#my break is almost over :p bleh

[orcelito]

Another nice thing about making boba: not only can I listen to my own music the whole time, I'm also not required to wear the uniform. So I've been guns out in my spaghetti strap tank top with my arms streaked in white powder

I think this is very sexy of me

[fizzingwizard]

Episode 26 already! I can’t believe we’re about halfway through... This episode seems to be end point for the current “arc,” or “mini arc,” maybe?? I’m not sorry to see it go but overall, this episode was pretty eh... Not bad, just kind of... I don’t get why we needed it. A fair few REALLY important things do happen! Those are awesome! I just think we could have got them in a more... interesting... way? xD Like, I didn’t hate watching it or anything, it just kind of felt like, with all the important stuff going on, shouldn’t there be more... oomph? (And I know we had a ton of oomph lately, it’s about time to wind down for a while... but then why pick now to spring certain things on us... anyway...)

Pic of the day!

generic group shot that captures each Chosen’s individual fighting spirit!

Koushirou: *intent focus*

Sora: *look of concern*

Jou: *I must have learned something in school that will be useful here*

Mimi: *Jou thinking always makes me nervous and a little grossed out*

Recap below!

So last week I’m pretty sure I vowed to violently murder someone in a back alley (or something like that) if we didn’t get to see the gang eat some FOOD this episode.

Well, looks like y’all are safe from me for now. Though I gotta say, I’m mildly concerned that they are eating Digi-eggs. Don’t those look like Digi-eggs? Other than the random very normal looking grapes...

Thank HEAVENS they are taking a BREAK.

Taichi uses his telescope to remark that Cloud Continent is not only a continent in the clouds, but it sure looks small from down here. Leomon admits he’s not really sure what’s going on anymore either xD

Leomon’s mainly weirded out by Patamon, who... I suppose just doesn’t fit the bill for what he expected the holy Digimon to be like :P lol

Ok so quick aside... I’m honestly kinda peeved that we’re still with Leomon’s silly group of clowns. I know that sounds harsh! And I love Leomon! But his army is... uh... well, he definitely made sure he’d be the coolest one around at all times xD It makes sense that he’d be hanging around because after all, getting to the Holy Digimon was one of his goals as well, but honestly he and his team just feel like replacement back-up for the other Chosen Children who are in the real world atm. AND FIZZ IS NOT INTO THAT. At this point I really do NOT understand why the kids had to split up and send some to the real world at all. I suppose it may be explained in the future but I also won’t be surprised if the answer is “It’s exactly like you saw, Devimon tried to separate them.” I would much rather have had the whole team together. I mean, if this was an excuse for Taichi and Yamato to get close... it really didn’t feel like that. At least not to a point where they couldn’t have gotten with the others around too.

Anyway, break time’s over, because there’s an actual monster fight going on. It must be cool to watch - the way Ebidramon shakes Seadramon reminds me of the T-rex vs stegosaurus battle in Fantasia xD But then Seadramon has the last laugh and EATS EBIDRAMON’S DATA, enabling it to evolve to WarSeadramon. That must have been an epic meal

Meanwhile in the real world, important things are happening, Koushirou’s using lots of Big Words with Kanji and Mimi is happy to get back at Jou for one-upping her last episode by correctly recognizing the roman letters this time. They are still sitting on the same bench where they’ve been for SIX episodes now. My butt hurts just thinking about it.

Patamon is very informative.

Patamon: We’re all gonna die!!

Thank you Patamon. You are so cute.

WarSeadramon decides Takeru and Patamon look like a yummy dessert after his meal, so he attacks them, only to be feigned off by our heroes. WarSeadramon gets pissy and says “Two on one is no fair! I have friends too!” and calls MetalSeadramon to join him. Apparently, MetalSeadramon can move on land :O This was one of the freakier things, I was actually like GAAH

Taichi tells Yamato to take Takeru somewhere safe. Since he is clearly very tasty to Seadramons. Yamato doesn’t bother arguing xD

Takeru: Hey! I’m your brother not a bag of beans!

However they are both cut off! Stuck between a rock and a hard place!

Meanwhile, Koushirou is literally a bad ass. He’s managing to reroute the rogue ships whose GPS have gone haywire by sending a signal from a second satellite, which the ships then pass on to the other ships.

Thus helping them get back on course and not collide with each other.

I mean this kid is in fourth grade. HOW HAS HE NOT BEEN SNAPPED UP BY THE GOVERNMENT AND TRAINED INTO SOME CHILD SUPER SPY???

no seriously... I’d actually kind of LOVE it if that were a thing x’D Like the government goes to Koushirou’s house and tries to get him to come but his parents are like “Um no he is a child and he needs a childhood” and protect him :’< When will this show realize WE ALL LOVE KOUSHIROU

Mimi: HURRY UP!!!!!!!!!!

Mimi: H... Hikari... you were still here...? Ehehe.... um... *whisper* hurry up!!

so yeah Hikari is still here! Standing! Staring! Really creepy! I get that the others are very distracted atm but it seems like someone should be like “do you need help? are you lost? do you need a doctor since you seem to have gone catatonic??” Only Koushirou is actively doing anything, I think someone could be spared to at least let her sit on their lap!

Back in the digital world, Garurumon is so distracted by the fight happening in front of him that he fails to notice the attack from behind, and Professional Self-Sacrificing Idiots Taichi and Greymon save the day.

They predictably fall off the cliff wheeeeeeeeeeee

It’s raining men, hallelujah

Under water, Greymon gets his assed kicked until Taichi manages to swim to him

which seems to give him renewed focus, I suppose, and he’s able to get away from the two Seadramon pals and get some air.

However they almost immediately drag him back down. You would think Greymon would be REALLY bad in a water battle and at least need to evolve to be any use (especially given that both evolved Seadramons are perfect levels), but both Greymon and Garurumon never evolve this episode, so I think we’re supposed to assume that even after eating they’re just not recovered enough for that yet. GOOD

Yeah but here’s what confuses me. Yamato does not do anything to help. Well, I shouldn’t say anything - whenever an enemy comes out of the water, he and Leomon’s team attack it from afar. But I mean, Taichi is in the water, being attacked by two Digimon who are both a level higher. WHY DOESN’T YAMATO GO IN TO HELP?!?!

We can’t even give him the excuse of needing to protect Takeru because 1) Takeru has Leomon’s entire team to protect him and 2) Takeru is fighting!!!!!!

I’m sorry but Yamato should be in the water. This is just crappy writing. He’s shouted “Taichi!” three times in the exact same way this episode and has very few other lines, so I actually sort of suspect that Namikawa Daisuke might not have been available to voice him this episode?? Maybe? So they just couldn’t give him too much to do for that reason. That’s totally speculation, I just don’t understand why Yamato does so little here.

Back with Koushirou, his plan has worked and all the ships are successfully changing course woot

Aww looks like a Christmas tree

The way Garudamon carries Zudomon is A++

The partners inform them that the Zurumon are on the move...

Jou theorizes that they’re off to gobble up more data somewhere else. Mimi’s like “ew?”

They decide they really need to get back to the digital world now. They’re finally worried about Yamato and Taichi and figure they’ll be more useful over there. I really can’t think of a reason why Koushirou could not have saved all these ships from the digital world so YEAH HARD AGREE. What even was this interlude?? Show us how cool a hacker Koushirou is?? We already KNEW that, he can do it from the digital world too, and watching the kids sit on a bench for six episodes was NO GOOD. Grrr. At least I needed them to do something really cool to justify all this but... nope! Can’t say it was necessary for Taichi and Yamato’s sake either!

There is one awesome thing that comes out of the separation...

Hikari: Oh you want to go back to the digital world? Why didn’t you say so?

ZIP!

Aaaaand they’re gone! Hikari included! :O

I kind of guessed this was gonna happen when Hikari first showed up, but I also sort of thought, it seems so early to have her join... I know this season is Doing It Different but we JUST got Takeru, I figured we’d spend more time on his story first. Also figured the lead in to Hikari joining would be more... Idk... this was just kind of anticlimactic, y’know? But whatev.

Now the only thing is... there’s no reason they had to go back to the human world for this. Hikari could have just come on her own. “It’s calling,” she says. Well, it could have called her regardless. So we really didn’t need this for Hikari’s sake. Bleh.

Curly

Ok so injuries really are a thing now. I’m down. We don’t get blood but we get to see lots of sparkly data leakage.

Still best boy, warts and all

What I DO really like... that i think we saw this ep as well as the episode before last in particular, is how important the kids are to their partners this season. Greymon loses it when Taichi’s KO’d in the Devimon battle, and this time, when they were separated under water Greymon started to panic until Taichi arrived. That alone seemed to restore his confidence. And even though he can’t evolve further, Taichi’s still able to give him a power boost. That was the one thing in 99 Adventure - the idea that the partners were connected with their human partners and needed their help to reach the next level was always fun, but mostly left the kids just running around unhelpfully much of the time. Tamers added on to it with the card game boosts (which were just to sell toys to kids BUT I still thought was cool lol). And then Frontier just did away with the partners all together and made the kids the monsters which I did NOT like personally. (YMMV although that one ep where Takuya has a crisis and becomes Flamemon was a cool effect.) This season has found a good balance, I think, between keeping the kids involved and preventing them from being too involved, if that makes sense. Of course it still means they’ve got suction cups on their shoes and can hold their breath underwater for unusual lengths of time...

Yay we won!!

... Never mind, now there are four of them xP

(but really, did he think he’d beaten two Perfect levels just like that? A level below, under water, and two-on-one? Taichiiii)

Yamato’s still just shouting Taichi’s name like the girl in Forrest Gump. “Run Taichi run!”

Then... Taichi hears a lovelier voice than Yamato’s!

Taichi: Zudomon!! Why do you sound like my little sister?

Bang bang Zudomon’s silver hammer came down upon his head

Bang bang Zudomon’s silver hammer made sure that he was dead

The whole gang is back!!! YAAAAAYYYY the one reason to love this episode!

So nice to see someone other than Greymon and Garurumon be a badass xP

And then this!! Anticlimactic though it was, I’m really excited to have Hikari on the team. She’s joining about halfway through which is kinda similar to how it was in 99 Adventure, but 99 Adventure had a much better lead in... however this season still has lots of storytelling to do.

Taichi is pretty amazed but not freaked, at least not yet.

Hikari’s just like “I was called here” and yes she’s as freaky as ever. If anything she’s even more freaky. I’m down as long as she gets a bit of personality beyond “mysterious” and “adores her brother”

I mean Takeru’s had plenty of opportunities to be a baby BAMF so far, so Hikari deserves some too. I wonder how long she’ll go without a partner?

Next week! It’s our first Takari shot!

Also... ooooohh??

The group will go to a new continent. Exciting exciting. Though I ragged on this episode, I’m still overall enjoying this season. But yeah I’m so GLAD the team is back together and unless something happens to change my mind, I def think they never should have been separated from the beginning. Or at least it should have been a much shorter separation. Anyway they’re together again so fingers crossed for more good stuff to come.

[asterekmess]

1-11 Scott/Posey Stans always try to deflect criticism of the way Scott McCall is written in Teen Wolf by claiming that ANY attempt by a fan, a viewer, or a critic of holding Scott to a level of behavior that one would expect of a character who is a main and the self-proclaimed hero of the show is “racism”. Except that their accusations don’t make any sense whatsoever, because Scott’s canonical shitty actions and behavior don’t stem from his race (or canonical lack of thereof.)

Okay hun, this is a doozy, so I’m putting it under a Read More.

2-11 Scott McCall is mean. He’s mean to Stiles, he’s mean to Allison, he’s mean to Derek, he’s mean to Peter, he’s mean to Cora, he’s mean to Lydia, he’s mean to Jackson, he’s mean to Erica, he’s mean to Isaac, he’s mean to Malia, he’s mean to Malia, he’s mean to Kira, he’s mean to Liam, he’s mean to Chris, and he’s even mean to Theo (“You are barely even human!”) Scott McCall is deliberately rude to the Hales, Boyd, Ethan, Danny, Hayden, Jiang, Tierney, and Melissa.

3-11 Scott McCall deliberately USES, INSULTS, HUMILIATES and DEHUMANIZES people in ways that demonstrate that he is fully aware of what he’s doing. Scott McCall deliberately disregards other people’s needs in order to fulfill his own. Tyler Posey being half Mexican doesn’t change the fact that his fictional character Scott McCall is a whiny coward and an abusive piece of trash,

4-11 and that his so called ‘defense squad’ enjoys the power fantasy that Scott can be cruel, can lie, can assault, can lash out, can violate other people’s boundaries, bodily autonomy and consent, can commit premeditated murder, can break the law without impunity, can dehumanize, can gaslight and victim blame his friends to his heart’s content and no one should ever hold it against him

5-11 In both the production and in some Scott supremacist fanfics, there’s often the premise that people are evil and in the wrong if they call Scott out on his bullshit or hold his toxic behavior against him. Take Season 1. As much as the Scott McCall defense squad brigade love framing Stiles and Derek getting shit done and prioritizing people’s life over Scott’s jealous fits and temper tantrums as the height of depravity

6-11 Scott/Posey Stans consciously and steadfastly ignore all the cruel things that Scott says and does throughout the seasons, such as “How much Adderall have you had today?” OR “What are you trying to do?! I just made first line! I got a date with a girl who I can't believe wants to go out with me and everything in my life is perfect! Why are you trying to ruin it?!” OR “The hunters had a reason to slaughter your entire family and pack”

7-11 (As an aside, it’s amazing to me how Fanon rewrites Scott as this brilliant thinker and strategist and mastermind who is so much smarter and better than everyone else in every way even though Canon Scott spends the entirety of Teen Wolf doing absolutely nothing except get his ass handed to him by everyone, whining about wanting to be popular/get his dick wet/play lacrosse, screaming at his friends and girlfriends, being utterly useless when left to his own devices,

8-11 and planning to bite Stiles against his will because he doesn’t know what to do. But I digress.) Or take Season 5. In the rain argument in Lies of Omission (5x09), Scott McCall’s hypocritical, dehumanizing speech to Stiles is one of the meanest, cruelest, most disgusting manipulations I have ever seen a television character deliver to another television character they supposedly cared about. It’s victim blaming and gaslighting at its vilest.

9-11 And, of course, the Scott McCall defense squad focuses exclusively on the idea that Stiles didn’t behave “the right way” in that scene (AKA taking Scott’s bullshit without clapping back like Scott wanted and demanded), and cannot entertain for one moment the idea that Scott provoked that response by dehumanizing Stiles and by accusing Stiles of being a violent, dangerous, inhuman monster and serial killer based on Theo’s words alone.

