house at that time. "Wait! You say he's a criminal? Wasn't he a hero? Is he still alive?"

Matsuri clutched her shoulder bag tightly.

Everyone remained silent for a short while. Until Cloud started telling Matsuri what happened. "Shinra announced that he was killed in action...but he keeps showing up. We had already seen him several times and...I was sure that I killed him." Tifa put her hand on Cloud's shoulder and looked at him worriedly at first. Then her beautiful red eyes fell on Matsuri. "I'm sure if we exchange our information it would be more beneficial for all of us than fighting each other. I don't think Matsuri is an enemy either. After all, she just said that she doesn't know him. How about that?" She looked over at her again and gave her a small smile. Everyone agreed with Tifa. The group, including Matsuri, went to a quieter place where there weren't so many people and began to tell their respective points of view. Matsuri clenched her hands into fists. After everything she had heard about Sephiroth and what he had done, she didn't know what to do next. First the rumors were false and now she had to find out that he had caused so many people suffering and on top of that he still wanted to hurt the planet.

Matsuri now shared her story with the others. She reached into her shoulder bag and showed everyone the documents. She believed in the documents, at least the photos were proof enough for her that Sephiroth didn't have a good life and that he was actually a man who stood by others. Her belief that Sephiroth was still kind and caring for others melted into her heart over the five years she searched for him. Her belief and her will to save him solidified in Matsuri's feelings. But even though she held the documents tightly in her grasp, it was clear to the others that he must be stopped - forever.

Aerith looked over at Matsuri as she dejectedly packed the documents back into her shoulder bag. "Could I join you? Would that be okay?" The magician asked hesitantly. Her gaze turned downwards. "What's your plan? Believe me, he's not an easy man to deal with. His hatred is too deep inside him." Vincent spoke, leaning against a wall. "Also, don't forget that he wants our Materia!" Yuffie chimed in, flailing wildly with her arms in front of Vincent. "I want to see him with my own eyes. I don't know why I've been looking for him all these years. Maybe it was because those particular documents flew right in front of my family's house. My life had no meaning before. I think that deep down he is still the same man he once was. I beg you all.." Everyone looked at each other. They had only known Matsuri for a few hours and yet they were moved by her words. Tifa's eyes reflected Cloud's face. "You can come with us." Cloud turned his gaze to Matsuri. "Thank you so much!" Cid started laughing, moved his feet towards Matsuri and gave her a good pat on the back. "I'm sure we'll get along well haha!"

Matsuri began to smile slightly and thanked them several times. The group, which now consisted of ten people, continued their journey. The longer the magician walked with them and talked to everyone, she felt a feeling of security. A new family. Was she allowed to wish for that? Did Matsuri have the right to do that? She stood still for a short while and let the others walk ahead. Matsuri watched the nine of them talking and laughing together, despite the difficult times that were soon to come. Lost in her thoughts, she remembered her family who died because of Shinra. She went to the market to buy food for her parents and younger siblings. They were poor but were still happy because they had each other and together they could solve any problem. As Matsuri was lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice that a black feather was slowly sliding to the ground behind her. Continuing in her thoughts, she finally remembered that fateful day when the fire broke out and the entire house was ablaze. Matsuri began to breathe more heavily. She started panting and her eyes wandered aimlessly until Tifa called her name. "Matsuri is everything okay? Should we slow down a bit?" "No, everything's okay! I'll be with you immediately!" Without turning around, she ran towards Cloud and the others. She said that she was lost in her thought and it brought back an unpleasant memory. Tifa held her shoulder and gave Matsuri a smile. Aerith also walked up to her and patted her gently on the back. "Everything's okay now, isn't it?" "Yes, thank you." Matsuri thanked everyone again and they continued their journey together, step by step.

