#not looking forward to designing her outfit tho

[thenotsolittlelady]

grown-up Yeriya if she stayed with Xah’jo and the others?

[scalproie]

wait new fav hc is that even tho the devil gene is, well, genetic and hereditary, the form itself that one takes when transforming into a devil is fully personal to the individual and the state of mind of said individual influence massively how the form will look

Kazuya awoke his devil gene at 5yo, so his devil form looks almost like a child's vision of a what a devil looks like: purple skin, simple bat wings, generic horns... The additional forms his devil form have a more complex design bc he obtained those in adulthood

Jin awoke his devil gene in his late teens, and tho it would seem quite silly for him, I still think the whole jet black wings (association with birds), forward horns, tattoed body, red gemstone in forehead, and fused gloves into claws, is an aesthetic Jin, or a boy of his age back then anyway, would find cool. And the fact that in the first confrontation with DJ in t8 has him wearing clothes shockingly similar to those of Kaz's when Jin still sees his worst self in his father, is interesting to point out. Especially when Jin confront DJ and his past in the second fight and DJ is wearing his first outfit, and in the last fight when Jin accept DJ, DJ is literally wearing Jin's clothes and just looking like him overall

We dont know at what age Kazumi got her devil form, but her connection to the Hachijo clan who seems to have a certain understand of their connection to the devil gene would kinda make sense why she is looking more tradionally japanese than the rest of her family and why she has Azazel-like crystals on her

I assume Reina is around the same age as Jin when he awoke his devil gene but Reina has the knowledge of two devils defore her (Kaz & Jin), so she already has some kind of idea of what a devil SHOULD look like, theres also her hair looking more like Heihachi's and considering how much she admires him...

[otakween]

Digimon Data Squad (Savers) - Episode 12

Woohoo! The plot is plot-ing!

This was probably the episode with the most "serious business" tone yet. We also got some exciting foreshadowing for revelations to come. Also, new partner digimon (x2?) and a new bad guy! It's...(checks notes)...Mercurymon (メルクリモン)? Not to be confused with Mercurymon (メルキューレモン). Okaaaay...that's a choice.

Notes:

Okay, so apparently Masaru's mom knows way more about digimon than she's previously let on. She implies that her husband worked with DATS (or maybe just was associated with digimon) and that has something to do with why he's not around. Color me intrigued! Better than him being a deadbeat or dead from a mysterious illness. (I guess he could still be a deadbeat depending on where this is going lol).

So apparently a digimon appearing as a digiegg in this world is rare and the rule is that they need a human partner AND that human needs to join DATS if they want to stay in our world. Seems pretty strict, but I guess it makes sense from a public safety perspective. (From a real world perspective recruiting kids to DATS is crazy, but it's a shounen anime lol)

Feels a little random to bring back Biyomon for Chika. I mean, I know that they brought Agumon back for Masaru, but it's not like Biyomon was a fan favorite or anything (as far as I know lol, maybe they were). Maybe they wanted a bird since the ninja digimon is also a bird?

Speaking of Chika, it's a little surprising how big of a role she's played in this series. Masaru's mom too. I thought they would be more background characters but we've seen so much of both of them. Maybe they're trying to appeal to younger and older kids at the same time?

I kinda wish they stretched out this plot a bit, maybe keeping Biyomon a baby longer or something. It just feels like the emotional attachment between Chika and Biyomon was kinda forced and quick. (Of course, I've been saying that about digimon since Adventure lol). It was hard to be too invested in the "sad" scenes since we've known Biyomon for like two seconds.

I guess they made Biyomon masculine in this in order to differentiate from Adventure. Where's our feminine Agumon then? lol

Masaru beating up Biyomon was pretty intense. That was a lot of hitting before getting GeoGreymon involved!

(Someone call PETA!)

We finally see Sunflowmon again and they're extremely useless -_- (at least they made it into a gag this time)

Not really into ninja-themed characters. It's just kinda a boring character type to me. Still looking forward to meeting the final mystery MC from the OP tho.