10-11 After all, it’s part of their power fantasy. Scott being “abandoned” and “mistreated” by his “ungrateful” friends serves another type of fantasy: the poor oppressed martyr. It doesn’t matter why Scott is abandoned or who is leaving Scott, it’s all about Scott McCall’s right to own people and demand his friends’ love, friendship, loyalty, sympathy, forgiveness, obedience and devotion without having to account for his own abusive behavior.

11-11 And that’s Scott Stans’ point: Only Scott McCall Is Important and Damn Derek/Stiles/Liam/Other Teen Wolf character for having a life and motivations that don’t revolve around Scott! To them (and to Canon Scott), the pack exists not to serve all its members, but to serve and validate Scott McWhinyCall. Because, after all, that’s what antis want for themselves – validation in the face of shortcomings and bad behavior.

Wow, that was a lot of anger. Do you feel any better after venting that? I really hope so, it honestly looks p cathartic. Okay, I apologize in advance if I don’t come across as quite so passionate, I’m kinda bleh today and I already used up all my righteous fury in an earlier post, so I’ll do my best.

I honestly understand the worry about people disliking Scott as having racist motivations. As I said in another post, there aren’t a lot of Latino (wait, I read somewhere to use latine? Should I use that instead? I’ll use that, someone correct me if I’m wrong. The thing also said latinx was not great bc of pronunciation issues? I’m not educated enough on this. Halp, please.) Latine protagonist characters in popular television, especially for teen dramas like Teen Wolf. Intentional or not, written into the show or not, Scott is half-latine. His mother is a latine woman. We don’t see them speak spanish or take part in any specific cultural traditions, but that doesn’t make him white. Yes, his character was written for a white guy, but Tyler Posey is the one who got the part and we can’t strip him of his heritage just because the show originally meant for Scott to be white. My husband is almost always mistaken for white, even though he’s also half-latine, but that doesn’t make him any less latine. There’s little enough representation as it is, and if we start being picky about whether characters were ‘intended’ or ‘written’ as POC, everything will just fall to shit. Plus, as a white person, I have literally no rights to decide that Scott’s white. I’m cool with that. Would prefer to just stay in my lane, if I’m honest. With Scott established as being a POC, it’s totally reasonable for other POC and fans of Scott to be worried that those of us who don’t like him have that opinion because of either passive or active racism. There are a lot of occasions where Protags of Color were either liked less, or actively disliked for just being ‘not white.’ It also doesn’t help that Scott is one of very few “good” Characters of Color in TW (whether we agree or not, he is presented as a ‘good guy’). We have Boyd, who dies in 3A and doesn’t get much character developement in the meantime, and Kira, who sticks around for a while, then has to leave because of ‘losing control’ which is apparently a very common stereotype for POC, especially within Fantasy or Supernatural settings. Other than them, the other POC are either bad guys or just morally dubious. I’m not sure where Deaton falls on the scale either. I understand it being frustrating to some people for us to take one of the few “good’ characters and see him/describe him as a villain. It’s important for white people, and honestly, anyone not latine (because even POC can be racist against people who aren’t their race) to be self-aware and analyze the various reasons why we dislike Scott and make sure that we aren’t accidentally being passively racist. Just because we’re sure we aren’t, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t double check. And if we find we are, then it’s up to us to correct that mindset and educate ourselves. There is no shame in learning that you have not great habits or mindsets and working to fix them. That’s how growth works. It’s equally important that when we’re writing fic, we watch how we portray him and the other POC in the show. I’m not saying we can’t write Scott bashing fic. Fuck knows that I’ve written plenty of Bad Friend Scott McCall fic, and I don’t intend to stop. But we still need to be self-critical and make sure that we’re not writing Scott (or the others, please assume from here on out I’m saying Scott and the others) into racist stereotypes. We shouldn’t reduce him to just a “Yes” man, or make him constantly submissive, or constantly vicious and angry and mean for no reason. It’s one thing to write him as doing something bad or cruel and making it realistic for the story. It’s quite another to have him just randomly pop in to say “fuck you” and hit someone (I’m not referencing something specific here, I’m just saying dumb stuff). Honestly, I don’t know enough about this and I’m not really entitled to go into too much more detail. Instead, I’d recommend that even if you don’t think you’re hating Scott for racist reasons, still read This Post about racism in fandom/fanfic. When I read it, it was both reassuring and intimidating. I have anxiety, so I’m usually worried about doing things for ‘the wrong reason’ even when that’s not actually my reason for doing the thing. Reading this gave me a clearer view of my own thoughts, and it honestly made me feel a little more comfortable with my own mentality because it gave me a structure to think about and consider when I’m worried that I’m doing something racist. It’s worth the read. I’d also like to reiterate the suggestion on that post, to check out the blog Writing with Color, which is a great resource for writing Characters of Color. It doesn’t have as many resources for fanfiction writing and the grey area involved in writing characters that your reader already knows, but their ask box is closed at the moment, so maybe when it opens again someone’ll send in an ask about it (If I actually remember to, I’ll do it myself, but that’s unlikely, so if one of you feels so inspired, please do so and help a fic writer out!)

Now. I cannot speak for every single fan of TW who is anti-Scott in some way. Obviously not. But, I can speak for myself and for the experiences I’ve had within the fandom. My issues with Scott are many and complex and a lot of it is intrinsically connected to issues with the writing of the show in general and with the creators and the calls they made. In all the conversations that I’ve had with other fans, I’ve never seen anyone list Scott’s race as a problem. I’ve never seen anyone talk about how they wished he were more submissive or more obedient. Maybe that he would listen to actual adults once in a while, but not that he be unreasonably obedient of white characters. I’m not all-knowing on the subject of racist stereotypes, but nearly every complaint I’ve seen was based on details from the show and specific moments and dialogue, not just a general disgust with his existence. Furthermore, for all the anger I see directed at those of us that prefer Stiles, Derek, or even Peter, I’ve also never talked to anyone who liked those characters who wasn’t willing to admit that there were plenty of points in canon where they fucked up or did something wrong. Again, I don’t know everyone in fandom, so maybe there are people who won’t admit those things, but they aren’t in the majority.

I personally hate the way I see Scott treat people in the show. I hate the really vicious things he says and does and the chronic lack of self-awareness or growth. Even worse, the way the show excuses his behavior, be it intentional or not, has soured a lot of other parts of the show. The clearly impulsive moments that could easily be excused by him being a really stressed out teenager make me a lot more frustrated than they would, had I not known that he would never get better. That he would never stop saying things like that. I can’t even make myself enjoy the genuinely sweet moments with him and Allison or him and his mom, etc. I might hate that he left Stiles’ messages unanswered and skipped an entire day of school during a crisis to hang out with Allison, but I would’ve liked to enjoy their banter, the soft moments between them that are actually really nice. I can’t though, because so many other things about his character have ruined that for me.

It isn’t okay to attack people for disliking a character and throw around such charged words like “racist” and “abuse-apologist” or anything else. First off, this is fiction, and we all need to keep that in mind. These are not real people we’re talking about. Secondly, calling someone racist because they disagree with you (unless they are actively saying/doing something actually racist) isn’t okay and it isn’t an adult way to deal with things. Someone not liking a character doesn’t automatically make them racist. Someone happening to prefer a white character over a Character of Color doesn’t automatically make them racist. Sure, they might have passively racist motivations that even they don’t realize. But it is not up to strangers to come yell and call names without proof. There are plenty of reasons that have nothing to do with race (Not saying “i don’t see race.” I’m saying “Not About Race”) that I like Stiles over Scott, ranging from the fact that he’s physically more my type, to sharing a neurological condition with him, to just preferring Dylan O’Brien as an actor because he makes me fucking cry every time he cries on screen. What’s important is that we self analyze and check ourselves and our opinions to make sure that we aren’t falling into the racist habit of disliking Characters of Color for no real reason. But that isn’t something that other people can do for us, and it’s not their place to tell us what we think. Calling a stranger racist for saying they hate Scott’s behavior in the show doesn’t do anything for racial equality. It just makes people stop listening to the word ‘racist.’

There are times I seriously get frustrated with TW to the point of considering not watching anymore. Of closing my blog and stopping reading fanfic entirely because every single time I read a fic where Scott’s a ‘good guy’ or a ‘good alpha’ or where Derek is glad to be a beta again because he likes following Alpha Scott, I get squicked so badly I have to click out and just sit there for a second to settle. I can’t disentangle the things he does/says in the show from the fic.And I’ve written Good Friend Scott McCall fics. I have multiple wips where he’s either a decent person or he grows from being a dick to being a decent person. With my own work, I know that there’s an awareness to his behavior in the show and an active intent to rewrite/fix his behavior so that he is a nice person. With other people’s works, I don’t have a guarantee (unless it’s mentioned in tags or author’s notes, and I don’t expect people to have to explain themselves that way), and it personally makes me uncomfortable to read something when I don’t know if the writer actually sees Scott that way. It’s a personal preference, and one that I stick to pretty strictly.

Scott brings me no joy, and with him as the main character, I’ve come perilously close to cutting myself off from the most welcoming, loving fandom I’ve ever been a part of (except the Merlin fandom, but I don’t blame anyone who can’t compete with them. They’re fucking magical.). But I’m still here. I still love, if not the reality of the show, then all the potential I see in it when I watch. I love watching Derek and Stiles interact with each other and with the other side characters. I love seeing the glimpses of Boyd that we get, the tiny scenes of Erica, the snarky moments with Isaac. I even like Kira, though I haven’t seen a whole lot of the show where she’s in it/genuinely can’t remember it (I can’t even remember how far I’ve seen total, but I don’t think it was past S4, and I haven’t seen past S2 in months and months) and she spends most of her scenes with Scott, which just....kind of ruins the scenes for me.

That’s the glory of fandom though, of media in general. I don’t have to like Scott. I can love Derek and Stiles instead and I can choose not to read fics where Scott is a major player or an Alpha at all. I can read fics where Kira’s part of the pack without Scott ever getting involved, and see her interact with everyone else. Or fics where Boyd never dies and watch him bake or read or play lacrosse with the pack. I can curate my own experience, whether that means blocking tags or users or filtering fics, or just straight up skipping certain scenes/episodes of the show itself. I cope with my frustrations by coming on this blog and ranting about it. Yeah, this is a public space, but it’s also a space people choose to view. If they don’t like my opinions, they can block me or unfollow me or all of the above. They don’t have to read it, just like I don’t have to read any of their pro-scott stuff. I also read fic that does explore how Scott’s behavior is problematic and cruel sometimes. Fic that either erases him or turns him into the villain, I find fun and interesting and the relationship between him and Stiles cracking into pieces is something I find extremely cathartic, so I read it pretty much every chance I get (though, i’m so picky about fics I read, you’ve no idea). I also write fic. I write the most mushy, self-indulgent sterek fic and Stiles-centric fic and and Scott bashing fic that I can possibly write. It’s a joy and a therapy all its own. Fuck, I’m rewriting the entirety of canon for fuck’s sake and I’ve made so many changes that at this point I honestly have issues remembering what happens in the show, bc I rewrote the damn thing.

At the same time, Scott fans are gonna write their power fantasies. They’re gonna write anti-Stiles stuff and anti-Derek stuff, and whatever else tickles their fancy. They’re gonna make their own rant posts and gifsets. And to be quite honest, I don’t give a single flying fuck. I already have those tags filtered out on Ao3. I don’t follow any pro-scott tumblrs. That shit doesn’t show up for me most of the time, unless it’s not tagged properly, and even then I just click out, take a second, and move on.

No one is required to like or dislike specific characters, and it’s unfair of anyone to tell us otherwise. Fandom is built on choice. The choice to disagree with canon, or to re-envision it altogether, or to love it entirely. No one can take that away from you. So long as you aren’t hurting anybody, just keep doing you, friend. I’m here for you to vent to when it gets to be too much.

<3

[festiveferret]

saturday and july!

saturday: what gets you excited whilst writing?

That zone feeling where the words are just spilling out of you and you have to type as fast as possible to keep up with them, typos be damned, and you can’t take a break because the words don’t stop and there’s no way to plug them up for later, your brain just won’t stop writing! That gets me excited. I used to only write when I got that feeling, but over time I’ve learned to trudge through it when I don’t and also how to help turn it on. I also get excited when I can sneak canon stuff into my AUs, either as easter eggs or as whole re-tellings in new settings. I love doing that!

july: what’s the hottest fic you have written and/or posted if you write smut at all?

Lol, this one makes me giggle. But it’s also really hard because I find writing smut difficult and often frustrating. I like the emotional trappings around smut, and I like reading other people’s smut, but writing bodies moving and trying to make it interesting gets harder and harder. I feel like I’ve used up all my smut moves and I’m just writing the same thing over and over again, bleh. I’m also probably not going to agree with popular opinion on this, just looking at kudos lmao! 

I like Smoke Break a lot, because I have a definite smoking kink and that hits a bunch of buttons. Sugar and Spice because of the alpha/alpha thing and also double knotting, yum. Growl hits a lot of the same buttons but it was so frustrating to write that I can’t really enjoy re-reading it much hahaha. I don’t know why that one was so hard but it felt like pulling teeth. I dunno, maybe it shows! Oh and Fangbait/Once Bitten! Vampires. Always hot :P

Honestly, I think the fic of mine that best captures the mood I like in my smut (but never, or almost never write because it’s HARD) is Oncoming Storm. It’s not actually a smut fic but there are a lot of aspects to it that I find hot and smut written with that kind of heady desperation really does it for me. When they’ve been building up and up and they just can’t take it anymore and nothing else matters. I like that moment, when it feels like a storm breaking. 

[itsjovi-baby]

Bad JuJu | A. P.

Warning: Smut, Oral sex

Description: Got to get rid of that bad juju

A/N: So I’m trying to get better at writing oral smut (male receiving). So this may...or may not..be bleh. Also, Austin and buns are like the best thing in the world.

“Don’t you leave her, Kaneki! After all, she’s done for--and the motherfucker leaves her,” Nia shook her head at the television.

She was currently curled up on the couch watching an episode of Tokyo Ghoul, specifically “New Surge”, munching away on popcorn. This had seemingly become her routine for Friday nights, it was either this or hooking up with a certain fake blonde. But considering he had been ghosting her for the last four days, this Friday would just her and Kaneki. I mean why should she care that he hadn’t called or texted in her in the last four days, they were just occasional friends with benefits, right?

“You dumb white-haire-”

The knock on Nia’s door was almost so silent that she didn’t hear it until it came the second time around. Her head snapped to the door eyeing suspiciously as the third round of knocks came.

“Who is it?” She called slowly unraveling herself from the fluffy blanket, her eyes never leaving the door, “Jesse, I swear if you forgot your key again.”

Nia jumped slighty at the sound of another knock from the door. She rolled her eyes getting off of the couch and leaned against the door, peeking into the peephole. Her eyebrows wrinkled in confusion at the sight of blonde boy standing in front of the door, as she quickly moved from in front of it and yanked it open, “Austin?”

