#might make a house aesthetic post with the right colors

[teen-spirited-away]

So the Hightower's house color isn't even green in the books...🤡 then why are they the "greens" in f&b? I thought the flame on their sigil was green but apparently its not? Is that just a change in the show?

[soaps-mohawk]

The Cottage Part 2: The Interior

Okay this might need four parts since there's more photos in here than I thought so...yeah. Here's the interior of the main area. I'll put first floor bedrooms in the third part. I did some screenshots before I realized I should light the fire to make it more like it was when they arrived (and they'll be using that fireplace a lot) so some do have it some don't. It's arguably the nicest part of the house. Took me the longest and beat me up but I did it. I hope you enjoy! (Wish I lived here)

Also forgot to mention in the first post that I built in Brindleton Bay in the Chateau Frise lot which is occupied in game but I bulldozed and built there since it matched the exterior aesthetic of the cottage. You'll understand soon

Sims Builds Masterlist

Anyway, here's the main area looking in from the door, I tried so hard to get the furniture to match colors but the Sims makes it so hard. Also it's blue?? I am incapable of decorating houses in any other color so...yeah. I think it's because I started with a blue kitchen to match the inner thoughts and then the rest of the main area ended up blue to match so...you can imagine it any other color if you happen to have a vendetta against the color blue.

Here's the dining area which you'll see a more close-up picture later. Also blue and white because...vibes.

 Here's the area behind the couches near the door. Also very important but you can put two and two together there. Also not all of the lights are on all of the time, it's mostly just for screenshot's sake so you can see where there's lights, etc.

Here's what's on the other side of the door. We'll get into those rooms in the next post.

Here's a kind of aerial view of the kitchen and then one in the kitchen. Very important place, again you'll understand when reading chapter 37

 Here's the dining room looking from the kitchen, and then a shot looking out the back door. Again, that's important and context in chapter 37 (you're gonna get so tired of me saying that)

And finally a closer look at the patio. Set up how it is going forward for the time being, you'll understand blah blah blah.

And finally a kind of POV shot. In the story there's more ocean visible than here in this shot of course (limited by the Sims) but they're like not right up against the cliffs looking down at the ocean. There's still a distance between the cottage and the actual ocean.

Part 3 ->

[all-pacas]

OK, follow-up to this post about Cameron's apartment's, let's look at Chase's. Because set design is fun!

We never see Chase at home in early seasons: the closest we get is in Human Error, the end of S3, where Cameron is visiting his place. We never actually see inside, and it's not even clear if this is like, his front porch or just the entrance to the building; he's a former rich kid so it could be either, but I assume the latter, because he's a trust fund brat but not own an entire townhouse rich.

The next time we hear anything about it is in The Itch:

CHASE: What time you done? We could try that new sushi place next to my house. CAMERON: Why don't we stay at my house tonight? CHASE: We always stay at mine. CAMERON: That's what I mean. We used to split it. What happened? CHASE: I don't know. Closer to work. CAMERON: By five minutes. And my house doesn't look like it was decorated by a drunk rugby player.

(I am fascinated by this line and all its implications. It is not decorated by a rugby fan but a drunk rugby player. What does that look like besides probably atrocious.)

Sadly, we never see this apartment. The next time we see him at home it is in the last episodes of S5. He appears to have moved in with Cameron; since this apartment doesn't match her old one and isn't plastered in sports posters, she either gutted and redecorated the apartment or, I think more likely, they got a place together (we first see them "at home" once they're already engaged). We first see it in Under My Skin:

And then we get several good looks at it (including the bedroom) in S6:

(the last two photos are a bit awkward but useful for layout: cameron exits the bedroom and is directly opposite the front door, meaning the bedroom is to the right of the hallway arch; meanwhile the front door is behind chase and you can just see the TV to his left, making it the final wall of the living room in the s5 set.)

Finally, at the end of Teamwork, we get a nice view of the living room/kitchen from the windows: it appears the kitchen might have an alcove to the left for a dining set (although when we've seen them eating, it was on the couch — relatable).

Chase stays in this apartment — same layout and architectural details — through S8, although once Cameron moves out he completely redecorates, which is fair. This is also interesting, because it shows he has a completely different style than she does; Cameron's apartments are all decorated the same (beige Pottery Barn-core), but Chase has a more… well, masculine aesthetic, he likes darker colors and more color in general.

We very, very briefly see his apartment in After Hours, when 13 calls him:

It appears Chase is lowkey a nerd: he's reading a book on the Crusades, he has a stack of books on his nightstand, and the top one appears to be a goddamn diary. Incredible.

We next see it in Chase: from the first shot we can see it is the same apartment as before; from the second we see the ensuite connected to the bedroom (and that he's gotten rid of the bookcase that used to be against the wall).

Finally, Park briefly stays with him in Gut Check, and we find out that a) the apartment has at least two bedrooms (and likely two baths, given the en-suite), and b) the redecoration did continue:

(why the hell does he have four TV remotes on his coffee table????) I actually like the orange couches (and the implication that Chase threw out every single one of Cameron's decorative tchotchkes), but it's a different vibe for sure.

Because we actually get so many different looks at the place, it's pretty easy to make a map of the layout; the apartment looks something like this:

This post is so pointless. However, I do not apologize.

[gender-trash]

you know the tumblr aesthetic houses/aesthetic interiors blogs? the ones that post exclusively unsourced images usually ganked from instagram or pinterest?

ai image generation has taken over that entire corner of tumblr like a parasite, and because i content tag for ai generated images i need to zoom in and squint every fucking time -- but i follow a lot of blogs who talk a big game about being anti-"AI art" and seem to, like. not realize? when they are in fact reblogging ai generated images (i suspect because they look more like photos than like digital paintings or w/e).

anyway here's my set of tips for recognizing ai generated aesthetic house photos on tumblr. we're gonna use this post as an example:

check the source: on posts by this species of aesthetic photo aggregation blog, there may be some kind of text that purports to be "a source" (in days of yore, sometimes if you googled this you would find some kind of instagram page that itself aggregated stolen image content; occasionally it was even the actual photographer). in our example post the text is "Thierrynuchanant", which might be a street name or a photographer's mononym or an instagram or all manner of other things, but the entire first page of google results was exclusively this tumblr post or reblogs of it, so i feel pretty confident in assuming it's completely made-up.

(this by itself is a weak signal that the image is also completely made-up, but, like... if it ISN'T, it's still a blatantly stolen unsourced photo. but if you're active in this corner of Aesthetic Tumblr i guess you've already made your peace with that.)

inspect the architecture: this particular house makes it tricky because it's purposefully artsy and asymmetric, and how the hell do i know the architect didn't make all the window frames different on purpose? so instead of asymmetry, keep an eye out for misalignments, things that don't make physical sense, or things that are mismatched but look similar from a distance (typically if you are doing something purposefully mismatched, you want to draw attention to the contrast -- so, an all-black outfit with one black sock and one bright green sock is purposeful, but an all-black outfit with one black sock and one dark gray sock looks like you made some sort of laundry error).

what the fuck is this pointy archway thing that's only on one half of the window? where does it attach?

these lit-up yellow windows look like really fancy and decorative leaded glass (i mean, i *think*; the image is blurry enough that it's hard to tell), so it's weird that they look similar in color but the left one has a diamond-ish pattern and the right one has vaguely gothic arching tracery that is replicated NOWHERE else in the house

the windowsill looks lumpy and, uh, irradiated, and the planterboxes are at two different heights. also come to mention it how are the planterboxes even attached to the thick stone sill?

why are there two slightly different styles of lamp thing at two different heights

windowpanes crooked??? also if you squint the stonework on the window frame doesn't actually make sense or depict anything

this mostly-hidden rectangular architectural mass seems to switch from modern with rectangular windowpanes on the left to elaborate tracery on the right, and the angles don't quite match up either. (i also spent a while squinting at that inverted nipple thing to the right of the round window but like, i don't know a hell of a lot about french art nouveau vernacular architecture, maybe it's... a disused utility hookup???)

plants that aren't in pots: this is the dead giveaway. ai generated images LOVE to have non-climbing plants just vibing on the side of a building.

this is not a fucking epiphyte it needs DIRT SOMEWHERE

okay now i gotta hunt down another example image so i can provide examples of mangled text and maybe mismatched architectural details in other styles. brb

[sofiadragon]

I love your hp fashion post! I have a question: what do you think is popular for teenager girls/young women to wear in the 90s? How does it differ from muggles? Would they have incorporate muggle fashion trends into their outfits? And is that a thing you would usually see younger wizards doing?

Thank you!

Ok, this requires me to sit at my PC to type. Got me out of bed and off my phone to make tea and type while I'm sick.

Obligatory link to the post in question.

Fashion is Political

Fashion in the 70's, 80's, and 90's was hugely political both in the UK and USA. Goths, punks, preps... It was an entire identity. I didn't paint my nails black, dye my brown hair with translucent red or purple highligts, and wear mesh layers just for the aesthetic, it was an entire philosophy that had political, moral, and social ideas baked into the culture those clothes represented. When I wore a yellow sundress, a hat that hid the highlights, and stripped the color from my nails to visit certain relatives it was because that was a Sundown Town and the ideas represented by the counter-culture I belonged to very well could get me hurt when walking around alone. Yes, I look entirely white (got some Japanese but so far back it doesn't show, and I'm basically French and Bulgarian) but that kind of conservatism didn't (and still doesn't) take kindly to those who support the queers, freaks, and weirdos.

And it's still true, if not quite as much as it used to be. Social cliques still dress alike, but it isn't as quietly political the same way it was then. People don't seem to associate fashion with a political statement using style as much as they use modesty and cleanliness, but it could be that I've just become Officially Old now that I've got a stripe of white in my hair. It seems a bit more on the nose these days, or more accurately on the head. I have a lovely bright red knit newsboy hat I had to stop wearing around 2016-17.

Yeah, but so what?

Fashion changes over time, so let's start with some 1970's makeovers and work our way to the 90's!

The Marauders Prequel: Kinktomato, and all the similar disclaimers, but I respectfully disagree entirely with giving Sirius, James, or any of the other marauders a Punk aesthetic. Sorry JKR, but what you have James and Sirius wear in your prequel needs a tweak. Sure, they wanted to fight against 'traditionalists' which sounds like it's punk... until you realize that the Light was the status quo before Tom came to power. The Order of the Phoenix is a vigilante group working to protect the Establishment and prevent change. Yes, realizing that while reading the 7th book hurt me in my heart too.

I have to throw JKR a bone about her recent nonsense, but she's right in the manner of a broken clock that the rebellious counter-culture going on in the Wizarding World was being backed by the Traditional Family Values set. The politics in the Wizarding World do not match up well with the real world, mostly because if you think too much about it the political aims of the Death Eaters implode. For blood purity, leader is a half-blood who hates the rich and treats the high society types with deep contempt; were not in power and had to have a guerrilla movement, members included half the House of Lords. You can't square those circles, so we get the Light Preppy types like the Marauders and the Dark Preppy types like Draco Malfoy, and then we have the punks and the goths who are the outcasts and queers that get indoctrinated into one or the other set. Don't blame me, I didn't write the books.

The Marauders should look a bit like The Monkees.

James and Sirius were not in with the queers and freaks, they did not read dark poetry in black clothing with sharp lines and heavy makeup that obscured bruises, they were Preppy Jocks and bullies picking on the outsiders. Remus Lupin might be 'one of the good people' who got wizard AIDS, but he's at best masking to fit in with a powerful social group for protection. The black leather with the rocker band t-shirts look? No, no. Put that boy in a polo shirt and chinos. Give him a cable-knit sweater or a blazer over a robe. (And many people do give these things to Professor Lupin, but I mean from the jump.) They'd all be clean-cut, perfectly groomed, and wearing light colors because their political movement is literally called The Light. Black T-shirts with a phoenix on them? No ma'am. White or yellow shirt, embroidered (or screen print to look like embroidery) phoenix. Yellow blazer jacket on top with creamy muggle trousers in a high-water boot cut to show off expensive white or tan boots. (The high-water boot cut on the trousers are muggle 1960's, but wizards lag behind on muggle trends.)