A week later

Matsuri, Cloud and the other eight arrived at the Temple Of The Ancients. The temple was enormous and Matsuri was speechless. She still felt an uneasy feeling that came from inside the temple and she took her magic wand out. Aerith was the first to walk forward and then knelt down, pointing her ear towards the ground. A tear ran down her cheek. "Finally," she said to herself as Barret began to quote.

Barret: "We who are born of the planet, with her we speak. Her flesh we shape. Unto her promised land we shall one day return. By her loving grace and providence may we take our place in paradise." He then turned to Aerith who was already standing up again and she denied Barret's quote by telling everyone that this was not the Promise Land because this place was full of sadness and anger. Matsuri had previously heard stories about the promised land. Did this place really exist or was it just a fairy tale? A story? Was her family there? Before Matsuri could think about it any further, Cloud walked towards the temple. Something was wrong and everyone seemed to notice except for Cloud. Nevertheless, everyone followed Cloud at a fast pace until the entrance gate was within reach. They went deeper into the temple which was full of the lifestream. It was indeed angry and roared throughout the temple. But the group didn't get much further because a horde of monsters attacked the group. Cloud continued to run without paying any attention to the monsters. "Cloud!" shouted Tifa, who wanted to follow him but a monster attacked her but she was able to throw the monster to the ground without any effort. "I don't like what's going on here! I thought everything was fine after we got through the gate so why is this all happening here?!" Nanaki attacked another monster with his claws, which then fell to the ground. "I also don't like that Shinra soldiers are here and why did Cloud go on without us?! What the hell is happening here?!" Barret cursed as he brought his weapon to bear. "We have to hurry and catch up with Cloud!" shouted Tifa, who was taking down several monsters with Yuffie and Cait Sith. Matsuri also fought continuously and released her magic. She cast Firaga and pointed her wand towards the remaining monsters. After an enormous number of enemies had been defeated, the entire group ran to Cloud, who was already climbing the stairs and standing on an elevated platform. Everything felt like it was in slow motion. Matsuri ran up the stairs. Her ink blue dress, which was also decorated with silver star patterns, as well as her black cardigan that she wore over her dress, were already torn from the fight. Dried monster blood stuck to her clothes. As she climbed the last stair step, she saw a man with long, silver hair that swung slightly because of the wind that the lifestream caused and in his left hand he held a sword. Matsuri stopped abruptly, her wand still clutched tightly in her hand as she looked him straight in the cat-like eyes. It was Sephiroth who noticed her and gave her a gentle yet weak smile before turning his attention to Cloud again. Matsuri stood rooted to the spot. She had almost given up hope of finding Sephiroth and yet there he was. All the feelings she once had when she read the documents came back again. Before she could speak to him, however, Sephiroth spoke to Cloud.

"Cloud. Bring me the black materia." The group held their fighting position and ran in the same direction where Cloud and Sephiroth were.

What's happening? Matsuri wondered. She couldn't think clearly. Thanks to him, she had a meaning to live again. Finding Sephiroth was always her first priority after reading about him. His story was so tragic that her emotions had reacted too strongly to it. She wanted to help him with all her heart. At the same time, the lifestream became more and more aggressive and parts of the platform crumbled into the depths, freeing Matsuri from her thoughts. She also ran in the same direction and she caught Sephiroth's attention again. "Sephiroth!" Matsuri shouted and she held out her hand. To his surprise, Sephiroth's eyes widened because her scream didn't sound full of hate, as he was used to, but full of compassion and sadness. "Are you tired of life?! Stay away from him, he's too dangerous!" Barret shouted at Matsuri and chased her successfully because he grabbed her left arm and pushed her back.

Matsuri looked at Barret helplessly as a form of Jenova suddenly emerged from a black smoke and attacked the group. Cloud came to his senses again and attacked Sephiroth with his buster sword, which Sephiroth easily deflected with his sword Masamune. The Lifestream changed its target and went to Jenova's form and tried to push her off the platform, but she dodged and struck again. While Cloud was busy with Sephiroth, Jenova took the opportunity and separated the group from Cloud.