Nia’s heart thumped in her chest at the glimpse of a smile on Austin’s face, butterflies filling her stomach. But then the feeling went away, and it took all she had not to slam the door shut in his face. It just about slipped from her fingertips, the only thing stopping her was the clench in her heart when she noticed his red eyes dancing across her body. Nia became very aware of the fact that she was only wearing a shirt, and not a very long one at that.

The slight smirk creeping on his lips told her that he, in fact, did notice. Nia suddenly had the urge to cover herself, although it wouldn’t make much of a difference as the boy had seen her it less. She tugged at her shirt down with her free hand, her cheeks heating up under the scrutiny of his eyes.

"What are you-

“You look good.”

Nia grew flustered, nibbling on her lip as she stared down the boy in front of her. Two weeks. Two weeks of utter silence and that’s the first thing he says. She looks good. Her eyes narrowed, realizing the game the blonde was trying to play, yet she wasn’t gonna fall for it. She already made a mistake opening the door, and maybe she was being petty, but she was determined to not let h I’m

“Thanks. What are you doing here?”

His slight smile made her nerves flutter, her resistance slowly breaking as she watched him take a step closer. The light from her apartment illuminated his face perfectly. The first thing she noticed was the bags underneath his eyes, the his red eyes, and lastly his pale skin that had a few splotches of red on it. Paired with the messy bun on top of his head and she could tell this wasn’t a look for the gram, Austin was obviously upset about something and she couldn’t help but want to know.

The way he stood in front of her made her feel little in comparison, he wasn’t even trying but he still managed to make her feel nervous. Her heart began to beat erratically as she watched his eyes wander over her. Dammit, she was giving in.

“Do you- do you want to come in?” Nia internally cringed at how nervous and squeaky her voice sounded.

He licked his lips nodding his head. Nia stepped back, allowing him inside and closing the door behind her, praying to god her ass wasn’t showing. Whether it was or not, it didn’t matter because she turned around the boy was eyeing her legs like they were his prey and he was gonna pounce.

“I didn’t interrupt your night, did I?”

“Does it look like you were, Austin?” Nia raised an eyebrow, her eyes momentarily glancing at the TV before back at him. She snickered, walking to the couch and falling down onto it, doing her best not to be too obvious as she pulled the blanket over her legs, “ Now, are you gonna tell me why you’ve been MIA for the last four days?”

“Sorry about that,” Austin scratched at the back of neck awkwardly, “I went home, I had to think over some shit.”

She had been so confident in herself, promising herself that if Austin was to ever show face she would cuss him out. probably slap him. Now here he was standing in her living room, in front of her, and all she wanted to do was kiss him, and ask him what’s wrong, “What shit? You okay?”

Austin ran his hand over his face with a sigh, making the few steps over to the couch in quick strides. He sat down far enough away from Nia not to touch her but close enough for him to feel her warmth radiating. He was dressed casually - only a plain black shirt and a pair of joggers. His leg bouncing nervously as he stared at the show playing on the tv, “Yeah...well, kinda.”

“You want to talk about it?”

Austin bit at his lip nervously, questioning why he didn’t just come to Nia in the first place.

“I’m starting to think this isn’t for me Nia,” He mumbled, his voice cracking a bit, “this band thing.”

“Austin,” she cooed pausing the show and turning her full attention to him, “Where is this coming from?”

“From me, I just- like we started rehearsing this week right.” He shrugged, “ and I don’t know sometimes I feel so...awkward”

“Aus-”

"I just-I sometimes I don’t feel like I’m good enough, Ni,” He interrupted her, “Like I’m trying to hard to be something I’m not.”

“Listen to me,” Austin watched as Nia moved closer, cupping his face in her soft hands, “Do you know how many girls love your goofy ass? How many people would be torn because you left the band? ”

“Yeah, bu-”

“And the boys,” Nia interrupted, “They love your weird ass--anime, tapestries, and all that shit--besides they need a little weirdness to balance out all of that dick...iness.”

“Dickiness?”

“You know what I was trying to say,” Nia rolled her eyes, pulling her hands away from him, “And what did I say about letting that bad juju get to your head, Porter.”

It wasn’t the first time Austin had shown up to her apartment, spewing negative shit. Technically it was the third time. 

He chuckled, “Not to, I know. It’s just sometimes I get so-”

“Caught up in your own head?” Nia interjected turning the tv back on. 

“Yeah...”

“Well don’t, okay? I mean I’m half black and have no rhythm, but you don’t see it stopping me from getting crunk to Drake. This music shit isn’t meant to be easy, Austin, If it was I would’ve already been signed to Roc Nation.”

Austin chuckled, his eyes danced over her side profile as a wide smile appeared on his face. Nia raised an eyebrow, turning to look at him, “Wha-” 

Nia had barely managed to get the word out before Austin was suddenly kissing her, forcing their lips together in a passionate kiss. Nia moaned softly at the feeling of Austin’s hands moving to her hair, pressing her closer to him. She felt him pull slightly at her puff, the tiniest sting, as he bit on her bottom lip at the same time, but a little bit harsher. She found herself caught in the pull of his hand and the nibbling of his teeth on her bottom lip, trapped between both. Another moan slipping past her lips, as she yanked onto his black shirt. Austin pulled away, his breath stuttering against her face as he looked at her. He was studying her face, his eyes running over her swollen lips and back up to her gaze.

"I know I’m not the best with this...us,” Austin pointed a finger between him and Nia as her eyebrows furrowed in confusion, “But I’m sorry I didn’t call or anything. I just needed--”

Nia pressed her index finger against his lips gently, stopping him from talking, “Space, I get it. But the next time you ghost me we gone have some problems, understood?”

“Duly noted,” He laughed out loud, his breath fanning her fingers. She knew he was laughing at her and her attempt at ‘putting him in his place’, but she couldn’t be mad at him. Considering how he had walked in, she very much preferred him smiling and laughing. Catching her off guard, Austin’s hand wrapped around her neck, pulling her against his lips again. Nia allowed for him to take control, his teeth nipping at her lip once more before he slipped his tongue into her mouth. She grabbed his shirt, pulling him closer. The way he was kissing her had her head swimming, and her stomach fluttering with butterflies. Austin’s slightly sweetly taste drew Nia in and kept her wanting to never pull away. Nia’s hands came up, cupping his face softly as she fought for control in their kiss.  He chuckled, giving her a chance to dominate and explore his mouth as he struggled to take off his jacket.

Nia eventually helped him, pulling away from the kiss and yanking the annoying fabric off his arms, throwing it to the floor. Austin’s arms instantly wrapped around her waist, picking her up to sit on his lap. The blanket was in the way, bunched up between her and Austin, but he didn’t seem to care, his hands moving down to knead at her ass as Nia peppered kissed along his neck, her lips eventually coming back to his. Austin’s fingers were digging into her skin hard, his lips overwhelming hers and essentially taking back control. Nia pulled away, whimpering at the way he nipped at her lips, “I really missed you.”

“It’s only been two weeks.”

 “Two weeks without a text, a call, a random ass meme--I missed my buddy,” Nia scoffed her forehead resting against his, “and not just in the sexual sense either.”

“Well, if it makes you feel better I missed you too,” He smiled, “ and not just in the sexual sense either.”

Nia hummed, pecking his lips one more time before she slowly made her way to the floor. Her hands dragged along Austin’s body until she got to the waistband of his joggers, her fingers slipping into it.

“What are you doing?” His eyebrows furrowed, “What if Jesse comes home?”

“She shouldn’t be home for another forty-five minutes,” Nia murmured, tugging slowly at his joggers, “And besides I can’t let you go home will all that bad juju, now can I?”

“I mean, they do say built up negative energy hinders a p-person’s mental state,” Austin grunted. 

“Wow,” Nia giggled, her eyes wandering over his cock, “Yeah, and you have a lot.”

Austin hisses, his eyes closing at the feeling of Nia grabbing at the base of his cock, giving the tip a kitten lick. She angles his cock up, licking a stripe up the length of it. Nia held his eye contact as she planted a wet, sloppy kiss on the head before opening wide and taking all of him in her mouth. Austin groans loudly his head rolling back on the couch as he struggled from bucking into her mouth, “God, Nia.”

Nia had created a tempo, her lips and tongue sucking and massaging along the top of his cock while her hands worked the bottom--twisting and squeezing at the base. A deep groan escaped Austin’s lips, a mixture of her name and curse words flowing out as she hollowed her cheeks.

“Nia...pleas-just like that,” He grunted, sliding down the couch to get himself further in her mouth, “fuck, that feels so good.”

"Mmm,” She hummed, releasing him from her mouth, her thumb pressing into his tip, “Yeah, baby?”

“Yes,” he whines, “please.”

Nia giggled at his begging, her mouth returning to his cock to teasingly swirling her tongue around the tip. Her brown eyes flickered to him as she took him deeper into her mouth, thanking God for her lack of a gag reflex. Austin’s hips bucked out of control, he was so close. so very close. His fingers moved to her hair tightening in her puff as he pushed her all the way down, “Fuck!”

Austin's eyebrows furrowed a loud groan slipping from his lips at the sight of her plump lips wrapping around his member, her big brown eyes staring up at him as she swallowed down every inch. He let her go, watching as she pulled back, a thin line of spit connecting her lips to the tips of his cock. She leans over to drool over his cock, her hand coming up to rub it in was enough to have Austin cumming then, “Shit--fu-Nia.”

“Are you gonna cum for me?” She giggled before taking him back in her mouth.

“You feel so fucking, Nia. So fucki--fuck!” It was the swipe of her tongue against the underside of his cock that made his orgasm surge forward, a loud whine leaving his lips as he threw his head back against the couch. Without thinking about it Austin gripped her hair tighter, pushing her mouth all the way down. She couldn’t nothing but swallow every drop that spilled down her throat, “Shit! Oh my go-fuck!”

Nia hummed, moving her head to the slow rock of his hips, until he fully settled down. Nia released him with a pop licking her lips as she watched the boy pant, “No more bad juju?”

“No more bad juju,” He laughed airly.

“Wanna finish watching Tokyo Ghoul with me?”

“...Yeah.”

[ibroughtthisonmyselfpixels]

Intermission 2 Replies

I don’t think I’m gonna be getting any more replies on the intermission, and there’s only so long i can leave this until i do, so here’s the reply-to-existing-replies batch now. but first:

@bountifulberries replied to your photoset “So because I have no restraint, I made a very smol tiny Sim called...”

I think a paid surrogate mother would be a very interesting contestant / sim in general!

It’d certainly put a new stamp on the 100bc, that’s for sure

@sevenleafsimblr replied to your photo

“FORMER BC ORGANISER FOUND DEAD IN HOME A once-prominent figure in the...”

��

he died before his prime

sevenleafsimblr replied to your photo “A sweet or agreeable succession or arrangement of sounds.”

it completely flew over my head during the Melody Reveal that "melody" is also a music term and im mad @ myself

Un Der Standable

@jackssims replied to your photoset “Deacon: “…spinning?” ”

It looks like she’s t-posing to asset her dominance

Lissa said by PM:

This is a little silly to mention but -- I think it's kind of cool how you're incorporating old stuff again? Like, between the Wilkersons and a tie to Charlie and stuff. I know that old stuff can be hard for you sometimes, so I Just Think It's Neat ^^

i said at the time that it’s more out of necessity some of it than anything else to flesh out the neighbourhood, but you know what? i change my answer. it’s not that the old stuff isn’t hard for me, it’s that the new stuff is just as hard. i want my being good back

@tosimornottosim replied to your photoset “But back then, when I didn’t have to hide… the Wilkersons and I - we...”

I am terrified of what comes next but I am actually so happy that she has a good support network

without that system in place who knows where she would be. somewhere you wouldn’t wanna read, i’ll bet

tosimornottosim replied to your photoset “At first I liked Jase best, just because he was so quiet and strange...”

They must be very good friends. They survived using the blue shell on one another

Cid is a good dad and won’t ground Lauro for that. Now if he’d used that lightning on him, he might’ve thought about it - that fucking lightning bolt’s the fucking worst

jackssims replied to your photoset “¦it wasn’t always good. Not those times. But that wasn’t because of...”

Those blondes... �� (unless of course I’m reading too much into this, then I redact my eyes emoji, but I’ll wait and see)

That’s true; we never did get a real answer for that, did we?

tosimornottosim replied to the same:

B I t c h e s

Well, yes, that applies regardless

tosimornottosim replied to your photoset “Lynn: “You’ve got it riiiight here! BLEH!!” Melody: “U-under my eyes?...”

Lynn is such a good person..............................;;;;;;

Lynn makes you cry from all six of your eyes. strexgnome

jackssims replied to your photoset “And t- then there was the one that worried everyone… the - I got a,...”

��

tosimornottosim replied to the same:

:eyes:

sevenleafsimblr replied to the same:

uh oh.....

I will only say this: it’s fortunate that the girlfriend didn’t make everything totally and utterly worse for her

tosimornottosim replied to your photoset “Lavandar: *wide-eyed* “Y-you - you dated your own bully?!”...”

I don't trust you Blonde Scarlet and Viola

O KA y whether they’re who you think they are or not that description is fucking hilarious

tosimornottosim replied to your photoset “Estelle: “…Oh god, Melody. Are you okay?”  Melody: *shaking* “Please…”...”

Don’t touch her you fucker. Don’t touch her

‘Limp’ is very specific and deliberate consistently-abused-child language, at least to me. If you don’t put up a fight, it doesn’t hurt as much.

jackssims replied to your photoset “Estelle: “…Melody? Melody, can you look at Mommy please?” Melody: “…”...”

Fuck Estelle

tosimornottosim replied to the same:

I want her to die

sevenleafsimblr replied to the same:

estelle can you be a good girl and get some sleep and not wake up

It isn’t wrong, but it is interesting that ‘can you be a good girl’ is what a lot of you replied to throughout this. is it because it’s the most convenient place, being at the end; because it feels weird commenting on the actual violence; or because the emotional manipulation is the straw that breaks the camel’s back?

tosimornottosim replied to your photoset “Lavandar: “Noooope! No no no no, no. It doesn’t work that way,...”

PREACH IT LAV IM SO FUCKING PROUD OF YOU LAV

As you well know, this is something I have to work hard to convince myself, hence the soapbox. (Can it be a soapbox if you have trouble holding the soapbox’s beliefs?) It doesn’t help that I do charity work at a bookstore, and Torey Hayden / Cathy Glass / other trauma-porn books come in on the regular - it’s hard to be confident in the legitimacy of how Mum’s affected me when stories that feature kids who’ve been utterly decimated and forgotten over the years are in my line of sight that often.