Moving on to the Dark Side

Snape's our punk, or maybe a broody goth gremlin reading poetry books. All via thrift-shop [charity shop] finds, of course. The set of upper-class future Death Eaters he eventually starts to hang out with would have started out in clean-cut expensive dark-colored robes, but might have embraced a morbid aesthetic, as we see Bellatrix wear in the movies. This would be a case of convergent evolution in a sense.

Snape dressed like that due to the poverty and muggle influences in his life, and I headcanon that he liked to visit a record shop and stim his autistic brain with niche experimental music just like I used to at that age, but the morbid and shocking aspects of Goth or Punk aesthetics parallel with Voledmort's completely unrelated skull and snake symbol inspiring trends among his more loyal followers, who are rich enough to be trend setters and social influencers.

Snape very well might have made friends with those awful boys because they liked the casual clothes he started to wear on weekends once his mum started tossing some money at him and telling him to get his own shopping done so she could get back to her crossword puzzle (or maybe he got a summer job at a bakery.) Snape chose that look because if he's styled punk (violent) or goth (morbid) the rips his father puts in his clothes when he gets tossed around are there on purpose and it's just a nice coincidence that the stains in the second-hand clothes he gets on clearance at the charity shop get hidden by the cheap black dye he uses to get that grey and black look. This way, it is not just because he can't afford better and washes both himself and his clothing in the same portable tin washtub.

This convergence was accidental, but the artfully tattered cloaks and general look of the Death Eaters in the movies is something I can get behind - minus the Victorian trousers on the men, of course. The movies make the clothes way too muggle especially for the pure-blood set! Regulus Black spent nearly a hundred galleons getting a robe made of the finest linen and fur, snipped and cut so artfully to look like it was moth-eaten and torn even though every edge is properly hemmed and trimmed with a bit of lace that merely looks like a frayed edge.

Then Voldemort got Blown up

Look, the actress has red hair and a preppy lavender top - it's too perfect a reference image for Lily Potter nee Evans in a fashion post.

The morbid aesthetic that was so popular in the late 70's doesn't just go out of fashion, it is jettisoned like the toothbrush mustache. Yeeted from a seaside cliff. Dropped in a ditch full of burning petrol. Abandoned at the side of the road in a bag. Morbid? Don't know her.

Draco Malfoy, as I earlier teased, wears the fashion of the Dark upper class. Flowing perfectly tailored robes with a rope belt. Crisp and clean lines, no jagged edges or anything to even suggest aggression. 90's pure-blood fashion is soft. For the girls, more color, but we are going to backpedal so hard nobody will ever think we were associated with that guy we don't name. Draco Malfoy's non-uniform robes are like spun clouds, opulent and decadent in beautiful pristine velvet, shining satin, and resplendent metallic embroidery. While Snape and the generation of men older than him now wear waistcoats over their robes to look proper and all buttoned up, Draco's set is all about looking sleek, clean, and comfortably ready for a dramatic breeze. I don't think there is a large difference between what boys and girls wear, the gendering is all in the accessories and embellishments. Lace for girls, metallic piping for boys.

I'm talking flowy, I'm feeling swishy, I'm saying that 'looks like a dress' was a completely fair take from Harry's perspective. Yes the above characters are female and Frieren herself wears a lot of white, but you get the idea. The Dark Lord is dead, we need a rebrand yesterday. More lighter colors even for Dark-aligned [read:Tory, Conservative] families. No evil here! Nope, nope nope.

Harry is a Self-fulfilling Prophesy in More Ways than One

Harry accidentally has a hand in this trend in his earlier years, since he is wearing Dudley's castoffs and he's incredibly famous. Baggy is in! Just relax, chill, be comfortable. Dress like you just don't care what you look like. (You know, pandemic style.) He wears jeans, and probably most of his bottoms are jeans. They are one of the most durable things any boy Dudley's age would wear, and so wouldn't be as destroyed as the rest of his wardrobe by the time Harry got his hands on it no matter how hard Duds is on the trendy fast fashion clothing Petunia buys him. Petunia, a social climber, is set on making sure her family looks like the next rung up on the social ladder after all.

Later, when we can assume Harry has bought at least one wizard outfit that isn't his school uniform if he's got enough money on hand to buy Omnoculars, he's probably taken his fashion cues from himself indirectly. He likely gets his advice from Hermione and Ron, who get their fashion sense from looking at their peers, who get their fashion sense from... the trend of super casual heavily muggle-influenced baggy clothing in mismatched colors that Harry started as a first year.

Bit harder to find male examples than female ones, but that's fashion gifs on Tumblr.

Shorter robes with jeans underneath - or knee-high socks or dhoti style trousers in blue heather fabric that look like jeans provided you have never seen jeans before in your life. Open, short robes over closed-front ones, aping an overlarge muggle jacket over a robe. Floppy shapeless clothes held on with an overlarge leather belt. Squashy hand-knit jumpers. Girls in the Lighter political side also take cues from muggle women's fashion, which is more form-fitting than traditional wixan wear and shows off the legs. In the muggle world, this is the time of the babydoll dress, slim-cut trousers/jeans, and tightly tailored suit skirts for women.

Imagine way, way, way more gold embroidery on the above dresses.

And, because I can, because it's headcanon time, 90's Indian/ Bollywood fashion influence on the Light side after James Potter is martyred because #Indian Harry Potter is real and I love him. Music, clothing, art, it is in style among those who honor James and Lily's sacrifice. Harry's green eyes looks so bright next to chestnut brown skin. He can speak to snakes because his ancestry includes a bit of naga blood, not because of the Horcrux. Petunia certainly never taught him about it, and he's confused when an especially devoted fan sends him blessings addressed to Hindu gods instead of the Christian or pagan ones he hears about more often at Hogwarts. One of the Patil twins asks him what's wrong with him expecting, from his attitude and excitement about Christmas, that he's a devout Christian who hates his dark skin. Then they monopolize some of the time he's not teaching the D.A. or in detention to Educate That Boy.

[ladyfromaspookyforest]

ST Season 2 Wardrobe Analysis

Mike and Will

If you haven't read my posts on season 1, here's what you need to know:

Pink and blue are colors consistently worn by the Wheelers. They symbolize the idea of the perfect nuclear family or the "norm." Also sometimes shown in a darkened palette as red and blue. The usual choice of neutral for the Wheelers is light grey.

The Byers wear earth tones. Their neutrals are usually cream, tan, ivory, etc.

Mike's color is blue.

Will's color is yellow.

And that's what you missed on...*cough* nvm.

EPISODE 1

Season 2 kicks off with Mike trying to call El on his walkie. He's wearing a pretty standard Mike fit: light grey shirt with blue and red stripes. He's also got some ugly maroon corduroy pants on that I couldn't get a nonblurry or completely dark screenshot of (sorry). Color theory, as other people have declared, states that El's color is red. So far, this has not been reflected in El's own wardrobe, as she has not developed her own sense of style or understanding of self yet. However, it is used in Mike's clothes to reflect that his mind is on her, such as here, where he is clearly missing her and trying to reach out.

Will is wearing cream, brown, blue, and green. All colors common in the Byers household. But no yellow. I mentioned in my last post that Will doesn't wear yellow AT ALL this season until the Snow Ball. This is a really great visual indicator that he is not himself.

The following day, Will's shirt is red and green (it's kind of hard to tell from the screenshots :/ sorry). So he's kind of matching...

Mike. Who is also wearing red and green detailing. Plus Will is in blue pants and a brown jacket and Mike is in brown pants and a blue jacket. The major difference here is that the dominant color in Mike's shirt is blue while Will's shirt doesn't really have one. (Again, absence of identity) These two fit together aesthetically quite a bit this season.

Will's pajamas are blue (the stripes are red and white), so when his house turns upside down that night, he matches. The choice to make him blend in rather than contrast again gives the feeling that this is where he belongs. If he were fully himself, we might expect to see him in yellow or orange or something warm and bright and we would clearly be able to see that he is in a realm that is not his own. Because he sticks out. Instead, he blends. This is a hint that part of him is still attached to this domain.

EPISODE 2

I’m not going to discuss why they are the Ghostbusters. But I want to talk about the differences in their costumes. We know these were homemade. We saw Joyce sewing a patch onto Will’s costume in the first episode, so it’s unsurprising that they don’t quite match. Lucas and Dustin match the most. Their jumpsuits are the same color, though it looks like they are different based on pocket placement and collar shape.

Mike’s jumpsuit is a little bit of a warmer color and has pockets on the thighs. Will’s is the most different. In addition to being a different color, it doesn’t have a pocket on the left arm, the wrists don’t cinch, the waist doesn’t cinch, AND he’s the only one not wearing a black T-shirt underneath. For some reason, Will is wearing grey. Plus, his jumpsuit is the most ill-fitted. I think there are two things being achieved here.

Will's insecurities and feelings of displacement post-UD are being represented by making his costume stick out the most. He feels different. He feels like he doesn't belong. He looks different and like he doesn't belong.

It brings us back to the pilot in which Joyce tells Hopper kids at school make fun of his clothes. Everything I said above could have been achieved with the different colored jumpsuit and t-shirt alone, but the jumpsuit also just looks worse. It doesn't fit right. And this reminds us that Will comes from a different economic bracket than his friends.

In addition, Dustin and Lucas matching almost perfectly while Mike sticks out a little (rather than Will sticking out a lot) shows us that Dustin and Lucas, for the remainder of season 2, are the core of the party. Will and Mike are each going through something on their own. Yes, we will see those two come together (at the end of this very episode, in fact), but for now, Mike feels like he's the only one still mourning El and Will feels like he's losing his mind after Owens declared his flashes nothing but PTSD. They each separately feel alone.

EPISODE 3

This is 0% analysis, but I love Mike's lil sweater look here. It's so cute. Anyway, he's once again got yellow detailing in his sweater while Will is wearing none. Plenty of blue, but if you remember me saying at the beginning that earth tones are Byers colors...well, there's an awful lot of brown in Mike's outfit today. Will, on the other hand, is wearing a lot of blue. They seem to be reflecting one another a good bit in their outfit choices today. These are their first looks post "crazy together," so it makes sense that they would appear united, regardless of Will's absence of yellow/inability to be fully himself.

Additionally, when Will and Bob are talking in the car, their jackets are similar.

You can't really tell from this photo, but Bob's tie contains red and green detailing, just like Will's shirt. This is the scene in which Bob actually manages to connect with Will (unfortunately), which is shown by the fact that they are dressed the most closely they ever have/ever will.

EPISODES 4-8

Mike's outfit consists of: grey shirt with blue and yellow stripes, blue hoodie, and green pants. What a color scheme. His concern for Will has only skyrocketed since the field incident and is essentially the only thing on his mind throughout this episode. Both of Mike's outfits from episode 1 contained red (no yellow) and both outfits since Halloween have contained yellow (no red). His focus has shifted from El to Will.

Will's in his pjs (the same blue pants he wore in the first episode). But here's an interesting detail: remember when I said light grey was a Wheeler neutral and Byers neutrals are warm? The grey does two things here. Again. Will's wardrobe is multitasking a lot.

It puts him visually closer to Mike.

The change from a warm neutral to a cool neutral also brings him closer to the Mind Flayer. Who likes it cold.

Will has actually been wearing a lot of grey this season, but very subtly. His pj shirt in episode one, this one here, his undershirt on Halloween, his undershirt the following day.