"Cloud!" Tifa held out her hand and dodged another attack from Jenova's form. She then let her fists do the talking and attacked the form with the help of the others. Matsuri also used her magic to fight, using Fiagra, Blizzaga, Thundaga and Aeroga multiple times against Jenova. However, Matsuri was still a little distracted by her thoughts, one of her greatest weaknesses. She thought about her new family. She wanted to protect her new family at all costs. She wanted to be stronger than she was back then. She also wanted to save Sephiroth, as she still believed in the kind, caring Sephiroth he once was. Jenova began to change her prey, sensing Matsuri's fear and despair. "Matsuri, watch out!" Tifa and Aerith screamed her name but it was already too late. Jenova hit Matsuri's body. She started bleeding profusely and the blow was so strong that she fell off the platform. Cait Sith and Nanaki tried to grab Matsuri's arm but they couldn't do it in time. The last thing Matsuri saw was when she tried to reach Cait Sith's Paw. After that everything went black. After the silver haired man saw that Matsuri fell of the platform, he broke off the fight with Cloud and his instincts sent him towards Jenova's form, which he stabbed with his sword. With a confused face he looked at his left hand and then at his sword that had destroyed the form. Afterwards he looked into the depths. When Matsuri woke up again, she was blinded by a bright light and everything around her was white. She looked around and to her amazement she was floating in the air. Was she in the Lifestream? She called out her friends' names but no one answered her. The only thing she heard was her own echo. She looked in all directions but still found nothing until she felt the pain again. The blow had hurt Matsuri more than she would admit. She tried to calm down and clear her head.

"Would you like to try it?"

A mysterious voice reached Matsuri's ears.

"What?"

"Do you want to try?"

"Who's speaking?" Matsuri looked around the white ocean again.

"Try it. It's not too late!" The voice called to Matsuri

"Am I dying here?" She looked down at her body, whose wounds continued to bleed, the drops of blood falling into the white nothingness. Her body began to shake with all the bloody wounds inflicted because of Jenova but the voice brought Matsuri back to her senses.

"This is just the beginning. Go ahead."

Before Matsuri could ask questions, she felt hands gently pushing her forward. She looked back but there was no one in sight. A light breeze brushed her skin and as she looked up, a white feather slid down from above. When Matsuri touched the white feather with her fingertips it became dark around her and the feather began to glow. She cupped the feather in her hands and closed her eyes. ______________ "This is gonna be rough! Don't die on me, okay!?"

Matsuri heard a male voice but that wasn't the only thing she noticed. She also heard explosions and the screams of many people. "Wait! Glenn look! There's someone standing there!" Matsuri opened her eyes and the magician continued to hold the white feather in her hands. "A girl?! What is she doing here on the battlefield?!" Before the three soldiers could rush to her, a helicopter arrived and a young soldier with short silver hair jumped down from the helicopter. Matsuri's eyes widened, white feathers fell from the sky and briefly obscured the young hero's face.

It was Sephiroth who touched the ground directly in front of Matsuri and drew his sword without even looking back. He immediately attacked the opponents and after just a few seconds all opponents fell to the ground. The cuts were clean and precise and she could see the cuts under his feet. During this time, Lucia grabbed Matsuri by the arm and dragged her back to the others.

"What are you doing here?! How did you even get here? Where is your family?"

The magician was stunned because not only was she sent back in time but she also became younger again. Was this the aftermath of her involuntarily traveling back in time? What did the lifestream want to convey? Was that even time traveling or something else? It suddenly started to glow in her hands and the white feather floated towards Matsuri's chest and then disappeared inside her. She looked at the three, who served as P0-type SOLDIERs, as Sephiroth unleashed his magical powers and set the enemies along with the trees on fire. As Sephiroth slowly turned around, Matsuri remembered the sentences the mysterious voice had spoke.