Incidentally, I hope I haven’t crossed the line to trauma-porn here. This is intended to be an explanation for part of Lorelei’s backstory and why she has a lot of the mannerisms she does (plus a few hints for down the road, but that first thing first and foremost) - obviously making you sad is a goal too, but not to an exploitative extent, you know? 

@cafesimming replied to your photoset “Lorelei: “I… I’m sorry. I won’t say it again, I’m sor–”...”

i havent been replying but i just got s chance to read sll this and i love lorelei and i love lavandar and i love this story and im quite literally on the verge of tears reading all this rn and aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa love

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

bountifulberries replied to your photoset “Lavandar: *shrinks back, curling up onto herself, breathing shakily* ...”

All of this is making me so sad but it’s so well done!! I literally didn’t wanna go to bed last night bc I wanted to keep waiting for updates to post

get some sleep Kasey. if you’re going back to school you need all the sleep you can get. i can be awake for you and get in trouble for it

tosimornottosim replied to your photoset “I really am sorry, you know. Lavandar. That I’m p- that I’m putting...”

It wasn’t a lack of bravery. You were so brave

there’s two kinds of bravery: to confront, and to endure. Lyra has the confrontational bravery covered. Lorelei is the endurance. 

tosimornottosim replied to your photoset “He looked at my arm. He looked at me. H-he… looked at me, like Lyra...”

Zeus bless Jase. In all truthfulness

give him the happiest of marriages and the least of links to that box with the finger in it...

tosimornottosim replied to your photoset “¦He didn’t say a word… to me.” Jase: “…” Pal: “Poor fucking Melody....”

is. is he gonna make himself talk to help her. is. is he gonna do that. because if he does i'm fucking gonna cry

He!! Did that!!

tosimornottosim replied to your photoset “But I’ll… even with everything… I’ll forever be grateful that he...”

god what a hero

the hero we need but we don’t deserve

jackssims replied to the same: 

Good. This is good (I hope)

It was a mixed blessing

tosimornottosim replied to your photoset “I didn’t put two and two together until Jase told me later… but Mom...”

You weren't bad. You weren't bad

Lorelei knows that. Melody does not.

tosimornottosim replied to your photoset “¦what happened after that, Lorelei? Did she–?” “She was held for a...”

oh colby...

I’m not sure where else to put this yet, but designing Estelle was almost as much - not necessarily fun, but it took about as much thought as designing Amelia did back in the day. I think she’s quite handsome, but it’s ruined by her looking almost perpetually sour/disgruntled. I even employed another Enid Blyton trick: her eyes are closer together compared to my other Sims, and a pale blue, much like Prudence from another St Clare’s book. Until they (Prudence’s) turned brown in a later scene in one of the few legitimate continuity errors I’ve seen from Enid but that’s neither here nor there 

I’d also like to emphasise an actually salient point: if it wasn’t clear, Estelle isn’t mentally ill in any way that I know of. There may be neuroses there that never got diagnosed, but they're not the root of her behaviour even if there are. She’s reprehensible enough without chemical imbalances there to influence it. 

tosimornottosim replied to your photoset “We tried to be safe. She tried to… let us be a normal family. A happy...”

I understand rationally that Colby is a victim of abuse but /damn/ does he make my blood boil rn

I in turn understand why you’d be angry at him - he allowed a very volatile influence back into Lorelei’s life - but honestly I mostly feel pity for him. He’s a bit like, um... what’s a good comparison...? Charlie Swan feels like the closest analogue, though the circumstances are different there. He can try to lay down some rules and speak the truth of it, but when the largest female influence in the house is this dominant, this domineering, and cares more about what he can do for her than what he chooses to do for himself, what chance does he have? 

It doesn’t help that being willing to please and put his own neck on the line to keep other people happy is kind of a core part of his personality - he’s the person from whom Lorelei inherited the Good trait (much like Amelia got Perfectionist from Maus), but his manifestation of Good leans more towards Doormat than Empathetic, if you see what I mean. It becomes especially clear if I reveal and then you consider he dropped out of college at twenty halfway through a tech degree specifically to marry Estelle so that she could have someone to keep her company at medical school. Self sabotage for the boosting of others.

(Estelle’s two years and a few months Colby’s senior, by the way)

tosimornottosim replied to your photoset “I was a wreck at home, and a - even worse, at school. I kept my mouth...”

I wish there was a word for like, SHSL Mom. Because that's what Lynn is. She's like a Double Mom

maxi extreme ultra Mom

Vid incidentally got very upset at around the Jase Pal break-up post, for good reason: these people are just kids. this stuff is much too big for them, they didn’t deserve this.

@geezsims liked your photoset “¦to Bridgeport.” “God. All by yourself? No one-?”  â€œThe journey, y-...”

Han. Han. I admire the like, Han, but I feel like you’ve missed, like, nine tenths of the story here

tosimornottosim replied to the same:

See Colby /this/ is how you Dad

by dying your hair, or sending your kid to a safe place? i’m not sure the intended message here

tosimornottosim replied to your photoset “¦Lorelei Kessler.”

My hero

I need a Lorelei; I’m holding out for a Lorelei til the end of the etc

tosimornottosim replied to your photoset “Lorelei: “I trust you, Lavandar. I trust you. I trust you. N- no...”

Lavender: *a gentleman's guide to love and murder playing* I've decided to marry you! I've decided to marry you!

Blessed Image

tosimornottosim replied to your photoset “Lorelei: “Lyra?! Uh- um -” *clambers up* “You’re - you’re back?” ...”

Man I’m happy you’re going to be here, Ly, but what a buzzkill We almost had a confession!

Like I said in the end credits, we almost had a lot of things ;)

tosimornottosim replied to your photoset “¦ *crunch* *click* *crunch*  â€¦ Lyra: “…okay, and - open.” – End of...”

Now you’re the cockblock, Dub

bountifulberries replied to the same:

RUDE

jackssims replied to your photoset “¦ *crunch* *click* *crunch*  â€¦ Lyra: “…okay, and - open.” – End of...”

Ending it with a tease, eh?

Okay y’all I understand but like y’all, y’all. y’all. this part of SoS is ultimately Lorelei’s story. If I’d ended it with the full Lyra reveal, it would become Lyra’s story again too much, and a lot of the impact of what Lor’s been talking about would’ve been lost. I felt like I was pushing it as it is

jackssims replied to your post “Intermission 2: Melody End Credits”

This interlude-update was amazing. It made me feel stuff like never before, and I was always refreshing my dash for it. Great job!

holy hell thank!!!! I’ll try to maintain that quality, or at least a small fraction of it, into the rest of the project going forward! 

[spirit-shroud]

hi! i like your poem “rush” a lot, but, what’s it about?

oh god being asked to go over my own poetry is something i have. always wanted to do. i love explaining my reasoning for lines and stuff djkfgdkfgso the story of rush is about this kinda being a turning point in my life! a lot of exciting things are happening -- im moving, i'm getting my ged, i'm really starting to think about what i want out of life, i'm trying to see what i can do about my mental health so i feel less constantly bleh. the whole works. basically everything is happening at once except the problem with that? while there's this massive, overwhelming force in front of me, it's... so much waiting? there's literally SO MUCH WAITING. waiting lists for psychologists. waiting for phone calls / emails back. waiting for the days until appointments come and go. it's mind numbing and almost? increases all my anxiety about change a lot. that is quite a lot so im going to break it down line by line bc im a Huge Slut for this. however, formatting also iSNT WORKING FOR SOME REASON so bear with me. "heart race, chest ache though i’msitting still and ifeel i am running out of time" these lines refer to simply anxiety. like, i'm just sitting down and out of nowhere comes a panic attack -- panic to me feels p similar to having to run any distance lol so the feeling of "running" out of time comes into play. "the clock keeps ticking down to doomsdayi watch its hands, transfixed in the moment,my attempts to turn them back only result in phantom pains."these lines here are again, about time itself, and the theme of waiting. "doomsday" refers to the moving day itself, which is obviously a very big change, while i find myself watching the days tick by. the last line refers to me thinking about all the things i could've done better. 'phantom pains' here refer to, quite literally, trauma. "i will time to cease but my delirious words onlyeat through precious minutes,thoughts dining on seconds that could’ve been spent on a finalization"these lines here basically say "i ask time to stop but i'm really just wasting it. i could've been using this to like, get another thing done, whether that's again, making a call, sending an email, etc." "my heart, my mind leap towards the unknown butmy body, my tired core only wish for safety from the face of time."these basically say "yeah! im ready for change! hell yeah!" but unfortunately its just. a lot of waiting. "the end is there, in the gears and cogs of fate,it’s just not the end i think it is." "The end" here refers to the change of like, moving, getting my life in order. "its not the end i think it is" refers to me getting my life together instead of my original "plan," which was quite literally just dying at 15. like. oof. those were some dark days. but hey, im working on it, even if it is a lot of waiting :0

[soysaucevictim]

Week 2. A bit of a mess in terms of staying on schedule, but oh well.

-

May 30

I woke up before 1PM.

One of the first things I did today was finishing up that big art project/commission I was working on the past few months. (This included email communication.)

Then I did dishes, spent most of my day chatting and discussing my next art project with a friend.

Wound up not getting exercise in and getting to bed extremely late. But after that project, I was pretty much spent for the day.

-

May 31

I woke up around same time as yesterday.

First, yesterday’s DD. 40 reverse plank kicks with EC (20/20). Still would consider this one a personal favorite! Pretty breezy work.

Second, today’s DD. 2′ arm scissors with EC. I counted 236 reps by the end. Very close to 2/sec. But it was a fun pace to aim for.

Third, Day 7 of the VP. Level 3, no rest. Like last time, I tried to do balancing variation  as much as I could. I think my foot dropped few times. Lets see if I can manage only dropping to switch sides for whole WO, in future!

Fourth, Day 8 of the VP. Level 3, no rest.  Probably was modestly confused about the arm circle illustration. But I ran with them being WIDE arm circles (more ROM, than usual.) That felt more like what was meant today than one other more awkward interp I made (where you spin arms more like a clock-face).

(After some chatting and watching Oldboy again, with a friend...)

Last, Day 7 of the CSP. Level 3, max rest. This well and truly kicked my ass. Arms were tired and elbows wound up getting a bit scraped in the process. Also dropped plank 1-2 times per set (usually after second round of up/downs). But I’m just glad I could get through it alright.

Spent rest of night chatting and watching Clue with friend.

Went to bed really late again, because I was playing some games. :P

-

June 1

I woke up after 1PM, today.

Spent some time queuing posts before getting to today’s exercise.

First, today’s DD. 40 climbers with EC. This was a fun one - I kinda did it in the sort of hopping variation for a change of pace.

Second, Day 7 of the MC. Backup & Restore WO + 5′ meditation. Pretty calming.

Third, Day 9 of the VP. Level 3, no rest. Very breezy work, focused a bit more on back flexibility. I enjoyed myself!

Fourth, Day 8 of the CSP. Level 3, max rest. Okay. My counts were pretty fast, in part due to left elbow tenderness (it was more scraped up from yesterday’s WO.) But I managed to get through it without dropping plank until set was done!

Last, Day 8 of the MC. 5′ meditation. A bit more restless this time around.

I also posted that commission over here, today. Didn’t like how WP sent it over to tumblr, day of completion. :P

I spent the rest of my night working on another art project and chatting. Got to bed later than yesterday.

-

June 2

I got up around the same time as yesterday.

First, today’s DD. 2′ jumping Ts with EC. I counted 126 reps by the end - took being mindful of my pace. I wanted to keep to 1/sec for sustainability. Got a bit winded and was so tempted to break it up. Glad I managed.

Second, Day 9 of the MC. 5′ meditation with OM Mantra. Pretty chill. The mantra does require a bit more concentration.

Third, Day 10 of the VP. Level 3. no rest. I think this made me aware of sore chest muscles (esp roughly the intercostals), think that was due to those recent alternating chest expansions. But nevertheless pretty breezy.

Fourth, Day 9 of the CSP. Level 3, 1′ rest. I probably could’ve shorten the rest more - since this was relatively breezy for the program. The plank walk-outs were the toughest part but only 2x5 of them is very doable.

Last, Day 10 of the MC. 1′ equal breathing + 5′ meditation.

I made some dinner... and got completely consumed by computer maintenance and playing Kingdom Hearts to pass the time (give more computer resources to scans/updates/backing-up). KH was also a sort of treat for me to get done with that big project.

It was a dubious choice. to have back-up run while i was trying to get some shut-eye. Because I think that may’ve affected how fast it would take. I still got to bed after dawn broke again...

-

June 3

I woke up around 2PM.

Pretty much my entire day was tanked finishing up that maintenance stuff. As far as KH progress, I got to the point in game where you scale Hollow Bastion the second time (screw Dragon!Maleficent... so much).

Okay... I technically FINALLY got around to some exercises after like 3AM.

First, today’s DD. 30 boat folds with EC. This took some willpower and my abs felt that. Probs would enjoy this one better if I did it at a sensible hour.

Second, Day 11 of the VP. Level 3, no rest, this was pretty intense on the arms.

(I did think abt whether to do CSP, but after 2/3ds of first set, I just had to tap out... too late + arms gotta a bit tired from VP. Bleh. So much for syncing things up at this rate...)

Last, Day 11 of the MC. Backup & Restore +10′ meditation. The synchronicity between challenge and technical stuff wasn’t intended. But this was a tough session - was pretty restless and a bit worried i didn’t set the timer. But glad I sat through to the end. Doing a slow count of breathes helped a bit.

I got to bed way too damn late. Like around 8AM, late.

-

June 4

I woke around noon, and with some gnarly calf cramping. Massaging it out made it simmer down - blame sleep dep.

One of the first things I did today was some exercise.

First, today’s DD. 50 back kicks with EC (25/25). Not much to say other than this was pretty manageable and fun.

Second, Day 12 of the VP. Level 3, no rest. Stretching/flexibility work again. Didn’t do the reps super slow, but i did them till the point I felt stuff being suitably stretched.

(After chatting, cards, dishes, feeding the dog, and washing night mask...)

Third, Day 10 of the CSP. Level 3, max rest. What a difference getting at least SOME sleep made. Elbows weren’t so happy with the seagulls - as they were still scraped up and scabbing over a bit. Stomach wasn’t super happy with the back extensions - but i didn’t eat too much and waited mostly long enough.

(DID think about doubling up on CSP, to catch-up faster... but not today.)

Last, Day 12 of the MC. 10′ meditation. I did a slow mental ct of my breaths, 1 per inhale and 1 per exhale (extending/spacing the syllables in my mind). Thoughts wandered occasionally, bu I managed to keep count to the late 80s before starting over. Found out ~90 cts at that pace can fit in 10′, good to know. It was very relaxing.