The first two outfits, both from the first episode, are the only ones that haven't included grey so far.

Will proceeds to spend the majority of the season in a hospital gown. I talked in this post about Will's hospital gown from the season 1 finale and Max's from the season 4 finale. Their designs were clearly chosen for a purpose. Will's was colorful and bright. It was more fun with little triangles on it. It reflected the happy tone of his reunions with his family and friends. In contrast, this one is colder (again, he likes it cold) and lacking playfulness. It's much more similar to Max's gown, and while Max's situation appears more dire, Will is under the influence of the Mind Flayer. Both characters are at risk of losing themselves to Vecna or the Mind Flayer or whoever is at fault. There are tons of parallels between Max and Will, but this hospital gown is just another visual cue to tack on, suggesting that maybe Max is about to endure a struggle for control too.

EPISODE 9

These outfits are so heinous, I don't even want to talk about them. Sigh. Unfortunately, I made a HUGE deal earlier about this yellow shirt, so...yes, Will is wearing a yellow shirt! He's back!

I tried really hard to zoom in on Mike's stripes and I honestly don't know what color they are. Maybe red? Maybe orange? Maybe brown? Regardless, he's wearing grey and blue, the usuals. But his tie is red. El has returned. Both Mike's red tie and Will's blue tie could be a way of demonstrating where each boy's affections are being directed. However, Mike wearing a brown jacket is a little baffling and disgusting, but continues to tie him into the Byers color scheme.

Additionally, Will's vest is dark green (I know it's hard to tell) and I think Mike's pants are green too? Not 100% sure of that one, though. Here are the same photos with obscene amounts of brightening. You decide.

But I think the ties are really the major detail here. It's a signal of the path Mike is about to run down with El the following season. He clearly has not learned to live with both Will and El in his life at once. The fact that he has worn either yellow or red but never both all season is hugely telling.

Mike's outfit is stylistically similar to Will's. They both wear button-downs, ties, and sweaters (neither Dustin nor Lucas wears a tie. Or a sweater). But his coloring matches El. The tie matches her belt almost perfectly. The grey of her dress matches the grey of his sweater. They'd match so much it's disgusting if it weren't for that godforsaken brown jacket. I'm not going to say that ugly-ass jacket means Will's getting between El and Mike because I don't think he is (at least not at this stage of the relationship), but I do think it shows that Mike isn't really sure where he stands right now.

Other Season 2 Wardrobe Analyses: El & Hopper Nancy, Jonathan, & Steve Lucas, Max, & Dustin

[ficoandleo]

Hyde gave him another mission. He doubted this was redemption--he had to work with members of the other houses to prove that he could. But it was still something. As much as he couldn't rely on anybody else to run the casino he was happy to do missions instead. Missions were normal. He and Taiga had been doing missions since their first year. It was far more normal than sitting in Sinostra all day. The only thing that wasn't normal was working with someone besides Taiga. He always did his missions either alone or with Taiga.

Well. He knew the first person he was bringing on the mission. The problem was. . .his interpersonal relationships among the ghouls weren't the best. Which meant getting others to comply was. . .a challenge, at best.

But he would worry about that later. He had magical insight onto who would be involved anyway. Right now, he was inspired. So much so he'd grabbed another underling to watch the cameras while he furiously sketched outfit ideas. He still did this, frequently even. But he hadn't felt so struck by inspiration in a long time. The table in the VIP room was covered in sketches that resembled Darkwick residents he knew, bodies obscured by various fashionable clothing designs. Many of them were 'dark' in their theme, perhaps even Halloween appropriate. He fussed with references on his phone, collaging together images and colors in the way aesthetic bloggers might have.

On his private instagram, a photo of the table and the scattered drawings is posted. "I woke up so inspired today that I can't keep my hands still. It's been three hours and all I've done is sketch and draw and make collages for inspiration. I feel a little lightheaded but my wrist doesn't hurt yet which means I can still go on."

He should probably eat lunch. . .he can't think of what he wants to eat though. All that's filling his mind is fabrics and models and clothing and runways. It's nostalgic. Once upon a time, beautiful things like this were all he had to care about.

[duck-in-a-thrift-store]

Alright, ik it's been a little while but now it's time for room/character closeup #3

~Max & El's room~

Right off the bat I think it goes without saying their room is quite a bit more *fun* than some of the others; it was heavily inspired by the early s3 aesthetic (before everything went to shit that is), like when Max was helping El try out a new style, so I hope that shows in the colors and patterns I used for the wallpaper/rug/beds

(Also- this isn't character specific- it just makes me happy how the chair matches the wallpaper and the bedspread matches some of the colors in the posters)

Speaking of the posters

I remembered Max introducing El to comics at their sleepover (also s3) so I wanted to use posters that had that comic book/pop art feel to them, hence the pieces over the beds

Max is on the left. I felt like the sheer *attitude* it conveyed was something she would appreciate, that it suited her

El is on the right, and there's like a whole tangent to that one* but it's also another call-back to that s3 moment of Max showing El her comics and telling her who Wonder Woman is (listen I just really loved their dynamic and interactions in s3 ok)

*You might be wondering "duck why would you put a superheroine poster over El's bed are you really taking such a cliche/obvious approach with the decor here"

Listen babe. It's nuanced, okay?

First of all, yeah basically. I'm fine with being cliche. I do what I want and it fit the general vibe I was going for

But more importantly, remember how I mentioned in... one of the other notes posts for this au I honestly don't remember which one at this point- how a recurring theme here will be characters reclaiming things? At least I think I posted that, I know I wrote it down somewhere-

But anywho, yes, this is one of those instances

So I think, before now, El would have gotten to a point where she really resented "superheroes" -or more accurately, being compared to them

After everything. After being taken from her mother and having her childhood stolen from her in order to train her into a mini super soldier. After always having to be the strong one and fighting every battle. After always having to be the superhero for everyone else and still feeling like she can't ever seem to hit the bad guys hard enough to keep them down for good, to keep her friends safe. After having all those expectations and all that pressure on her for years when really she just wants to move on and be a normal kid and get to live her life

And yeah, maybe also after Mike's weak ass speech at the end of s4. I'd probably feel pretty icky if my boyfriend tried to encourage me by reminding me that my value comes from being a sword and shield rather than a person, if I kept getting put on this suffocating pedestal of always having to push myself to keep everyone else safe, and if I believed that was the very reason I was loved

[Don't take this the wrong way I love Michael Wheeler he's like a son to me but I do think that his and El's relationship was very unhealthy and that he didn't handle things very well]

So uh. Yeah. El hated superheroes for a little bit. I'm not sure when they put that poster up but it wasn't when they first moved in

However

After getting away from the place tied to so much of her trauma, so many of her burdens; after getting out of the situation that kept forcing her into the superhero role, I think her views on superheroes just as an objective, fictional concept would start to soften

And also I think the way Max handles it- treating her like she's awesome and strong and special but not dehumanizing her, trusting her but not pressuring her, encouraging her to be and embrace herself- that has something to do with it as well. It teaches her that she can be a superhero if she wants to be, but she doesn't have to. She does have superhuman abilities, but she herself gets to decide what, if anything, to do with them

When they all ditch Hawkins and move into the new house, El doesn't have to fight anymore. They've left the Upside Down and all its monsters, the empty lab and all its ghosts, behind them. For the first time in... well, pretty much her whole life, she doesn't have to fight, she doesn't have to use her powers, she doesn't have to play the hero. She gets to just... be a kid. A person

And everyone still loves her. Everyone still treats her like a part of the family, like she matters

So maybe she doesn't have to be a superhero. And maybe she doesn't have to hate them, either

But the concept is still something tied to her identity, something floating in the back of her mind; it's an identity in which she found value and strength, at a point in her life when she didn't really know who she was yet

So she still thinks about heroes. And she slowly comes to appreciate them in media, like the comic book heroes Max tells her about. Distinctly separate from herself and from her reality and past. From that safe distance away, they're admirable, captivating, impressive, compelling. And, yeah, maybe a little relatable

And... she finds that she's ok with that

She finds that she likes it, actually

Until eventually El has a strong appreciation for heroes, for their strength and what they stand for, because she understands them- but she doesn't have to be one of them anymore. Removed from the dangers and the expectations, she can see heroes- and herself- simply for what they are, instead of through that lens of pain and resentment and obligation

In the place she has found herself in life, she comes to terms with the fact that she is badass, she is important, she has value, and that those facts remain even when she isn't fighting anything

And in knowing it isn't required, that the people around her see her and love her for who she is rather than just what she can do, passively being likened to a hero doesn't feel so crushing anymore. Maybe she even starts to casually refer to herself as a hero from time to time, maybe jokingly, maybe ironically, maybe sarcastically, but deep down she does still feel that tie, that connection, in some ways- only now it doesn't hurt

And now she loves superheroes, enough to put one on her wall

[Btw, this whole analysis thing was heavily allegorical for my relationship with gender and I hope that shows. Superheroes=womanhood/femininity. If you get it you get it]

That ran away from me a little bit. Um. Moving right along, I guess

The third poster isn't that deep tbh I mostly picked it because it matched the wallpaper colors lol but I do think "good things are coming" would be a nice message to wake up to for two people who have been through so fucking much already at such a young age, remind them that they still have a wonderful life ahead of them despite the horrors in their past, y'know?

And then there's Max's skateboard, at the foot of her bed

It's symbolic it's important it matters that she brought it with her

She got hurt pretty damn badly at the end of s4, and nobody knew for sure if she was even going to survive, let alone whether she'd be able to skateboard again

But she did survive, and her body got pretty fucked up but she was in recovery, and maybe she'd never be quite the same again but she wasn't going to let that stop her, she wasn't going to give up

Her legs aren't as strong and her balance isn't as good as it used to be but she's determined to use that skateboard again no matter how many times she falls over relearning how to do it (and someone is always there to help her get back on her feet, if she wants them to. Yes it's Lucas how did you know)

Anyway I just think Max Mayfield is an incredibly strong brave person and she gets what she wants and what she wants in this case is to be the zoomer of the household

I don't suppose there's really much more to say about the room, so... guess that's a wrap for this one

[staticl0ve]

The Pig and the Fox - Chap 1 - Connor x AFAB!Reader

Pairings: Connor/AFAB!Reader (no pronouns used) Rating: Mature/Explicit/NSFW 18+ Link (AO3): Read it Here Chapters: [ Chap 1 ] [ Ch 2 ] [ Ch. 3 ] [ Ch. 4 ] [ Ch. 5 ] / 6 Words: 3.3k Warnings: implied drug use (supporting character), so much swearing, reader does wear feminine attire Summary: When a thief meets a cop, they’re on the opposite sides of the law, two flips of a coin. However, there’s more to life than things being black and white. In a post android revolution, not much has changed for the common citizen. The rich get richer and the poor, well, they work. They adapt. They sacrifice. You straddled that fine line, one toe in the light and one in the dark. So does Connor, but you don’t quite see that yet. Notes: Based on that ask for “Tear You Apart.” I see you anon and I made this way longer than a oneshot (oops). ✨💙

Chapter 1 - Law and Disorder

When you think of America, you’re probably thinking of a star spangled banner, waving in the air as a marching band proudly plays a tune inspiring pride and patriotism. Pay no mind to the country’s shores dimming away into a rising sea and rockets with their red glare gleaming over oil rich lands. Across an ocean, the same melody was once but a pub song, meant to be slurred out of drunken mouths like 99 Bottles on the Wall.

Since the young country’s founding, the nation quickly led the global markets in pop culture, science and technology. By 2018, a young CEO of a tech startup changed everything with one invention, a perfect creation, beautiful, unchanging and with a mind that was sharper than its creator. An android, straight out of science fiction. The invention handled everything from household chores, babysitting, surgery and even replacing the role of an intimate partner. One could only imagine the fallout that occurred across the job market.