"Do you want to try?"

"Try it. It's not too late!"

Matsuri now understood what was meant by that. She got a chance. A chance to help Sephiroth. A new life without being locked up, being free.

Matsuri and Sephiroth looked deep into each other's eyes. _____________________________________

[desertgourd]

A sketchbook is lying on his desk that morning, filled with sketches featuring him and his siblings during their more peaceful moments across the years. Some of the sketches feature Baki, Naruto and some of the other Konoha shinobi he has come to know.

There's a inscription on the first page, which reads:

Sometimes the best people are those who go through hell and come out stronger than before.

You are one of them, Gaara.

After a cursory examination reveals no traps or anything else of the insidious sort, Gaara flips open the cover.

He spends the next hour poring over the sketchbook's every detail: The natural twist to Baki's mouth which reads as grim but not unkind; Kankuro's experiments in face paint designs throughout the years; Matsuri's haphazardly clustered bangs. He pauses each time he himself is depicted: The curve of his jaw sharper, more appealing than in old photograph he keeps on his desk, baby fat long melted away; his shoulders broader, now, strengthened from taijutsu training as much as from carrying the success of Sunagakure upon them. In one sketch he appears to be laughing at some joke Naruto had just told, his friend's arm affectionately tight around his side. Another is in side profile: Arms outstretched, mouth open as if mid-speech as he addresses a crowd. Their faces are upturned, hopeful, in awe.

Is this how they see me?

Gaara turns the final page and is left with a warmth in the pit of his stomach hovering between nostalgia and delight which he cannot precisely place.

He knows without each of them, he would not be here tpday.

The book is unsigned. He can detect not even a hint of chakra to reveal who may be waiting around the corner anticipating his response.

Later in the afternoon he will bring the sketchbook to his quarters, slide it alongside letters and gifts from faraway friends. Content to leave it the mystery it is. Some day he may show it to his siblings and the other treasured friends immortalized in pen and paper. For now, though, he will keep it a secret close to his heart: A reminder of where he came from, the invaluable support of his loved ones, and, yes, the work still to be done.

[senjutsunade]

What’s your favorite Konoha tradition or custom?

The Hi no Yūrei Matsuri (Festival of the Fire Spirits) is a tradition turned festival we hold on the last full moon of winter. The practice first took place during the Shodai's 7th year as Hokage. It’s a time when shinobi activity is limited to the essentials so that most nin can return to the village to participate. We use this time to honor those who gave their lives for Hi no Kuni—our fallen comrades, family members, those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Family members and loved ones visit the graves or memorials of their dead, offering flowers, incense, and prayers. It’s a personal moment for every family, but rooted in ancient traditions passed down through the generations. You’ll see every clan has its own way of paying respect—different customs, but all with the same purpose. To remember.

Once the sun sets the lanterns are lit and set afloat on the river. Some prefer airborne lanterns. The lanterns symbolize the spirits of the departed, a way of guiding them, letting them know they’re still with us, even in death. It’s a peaceful sight—a moment of reflection.

Afterward, the people gather for meals with their loved ones. We share food, drink, and stories of those who came before us. The ones we have lost. It’s a time to reflect on their sacrifices but also to remind ourselves why we continue to fight. It’s not just about mourning. It’s about honoring their legacy, blending sorrow with hope for the future.

For the early years of my life, I found this practice extremely saddening. Years has given me perspective, making it one of my favorites. As the Godaime, I appreciate it more than ever.

[elysium-the-true-faceofsalvation]

Songs that fit the souls?

Also bonus points if you put any RIP/Ghost/Circus/Creep songs in there :3

Aoi: Dig by Arrested youth

"I used to fight with my brother, but now I fight back the tears From all the pain and the fear I felt from over the years I'm starting to see it clear, I'm starting to let it go It's hard but i've learned the ropes since stepping out off my casket I thought you deserved to know Can you dig me up from underneath I don't need your prayers or simpathy I'm looking for the answer I can't cure the cancer Have I had enough yet, enough yet?"