Then spent time doing some Twitch housekeeping, chatting, stream-set-up, and drawing before getting to bed. Stayed up past dawn, but at least earlier than yesterday.)

-

June 5

I woke up around noon.

I spent some time chatting, browsing stuff, before getting in some exercise. (Assuming that Hello Fresh was getting delayed, bro got some Chinese food. HF arrived pretty much as soon as he got back... pffft.)

First, today’s DD. 40 leg raises with EC. Manageable, but definitely started to feel it in the least 10-20 reps.

Last, Day 11 of the CSP. Level 3, max rest. Kicked my ass again. Almost lost my balance a couple times in last set, due to fatigue and lapses of attention.

(I did think about doubling up to catch-up with CSP, but decided not to.)

I then spent time doing stream set-up, chatting, and more drawing.

Got to bed later than yesterday.

[chrislillytv]

Post 2 of 2: We had completely different tastes in men (Jack vs Sawyer, until Jack annoyed me near the end), held hands while shopping at Wal-Mart, scream sang while driving with the windows rolled down, and had a Desperate Housewives Fondue party. Over winter break, I decorated my college dorm with a Christmas town and when she walked in, she keeled over laughing because she thought it was funny to see a Christmas town in a guy’s apartment. We hosted an Anti-Valentine’s Day event where for some reason we ended up watching a Rom-Com, were part-time groupies for All American Rejects and Fall Out Boy, had deep conversations about life, and cried in each other arms numerous times. When I moved to Los Angeles she visited me on multiple occasions and we made it a point to try a new sushi restaurant every time. I told her that I felt guilty that I never came to visit her, but she always said, “There’s nothing to do here in Cedar City. Don’t worry. I’ll come to you.” Almost every year for my birthday, she’d send me a FULL Cheesecake Factory Reese's Cheesecake delivered in a box of dry ice. (One year she sent me a candle shaped like a cheesecake with Reese’s shapes on top. Confused, I broke one of those pieces off and ate wax. Bleh!) Well, Nikki passed from her struggle with metastatic breast cancer on January 4th, 2020 and today, January 11th, the day of her funeral, is her 43rd birthday. I will be processing our relationship for the rest of my life as I’m not even sure I’d be here today if it weren’t for her. Happy Birthday, Nikki - I love you, I miss you, and I thank you. For everything. #gay #lgbt #breastcancer #fuckcancer #cancersucks #friend #bff #bestfriend #rip #restinpeace #iloveyou #safe #family #chosenfamily #happybirthday @reeses @reesesuk @cheesecakefactory #cheescakefactory #reeses (at St. George, Utah) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7M4G0apN6K/?igshid=12xtcvkchc6s

[cutegirlmayra]

Soulmate au is when the 2 characters are meant to be in a more magical way? like, maybe they were born with a mark that helps them find their other half or destiny wants them together, you know what I mean? is like... like the red string of fate! their souls are bonded together. I am not the same anon that ask about the soulmate au, just want to let you know what it was :P

Thank you my friend!

I did some research and found out more about Soulmate Aus! :D

I’ve decided to combined ‘Hearing your name from the Soulmate’ and ‘Having trouble being away from soulmate and having to come back because of longing struggles’. I hope that works xD

(x)

Prompt:

Amy heard the crowd cheer out his name.

Her eyes flicked, something about it felt right, but she wasn’t sure why.

Looking around the crowd, she peeked her head out to see a bunch of rescued flickies being released from a contraption of sorts… a blue boy bouncing on a yellow button to free them.

He posed, hands on his hips with the back of his wrists. His head held high, cocky and confident.

He folded his arms as he smirked for the photos.

She couldn’t help but stare…

She wondered if this was love at first sight.

—

Later, after some tarot card reading, she took off for Palm Tree Panic. Before this, this was a quiet girl, expected to marry and just be a stay-at-home kinda wife. You know, with that dainty kinda life.

But the second she drew forth his name in her throat, the second the syllables formed, she knew.

“Sonic!”

She felt her heart race and something rise from her feet, forcing her to skid with her heels to stop herself.

It was like a truck flew upward and sped out of the ground and up through her body; bringing the sensation with it as it hit hard and swiftly. Completely knocking her clueless as a bubbly sensation of fizzing wonder floated up her stomach and stopped her breath.

What on earth was this?

The boy turned around, his face frozen.

Had he felt it too?

She walked a little closer, though the name rang through her mind and her body was lit up with a warmth again, a pure and underlying longing came to her to be closer and say his name again.

“…Sonic?”

This time, she watched him jitter from his knees up to his nose, having the vibration carry as slapped his two hands to his nose, and blinked, in shock.

His quills bristled, much like her own, and she thought for a second…

Her soulmate?

“Son-”

“Stop!!!”

She plugged her mouth with both hands, about to step forward but became to afraid too.

She desperately wanted to finish speaking his wonderful name, to hear that glorious ring and feel that amazing rush!

But the boy looked afraid…

“I’m sorry…” she softly spoke, but didn’t let this awkwardness continue.

She bounced up and happily did a small sway of her body, having her arms follow the gesture before her hands covered her face in shy fists again.

She blushed, and pulled them down again.

“I’m Amy.” she stated. “Amy Rose.”

She repeated this, just to be certain…

If him saying her name caused the same sensation then.

“…A…EM.” he cut himself off, looking down.

He was clearly uncomfortable, as he slowly moved a leg back, shaking as his whole body wanted to try and say her name too.

He tried to get away, walking like an uncomfortable march, as if something was between his legs, giving him a wedgie. This uncomfortable walk was because his legs had almost gone completely limp, and his heart was pounding while some strange sensation of fire and water boiled within him uncontrollably.

It was confusing and scary.

“Wait!” Amy called, holding a hand out and looping an arm around his arm, nuzzling up to it as she once again swayed herself closer, making him lean his head back.

He sweated as she batted her eyes.

“Uhhh…”

“Did you feel that too?” she inquired, before giggling and looking like a smarty-pants, but trying to be alluring.

She tilted her head down and continued her flirtation, or what she could pass off as flirting…

“If you felt that by me saying your name… then you must feel the same when you say mine!” she cheerfully stated, squeeing a moment as she released his arm and shook back and forth, her face covered again, acting coy.

“Eee! How embarrassing!”

“U-…Um…” Sonic kept sweating profusely, feeling suddenly too hot and faint, he kept trying to inch away… moving backwards as he did so, trying to not startle the strange girl that sent an odd feeling through him. “E-embarrassing?” He spoke through gritted teeth in a fake smile, his eyes slightly showing how crazy he thought this all was.

“Well, yes!” Amy kicked a leg up and swung it behind her, placing her two hands clutched tightly together and up by her side as she closed her eyes.

Her head looked up to the sky, as she sighed- “Because if it is so, then we’re soulmates! And you’ll never want to be apart from me-!”

A sudden gust of wind, and she blinked her eyes open, looking ahead.

“AH!” she gasped, offended as her arms swished down through the air and shook by her sides, seeing him take off without her…

“Ohhh…! The nerve! I’ll have to teach you some manners! Come back here!” she stomped her foot down, the wind kicking up, as she suddenly took a deep breath.

“SOOONNNIIICCC!!!!”

This time, the sensation changed.

She giggled, suddenly feeling like she was being tickled, and then, a massage that completely relaxed her… her eyes looking to enjoy the feeling, her feet digging into the ground as if someone had scratched behind her ears. She blushed before an electrical circuit of sorts traveled up her spine and exited through each individual quill, making her let out a cry of delight before shaking her quills back in place from being elated upwards.

“It HAS to be my soulmate!” she chimed, overjoyed! “My hero~” she swooned, instantly in love with the idea!

She suddenly dropped her arms and looked shocked again, “Oh my goodness!” she exclaimed.

“Now we’ll have to get married!” she threw her arms up, jumping in her glee, “Yeee~ I’m gonna be Sonic’s wife!” the same tingling, but on a lighter level now, still noticeable though.

“You are not!”

She suddenly blinked her eyes open from her dreamy state, and looked over across the way.

The boy was trembling, his eye twitching, as he was clearly feeling the effects from her call.

She had no idea if the sensation was doubled because it was his name or not, but she enjoyed the feeling it gave her.

She smiled, happily, before putting an innocent finger to her mouth and ducking her head down.

—

Playing innocent, eh?

Sonic growled in his mind’s thoughts, ticked off he was triggered so easily.

What was this!? A soulmate!?

PAH!

Like he, Sonic The freakin’ Hedgehog, would have any need of any woman-partner!

Bleh.

He felt the sensations finally leave.

Good.

Though they died down slowly…

Ugh.

The feeling lingered a bit but he ignored it, or at least tried to as he folded his arms and rolled his eyes.

“Don’t tell me you believe in those stupid mythologies!”

“Myth… Mythologies!? Ah!” she looked deeply offended, and her open mouth expression made him snicker.

Oh good.

He could have fun messing with this one…~

He thought that with deliberate glee, motioning his fingers in a wave on his arm, smirking down at her, a devil’s look of wicked pleasure in his eye.

A soulmate?

More like a nuisance! He couldn’t have ‘soulmate’ on an adventure! Please! She’ll break a claw.

He teased and mocked her, leaning up from his first expression to lower his eyelids, sizing her up and unfolding his arms to place them judgingly on his hips.

She’s not even all that.

He dropped his smile.

If she WAS his soulmate, wouldn’t she be more than pretty?

His face suddenly dropped, looking up and off into the distance.

Did he just think that?

Pretty?

He shook his head.

Nah, man! It’s gotta be the sensations! Ah-! N-not like he believed that stuff was real though, anyways!!! And even if it was-

He spat at the ground, lifting a leg up exaggeratedly to do so.

He would fight it till the day he died! Just in spite of it all!

“Do yourself a favor, Pinky.” he didn’t dare call her by her name. “Eggman’s afoot, and I wouldn’t want ya gettin’ hurt. Just run along home and forget about me, alright? Thanks for being a fan though, see ya!” he leaned forward, using the hand motion to ‘shoo’ her away as he flapped it back and forth a moment, looking like he didn’t care as he saluted a ‘cool-dudes’ goodbye and was about to take off.

His leg was positioned right.

His hands were curled and ready to reel forward.

He could almost feel the awkward moment dissipating behind him before-

“But..! Ohh.. I don’t have a home.” She ducked her head down, her sudden soft eyes revealing a helplessness Sonic’s eyes couldn’t ignore.

His eyes had shifted back, just by hearing the shift in tone.

He glared forward, sweating..

‘Don’t let her get to you, Sonic…’

He frowned, though his kind heart was starting to show…

He tried to bury it deep, telling himself it wasn’t safe for her anyway, but then again…

Why did he care?

“Augh.” he threw his arms up, relaxing and leaning forward in a hunch, before turning back to her.

She wasn’t trying to be annoying… she was just looking for her hero.

He pouted, looking up again and away from her.

“You really don’t have anyone? Not one single person who gives a care about you at all?”

The harshness wasn’t meant to be so… well… apparent.

But the poor girl seemed to shrink away, her fingers starting to roll over each other in nerves, and a look of pity suddenly came over her.

“I… I guess not.” She felt rejected, and by her soulmate?

Harsh…

Wait, what!?

Sonic shook his head.

Don’t start that again!

“Ahh, come on! I can’t stand to see you sulk all of a sudden from being sunshine and rays a moment beforehand. Dang, I’m getting soft.” he scratched the top of his head, turning away as if to dismiss his sudden kindness, but she raced at lightspeeds up to him, shocking him at her agility, before tacking him down the tall hill he was on.

“Woah-hey-waaiiitt!”

as they tumbled, he felt a sudden pull to make sure he took any damage instead of her.

This was normal though, as he was used to defending others, but…

His hand wrapped around her waist, and he seriously focused on getting upright, jumping up and holding her bridal style, looking on.

He was suddenly aware of his strange maneuvering of having her in his arms, and blinked, looking down as if that was pure instinct…

She smelled… good… AH!

He shook his head and flailed his arms about, letting her go on the ground as she stared at him, wide-eyed in admiring love for him.

Or so he thought.

He clutched his hand to what felt like a about to burst out heart, as if willing it to stay in there.

“Look, just leave me alone, okay? You’re better off on your own.” he started walking ahead, dusting his arms off of her… ugh, scent and the feeling of her soft fur and- Grr.. he’s got strange thoughts now!

He took off, darting forward and moving through the stage.

When he felt he was far enough away, he relaxed, sighing in relief and started stretching.

“Let’s never have to go through that again…” He muttered to himself, before a strange feeling of guilt came over him.

Amy…

“Amy Rose!”

She had said that.

A strange allure of longing… followed by deep, profound impulses and urges to hold her again, took over and created a quake in his hands, as he held them out in front of himself, watching as they tensed and shook by just the thought of her name, the memory of her in their possession…

“W-wo-wo-woah… what’s happening to me?” Sonic, feeling the odd thoughts start to swarm, rapidly started having his body shake, and he slowly pulled his hands up to his withdrawn head.

His eyes widened as he twitched slightly, his feet wanting to go back, his body feeling queasy…

Suddenly…

“I found you!”

“WAH!”

He flinched away but she caught onto him.

Instantly, a volcanic eruption sent a signal boost throughout him, and a wave of relief followed by a gentle pressure release gave him the sensation of a pleasant nap. At least, he wasn’t sure how to describe it either than that.

To his inexperience, he thought he had a heart-attack followed by heat stroke and a sudden condition of anxiety induced cerebral palsy.

His body wasn’t coordinating and he was helpless to fight her off.

He just looked up, his nose twitching so he rubbed it to try and excuse himself from this mess.

Should he… really let her tag along?

How’d she catch up to him so fast anyway?

Was she able to really be his..?

“Please don’t leave again! You scared me!” Amy stated, shaking her head. She started leaning up and whining slightly, the tone of her pitch right in his ear sent a goofy smile on his face, and suddenly his foot started thomping the ground like some kinda thumping in glee.

He must have lost his mind.

“If you leave, I’ll be drawn back to you! So that’s mean to make me long for you like that!” she shook him up, but his face just showed complete surrender to the ecstasy.

He’d never felt this dumb before.

“Um.. miss, could you not… haha…” he was meaning for her to do this to him, but she just let him go, thinking he meant the shaking.

“Opps! My bad. hehe.” she giggled, having a hand up by her mouth, “I forget my own strength sometimes..”

“Your strength is… strong.” he was still wobbly, still goofy face, before he shook himself out of it and looked really upset.

“Ble-blr-blr-blr-GRUFF. Hey! What’s the big idea?!” He was starting to lose his temper…

Amy ‘eep’d, covering her face slightly, but peering over gloved hands, leaning away.

“Look, I don’t have time to play with little girls.” he leaned his face forward,.. but was that really just the pull?

His fist came up to make a point… or was it his hand wanting to be closer to reaching for her again?