By 2038, the country was too busy bickering across political aisles, gaslighting and finger pointing instead of helping a neglected populace. Like adding water to a grease fire, tempers flared as people began to take out their frustrations on the androids. Eventually, the machines had enough. An android killed a man out of self preservation and a little girl was held hostage.

The story had changed and the media was quick to paint an image of a temporary truce, an us versus them. But machines were more level headed than their organic counterparts, wanting only peace, equal rights—the expected fundamentals. One peaceful revolution, a series of lawyers and they got it all. Love em or hate em, their freedom meant things quickly returned back to the status quo—for the most part.

For those still lost and purposeless, they found their way out with the dawn of cybernetics. In an effort to compete with the machines, people began embracing synthetic alterations. Surgical procedures ranged from minor implants to full limb replacements. X-Ray vision? You’ve got it. A machine gun for an arm? Still pretty fucking illegal but you bet someone had one.

The cybernetic market was also a hit for those in it for the aesthetic of glowing eyes and hair that could grow at will (very popular with middle aged men). Others found more…nefarious uses for their upgrades. Murder was a little extreme for your tastes. Thievery was more your thing, or a little something you might call, wealth redistribution.

Bold colors, the same as the flag, flashed wildly at a mansion in Palmer Woods, one of Detroit’s wealthiest neighborhoods. A patrol car idled in the rain. Not only were the roads slick, the weather was all doom and gloom, discouraging outdoor activities. Police normally didn’t make appearances in the sleepy suburb, but tonight, a house party was disturbing the peace.

From high up, a curtain was slightly drawn in a nearby home. Unlike the one next to it, the guests were not expected.

“Fucking pigs,” your associate, Leo hissed under his breath. He was attached to the shadows in the room, dark hair hidden behind a beanie, arms crossed with a teal blazer wrinkled around clenched fists. For a rich kid, he always managed to be short on money and his father, Carl Manfred, was beginning to catch onto why and halved his allowance. It wasn’t uncommon for people like Leo to chase wild parties and find himself doing dubious work to pay for his new habits. He would blame his circumstances on his father’s neglect, or as Carl saw it, the best a divorced man could do while balancing a large art career.

As a buyer of Carl’s gallery work, you knew him first, then Markus and met Leo at a bad place and a bad time. Carl’s eldest son had gotten himself in some trouble during an exchange of goods, a fight over bags filled with red crystals. You leveraged your trade name, Fox, and saved him from one hell of a beating. Despite your best judgment, you dragged him under your wing and to your surprise, he was good at keeping your side gig a secret. While you weren’t the type to pry, you didn’t love what he did with his free time but you did tell him, “If you’re going to do dumb shit at least I can keep an eye on you.”

You watched after him like any good sibling would, even though he already had a younger brother, Markus. But Markus was an android that shared all of the same passions their father had, which did not rest well with Leo who lacked any artistic talent. A story…meant for another rainy day.

“It’s just the one patrol car, you don’t think they tracked us…?” he pondered.

“Relax,” you replied. Your fingers were holding a bedroom curtain open by a sliver, enough to spot the cop car parked across the street and the two passengers exiting the vehicle. “They’re not here for us. I bet a neighbor called in a noise complaint about the house party.”

“Damn, you think we can finish up soon? I was hoping to meet my buddy there.”

You tried to ignore how shifty his eyes got around the word ‘buddy’ and the subconscious twitch of his fingers rubbing the tip of his nose.

“Right,” you scoffed, returning to the center of the room where an empty desk sat.

The home you cased was nearly barren, the owner too busy or too preoccupied with his other homes to bother decorating with personal touches. Paintings of generic scenery hung in each room and the walls were all the same drab seashell white color. This boring, Crate and Barrel style home belonged to a former investor of Cyberlife, your target for the evening.

“This shit we’re doing…we’re the good guys right?” Leo asked. It was a peculiar question since he never had a problem with what you were doing before.

“There’s no good or bad, we’re just here to balance the scales. Our target has been happily benefiting from the services our taxes pay. It’s time we got our share.“

“Wait, taxes pay for stuff?”

Distracted, you had to turn around to give him a look like you were talking to a child.

“Yes, they do. What are you twelve?”

“I’m Twenty-Nine!” he shot back, standing up taller and puffing his chest out. You knew he never worked a day in his life and mostly survived off the money his father sent him.

“Oh, so you do have a seat the big kids table then,” you snickered.

“Just—forget what I said and worry about the safe, okay?”

You went back to checking out the oak desk. At a glance, it looked like the rest of the home, plain and unimportant. You ran your bare hand over the surface, enjoying how smooth it felt. The new upgrades to your limbs offered retractable fingerprints and you were pleased to know you weren’t one of the unlucky few to lose all feeling in your hands as a result of the implant.

Your skin warmed along your veins, the circuitry embedded in the skin revealing angular lines of light that traveled from the back of your neck, down your spine and to your fingertips. The artificial lenses in your eyes spun, adjusting to see something beyond human perception. As the room shifted from reality to a virtual grid, a blue line trailed from a panel on the desk and to the wall across from it.

“There,” you announced and injected the lock panel with a combination breaker. Numbers clicked away, cycling and flickering hundreds of formations. Off in the background, you could still feel the bass of the party next door, shaking up the dead stillness of the place you were in. It was interrupted by a constant buzzing. Out of the corner of your eye, Leo stuffed his hand into his pocket, bringing out a phone.

“Fuck,” he whispered, gloved thumb fumbling with the red end call button. “Shit.”

You caught a small glimpse of a face on the screen, an older man who if not for his age, would be just as problematic as his son.

“Sorry, Fox,” Leo sighed out. “Won’t happen again.”

“S’fine.” You shrugged but kept an eye on him. “I hope it wasn’t important?”

Alright, so you pried sometimes.

Leo wasn’t looking his best tonight. Sweat was beading down his brow, his feet fidgeting and creaking the hardwood. He shook his hand dismissively at the desk, half to tell you to let it go and half to redirect your focus. You did, returning to blocks of text streaming down your sight. Numbers cycled until it finally halted on one set. Your lips curled, finger drawing a pattern on the panel.

A disguised safe door clicked open on the wall, revealing a small square box filled with thin, rounded glass tablets. On the surface, they looked like trading cards with cute monkey graphics but you knew this set was worth millions. These cards weren’t all that different from rare paintings and a few controversial auctions were all it took to make them seem exclusive. It was a little funny, the obscure measures the super rich took to funnel their wealth.

“That’s all of them,” you declared, grabbing a handful of holocards. Placing them in Leo’s care, you didn’t have time to celebrate when an alarm broke. Dramatically, your shoulders slumped, head thrown back as you groaned.

“Leo!”

Wide-eyed, he jumped, panic racing across his features. “Shit, I swear I got all of em.”

“Could have been a silent one. Fuck, and the cops are right next door.”

You dashed to the blinds, cursing once when you saw the officers on the neighbor’s lawn turn their heads from the alarm. Pulling away from the window, you worked out your backup plan.

“Cover your face,” you said while lifting up a handkerchief tied around your neck. He mirrored you, bringing a holographic mask up. It shimmered, forming around his face until he looked like a pixelated blur. “The door to the back yard, take it. I’m going out the front door—”

He looked more concerned as the words sunk in, “What? You’re going to run into them!”

“That’s the idea. Come on!” You raced forward, shoving him through the doorway. “We meet up after, a different spot than last week. You know the place right?”

Leo stammered out an affirmation of sorts as he stumbled down the stairs.

“And change your clothes!” you shouted after him.

Through the windows, you could spot the cops, one older and one younger, making their way to the front door. If you were to be honest—you stretched out a little, fingers intertwined and reaching for the ceiling—this was your favorite part when a heist went wrong.

Explosive energy surged through your veins, blue light rippling across skin, glowing brighter. You shot off your feet, racing quickly through the home, making a loud banging noise as the door swung open. Rain hit your exposed skin, cool pinpricks chilling your hands and face.

“Halt! DPD!” That must have been the younger guy, his voice energetic and closing in much closer than the other officer. Behind him, his partner sighed, arm bracing his back as he jogged to catch up.

“Connor! Wait!” the older man shouted. He gave up after a few paces as the rain slowed him further.

Pigs needed to run every now and then. You stuck out your middle finger and hopped over a fence. Connor’s faint cry of “stop” got lost between backyard sheds and fancy trimmed bushes.

First things first, the rules to a neat getaway: befriend the neighborhood dogs.

A large canine, out on its pee break ran up, bared it’s teeth with a vicious snarl. It calmed instantly when you threw a milk-bone and you were back on the run. The man chasing you felt close behind, the dog reacting to his presence only moments after you left.

The other rules were tedious things of the past like cardio. But who needs cardio when they’ve got implants? Wind bit your face as you raced through neatly curated suburbia. Some might say you relied too much on your cybernetics but you saw it differently. You designed them for a living, suffered the pain of your body rejecting the technology and when it all finally came together, you used your new advantages to your benefit. 

Well, you weren’t soulless. A lot of the money you stole got laundered, turned legit and anonymously donated to nonprofit organizations you trusted. What was leftover went to your daytime front: a condo with a view, a sweet android dog waiting for you at home, and your side hobby of collecting art.

As homes drifted off into the distance and the streets felt more open, you glanced over your shoulder.

“Oh, fuck.”

The cop from earlier was still on your tail and it was then that you realized a small…blue…ring on his temple. You’d never seen an android that could keep up with your off market cybernetics. Double fuck.

For those taking notes, every successful getaway requires a back up plan to go with the back up plan. There were a handful of locations where you had emergency transit parked in hiding. Your fingers twitched, skin pulsing in a pattern. Blocks away, a motorbike’s engine came to life.

“Not another step,” Connor ordered. His shadow stretched to your shoes, his posture tall and shoulders squared to intimidate. “Move and I will have to use force.”

“Fuckers like you always do,” you casually responded, not at all deterred by his threat. The bike was going to take a few minutes to arrive so you had to buy some time. Your gaze dipped to his utility belt. Taser, gun, baton…oh, handcuffs, fun. “So, how do you wanna do this?”

His head tilted slightly, curiosity chipping away at his authority. “What can I call you?”

“You can…fuck…right off.” You didn’t miss the flash of gold from his temple.

“Would you prefer…” His LED pulsed until it eased back to a calm blue. “Fox?”

Your fists clenched. He couldn’t possibly make out who you were with what little you were revealing. Communications used for this assignment were heavily encrypted, although…it wouldn’t take a super computer like him long to compile data from the dark web and find a trail some associate of yours failed to cover.

You weren’t confident you could take on a machine that hunted other machines since your implants were optimized for dexterity and speed. However, Connor didn’t look terribly intimidating with his large doe eyes and delicate angular features. Compared to your sleek black, waterproof clothing, your adversary was a sad, wet dog. His hair was soaked, flat and his police labeled windbreaker was two times too large for his lean build. That all changed when he lowered his chin and the whites of his eyes caught the glow from a streetlight. As he stalked forward, you recoiled marginally, muscles pulled taut.

“Do you like to tango?” you asked, redistributing your weight until your feet were squared with your shoulders. You grinned, canines baring back at him, a sly fox sizing up a hog. “I’m a really good dancer.”

You didn’t wait for him to reply, dropping low with a fast sweep of your leg to his ankles. Any other person would have collapsed to the ground but Connor was quick to right himself mid fall, using the momentum to wrap his hand around your arm. Everything moved as if frame by frame, droplets of rain falling at an angle, your eyes widening and him dragging you into his hold.