Emari: Appetite of a People-Pleaser by Ghost and pals

"Whether I've been caramelized or rotten to the core Which one should I be? 'Cuz I dunno who I'm supposed to be anymore And it's sickening I'll overeat the implications of your thoughts Just to make you happy Nonetheless, I feel my insides are tied to knots Aren't I more than everything?"

Syouga: Circus Hop by Yonkagor

"So sing along, it's such a silly song The cackling carousel, it spins and never stops The acrobat who fell off from the top They did a little drop!"

Reika: Taningoto no Oto ga Suru by Ame no MurakumoP

"In that case, in that case, for someone like me, how should things be? How should things change? When I tried to be kind, who was it for?"

Haru: Language of the lost by RIProducer

"If I'm a robot or a doll Am I anything at all? Maybe a thing like me Doesn’t yet deserve to know Am I big or am I small? Hunching over, standing tall? I lost my identity oh so very long ago"

Harlow: I'm a controversy by Ado

"The spotlight exposed shadows too I smile since i'm a coward, it's a defense instinct They peak at me as they speak, criticize Doing what they want, saying what they want But thank you so much...!"

Genki: Lose your head by Vane

"But, even with the days she couldn’t ever run away Aching for the storybook ending she yearned for Rereading every page trapped in a melancholic daze Still praying Oh, Lord, please tell them that I say I need a family there for me, ah (I know we’re still grieving these feelings But why can’t you all understand) This decapitated apathy (Repeating again and again) As the cycle takes my head"

Saki: Nemuru Machi by Kujira

"I took your lighter home with me that day and used it to light my cigarette I couldn’t see anything past the smoke The sound of the ventilation fan shut off I drank up the leftover can of beer in my room My underwear hanging out to dry looked just like me"

Eisuke: Karma by AJR

"I've been so good, I've been helpful and friendly I've been so good, why am I feeling empty? I've been so good, I've been so good this year I've been so good, but it's still getting harder I've been so good, where the hell is the karma? I've been so good, I've been so good this year"

Akari: Ato no Matsuri by Peg

”I wish I had a warm meal”? ”I wish I had a warm bed”? ”I wish I had a warm family…”–wait, how much do I gotta pay to get me some of that? You’re all just a bunch of ‘free trial version’ bastards, and yet you’re always criticizing me so pompously. Without even offering me a pittance."

[maah-long]

Yoimiya 🎆🎇🎆

10/11/21 - Genshin challenge 06/44 YOIII 💜💜 My favorite genshin girl!! I love every event and quest she’s on 🥰🥰 She’s just so happy and positive about everything, it’s a delight to see 🫶🫶. I’m 100% redrawing her sometime this year as I don’t think this art made her justice (anatomy and perspective 💀💀💀 they keep me awake at night I swear), but I like the fireworks and colors 🎇🎇 Her character design is one of my favorites in the game no doubt. There are a just a lot of cool things about her!! She speaks in Osaka/Kansai dialect (I think the easiest part to notice is the way she says “n’ya” and “yaa”!), it’s so pretty and upbeat! I could hear her talk all day. Plus everything about her screams Summer Festival (Natsu Matsuri)! The sarashi (wrapped white cloth), commonly used with festival Happi, geta (wood sandals), the goldfish (there’s a game where you scoop them!), fireworks (some people go to the festivals mainly to see them! There were even annual battles between 2 famous fireworks crafters, Tamaya clan and Kagiya, very very long ago), the Temari on her hair may reference YoYo Tsuri (a bouncing water ball, another common game/toy) or wind chimes, and her bag resembles a goldfish bag too! Those are the references I remember rn🎐🎐. One day I’ll make a tumblr post dissecting her entire design, and me writing this here is to make me remember that 😌😌 (probably?)