“Like I said before. Eggman’s hunting more flickies, and I don’t have time to waste around and mess with you! Scram, kid! I’m a loner! And always will be!” he flung his hand out and stated his point bluntly, before taking off.

“Oh, wait!” Amy desperately cried out, “Son-!”

“Oh, and another thing.” Sonic came speeding back, placing a finger on her mouth, and turning his head with an eye squinted and the other having it’s eyebrow up, as if he was pointing out another thing…

“Don’t call me back! It’s weird! And you’re better off with some prince charming. Trust me!” he removed the finger, but the touch was suddenly something he couldn’t ignore…

“You.. you alright with that?”

She had ducked her head down, covered in shadows.

“…H-hey… you aren’t crying are ya… Miss?” He bent his head down, refusing to speak her name.

—

Anger swarmed through her.

Her true love, her soulmate.

Rejecting her so cruelly.

Didn’t he know this was a once in a lifetime opportunity?

Soulmates couldn’t be apart without desperately longing for the other, and saying each other’s name was suppose to give a forever strength to their bond, a never-ending love that only grew and grew as the name was spoken by them.

She found him… and he was telling her to buzz off.

Like she couldn’t follow him.

She could play hero too!

She rose her head up, determined.

“I CAN PROVE IT!” She hollered in his face, making him move back and blink in utter disbelief.

“P-prove?” He gawked, “Prove,… what? Exactly?” he leaned forward with his hands on his hips again, feet together, looking curious but confused at her words.

“I can prove soulmates are real!”

He must have admired her gusto, Amy thought.

Cause he stood up straight, turning slightly to the side with his body angled, and folded his arms, giving her a formidable look…

“Oh, you can, can you.”

“Yes! I can! I’ll prove it right now!” she stepped boldly up towards him, toe to toe, as he looked down at the foot positioned out to her, the other on the side, and then back up with just his eyes.

“You for real, girl?”

“Say my name!”

His head shot up and his hands unfolded, horror and shock coming over his face, before tensing it up and having a snarl replace his frown, a look of contempt in his eyes.

“Come again?”

“I’m sick of you denying it! You know if you said my name, you’d feel it too! You couldn’t run or.. or hide from it anymore!” she shouted out, letting her voice fill the zone as he twitched his fist, tsking…

“Pfft. As if.” He leaned back up, trying to not take this seriously.

“I’m on a very important mission. I don’t have time for your silly games, lady!”

“AMY!”

He froze a second, twitching an eyelid down as if he was bracing himself, lifting an arm as if he had expected that to do something to him.

“See! You moved!” Amy pointed out, “Say it and you’ll know!”

“I… I don’t believe you! Or in your magic jargon of silly love stories!” He defended, but he was sweating again, nervous…

“Do it!” She wasn’t backing down, her face right at his, making him stagger back.

“Uhh…” he slowly started retreating, realizing this girl’s will was equal to his own.

At least, Amy hoped that’s what was coming off.

She advanced forward, taking one step at a time as he repeatedly stepped away one foot at a time.

“Amy. Amy… Rose.”

“Quit it, girly! Ah..” Sonic was cut off by a loose rock, seeing it fall from his foot’s weight and retrieving his foot back. Looking down at the drop, he looked a bit panicked for a moment.

“Now!” She lunged forward, as his arms spread out and he tried to arch his back away from her.

“Alright, alright! But it’s not gonna change anything! You’ve gotta go!” Sonic demanded back, shouting so she understood him.

—

Geez, I never knew a girl with so much -tude.

He snarked to himself, before watching her back away, her eyes still daggers as if threatening him to keep his bargain.

“If you feel the same… I stay with you!” she folded her aggressive little arms and pouted like most little girls do.

Sheesh.

How’d he end up in this mess?

“Fine…” he scratched the back of his head, “You win…” he buffed up his chest, sucking in some air.

He was about to release it, when she was suddenly swooped away.

He blinked, before turning to look up.

“What… just happened?”

“SOOONNICC!!”

“Eeee! Hey!” he gripped his quills, having the sensation return but differently this time, having the quills stick up and shake straight, but his impulses feel like they had a million-bolt batteries in each part of his movable body!

“Metal me!” Sonic looked ahead to see Metal carrying her off. “Darn, we must still be in sync!” he realized, and darted his head down, glaring.

If he thinks he can take her away, I’ll-!

He sped off, not giving the thought a second look.

“Hang on!” he called from below, before seeing her let out a cry of help, her eyes spraying tears as suddenly Metal flew off into the sky.

Sonic reached up, his boyhood voice suddenly echoing out a sensation he hadn’t known before.

It was as if he was meant to say this sound, born into it, destined to speak it and let it rest on his tongue forever.

“AMMMYYY!!!!”

(Awww, so cute! XD I love classic Sonamy!!!)

Others like this (x) (x) (x)

[wearetakingthehobbitstogallifrey]

opinion on P&P 2005 and Nutella

Ooh thanks @theamiableanachronism! SOAllow me to address Nutella first: Heavenly, to die for (almost I mean I am not that insane, just close). I discovered Nutella in college because my campus had a tiny food section in the book store and they had the containers of Nutella with little sticks to eat it on. I FELL IN LOVE. I mean hazelnut and chocolate?! Perfection! And now I put it on toast or English muffins and I buy the Ben and Jerry's where there is a cylinder of Nutella in the middle of the ice cream and I also put it in smoothies sometimes to change things up from peanut butter. I love NutellaNOW. Pride and Prejudice 2005:OH BOY. Ok first I want to say that I don't hate the movie, just cordially dislike it. There are many great elements--gorgeous music, Jane is beautiful, Bingley is kinda of cute like a puppy (though come on that hair is a little ridiculous), and that scene of Bingley practicing his proposal to Jane with Darcy is adorable. And um...idk that hand thing every on talks about is also cool...Now for the things I dislike. Keira Knightley's portrayal of Elizabeth. I am not really talking about physical appearance here but her attitude. Elizabeth in the books has a lively wit and brains and yes I wouldn't say she is thrilled with all the mores of society but she still manages to function within it, to push boundaries without breaking them, expanding instead of destroying. And maybe I am being inaccurate, maybe I am picking up on vibes that don't really exist, but in PnP 2005 I feel like Keira's Lizzie tries to be overly rebellious and outspoken? Like the filmmakers saw a character who does not blindly follow the expectations of the time and who thinks for herself and they just kind of overdid it? Like they thought they had to make Lizzie more clearly a free spirit or whatever, because otherwise the modern audience might not like her as much or understand where she is coming from. And I do get the intent, but it just feels off to me. Yes, that is part of the problem. Some of the movie seems too modern, or too ridiculous. Like take that alternate ending where Lizzie and Darcy are seated outside at night and she is telling him what endearment he may use. She says he can call her "my pearl" on Sundays, like ok. But then she says he can call her "goddess divine, but only on very special occasions." GODDESS DIVINE I CAN'T BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA REALLY????? *DEEP BREATH* ok look here I mean where in the book where oh where do we see Lizzie ever saying anything like this?! I mean you can maybe argue that Lizzie does like being witty and she is being sarcastic here but the way Keira says it, it feels halfway sincere? OMG ALSO CAN YOU PICTURE MR. DARCY OF THE BOOK CALLING ELIZABETH HIS GODDESS DIVINE BLEH OMG IF I HAD A DRINK I WOULD BE SNORTING IT THROUGH MY NOSEAlso that same scene they discuss when Darcy can call Lizzie Mrs. Darcy. And she says it will be when he is perfectly incandescently happy. Like girl I am pretty sure he will call you Mrs. Darcy pretty much all the time unless it is just the two of you or just you and a few close friends because social norms? Ok I'll shut up about this because it is an alternate ending and probably doesn't count...Ooh but Mr. Bennett. You know at first in the book he amused me because yeah he is sarcastic and I love sarcasm. But as you go along you realize that his wit can be cruel and that while he does love Lizzy he really is not a great husband and father. And if he (and the mother) had been slightly better parents then the lives of their daughters would have been better and maybe the whole thing with Wickham would never have happened. And u feel like the 2005 version downplays the faults of Mr. Bennett and makes him softer than he really isAlso while I do like the idea that Darcy may also have been socially awkward this movie just really plays up the idea of him being shy and takes away from the fact that in the beginning he actually is a snob and a bit cold-hearted. That he actually has faults (and being shy is not necessarily a fault though it may be a hinderance) and that he has to overcome his faults and be a better man. ALSO what was up with the Bennett's messy house? I mean sure it is an interesting aesthetic and yes in the book we know that Mr. Bennett does not have money saved but it is not because he is on the poorer side and can't keep pigs from running in the kitchen. I took a Jane Austen book and film class a few years ago and we sat down and went over how much money everyone had and Mr. Bennett had a fairly good income--his main problem was he didn't know how to invest it, and thus had nothing set aside for his wife and daughters in the event of his death. And I just thought that was really interesting, but it is lost in the 2005 adaption. Ugh there are a ridiculous amount of historical inaccuracies too...all little things but on top of everything else they disturb me Also Wickham who is Wickham? Basically I remember he had a pretty face but that is it? Like he is a huge part of the story and because of the movie format his role (and many other things) got drastically shortened. *sighs**tldr: Pride and Prejudice 2005 isn't the worst movie or book adaption in the world and can be enjoyable to watch, as long as you can stop yourself from comparing it to the book or to the 98% perfect 1995 mini-series

[ferociousfangirlofmanyfandoms]

Scared Student

I wrote this when I should have been sleeping. Or working on my own paper. Have this college age Ford dealing with a girl student melting down. I’m sorry if it’s out of character or something. It’s a blathered idea at 12 midnight. Bleh. 

@snapback-gravity-falls still want you to see this eventually so boop

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Stanford Pines thought he had never seen anything quite so pitiful as the girl who was now noisily crying right in the middle of the library of Backupsmore. He waited, trying to see if anyone would move to help her. 

An irritated, protective fury built up when nobody did- all the poor girl got was confused, agitated stares from the other students. Typical. They should have better manners than this! Before he knew exactly what he was doing, Ford stepped over to the brunette with tears rolling down her face. 

Gently, awkwardly, he offers, “What’s wrong?”

Sniffling, the girl pulls herself together enough to look at him directly. She’s actually rather pretty- at least, she might be. Right this moment her bronze curls are frizzled at least an inch from her head and look very tangled from where Ford was standing. There were deep circles under her dark oak colored eyes and the veins showed on her top lids- she’d been depriving herself of sleep for a long time. Ford knew the look- he saw it in the mirror more often than not. Her nose was almost cherry red, and running currently. The glasses that perched on the bridge of her nose were cockeyed and scratched in places- an old pair.

 “I- I have a paper due- and a lab report- and reading I haven’t done- and I- I-“ 

A high pitched whimper escaped her as the tears redoubled. Small hands curl into fists and try to rub out the thick streams of tears leaking from her eyes. 

“Calm down,” Ford murmurs, trying to take a page out of Fiddleford’s book with the soothing tone he used. Hesitantly, he put a hand on her shoulder- and yelps in surprise when he is abruptly hugged tightly. Those small arms were strong, most unexpectedly. 

When he hears that tiny keening noise that follows, something in his heart breaks for this girl he barely knows. Quietly, he shepards her into the shelves to avoid anymore awkward stares from their classmates. Very gently, he wraps his arms around her shoulders- so small and soft- and hugs her back. The happy whimper that follows was almost worth the simmering embarrassment in his gut at being stared at- he’d hated it since he was small, always being stared at for his hands… 

“Th’nk you….s-s-sorry….” 

He patted the top of her head. Her curly hair was floofy, and a little bit scratchy. “Don’t be. Are you a freshman?” 

There’s a pained, sheepish titter. She cuddles into his yellow sweater vest. This is strangely comfortable- it almost reminded him of nights back at Glass Shard after one of them had woken themselves up with a nightmare… He squashes that thought as he hears her speak again. 

“N-no. I’m a Junior. Second semester. I’m just… stressed something awful… Th-thanks again for c-coming t’ my rescue back there…” She talked a little like Fiddleford. Was she from Tennessee as well? 

“No problem. Couldn’t leave a girl in tears alone.” What are you DOING? You sound just like Stanley… 

“Heh, m-maybe you’re p-proof that manners ain’t- aren’t dead yet…” She sniffles, a smile slipping across her face as she looks up at him. 

He’s a little rattled at how pretty her soft face looks at that smile- it’s like the sun coming out after rainclouds. 

“A-anyways… I gotta go clean up, ai- isn’t right for a girl to go around l-like this…. Can I know the name of my hero, at least?” 

That question had a bit of a titter in it- he had a confused suspicion that she was joking about the “hero” part for a moment, and then it hit that she was just covering for her own muddled emotions winding down. 

“Stanford… Stanford Pines.”

“June! June Gilbert. A-anyways, see you round on campus sometime?” 

That bright smile was back again, even if she was still crying a little. It was befuddling. But a little gratifying to know he’d caused that smile. 

“…Maybe.”

“Heh. Yay! S-see you then.”

 And like that, the odd encounter was over. The girl slipped from their place in the stacks like a small soft wraith- she knew these bookshelves better than even Stanford did. The male in question stared after the retreating girl around his age in utter befuddlement- he didn’t understand girls on a regular basis… 

And somehow he seems to have just made friends with one. 

A tiny smile slid over his lips. Maybe that wasn’t so bad, actually.

 After all, June was a very good hugger. 

[babygirlblogging-lise-blog]

My First

I failed my driving test. 

That was in the fall of 2017, I was a senior in high school. All of my friends were getting their licenses and cars while I was stuck being a passenger. The woman who failed me thought I wasn’t confident enough. Like damn, can’t even be nervous without being penalized these days huh? She failed me for the most ridiculous shit. But that has nothing to do with the story I plan on telling. 

A few weeks before my eighteenth birthday I tried again. This was something I needed to do before I turned 18. Giving up wasn’t an option. There was no way I wanted to retake my written if I didn’t pass before I was considered a legal adult. The guy who tested me this time? He was fine as hell and now that I think about it, I was supposed to text him when I turned eighteen. I lost his number, sadly. But that also has nothing to do with the story. I want to tell you the story about the first guy I-

-’ve always been cheap. I was ten when my aunt was going to get a new car. I convinced her to save her old car for me so that when I started driving I wouldn’t have to buy a car. By the end of the summer of 2017, my grandpa fixed up the old car and I was all good to go. Free to go wherever I wanted. I no longer had to wait around for people, waste money on lyfts or walk. So naturally, I took myself on adventures. 

One night, against my better judgement. I lied to my mom and said I was going to hang out with my friends. If I would have told her what I was really going to do, she would’ve gone into over protective mode and I didn’t want that. I just wanted some time to myself. I drove over the bridge and into Philly. Not for a concert or any other event. I just wanted some me time. I parked my car. Got oreo ice cream and sugar cookies from Insomnia Cookies and walked around the city. 