What you failed to realize earlier was that this android wasn’t your average run of the mill PC200 or PM700, law enforcement androids meant for guarding, observing and patrolling. Connor was an RK800 and now, as you were about to land face first into his chest, you remembered you had seen him before. There was a man lingering at the edge of the stage during Markus’ big speech but your personal investment in the deviant leader’s wellbeing had you fixated on Markus. Great, how unlucky for you to be arrested by the one and only deviant hunter who’s specs were still unknown.

Alright, one last back up plan, because of course you were prepared.

You were prepared, weren’t you?

“You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you in court,” Connor said as he caged you into his chest. Your head smacked his jaw and he continued with little effort despite your thrashing.

“Let me go!”

“You have the right to talk to a—”

“Fuck off!” Your elbow connected with the center of his chassis, making him loosen his grip. It wasn’t enough but you were able to free your arms. Your hand glowed as you gripped his neck, forcing an interface. Connor’s body seized up, turning him into a still mannequin. His eyes were frozen open, the brown dimmed to a dull gray as his LED glowed an angry red. Waving your fingers over his face, you breathed out a sigh of relief.

Normally the program you ran acted as a temporary sedative to use on androids and you weren’t sure how effective it would be on an RK800. Your escape plan was here, headlights approaching and washing your tangled figures in yellow. Pushing free of Connor’s grip, a shock worked its way up your arm, the same one that touched his neck.

“Ow! What the f—fuck…?”

You glanced back up at him, watched the red of his indicator spin to gold and knew you had no time to think about anything that wasn’t getting away. The sting had mellowed out into a small fizz but the cybernetics in your arm never calmed on your way to the meet up spot.

Beneath the cover of a park tree, Leo’s leg was nervously shaking as he tried his best to appear casual. He had changed from his original get up, as did you. Anyone walking by would figure he was out on an oddly late date. He had bagged the cards in a bright pink bag full of white hearts with a single rose sticking out.

“Fox! Thank fuck, I thought for sure they got you.”

You cheerily held up a bag of oily goods, filled with fries and nuggets.

“What kinda friend would I be if I left you standing out in the cold?” Your smile grew wider when you caught sight of his disguised bag. “What the hell is that?”

He roughly snatched the junk food and handed—tossed more like it—the bag of cards to you.

“It was all I could find at the drug store!”

You caught it with ease, bringing the rose to your nose. With your other hand, you brought out your phone. An app for exchanging currency flashed before him. Leo fumbled around, wiping his salty fingers on his pants and you had to hold back a laugh.

“I knew you’d be hungry.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he replied and placed his phone next to yours. The screens flickered, numbers counting up on one side. He watched the change with rapt focus, brown eyes wide as if hypnotized. His ashen face was washed in the white glow of his screen, drawing deeper lines on the purple, almost bruised skin beneath his eyes. You’d seen that look on other faces before and the ending was not so happy.

“Hey…you should call your dad sometime,” you said.

Leo broke from his trance, pulling away and stuffing his phone back into his pockets.

“I know.”

The silence was accompanied by glimpses of polished stone on fresh dug soil, the smell of cut grass. Your hand on a cool surface, flowers in hand.

You pressed the rose back up to your nose, nodding back at him.

“See you around, Leo.”

“Don’t get caught, Fox.”

Your fingers throbbed again, the blue glowing beneath your jacket.

[the-everqueen]

look. this fic started as crack taken seriously except now it's getting longer than a one-shot and we haven't even reached the crack yet. so i'm posting a snippet to like. encourage myself to finish it.

.....................

One thing has proven consistent in Matthew’s life, both as a human and as a raven to Dream of the Endless: changes in management are never smooth. It doesn’t matter how much you plan in advance, it doesn’t matter whether the new boss is qualified—things are gonna go sideways, at least until everyone adjusts.

Don’t get him wrong, Matthew doesn’t doubt that Morpheus did everything he could to ensure the Dreaming’s wellbeing before the Kindly Ones came for him. But jeez. Daniel Hall was a toddler just a few months ago and now he’s the next Dream King. Which Lucienne keeps telling Matthew isn’t quite right: the boss isn’t gone, the Endless are their functions, in some cosmic-fate sense Daniel was always already going to be Dream, yada yada.

Matthew doesn’t buy it. He went to the wake. He gave his tribute.

The kid is all right. But Matthew can’t shake the memory of him clutching the emerald at his throat, the echo of that familiar deep voice cracked down the middle. I am afraid. Hard to hold anything against him—he couldn’t have known what he was signing up for, and this ain’t exactly the kind of job that attracts volunteers. Still…the newness is unsettling. The realm feels like it’s on edge, waiting with bated breath to see what happens.

Which is how Matthew finds himself in search of a delinquent Nightmare.

The Corinthian, Dream tells him, has not shown up to work for the past several days. Dream doesn’t use those words, says failed to perform his function with a kind of detached precision like he’s reading from a script. It makes Matthew feel a little sick, though he’s ashamed to admit it: Morpheus’ words in an unfamiliar mouth.

He ignores that for the more pressing question: “He’s back in the Waking World?”

“No, he has not departed the Dreaming.” Dream’s brow furrows in transparent concern. Weird weird weird to see an identifiable emotion on that face—at least, one that isn’t annoyance or resignation. “I would know what he is doing, if not attending to dreamers.”

“Can’t you—I dunno—check in? You’re the boss.”

What Matthew doesn’t say is, that bastard promised me a reprisal. What he doesn’t say is, I heard Lucienne say he was supposed to be your masterpiece, but he gives me the creeps.

Morpheus would have heard these unspoken protests and said, You don’t need to like him to fulfill your duty to me. This Dream frowns and says quietly, “I don’t know that he would welcome my intervention.”

And that’s new, Dream taking into account someone else’s feelings, particularly one of his creations whose past incarnation—pardon the French—royally fucked him over. Then again, Daniel would have known the Corinthian as a protector of sorts. Maybe he’s feeling a residual fondness, that kernel of humanity come back to haunt the rest of them.

The thought makes Matthew sad. He ruffles his wings. “Yeah. Yeah, all right. I’ll fly around, see whether I can find him.”

Dream doesn’t give him any hints about direction, but Matthew figures it can’t hurt to swing by the Corinthian’s house. Well, “house” is a generous term for the architectural Kleenex box where the nightmare chooses to reside, as close to the shoreline as Dream would tolerate. Matthew wasn’t around to know whether it’s a relic of the first Corinthian, but he thinks it’s an eyesore regardless.

He swoops in through an open skylight. The place is too fucking massive for just one person, in his opinion, so it might take him awhile to search—

“Hey, birdie.”

Matthew lets out a croak of surprise and banks to land on something that might be a side table, might be a piece of driftwood enlisted for Aesthetic Purposes™. The Corinthian is sitting cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by skeins of colorful thread. Instead of a knife, he’s got a needle pinched between his fingers, which he’s stabbing into…surprisingly not a body, but a piece of fabric stretched across some kind of wooden hoop.

“Man, what the fuck,” says Matthew.

“You’re the one who came here uninvited,” the Corinthian says with a shrug. He resumes the stabbing. Matthew can make out the vague outline of something that might be a duck, embroidered in grey and orange thread. It’s got a knife in its beak. “What are you doing here, anyway?”

“Delivering an HR report.”

“That’s a lie, Lucienne wouldn’t talk to me even through a middleman.”

“It’s from our mutual boss.”

“The Dream King?” The Corinthian frowns. “What’s he want?”

“For you to do your job, apparently.”

“I’ve been doing my job.”

“Uh, no, you haven’t. Not in the past week or two.”

If the Corinthian were a normal human being, Matthew would say the expression that passes over his face is guilt. The fine lines around his mouth(s) tighten, his eye teeth grind together in a gesture that might be glancing from side to side. But then the Corinthian refocuses on his embroidery project. “Well, tell him not to get his panties in a twist. I’ll be on the clock tonight.”

“If you want PTO—“

“—we don’t actually get paid—“

“—you gotta talk to Lucienne—“

“—I know, I know, submit the requisite forms, blah blah blah—“

“—and not just fuck off on your own, I mean, you of all people should know that.”

The Corinthian tilts his head. Something about the motion makes Matthew’s feathers stand on end. “Me of all people?”

“Well. Yeah.”

“No, no, birdie, why don’t you say what you mean.” The Corinthian flips the needle over his fingers and it transforms into knife. “Tell me how I’m special.”

Matthew lets out a nervous kraw, spreading his wings. “Man, you’re on thin fucking ice, you think Dream is gonna be chill about you killing another one of his ravens?”

“Alex Burgess shot Jessamy.”

“Because you made sure she was cut off from the Dreaming.”

“That wasn’t me.”

“Close enough.”

“Really? You think the current Dream King is close enough to Morpheus?”

Matthew shuffles from one foot to the other. He ought to take flight, tell Dream that he found the Corinthian and his lord’s former masterpiece has taken up arts and crafts. Let Dream decide what the punishment for that offense is. But he feels the need to protest, to prove his loyalty. Maybe because he’s the New Guy (if not as new as the latest incarnation of the boss). Maybe because the Corinthian doesn’t get to question his commitment to the job.

He says, slowly, “He’s Dream of the Endless. That’s all there is.”

The Corinthian barks out a surprised laugh. “Guess you’ll stick around,” he murmurs cryptically, and the knife is a needle again. He lowers that awful not-gaze back to his embroidery hoop. “You can tell our Lord Shaper that his renegade hammer will be back to pounding nails tonight.”

“Was that an innuendo? It felt like it wanted to be an innuendo.”

“What doesn’t?” The Corinthian’s smile is all teeth.

Matthew ignores that. “So is this what you’ve been doing while AWOL? Making home decor?”

“What’s it to you, birdie?”

“I dunno, seems out of character. Shouldn’t you be plotting murder?”

“Maybe I’ve been slipping into the Waking World.”

“Nah, you aren’t stupid. You wouldn’t be that obvious about it.” Matthew pauses. “Besides, Dream said you hadn’t left the Dreaming.”

“So he is keeping tabs on me.”

“You’re dreamkin.”

“Yeah, veritable tracking chip built right in.” The duck is gaining feet, bright flashes of color making a pantomime of long strides. “Like knowing where your right hand is.”

“Does it bother you?”

“Would it bother you?”

“Not really. I mean, it doesn’t. When the boss rides along. Uses my eyes or whatever. Feels weird, but that’s what I’m here for.”

Matthew looks around the room. It’s organized like a human apartment, albeit one of those fancy places in Architectural Digest: sleek white sofa and matching chairs, glass coffee table that doubles as modern art, hardwood floors so gleaming Matthew can see his reflection in them. He’d assume it was for show except for details like the discarded books and the blood-spattered “Home Sweet Home” cross-stitch framed on the opposite wall.

“Are you…bored?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Taking up new hobbies, skipping out on work.” Matthew gestures at him with a wing. “I dunno, feels like burnout.”

“And what do you care?”

“Well, the last time you got dissatisfied with your job, a lot of people died—caw, fucking shit!”

He takes flight just in time to dodge the wicked blade that comes at him with eerie accuracy. It sticks in the table with a thunk, before it dissolves into sand.

The Corinthian snarls in triplicate, “That. Wasn’t. Me.”

“Okay! Okay, sorry, fuck.” Matthew circles in the air a few times before landing on the back of a chair. “You could just say so, don’t gotta get all murderous about it.”

“S’my nature,” the Corinthian says, mulish. His fingers sort restlessly through the rainbow of thread. It’s a minute before he chooses a sprig of green and starts threading it into his needle. Sunglasses materialize on his face, hiding his terrible eyes. “What are you hangin’ around for? Don’t you have a report to deliver?”

You don’t have friends, huh. Matthew is smart enough not to speak his observation out loud this time. Makes sense, though. The Corinthian is a Nightmare, and in the narratives he inhabits, all his overtures end in murder. Probably other dreams don’t want to get too close, even if this incarnation is supposedly collared and muzzled. Hell, Matthew didn’t want to come here just to see what the fucker was up to. In hindsight, he assumed something nasty. Not…whatever the fuck this is.

He thinks about what it might have been like, being Morpheus’ favorite. He thinks about Dream saying, I don’t know that he would welcome me.

He thinks maybe the Corinthian is lonely.

“I’m not a messenger pigeon,” Matthew says, ruffling his feathers in mock outrage. “Besides, Dream asked me to check out what you’re doing. You really want me to tell him you got distracted making home decor? Won’t that tarnish your image or something?”

The Corinthian frowns at his wobbly duck.

“He already caught me slacking on the job,” he says.

“Look, I’m just saying—if you want me to tell him you got distracted by some cute nightmare, I’ve got your back.”

The Corinthian curls his lip like a dog. “Why? You think I’m gonna forget about you ditching me back in Svartalfheim? I know you don’t fucking like me.”

“What, I can’t do a favor for a coworker?” The Corinthian’s fingers twitch, and Matthew croaks. “Fine, fine, sure, if it makes you feel better. I cover for your ass and you stop threatening to kebab me, how does that sound?”

The Corinthian stitches a whole patch of grass before he says, “All right. You got a deal.”

“Cool.” Matthew tries not to dwell on how it feels worse than if he’d made a pact with the literal Devil. Okay, no, that’s an exaggeration, Matthew went to Hell the once and he’s not keen on having another interaction with Their Unholiness anytime soon. But keeping a secret for the Corinthian feels a lot like betraying Dream, even if it’s harmless.

At least, he thinks it’s harmless.

Man, he’s going to feel so stupid if it turns out the embroidery is part of some scheme.

He mantles his wings, preparing to take off.

Hesitates.

“You got anything you want me to tell the boss?” he asks.

“Thought you said you weren’t a messenger pigeon.”

“Doesn’t mean I can’t pass a word along. As a favor.”

The Corinthian doesn’t respond for a long minute. Matthew starts to think that’s his answer, but then he says, all lazy cheer, “Nah. I got nothing to say to him.”

And Matthew thinks that’s the biggest lie he’s ever heard but it’s not his job to argue, so he heads back to the palace.

[mocolococoffeesimp]

General oc info in this post. (Trying to do "wiki" style for this.)

Persona Oc post here. Link.

Name: Candi.

Candi and Zoe reacting to a cockroach in the house.

Candi and Zoe intro dialog with certain characters.

Theme: Give me the night, Artist Des Rhocs. (Imo, fits Candi well as a character who just wants to have fun.)

Alias: Troublemaker, Greedy twink.

Race: Human.

Gender: Male. (Is gender-nonconforming.)

Age: 26.

Height: 167cm/5'5.

Weight: 64kg/138lbs.

Blood type: O.

Origin: Unknown.

Birthday: January 15.

Eye color: Hazel.

Hobbies: Watching movies/shows, playing games, reading comics, pick-pocketing, lock-picking, jogging.

Likes: Sodas, jokes, puns, movies, arcades and money.

Dislikes: Stoic people, getting caught, boring movies, spicy foods.

Occupation: Thief, information gatherer.

Weapon: Bare fists and boots.

Voice claim. (I am extremely uncreative with my voice claim choices, I am aware of it.)

English: Faye Mata/ Erika Harlacher.

Japanese: Ayumu Murase.

Story.

Background.

Wherever Candi goes trouble follows him. More often than not, it is because of his own actions. He performs on the streets, while he is looking for the next loot. As much as he loves money, he also respects anything worth of value. No job is too small or big for him, for the right price.

Fun loving and chill Candi is no stranger to heated situations. There are times, when he has two options: Run or talk his way out. If, neither of those work, he will throw punches. His fighting relies mostly on evading and trying to make his opponent making a mistake. After a gig gone wrong, he spent some more time as a street performer, still emptying occasional pockets. This habit of poking his nose, where it didn't belong has gotten him to the bad side of Conclave. As he has stolen and sold off their property.

Name:Zoe.

Zoe with s/o who has rough/calloused hands.

Candi and Zoe reacting to a cockroach in the house.

Candi and Zoe intro dialog with certain characters.

Zoe with a photographer s/o+ going to movies with Candi.

Theme: Go!, artist Santigold.

Alias: Ice princess, Duchess.

Race: Human.

Gender: Woman.

Age: 30. (Will tell you, she's 24.)

Height: 170cm/5'6. (175cm with heels.)

Weight: Private information.

Blood type: B+

Origin: Unknown.

Birthday: March 8.

Eyecolor: Yellow/Orangish.

Hobbies: Doing nail art, cutting and styling gems, shopping.

Likes: Nail art, gems, fashion, spas, wine, beautiful things.

Dislikes: Dirt, unfashionable people, people not treating her with respect.

Occupation: Royalty and gemonologist.

Weapon: Magic, gems she summons. (Fan is aesthetic choice.)

Voice claim: Vella Lovell.

Story.

Background.

Born into royalty, Zoe is prideful woman of her status and looks. Wherever she goes, she does so with style. Her being born into royalty wasn't only thing she gained right off. She was born with the power of gem manipulation. Her parents used her powers, as ways to find gem-sites and dig them. When Zoe was old enough keep the business going herself, she had already mastered her powers. Not only could she sense them, she could manipulate them and summon them.

Zoe is a prideful and powerful woman. As her status as a royal and somewhat intimidating woman, she has gotten a status of a ice queen, which is quite true. Zoe won't trust people easily, always thinking what others might gain from her royalty status.

Zoe was roped into assisting Ky, for one of his missions as it had something to do with gems and her business. This eventually led to her being the first person, called whenever there is something gem related. Which, she is happy to do. But, often times that means fighting and getting her clothes for the day dirty. Much, to her dismay.

[victorluvsalice]

AU Thursday: Smiler’s Otherland -- Domains!

Hi everyone, I’m back on my Smiler’s Otherland bullshit! :D After making my initial “here’s my first ideas on the concept” post back in May 2023, I’ve been trying to get my thoughts organized regarding what Smiler’s Otherland should look like, more details about their weapons, how many outfits they need, etc. And now I’m going to share some of those thoughts with all of you! Because it’s my tumblr and you’re my captive audience. :p

So -- let’s start with the domains! Because you can’t have an Otherland without actual, you know, lands in it. So far, I’ve come up with four domains for Smiler:

Smile Street: The “hub” domain, or at least the domain any visitors would be likely to land in first, much like Alice’s Vale of Tears or Victor’s Living Dead Forest. This domain is arguably the "coziest," and allows Smiler to put their best smiling face forward. :D

-->As indicated by the name, it’s a long winding street lined with brightly-painted houses in all colors of the rainbow -- in fact, here, the shot of Towers Street from this The Smiler ad gives you a good idea of what I’m picturing:

Only, instead of just those spiraling yellow clouds in the sky, there's also a big yellow sun featuring a Smiler-logo face on it, as per this screenshot from this video on The Smiler mobile game: (WARNING -- the linked video does have flashing lights/strobe-like images starting about midway through!)

...maybe a little less overtly creepy, as this is supposed to be the friendliest domain, but you get what I mean.

-->And who lives in those cheery little houses? Why, the Advocates, of course! Who are based on these guys from The Smiler mobile game (screenshot from the same video linked above):

You know, just a little higher resolution. XD They're naturally very friendly, greeting visitors enthusiastically, and spend most of their time wandering around, trimming trees and hedges into spirals, having little get-togethers in each other's yards where they tell jokes and laugh a lot, playing various games with each other, painting big grinning faces on portable easels -- that sort of thing.

-->At the end of the street is -- well, the town SPIRAL rather than square, as the road just spirals in on itself until it stops at a big fountain full of glowy yellow liquid at the center. Around the outer curve of the spiral is a little cafe (which serves a variety of drinks and treats, though many of the drinks glow at least slightly, and the treats tend to have spiral decorations), a playground (with all the equipment painted with yellow and black stripes with occasional touches of purple and white), a general shop selling a variety of goods (which, yes, would basically be the shop from the Smiler Shop TV video, manned by Matt and Carol -- Smiler can put their parents into their Otherland, as a treat), and a train station consisting of a bright yellow covered platform with spiraling columns holding the roof up, a Smiler coaster car (like that seen above) for the "train," and tracks that start out flat but quickly spiral off into wild loops and twists (because, of course, the coaster itself has to serve as transport to the other two "nice" domains). Just a nice place to hang out, chat, and watch the spiral clouds swirl overhead. XD

X-Sector: Named after the section of Alton Towers that The Smiler coaster is actually in, this is the domain dedicated to Smiler’s interest in technology and chemistry (with the actual look of the tech ranging from more steampunky to more cyberpunky depending on the time period of the AU it features in).

-->The domain consists mostly of a big old lab, surrounded by a yard featuring grass made out of green wire, flowers made out of twisty bits of metal with stained glass leaves and petals, and simple conical trees (like the kind you might see in an old Playstation or XBox game before graphics really started taking off -- that Smiler Game screenshot above is roughly the right aesthetic). The sky here would be filled with swirling, spiraling yellow and black clouds, lit with the occasional flash of lightning. It's all very dramatic.

-->The lab itself is divided into two wings, separated by a main hall with lots of optical illusions a la the actual The Smiler station (with various changing patterns on the walls -- be warned, that linked video has a fair amount of flashing lights in it!). The left wing would be devoted to engineering and be filled with things like whirring little hypno-wheel gadgets, boxes with flashing lights, various skittering tiny robots, and other things of that nature. The right wing would be devoted to chemistry and have various workstations covered with bubbling flasks of liquid and hissing tanks filled with volatile gases -- though I'm really tempted to throw in a little bit of Willy Wonka flavor and have a big old waterfall of Joy Serum somewhere in here too. XD I mean, it feels like something Smiler would have -- maybe it flows into a giant pipe to provide the liquid for the fountain in Smile Street? Or perhaps it just serves as the "drinking water" for everyone there...

-->As for residents -- well, I suppose in addition to Advocates in lab coats tending all the various experiments, it would make sense to have Dr. Gladwell from the Smiler Takeover "Fear Test" show at the very least. After all, he is the Ministry's Chief Neurological Cortex Reprogrammer! :p The only thing complicating that is that I wanted to name Smiler's outfit for this area after him...but I suppose I could name it after his role in the Ministry instead... Anyway, the most notable resident here would naturally be the Marmaliser itself -- a big robot wandering around on its five limbs, looking for unhappy people to make happy and coming by the lab to have its Inoculator syringes and Giggler gas tanks refilled and its Tickler brushes, Flasher bulbs, and Hypnotiser wheels looked at and realigned as necessary.

Musical Mayhem: Hey, Victor wasn’t using the name :p This domain is all about Smiler's love of music and festivals and things of that nature, and -- as you might expect -- is strongly based around that whole The Smiler Takeover that Alton Towers did for the ride's 10th anniversary.

-->The domain itself is a giant fairground set in a field of glittery green grass under more of those yellow spiraling clouds, with a couple of black-and-white-cobbled looping paths winding through it. There are various carnival games scattered about (like the "Beat the Buzzer" game where you have to get a wire loop around a metal simplified Smiler logo without touching it, otherwise it'll buzz and you'll have to start again; hook-a-smiling-duck; bag tosses with grinning Smiler-logoed bags; one of those water gun games where you shoot Joy Serum at a target to make something rise up; etc), along with food stalls, comfy sitting areas, and carts where people can get balloons and little sparklers and trumpets to blow. As you might imagine, it's chaotic, but in a good way!