Not going to lie and say I knew exactly where I was at all times. I wasn’t even guaranteed that I was safe, I wasn’t focused on my surroundings. All I know is I was somewhere around Broad Street, because that’s where Insomnia Cookies was located. I came across this huge, gorgeous building, I’m not very good at names. Everything was lit up and there was art on the sides of some of the buildings surrounding it. There was even a fountain in front of it all. The scene just looked so beautiful. I walked across the street, hopped up on a ledge and just took it all in. It felt serene, even with so many people flooding the sidewalks. I sat and continued eating my snacks, I was enjoying clearing my head. Until someone interrupted me that is… 

“Hey.” I looked up to see a cute guy. There were a few girls not too far from me talking. It was the beginning of August, late at night but still pushing eighty degrees. Of course they were clad in clothes that left nothing to the imagination. I figured he was talking to them. Guys like the ones who look easy. He couldn’t have been talking to me. So I went back to dipping my cookie into my ice cream and admiring the scenery. I didn’t really acknowledge the fact that he moved a little closer to me. He said hey again and I finally looked up at him directly, before looking around. He laughed a little. “I don’t blame you for being that into ya snacks. I love their shit. But I’ve been trying to get your attention for a minute.” Yep, he’s definitely talking to me. I was confused as to why though. I get hit on by guys pretty often, I know I’m not ugly but with him talking to me, I felt extremely insecure. Suddenly I wished that I had dressed a little better. I looked like a child for fucks sakes. I was wearing a gold fish shirt, black tights, a hat that said “Hoodrats” and Chucks. I was even swinging my legs off the ledge, eating ice cream! 

He introduced himself as Dey. I wanted to know the name his mom gave him so I asked him for his full name. Ayinde. Pronounced Uh-zhen-day. Unique. It has African origins. He told me that my name was almost as pretty as I was. If I were white, I definitely would have blushed. I didn’t understand why he made me feel so shy. 

 I learned that he was mixed with Irish, Haitian and Cuban. Interesting mix, I know. Despite his slight baby face, he turned out to be 20. He was tall, about 6’1. He had taken his hat off to redo his ponytail, he tied his curly, brown hair back into a man bun. He was light skinned with a slight tan. Doe brown eyes paired with the cutest smile. He was dressed in all black, I would’ve been a little concerned if it weren’t for the logo on his hat. I could see a tattoo peeking out from under his short sleeved shirt. Just my type. 

I was tired of the small talk and beating around the bush. “Why’d you come over here to talk to me?” Instead of replying, the douche just smiled and then hopped up on the ledge next to me. It was weird. I was supposed to be having me time, if any other guy did this I would’ve been rude. I wouldn’t have given them the time of day. I wasn’t even afraid, Ayinde strangely made me feel safe. Something was telling me to give him a chance, instead of shutting him down. 

“Well, I was on break, I work across the street.” He points to a small cafe. “I saw you walk by and… I don’t know I thought you were beautiful. Now that I’ve gotten closer, it seems so effortless. No make up and you’re not even dressed up.”

Shit, I have no clue what to say to this. He’s been nice and respectful. “Thank you.” Well, that was lame but it was safe. We talked more before he had to go back to work. He was funny as hell, we both had the same rude, dark, sarcastic humor. He complimented me pretty often and he seemed kind of bummed that he had to leave once his break was over. 

“Why don’t you grow some balls and just ask me what you wanna ask me.” I thought to myself, I should be a fucking actress. I’m great at faking confidence. 

He laughed and just smiled at me for a second. “Well, I would like to get to know you more. Can I get your number?” 

You know when you give someone your number, you almost expect them to wait days or weeks to text you. Surprisingly, Ayinde texted me that night. 

AYINDE: hey beautiful, u get home safely?

ME: Oh shit, I see u found ur balls! 

AYINDE: lol yea yea yea. I know I was acting like a pussy earlier but that’s not how I usually am

***

AYINDE: FT me? I haven’t seen u since we met punk

ME: No I look crazy rn 

AYINDE: Is tht even possible? I think you’re cute af

ME: aww thanks but everyone’s entitled to their own insecurities

AYINDE: Ig but that’s y u need me 

ME: wym?

AYINDE: to take away your insecurities

ME: Doubt that’s possible 

AYINDE: try me

***

ME: entertain meee! I’m bored, stuck at my great grandma’s house :(

AYINDE: I literally just woke up, still in bed

ME: Luckyyy, my head’s fucking killing me

AYINDE: wish I could help

ME: me too lol do u have superpowers? 

AYINDE: no, do u?

ME: Nah I’m not tht awesome 

AYINDE: I think ur pretty awesome

Ayinde and I got closer over the next month. We hadn’t actually seen each other after the first time we met. He worked crazy hours and still had school. I worked everyday and had school as well. Plus, I wasn’t completely comfortable meeting up with a guy I didn’t really know. He understood that. He always made sure I was comfortable before we did anything. He eventually convinced me to facetime him… a lot... and when we didn’t he acted like a big baby.

ME: u happy now?

AYINDE: lol no

ME: y not -_-

AYINDE: I got nothing pretty to look at now

ME: whose fault it tht?

AYINDE: idk. Do u kno?

ME: Lol yea ik

AYINDE: tell me 

ME: yours :P

AYINDE: well if u came over we wouldn’t have this problem

I was a very late bloomer. I knew freshmen girls who got pregnant, meanwhile I hadn’t had my first kiss until I was 16. I didn’t start dating until 17. I was a fresh 18 and I was still a virgin. I waited a while to tell him because I liked him and didn’t want to scare him off. But he surprised me, I learned that he wasn’t like other guys. Most guys only want you for one thing. And that’s to get them off. Not all are gonna be lovey dovey when you’re not putting out. 

ME: I hate being a girl. I think my uterus just exlpoded. Im dying

AYINDE: Aww u can’t die yet, I havent taken u out yet

ME: wut do u want from meee

AYINDE: I told u what I want 

ME: hmmmm

AYINDE: i didnt? 

ME: u could have an ulterior motive

AYINDE: lol what? Ayo y cant I just think ur gorgeous and want to get to kno u, find out who u r

***

He was very protective of me. Anytime I even looked a tiny bit sad or sounded off, he was ready to beat someone up for me. 

AYINDE: ur awake? 

ME: Yea just woke up on some bs 

AYINDE: u good?

ME: yea im ok lol

AYINDE: u sure? I’ll fuck someone up

ME: lol yea im good now

And as the oldest, always looking out for my little brothers and my friends. It felt good to have someone looking out for me for a change. 

***

ME: I move into college tmw nd I aint pack shit yet

AYINDE: ur bugging

ME: Pack 4 me?

AYINDE: lol ill pass

ME: my back hurts like all hell, some of this shit is heavy

AYINDE: what u carrying…?

ME: 4 one, I hav a lot of clothes, they add up nd I had to take em downstairs

AYINDE: lol whoakay wittle wone

ME: fuck u, this shit weighs more than me! I almost fell down the stairs!

AYINDE: thts cuz ur like 87 lbs

ME: Aye! Give me my props, im like 120

AYINDE: lol i see u killa

I fucking loved when he called me that, made me feel invincible. 

Despite how it seems this isn’t a love story. This isn’t a memoir about me finding my first love. Bleh. That’s so sappy. I want to tell you about the first time I stepped out of my comfort zone. You’ve experienced a snippet of our relationship. Ayinde and I were never together. We were just people who met at the wrong time. Had too much going on in our separate lives to focus on developing a relationship. But it didn’t stop us from pursuing the unique friendship we had. For years we maintained contact, I’d visit him pretty often but we always kept our distance when it came to personal things. We used each other as escapes from our realities. We were each other’s vacation after a long week. 

One night we were hanging out and things got more heated than they usually did. I wasn’t prepared to take the next step with anyone. No worries, I’m not about to make you uncomfortable and talk about how I lost my virginity because that isn’t the point. Before I say anything, I did have a great childhood. But some things did leave me scarred, I struggled with intimacy as a result. To make a long story short, it makes me self conscious, not something I’ll flaunt for the whole world to see. 

I’m the type of girl who will wait until the bathroom is empty to change my pad or start going to the bathroom. If it’s too busy, I’ll wait all day until I go home. In the locker room, I’d find the farthest corner or wait until all the girls leave to change my clothes. I’m not comfortable being alone around men. I used to clench my pocket knife in my hand when I walked home alone at night. The list goes on. 

The point of this memoir is to tell about the first time I felt completely comfortable in my own skin. Let alone, around a guy. 

They were everywhere. Trailing from my neck and back up against mine. His lips were distracting. I could barely focus. Let alone notice that the both of us were wearing less and less clothing by the minute. I stopped. 

I wouldn’t be able to handle him not liking what he saw. What if I did a bad job? What if he stopped talking to me?

“Do you want me to stop?” Ayinde pulled back from me looking concerned. He looks so cute right now. I kind of wanted to pick up where we left off. 

“Ye-No. It’s just, can you turn the lights completely down?” He liked his room dim, not too bright or dark. It was normally perfect but at that moment, they were making this situation turn into a nightmare.

“Um, why? What’s wrong?” He’s still hovering above me. I didn’t really want him to move. I bit my lip, contemplating. 

“Just don’t look at me any differently. Okay?” I pulled him down by the back of his neck and kissed him hard. Hoping that my issues with myself wouldn’t be a big deal, I’ve never gone this far with anyone. 

When the time came. I held my breath. Okay, I see my pants on the floor near the dresser. My shirt is near the door. I was locating my clothing so that I’d be able to leave quicker. I’m not really one to feel embarrassed but this was going to be borderline humiliating if I wasn’t enough for him. This reminded me of how I felt when I failed my driving test, but I wanted to do this with Ayinde. I didn’t want to quit just because I hadn’t grown the balls to show anyone else. I didn’t want to miss out because I was nervous as to what he might think. I had to at least give him a chance. 

What Ayinde did shocked me. Instead of being grossed out or losing his hard on. He didn’t ask any questions, he didn’t say anything. He kissed every part of my body and when he was done he leaned down to kiss my lips. I was worried, about him seeing all of me, for no reason. He wound up giving me the confidence I needed to be comfortable in my own skin. He told me what I needed to hear from a guy that I was into, not my parents: 

“You’re beautiful.”

And just like that... I didn’t have anymore insecurities. 

[royalblurryfacedbastard]

So yesterday and today was p good!

Everything was p much as usual during all the classes, I talked to AS a lot and yes. I finished our report assignment thing tho which felt p great. I don’t really care if I don’t get a high grade on it bc idk, I’m just glad I’m done.

Our break started yesterday and so did the LAN-party. I spent most of my time around AS, DV and DG and also D during the day and night and it was p fun.

I slept a bit from 1 am to like... 3-ish, almost four and I also chatted up some dude there before who seemed nice, and then I stayed up and fought w DG in our class’ group chat bc some tech students were mad he and his gf took a whole classroom to themselves. They were p immature about it and banged on the door and yelled but DG honestly wasn’t much better. Bleh.

It ended w DG and his gf literally just going home bc they couldn’t sleep and I couldn’t care less.

Me, DV and AS tried to sleep at 5-6 but it didn’t go so well. AS gave up after a while but both me and DV insisted on trying and sorta succeeded. I woke up a lot though bc people talked and ran around and stuff. I did get some sleep tho.

At almost nine am I got up and talked to AS and he said he had an upset stomach so he was gonna go home and that was p much the moment I decided to go home too bc I decided it wasn’t worth it to stick around and get minimal sleep and stuff.

We went to McDonald’s and had breakfast and I texted my dad who said he couldn’t pick me up because he had had a BEER for BREAKFAST. Yeah. So I obviously got upset over that and it didn’t help that I had to take the bus since he couldn’t pick me up.

I was kinda pissed about that for a while and that wasn’t the greatest feeling but it kinda went away after a while.

Now that I’m home it’s starting to get p bad again bc I’m angry at stuff and also I feel physically sick as fuck. Which is not so cool. I feel like I’m gonna puke but I don’t think that’ll happen. Either way I’m just gonna go sleep now and hope I’ll wake up feeling better.

[isakthedragon]

A Dragon Sized Adventure Chapter 28

Chapter 28: When in Rome

*Our heroes make their way into the Roman Terrarium. Small, empty homes run along the cobblestones streets with aqueducts running down the rolling green hills dotting the area. In the center of the terrarium is a large coliseum, with locked gates barring entry for some reason.*

Sonic was walking next to Crash on the way to the next terrarium. "Hey, Crash, how come you keep shutting your mouth every time you speak."

Crash looks nervous to talk about it. But he gets the courage to speak. "Because I'm nervous that I sound too silly." (I should note his voice sounds similar, but a little different to when he said "Pancakes." in Crash of the Titans)

Sonic: "Really? Because I don't think you sound silly."

Crash: "I don't?"

Sonic: "Nah. Heh, you should have heard me when I was younger." *He changes his voice (to Jaleel White's voice form Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog)* "I sounded like this, going 'Did I do that?'."

*Crash stifles giggling.* "Sorry, it reminds me of someone on Earth."

Sonic is bothered for only a second. "Anyway, there's nothing for you to be embarrassed about. Talk to your heart's content, Crash."

Crash: "Okay!" *He grins as they enter the terrarium.*

-----

Level 11: (Another) Green Hills (Zone)

Crates: 85

Time Trial

Sapphire: 1:45.00

Gold: 1:40.00

Platinum: 1:35.00

Rhinorollers to Save: 6

Helping Partner: Cream

Badniks: Rhinobot / E-02 Rhinotank: CHARGE! Spear Lab Assistant Pawns: Besides wearing togas, they wield their spears with near accuracy... but only in front of them.

Mutants: Rhinoroller: A rhinoceros + Armadillo hybrid that act quite similar to a similar hedgehog... Koo-ala: Minion koalas working for Tiny and Koala Kong. They're bad-mannered, backwoods mechanics who are as gassy as a whoopee cushion.

Welcome to Rome! What a way to start by running on the rolling green hills outside the ancient city. You can even see the city off in the distance, with it's flat buildings and may pillars. Besides hills and the occasional home here and there, a tall aqueduct runs next to you, looking like it extends all the way down to the city. In fact, you're gonna go up there since this level ends right where the aqueduct is lowest. 

Achievement Unlocked: Rolling Green Hills (Zone :P )

-----

Level 12: Slip and Run

*Tiny's and Koala Kong's holograms appear in the wormhole.*

Tiny: "Uka-Uka and Cortex and Eggman want Tiny and Koala Kong get crystals, and bring them to big coliseum in Rome. Crash! Leave them for us, or Crash get CRUSHED!"