-->The dominant feature of the fairground, though, is a huge stage at the far end -- a bigger version of the Takeover's Celebration Stage, with all the smiley-face decorations but yellow curtains instead of red. There's a few rows of seats in front of the stage for people who want to sit down and watch, and designated "dancing spots" for those who want to dance and sing along. The dancing spots are generally more populated than the seats, as you might expect. XD

-->Again, the domain is mostly populated by Advocates from Smile Street, just enjoying the carnival -- but you can't have a Celebration Stage without Felix E. Lated as the star performer! :D (Again, Smiler can have their uncle in their Otherland, as a treat.) When he's not up on stage singing, he's wandering the fairground, encouraging everyone to let loose and have fun. Possibly Grin-Grin the clown (from the above-linked "Fear Test") also makes an appearance from time to time, creating balloon animals and telling ridiculous stories -- oh, and we probably should also have the contortionist and the magician from the "Meet The Ministry" stage show up too! All the performers for the Advocates to enjoy!

Sanctuary: Unfortunately for Smiler, as stated in the original post, we can’t neglect the spookier, scarier parts of the coaster’s theming -- and that means having a domain where everything is creepy and horrible, to represent their fears about going too far and actually harming people. And thus we have Sanctuary, inspired by all the Kelman-related materials, such as the Smile Always series and the Sanctuary scare mazes (a few clips of which can be seen in this informative video -- again, watch out for some flashing lights)! Hooray! :D

-->The area is a large, underground asylum, accessed by a pair of rusty metal swinging doors spray-painted with "THE TRUTH" in bright yellow (taken from one of the AR spots you could access with The Smiler Mobile Game back in the day -- there's a set hidden away in each of the other three domains) -- once inside, you're confronted with an absolute maze of concrete corridors, all painted a faded white. The place is not in good repair, with plenty of patches of exposed rebar and wiring on the walls and cracks in both the ceiling and the floor. The whole place is poorly lit, with buzzing yellow lights dangling from the ceiling and occasionally sparking or going out entirely. The only concession to color is in the various posters that have been hung up -- images of spirals with DO NOT RESIST written under them, photos of decaying animal corpses captioned with LIFE IS BAD, and various images of people with their mouths distorted into extremely creepy smiles. It's just a very unpleasant place to be!

-->There are two groups of people that live in this horrible location -- the first being the Corrected. These are the asylum's patients, dressed in tattered and dirty white t-shirts, pants, and dresses, who roam the halls and live in the various cells dotting the hallways. Most of them either have Glasgow smiles or various bits of machinery forcing their mouths into grins, and many also have at least a partially-shaved head and nasty scars on their scalps indicating brain surgery. However, the Corrected are all completely non-violent, either just wandering around doing their thing (vaguely giggling to themselves, drawing on the walls with whatever they can find, standing in small groups and laughing together) or hiding away from anyone they think is a threat.

-->No, the actual enemies of this area are the Staff -- the nurses and orderlies who run the place. The nurses are dressed in stained white uniform dresses, sporting dark circles around their eyes, vicious grins accented by dark lipstick, and long claw-like nails ready to take a swipe out of misbehaving patients; and the orderlies are dressed in similarly-stained yellowed scrubs, with the same dark circles around their eyes and vicious grins. The nurses carry syringes to stab unsuspecting victims, subjecting them to a variety of bizarre hallucinations; the orderlies carry shock batons guaranteed to bring patients to their knees. Their favorite activities are to stalk unwitting Corrected, then take them down while laughing hysterically. Not nice people at all!

-->And the person in charge of the whole shebang? Why, that would be Dr. Minister, a Kelman-like old man with a neat white suit sporting the Sanctuary logo, glinting glasses, and a smile that -- well, it's obvious the man's HEARD of smiling, but you're not sure he's ever seen it in action. He's insistent that everything he does for the Corrected is for their own good, and his ultimate goal is to turn Smiler into his apprentice/successor -- and Victor and Alice into Corrected. Smiler, as you might imagine, loathes this guy, and is absolutely terrified of ending up like him. :(

And that's everything I've got for now! It does make me slightly annoyed that I only have four domains for Smiler when Victor has five and Alice -- well, as per A:MR, the minimum is eight (presuming you don't count the Vale of Doom as separate from the Vale of Tears). But I do think that these four cover pretty much everything important when it comes to the coaster, it's themes, and all the events and attractions related to it. Next up, we have the weapons -- which, believe me, was a much easier post to make...

[aprillikesthings]

TIME FOR MORE SHE-RA

s1 ep7 let's do this

note: it's 9:14pm let's see how long a single episode takes me ahaha

Y'know, I was going to make a joke about how this is so my aesthetic it's painful, but interestingly enough the colors shifted wildly between my screenshot and adding it to the post. Have they been doing this the whole time and I hadn't noticed??? In Netflix it looks far closer to periwinkle??? fascinating

It's always been a little odd to me that nobody carries ANYTHING (other than magical swords I guess) in this show. And I get why (too much of a pain to animate) but it does mean they have to just sleep on the ground without a blanket or pillow or anything.

Meanwhile I can't even leave my house without at least a messenger bag

I ALWAYS WONDER THIS

okay so I forgot about Mystacor being the place all the sorcerers hang out and it's also mystical vacation land

SIDE NOTE a small thing that frustrates me is how little the animators agree on Glimmer's body size/shape. She's intended to be chubby (and not in an hourglass-y way) but it feels like a lot of the animators just refused to do it. There's a lot of scenes where she looks closer to my size, and I wear a small/medium in American clothes. Harrumph.

I was just about to make a joke about how Adora is gonna struggle to relax

Like gooey stuff in Miyazaki/Ghibli movies, but with a much lower budget

I can't find a gif but you know what I mean

Listen. I know I'm literally here for the gay. I know the show was made by people familiar with fandom, who put all that subtext in there on purpose and knew we'd read into it. But I still did a little kicky-feet wiggle thing when Catra's eyes widened at the mention of Adora's name.

TBH I think this is actually why I keep falling for animated media. You always know that whatever is on the screen was done on purpose.

Like, this shot from Arcane:

This is right after Vi sees Caitlyn visibly flirting with another woman; earlier Vi had asked Caitlyn "men or women?" and Caitlyn had wiggled out of the question.

So Vi's face here does an "Ah, so women it is then. NICE. Shit, I might have a chance." in like, a second and a half.

And it was all very intentional!! The people at Fortiche animation have SAID this. We're supposed to read it that way!!

I dunno. Maybe I'm still just traumatized from my time in the BBC Sherlock fandom. Are we supposed to read it as romantic or not? Because so many shots seemed full of intentional subtext (and I'm not even getting into TJLC shit, just stuff we ALL NOTICED after THE FIRST SEASON, even fucking normies noticed it) and then the showrunners spent the next few years telling us we were just imagining it.

Whereas if Caitlyn looks at Vi's lips before looking back up at her eyes, and we read into that, it's because we were supposed to. If Catra looks worried about Adora after Shadow Weaver mentions her, that's on purpose.

UGH.

Anyway.

Catra (trying to sound bored): sooooo gotta go find Adora again, got it Shadow Weaver: Nuh-uh. You get to just stand outside as guard, because you're a worthless piece of shit. [Unspoken: And also so Hordak doesn't know I'm disobeying him. :) ] Shadow Weaver: *creates a ginormous monster* Catra: yikes Shadow Weaver: GTFO OR GET HIT

Glimmer keeps trying to get out things like the tour and the eclipse ceremony and it's like your Auntie is right GIRL YOU CAN PUT UP WITH IT FOR ONCE it's all new to Adora c'mon

sorry I just get excited when they make places look a bit like medieval cathedrals

Side note did you know that, at least in England that I'm aware of, none of those medieval cathedrals have foundations. None. None of them. There's one in England that's built over a GRAVEL FILLED LAKE and if the water level gets too low the place is just gonna collapse. (They have fancy water gauges and plans for diverting water if necessary.) Anyway that's part of why so many of them charge admission for non-religious stuff. Keeping those 800-year-old super tall stone and glass buildings with NO FOUNDATIONS standing up is hella expensive. D:

Here's the twitter thread where I learned some of this information, btw

NOPE.

Anyway this is why part of the plot of my fic is related to how Adora and Catra have never had a healthy model for any kind of relationship, family or otherwise.

Oh I forgot Shadow Weaver's previous name. Anyway I still think her and Castaspella were together at some point

Adora's expression here ahahaha

Adora has ADHD but I already said that lol, and yeah I love the beach and I still need something to *do* even if it's just endlessly walking back and forth

also how does a floating island have a beach? anyway (edit: they're clouds that SOUND like water)

Yes this moment gets ruined immediately but I love it when they throw a bone to other ships, okay

YES???? DUH

also I get that they did the top on Bow so they didn't have to draw nipples and make him the only one that's topless but also we can imagine it's covering top surgery scars, trans!Bow headcanons are always winning

"So, mom stuff?" "No, commanding officer stuff. ...And mom stuff."

'cause yeah that's not awful or anything

but also now I'm imagining Shadow Weaver trying to explain periods

AAHGHHG Bow is the best. "sounds like she did a number on you. But you're away from her now. Did you want to do something else? Maybe find something to hit??" he's trying so hard to be supportive

The fact that Shadow Weaver knows how to make that monster have Catra's voice, and that she knew that was Adora's weak spot...

And this is in Hordak's, saying basically "the entire rebellion will end up dead and it'll be your fault :)"

Shadow Weaver knows exactly how to psychologically torture Adora.

Okay so Castaspella says She-Ra destroyed "a thousand years of sacred writings" and I'm just like...okay that implies Etheria has an actual religion??

And yeah that's definitely still Shadow Weaver

Also I watched the screenshot change color as I posted it. Gyahhhh.

A mutual pointed out in her live-tweeting of s5 that you could write an entire essay on the meaning of face-touching in this show. It's the one thing Shadow Weaver ever seems to do to intentionally imply affection/caring, but she only ever does it with manipulative, cruel intent, and there are multiple times I think that both Adora and Catra lean into it (even if only for a second) out of hope/relief.

(something something about baby monkeys clinging to dolls that shock them rather than have no mother at all)

(don't look up that experiment if you don't know what I'm talking about as it's incredibly upsetting, but the gist is that children will seek affection from a parental figure when hurt, even if said parent is the one hurting them, because seeking out a parent/caregiver when hurt is instinctual to infants and children. And if knowing that explains any part of your childhood I am so, so sorry)

Yeah that's straight out of the Standard Abuser's Guidebook

"Nobody cares about you or loves you or understands you the way I do. You're just like me, not them."

More face-touching!!

oh I don't like the implications here at ALL

[EDIT: she wasn't actually going to do that. She just wants Adora under her thumb to control her. it's the kind of bullshit abusers promise the moment they think you might leave. "I'll be better this time!"]

I'm not screen-shotting Adora's little speech of triumph but oh man it's GREAT and cathartic to watch

"Adora, enough of this. Come home." ....didn't Catra use nearly those words exactly

Yeah I'm glad they included that line

Bow: I'm so sorry we didn't believe you :( Adora: No, that's what Shadow Weaver does--manipulates people and pushes them apart

That's some nice awareness

And then yeah we get a moment of Catra scheming.

OKAY it's 10:44pm. Hour and a half! For twenty minutes of TV! But to be fair I did make/eat toast and play with the cat (he walked in and then jumped into the laundry basket, of course I had to parade around the house with him in there).