Koala Kong (To note: He is a Sylvester Stallone parody) : "Ya, and youse might want to watch your backs. You might find yourselves extra crispy!" *He laughs and they disappear.*

Crates: 50

Time Trial

Sapphire: 1:25.00

Gold: 1:20.00

Platinum: 1:15.00

Helping Partner: Amy

Now we are off running down the aqueducts that lead into the city. It starts off pretty quietly, you pass underneath an arch when...

Chase Boss: Supersized Jet Mobile

...Tiny and Koala Kong break the arch and start chasing you. All you can do is run away from its flaming boosters. You can hit it when they're inactive to keep them away a bit, but they are still going to chase you. Just try to keep away from them as best as you can. They will be stopped off and on by arches (where checkpoints are), but they will still break through, continuing the chase. At the end, you'll run into a thicker arch that will finally break the machine, making Tiny and Koala Kong run off into the city.

Achievement Unlocked: Fire and Water

-----

Level 13: Streets of Rome

Crates: 208

Time Trial

Sapphire: 1:40.00

Gold: 1:35.00

Platinum: 1:30.00

Rhinorollers to Save: 7

Helping Partner: Big

Badniks: Cart Riding Lab Assistant Pawns: They ride around in carts pulled by pawns as well, trying to run you over. Defeating the rider will stop the cart as well.

Hey, we're inside the city but where is all the people? The only 'people' here are the Android Pawns. And, BLEH! Look at all the 'art' they're making! I think Eggman's and Cortex's faces plastered on art qualifies as desecration. Smash that stuff to bits! And those Rhinorollers are a perfect way to pinball around breaking things. If you cause enough property damage, the gates at the end of the level will open, letting you leave. BUT, if you destroy everything, you can get the Red Gem as well, huzzah!

Achievement Unlocked: Pizza Pizza!

-----

Level 14: Inner City Brawl

Crates: 155

Time Trial

Sapphire: 1:45.00

Gold: 1:40.00

Platinum: 1:35.00

Rhinorollers to Save: 6

Helping Partner: Sheila

Badniks: Shield Lab Assistant Pawns: They carry shields as large as they are, but can also be easily knocked off balance.

You find yourself in the inner part of the city, and you can here some cheering. Perhaps people are in there? No matter. There seems to be more Android Pawns here too and they are making even uglier pillars lining the streets. Why not break them down like dominoes? It will let you get on to the roofs of some buildings so you can get by some of the busier streets below. Although, you may need to knock a Shield Lab assistant Pawn off a roof and use its shield as a bridge. This level ends right next to a subterranean entrance into the Coliseum.

Achievement Unlocked: Grand Theft Bandicoot

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Level 15: The Lion Pits

Crates: 111

Time Trial

Sapphire: 2:00.00

Gold: 1:55.00

Platinum: 1:50.00

Rhinorollers to Save: 6

Helping Partner: Agent 9

Beasts: Lions: *ROAR*

Well, we found our way in the basements of the Coliseum and it sure is dangerous in here. Spike pits abound everywhere and there's quite a few lion pits to cross too. And there are Rhinorollers that can be saved instantly by destroying the lock on their cages. This time period is almost done, just a little further to go! The level ends in front of a simple wooden door...

Achievement Unlocked: Lions and Badniks and Spears, Oh My!

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*The gates open in front of the 5th button, letting you inside the Coliseum. It looks empty, until...

Tiny: "Crash! Give us Crystals!"

*The gate closes behind Crash, blocking anyone else from coming in.*

Kong: "Yo Crash! Don't make us smoosh you bandicoot paste!"

Crash puts up his dukes. "Do you worst!"

Boss: Tiny and Koala Kong

They make be strong, but they are still the same dumb mutants you know and love. Tiny decides to jump down and spring around with his pitchfork, trying to poke you with it (ala Crash 3). Meanwhile, Koala Kong is throwing pillar blocks at you although he will go to flexing after throwing a few (ala the rocks in Crash 1). Tiny is going to tire sooner or later and that is your time to strike him. Doing so will make him accidently throw the pitchfork at Koala Kong, hurting him as well. Kong jumps down and punch tosses Tiny back up onto the throne area they were sitting in (Hurting Tiny again). Kong jumps up there to as lions start attacking you. Either avoid or attack the lions to repeat the cycle 2 more times to win.

Achievement Unlocked: Never Forget to Workout Your Brain

*The battle ends with Tiny throwing the pitchfork at the same time Koala Kong throws a pillar piece. The pitchfork knocks Kong out as the heavy pillar stone flies in the air and hits Tiny in the head, making a bump appear. Crash laughs as the gates rise and the 2 boneheads are teleported away of the Coliseum. Crash leaves with the other heroes, moving on to the next terrarium.*

Death Head's / Space Egg's Bridge

*The two appear on the bridge, defeated.*

Cortex groans loud. "Those boneheads failed me again! I know I shouldn't have made them so stupid!"

Eggman: "And those idiots broke my Jet mobile too."

Cortex: "Transport! Teleport these dumbbells out of my sight."

Cubot: "Yes, sir!" *They disappear.*

N. Gin, who's standing behind the Captain's chair, operating the weapons board, speaks. "May I go and threaten them now? I think I can defeat them."

Cortex: "Might as well. At least you're competent."

N. Gin: "I do my best to not fail you, sir!" *He enters the nearby elevator (Turbolift :P ).*

Cortex: "You're not filling me with confidence, N. Gin."

Next Time: YAR! It's a trip on the water in the High Seas Terrarium.

[soysaucevictim]

Last week of current challenges... except for the DGC, because I fell a bit behind schedule there. Oops.

-

Dec. 21

I woke up pretty much at noon.

Played some cards and wasted a lot of time on the usual. Only did a couple of my planned exercise for the day.

First, today’s DD. 30 infinity circles with EC. Not much to say, other than it was pretty enjoyable!

Last, Day 21 of the ‘19AC. 1′ single leg half squat. This was on the challenging side - mostly because of needing to focus on balance.

By the time I had intended to get the rest of my stuff done, bro went to bed and closed his door (so I couldn’t use his pull-up bar.)

Yeah... Didn’t do DGC stuff again, either. But I did get to bed in the yellow zone. So there’s that.

-

Dec. 22

Another day I got up at about noon, having set my alarm for that. Maybe it will press me towards fixing my sleep schedule... but today won’t be that day.

Did much of the usual, with exercise interspersed.

First, today’s DD. 40 single leg bridges with EC. This was pretty doable and a nice way to get my day moving! :D

Second, Day 22 of the ‘19AC. 4′ side leg raise hold (2′/2′, lateral decubitus.) This was pretty doable but intense. I especially wanted to make sure to hips were stacked and not leaning, for a bit more effort. At least, I think so.

Third, Day 25 of the KMC. 160 side kicks, switch halfway. Did 80/80 in one go, pretty handily.

Fourth, Day 25 of the DHC. 2x10″ dead hangs. Not much to really comment on these days. I do like them though, during low energy days.

(After distractions for far too many hours and getting upset over personal stuff...)

Last, Day 22 of the DGC. I’m grateful:

For tofu and it’s culinary flexibility.

I could try these “Devil’s Spit“ pickles grandpa mentioned some time back. They’re pretty good!

Nobuo Uematsu for making some of my favorite music, growing up.

Fuck it. It’s almost 7AM when I’m writing this entry. Thought about putting the DGC shit off. But fuck it.

-

Dec. 23

I woke up after 2PM, today. Oof.

Picked up some meds and did a bit more of the usual, before today’s exercises.

First, today’s DD. 3′ half jacks with EC, barely. Took about 3 tries, the problem was too much sugar/caffeine, not enough water, and going too fast to sustain the pace. First go was ~2'+1' = 114+100. Second go, was still too fast/inconsistent, but the third was at a more slow & deliberate pace - with a total of 109 reps. Whew! That was a fun challenge.

Second, Day 23 of the ‘19AC. 30″ push-up plank hold. Did it in one go, but it was kinda sloppy. Regardless, It was just good enough for me. :/

Third, Day 26 of the KMC. 160 turning kicks + 160 side kicks. Did it in 1 set of (80/80) + (80/80). This was made more tough after doing so many half jacks earlier. But I’m glad I was able to manage.

Fourth, Day 26 of the DHC 1′40″ dead hang. Done in 50"+25"+10"+15", with ~20" rest in between sets. That was pretty fucking brutal & required a bit of psyching myself up for it - but I still find it fun.

(After making the family dinner...)

Last, Day 23 of the DGC. I’m grateful:

For the Final Fantasy series of videogames.

For Sanders Sides, for the entertainment and inspiration.

For the patience and encouragement from clients past and present.

I did get to bed like an hour earlier than the night before, but still squately in the red zone. :I

-

Dec. 24

I got up a bit before 3PM today. Bleh.

Did much of the usual before exercising.

First, today’s DD. 40 split lunges with EC. This took a bit of willpower to get through - but I'm happy I could manage. :P

Second, Day 24 of the 2019 Advent Calendar. Last day to this challenge. 4 minute relax (child’s pose). I thought this was a wonderful way to end the Advent Calendar. And it was pretty soothing to kind sit there and just meditate a bit. And overall, I rather liked the theme that everything here were holds of some kind - felt very unified! :D

Third, Day 27 of the KMC. 100 double turning kicks. Pretty handily did it in one set of 50/50.

Fourth, Day 27 of the DHC. 2x10″ dead hangs. This was pretty simple and fun. Swung a little more in the second set than ideal. But 10″ is pretty easy, now.

(After spending some time doing planning the next few months’ exercise regimen...)

Last, Day 24 of the DGC. I’m grateful:

That my brother has been doing the dishes more, despite me not telling him to do so (I had intention to do the dishes today, but he just took it upon himself.)

That I have some good foundations to build on in terms of fitness.

For chocolate, existing. :,D

After a shower and some games, I got to bed. It was earlier than yesterday, but still in the red zone. :P

-

Dec. 25

I woke up just shy of 1PM today.

Did a bit of the usual before heading out to the grandparents’ place for the holiday.

Had a pretty good dinner, played some cards, had some tense moments. But at least Grandpa didn’t call the cops on the uncle. It’s sad to say that’s an improvement.

First, today’s DD. 2′ meditation with EC. It's always lovely to take a moment to meditate, especially after some tense moments.

Third, Day 28 of the KMC. 3x 40 turning kicks + 40 side kicks. I did it in one superset of 3x (20/20 + 20/20). Pretty simple and to the point work.

Fourth, Day 28 of the DHC. 1′50″ dead hang. I managed it in 1'+25"+20"+8". Wound up with a blood blister though. I was thinking I would stick some bandages on it for the remaining 2 days of this challenge.  but various forums be like "open, clean, and dress it." :I

Last, Day 25 of the DGC. I’m grateful:

That there were some things that were good/okay about how the day went.

That I’ve opted not to go to the facility tomorrow - so I can sleep in.

That I’ve some good ways to plan ahead when it comes to exercise.

I went to bed only a few minutes earlier than yesterday.

-

Dec. 26

I got up a bit before 2PM, I think.

After a bit of the usual, I went straight into my exercise.

First, today’s DD. 2′ leg extensions with EC (donkey kicks). I counted exactly 100 reps by the end. This was a bunch of fun! :D

Second, Day 29 of the KMC. “16 balance kicks side & turning both each leg, no putting your foot down.“ Had a few moments of wobbling and nearly losing my center - but I’m glad I could do things pretty well.

Third, Day 29 of the DHC. 2x10″ dead hangs. I decided to approach it with some bandaging on hand with the blister. It was a bit tough, but the blister didn't rupture. That leaves tomorrow with a bit of a question mark. If it's going to pop, that's when I think it'll happen. orz

(After some distractions...)

Last, Day 26 of the DGC. I’m grateful:

That the blister didn’t pop just yet.

For educational YouTubers.

For Leftist voices, in general.

...

-

Dec. 27

I woke up just a bit after noon, today. Yay.

I did a bit of the usual, before reserving some more trips and archiving the last couple months’ DDs. Then, I started on my exercise.

First, today’s DD. 2′ arm extensions with EC. I counted 147 reps by the end of it, and I'm happy about keeping it above 1/sec. I had a lot of fun with this one! :D

Third, Day 30 of the Kick Master Challenge. 200 turning kicks + 200 side kicks, done in 2 sets of 100/100. Did get mildly winding, but still manageable.

Fourth, Day 30 of the Dead Hang Challenge. 2′ dead hang. I walked into this with some trepidation, but I got through it better than I expected! It took 6 sets to do it, but I got it done (45"+25"+10"+10"+17"+13"). I bandaged my blistered hand... and it didn't tear open! Huzzah! \o/

Dead/clotted blood mass may've torn a little bit away from nearby capillaries, what with some brighter red being visible. Did rub off a bit of superficial layer for offhand and the calloused ridging is a bit tender underneath - but no surface injuries at least. I count that as a personal victory! And now - my hands will get their much needed break from the pull-up bar.  \o/

Last, Day 27 of the DGC. I’m grateful:

That my hands didn’t tear open, during the DHC. Despite it feeling a bit touch and go for a minute there!

That I only tentatively slotted in the Flex Hang Challenge after that. Because, oh man. That’d be a bad idea.

That I have plans to be excited for, in terms odf exercise... which I’ll get into, right after this sentiment.

-

Summary & Plans:

A day late, but I finished all my challenges but the Daily Gratitude Challenge (ETA in 3 days, barring further interruptions), in Dec. 27.

Altogether - I greatly enjoyed the Kick Master Challenge for expected reasons. I also liked how the structure had a few variations to go through. I was mostly able to keep the “in one workouts” to at most 2 sets, shortened the rests between all sets to a bare minimum, and didn’t fall out of the balance days even once! (I did contemplate on bounce-switching more often than I actually did, partly to mind the knees.)

I surprisingly really enjoyed going through the Dead Hang Challenge! I found it more fun than holding planks, DESPITE flirting with tearing my hands open near the end of it. Thankfully, using bandages in the last 2 days were enough to stave that disaster off.

As far as metrics for that went:

I hit a PB of 1′. Which I’m proud of

I had to break incremented days into multiple sets for 9 days (12 & 16-30), ranging from 2-6 sets, with ~15-30″ rests in between.

My plans starting tomorrow (technically today, but shhh...) are as follows.

I’m going to spend the next 6 weeks doing the Knee Conditioning Program I found a bit ago. The first week, I’ll be doing free-form warm-ups for each day. I think I’ll cycle through upperbody, ab, and (low/mid-impact) cardio workouts, as a complement.

Then, by the second week I’ll either jump in with the new DAREBEE Program(s!) Zero Hero, Baseline, or re-run Cardio Go! and use them for some supplementary cardio/rounding and warm-up. This will depend on which I feel will be more compatible with where I’m at.