11:24pm: shit this post has been sitting here for half an hour bc I was actually writing on the fic lolol

[tartaruga-cosmica]

The homies are making V profiles. Here’s ma boi

Name: Vincent Yael Zircon, always told people his last name was Welles, though. Only goes by V, he does not like it at all when people call him Vincent. Netrunner Tag: V3nus Gender: male (he/him) Age: 27 Life Path: Corpo Affiliation: Moxes (formerly), Afterlife (post-game) Sexuality: Bisexual Personality: V is kindhearted first and foremost. His main interest is to make life better for his friends, himself, and the people who he considers family, because he knows he can’t help everyone in need. Doesn’t stop him from trying when the opportunity arises. He doesn’t take gigs that go against his moral compass and ideals, and he never kills without a reason. After getting roped into Arasaka due to a university program, he instantly went after his obsession with cyberware, netrunning and technology in general, getting fully chromed up. After the falling out with ‘Saka, he didn’t hold much of a grudge, only glad that he got stopped from becoming one of those cold, greedy bastards. He thinks Johnny shouldn’t be as hard on every single corpo he sees, because at the end of the day, most of them are just office workers. The people pulling the strings should rot in hell, though - that’s what they agree on. Johnny and him get along well, mostly because V is a forgiving man with a positive mindset, yet not afraid to tell Johnny he should crawl out of his own ass and shut his stupid mouth sometimes. He does not blame Johnny for his potential death, but rather looks to him for comfort on particularly bad days. He never accepted that he might die, and he never will accept it either. During the events of the game, he wants nothing more than to survive - but without the help of Arasaka. Facts: Being obsessed with high-end cyberware, V only has the best of the best. He lost most of his right arm while working in counter-intel at ‘Saka and chose to replace it with something fashionable rather than deceivingly realistic, he likes his tech to be visible. Hence the rather ominous red LED eyes with their black frames. Mostly fights with an electric monowire and enhanced combat knives. Also Archangel, he uses her nigh religiously. His hair is black naturally, but he dyed parts of it red and pink in his time with the Moxes and never went back to a solid color. Yes, that is cyberware matching Kerry’s in midnight blue with sparkly stars. But he got permission for it. They’re married it’s okay guys He did fancy Panam for a very brief while before Johnny unfortunately dragged him to Kerry’s house and the poor guy fell head over heels. He has a thing for arson and guns :( Huge loser nerd when it comes to physics, tech, engineering and space, and he incorporates it into his aesthetic whenever possible. The Star ending is his canon ending. (He’s fine and everything is okay and nobody dies and Kerry doesn’t leave him everyone shut up I’m not crying YOU’RE crying!!)

[ofirdesign]

Real Estate Branding Companies: Building Identity and Trust in a Competitive Market

In the fiercely competitive world of real estate, standing out from the crowd is no easy feat. Real estate branding companies have emerged as essential partners for businesses seeking to create a strong identity and foster trust among potential clients. These specialized agencies craft strategies that go beyond a logo or slogan; they establish a consistent and compelling presence that resonates with both buyers and sellers.

The Role of Branding in Real Estate

Branding in real estate is more than just visual aesthetics. It involves creating an emotional connection with the audience while communicating a company’s values, mission, and expertise. Real estate branding companies excel at understanding their clients' unique offerings and translating those qualities into a cohesive brand story.

For example, a real estate company specializing in luxury properties requires a branding strategy that emphasizes exclusivity, elegance, and premium services. On the other hand, a firm focusing on affordable housing might need a message centered around accessibility, community, and trustworthiness. The right branding approach ensures that the company’s target audience instantly recognizes and relates to its values.

Services Offered by Real Estate Branding Companies

Real estate branding companies offer a variety of services tailored to meet the specific needs of their clients. These include:

Brand Identity Design: This encompasses creating logos, color schemes, typography, and other visual elements that represent the company’s ethos.

Digital Marketing Strategies: Leveraging social media platforms, email campaigns, and search engine optimization to enhance online visibility and engagement.

Content Creation: Developing compelling content, including blogs, videos, and infographics, to showcase the company’s expertise and services.

Reputation Management: Helping real estate firms maintain a positive image online through review management and crisis communication.

Market Research and Analysis: Understanding market trends and consumer behavior to craft data-driven branding strategies.

Why Real Estate Branding Matters

The real estate market thrives on relationships and trust. Buyers and sellers often make life-altering decisions based on their perception of a company’s reliability and professionalism. Effective branding bridges the gap between perception and reality, ensuring potential clients feel confident in choosing a particular business.

A well-executed branding strategy also builds long-term loyalty. When clients associate a brand with positive experiences, they’re more likely to recommend it to others. Additionally, consistent branding across all platforms reinforces the company’s message, creating a memorable impression in the minds of consumers.

The Digital Era and Real Estate Branding

The advent of digital tools has revolutionized branding in the real estate sector. Websites, virtual tours, and social media campaigns have become indispensable components of a company’s branding efforts. Real estate branding companies leverage these tools to craft immersive experiences, allowing potential clients to explore properties and services from the comfort of their homes.

For instance, a compelling website can act as a 24/7 salesperson, offering information, testimonials, and easy contact options. Similarly, engaging social media posts can humanize the brand, showcasing success stories, community involvement, and market insights.

Choosing the Right Branding Partner

Selecting a real estate branding company is a crucial decision. Businesses should seek partners with a proven track record, creative expertise, and a deep understanding of the real estate market. Collaborative efforts between the agency and the client yield the best results, as both parties work toward a shared vision.

In conclusion, real estate branding companies play a pivotal role in helping businesses navigate a crowded marketplace. Through strategic branding efforts, these firms empower real estate businesses to differentiate themselves, build trust, and achieve long-term success. With the right branding partner, the journey to becoming a recognized and respected name in the real estate industry becomes far more attainable.

For more information about Graphic Design Firms New Orleans and Branding New Orleans Please visit: Ofir Design.

[garrage-door-services]

The Garage Door Replacement Process: What to Expect in Camarillo

Introduction

Replacing a garage door is a significant home improvement project that can enhance security, energy efficiency, and curb appeal. Whether your current door is damaged, outdated, or simply not functioning as it should, understanding the replacement process can help ease any concerns and ensure a smooth transition. This article will guide you through each step of the garage door replacement process, what to expect, and answer common questions to provide clarity for homeowners considering this investment.

Table of Contents

Reasons for Garage Door Replacement

Choosing the Right Garage Door

Material Options

Style and Design

Insulation Considerations

Finding a Qualified Contractor

The Garage Door Replacement Process

Initial Assessment

Removal of the Old Door

Installation of the New Door

Final Checks and Adjustments

Post-Installation Care and Maintenance

FAQs

Conclusion

Reasons for Garage Door Replacement

Several factors might prompt a homeowner to consider replacing their garage door:

1. Damage

Physical damage, such as dents, cracks, or rust, can compromise both the aesthetics and functionality of a garage door. If the damage is severe, replacement may be the most viable option.

2. Aging

Garage doors can deteriorate over time. Components such as springs, cables, and openers can wear out, leading to operational issues. An old door may not meet modern safety or energy standards, making replacement a wise choice.

3. Improved Functionality

If your garage door frequently malfunctions or struggles to open and close, replacing it can provide a reliable solution. Newer models often feature advanced technology that enhances functionality and ease of use.

4. Enhanced Curb Appeal

A new garage door can significantly improve your home’s curb appeal. With a variety of styles and finishes available, replacing your garage door is an excellent way to boost your home’s overall appearance.

5. Energy Efficiency

Modern garage doors are often better insulated than older models, which can help regulate the temperature inside your garage and potentially reduce energy costs.

Choosing the Right Garage Door

Selecting the right garage door involves considering several factors:

Material Options

Steel: Durable and low-maintenance, steel doors offer excellent security. They are available in a variety of styles and can be insulated for energy efficiency.

Wood: Wood doors provide a classic, aesthetic appeal. However, they require more maintenance to prevent rot and warping.

Fiberglass: Resistant to dents and rust, fiberglass doors are lightweight and can mimic the look of wood without the maintenance.

Aluminum: Lightweight and resistant to corrosion, aluminum doors are often less expensive but may not offer the same durability as steel.

Style and Design

Garage doors come in various styles, including traditional, modern, and carriage-house designs. Consider how the door will complement the architectural style of your home. Color and finish options also play a significant role in enhancing curb appeal.

Insulation Considerations

If your garage is attached to your home or used as a workspace, consider an insulated garage door. Insulated doors help regulate temperature, keeping your garage warmer in winter and cooler in summer, which can contribute to energy savings.

Finding a Qualified Contractor

Finding a reliable contractor is crucial for a successful garage door replacement. Consider the following tips:

Research: Look for contractors with good reviews and ratings online. Websites, local forums, and social media can provide insights into customer experiences.

Get Recommendations: Ask friends, family, or neighbors for recommendations based on their own experiences.

Verify Credentials: Ensure the contractor is licensed, insured, and has experience specifically in garage door installation.

Request Estimates: Obtain quotes from multiple contractors to compare prices and services. Be wary of quotes that seem too good to be true.

Check References: Don’t hesitate to ask for references or examples of previous work to assess the contractor’s quality.

The Garage Door Replacement Process

Understanding the replacement process can alleviate anxiety and help you prepare for the project.

Initial Assessment

A qualified contractor will start with an assessment of your current garage door and its components. This evaluation helps determine the scope of work, identify potential issues, and suggest suitable replacement options.

Removal of the Old Door

Once you’ve selected a new garage door, the contractor will schedule a time for installation. The first step is to remove the old door. This process typically involves:

Disconnecting the Opener: The contractor will disconnect the garage door opener to safely remove the door.

Dismantling Hardware: They will take apart the hardware, including springs and cables, ensuring safety during removal.

Taking Down the Door: The old door will be carefully taken down and removed from the premises.

Installation of the New Door

The installation of the new garage door involves several key steps:

Assembling the Door Panels: If the new door comes in panels, the contractor will assemble them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Installing Tracks and Hardware: The tracks and other hardware will be installed, ensuring they are level and secure.

Hanging the Door: The contractor will carefully hang the door on the tracks, making necessary adjustments to ensure smooth operation.

Connecting the Opener: The garage door opener will be reconnected, and the contractor will test its functionality.

Final Checks and Adjustments

Once the door is installed, the contractor will perform several checks:

Balancing the Door: The door will be balanced to ensure it opens and closes smoothly without strain on the opener.

Testing Safety Features: Modern garage doors include safety features, such as photoelectric sensors. The contractor will test these systems to ensure they work correctly.

Final Inspection: A thorough inspection will be conducted to ensure everything is functioning as it should. The contractor will address any last-minute adjustments.

Post-Installation Care and Maintenance

After your garage door is installed, proper maintenance is key to longevity and performance:

Regular Inspections: Conduct periodic inspections to catch any signs of wear or issues early.

Lubrication: Regularly lubricate moving parts, such as hinges, rollers, and tracks, to ensure smooth operation.

Weather Seals: Check and replace weather seals as necessary to maintain energy efficiency.

Clean the Door: Regularly clean the door to remove dirt and debris that can affect functionality.

Professional Maintenance: Consider scheduling professional maintenance at least once a year for comprehensive checks and service.

FAQs

How long does the garage door replacement process take?

The entire replacement process typically takes a few hours, depending on the complexity of the installation and the type of door being replaced.

Can I install a garage door myself?

While DIY installation is possible, it’s generally not recommended due to the complexity and safety risks involved. Hiring a professional ensures proper installation and functionality.

What should I do if my garage door isn't functioning properly after installation?

If you experience issues after installation, contact your contractor for assistance. They may offer warranties or service guarantees to address problems.

How much does a garage door replacement cost?

Costs can vary widely based on materials, style, and installation complexity. It's advisable to get multiple quotes to understand the price range.

Are there any energy-efficient garage door options available?

Yes, many modern garage doors come with insulation options that can improve energy efficiency, helping to regulate the temperature in your garage.

Conclusion

Replacing your garage door replacement camarillo is a significant home improvement project that can enhance your property’s functionality, security, and curb appeal. By understanding the replacement process, from choosing the right door to finding a qualified contractor, homeowners can navigate the experience with confidence. Regular maintenance following installation is essential for ensuring the longevity and performance of your new garage door. Investing time and effort into this project can yield significant benefits, making it a worthwhile endeavor for any homeowner.