Seriously, when they introduced Mercurymon I was like "wtf?" I thought he might be a digivolution of Frontier!Mercurymon, but no. They really just chose an extremely similar name. Anyways, I googled him so I could get a closer look at his design. Did not realize from this episode that he was humanoid! He's giving Indigenous God vibes with his outfit (Aztec was the first one that came to my mind).

[ranchycowgirllover]

Alright so unlike the previous redesigns I don’t need to bring up the technical problems with the original design, on a technical level Octavia has a good design. (Like maybe I’d change the hair to have more defined shapes as to make things easier on animators) So with that here’s her re-design.

I’ve given her more of a Lydia Deetz from beetle juice vibe. She has dyed choppily cut hair, more visible make up, her mothers eyes(though like Stolas she lacks pupils) and beak. I also wanted to put her in an outfit that looks less childish (+ the lack of patterns = easier on animators).

Now her writing

I honestly think she’s quite well written, I like her as a character. Now there is one thing I’d change, it’s specifically the music she listens to. I’d personally like if listened to more goth sounding music rather than the emo stuff she’s shown to like. There’s no real reason I just think it’d be cool to see. There’s this one song really makes me think of Octavia it’s “Happy House” by Siouxsie and the Banshees, I recommend it I think it’s good song.

Here’s some doodles to make up for lack of paragraphs

Alright that’s all for now, my arms been hurting so I might chill out from drawing for a day or two. Tho I do have a Vaggie re design I’ve been working on so look forward to that. (And I do have more to say on Vaggies design and character writing so hopefully that’ll be more interesting than this post)

K bye now

[inverswayart]

On Orlais fashion

So, while i was trying to design an outfit for Julie, I stumbled upon a problem - what the hell was considered fashionable in Orlais during Awakening? I scanned through wiki and concept art and then got an idea for a big cool post about it, but my da high is closing in to an end so I'll just ramble for a bit instead.

It's evolving (and too fast)

So yeah, if we look at the concept art and what have appeared in Inquisition, Orlais fashion seems to change at break-neck speed - on par with modern fast fashion. Why is it a problem? Because modern fashion operates in a world of mass-production, which whole kinda alluded to in Thedas, is allegedly haven't been achieved yet. But still, in DAI we see at least 3 pretty distinct silhouettes of women's clothes that feel like different stages of one evolutionary line. I'm talking those beauties:

So, as we can see, one more-or-less consistent thing about all of them is waistline - fairly high one, like something out of 16th century Italy or first two decades of 19th century. But everything else is varied - the neckline from completely closed to pretty plunging, sleeve length and form, construction of skirt...

But looking at them in this order they do resemble a solid development line - tho for me it feels like there should be at least one more phase between first and second stages - no way such high and tight wheel ruffles would collapse without a trace of their existence... Otherwise, there's a couple of noticeable trends here - first, slight widening of skirts; second, slow rising of sleeves; descending neckline.

At third image it feels like someone suddenly invented the crinoline straight out of 1850's, completely foregoing farthingale and panniers (here's all of them for comparison, in the same order):

To be clear, neither panniers or farthingale are prerequisite for crinoline to appear - but considering the alleged time period Dragon Age was inspired by and the fairly 1770's like hairdo's Leliana alludes to in DAO (the "I like your hair" dialogue where she mentions a noblewoman incorporating entire birdcage with living birds into her hair) one would expect them rather then mid-19th century invention.

Still, to line up those dresses is to insert at the very least 5 or so years between them, maybe even 10 or 15 (once again, those high ruffled collars would have not dissapered so smoothly... Imagine orlesians with those huge-ass Elizabethan lacey standing collars, wouldn't that be sick?) But to be honest, at least i can see how Origins noble dress could've evolved into the first one.

All the prerequisites are there - standing collar ready to get taller and rufflier, kinda puffed up sleeves, little cape-like decoration at shoulders, waist accentuated by fairly wide belt ready to turn even wider and more decorative, fairly narrow skirt to expand... And it would've ecen work with the timeline we have - there's roughly 11 years between DAO and DAI, and the silhouette would've had time to change - but then the Inquisition dress would be the latest fashion, not the fairly outdated one we see.

There are also two distinct outliers - Florianne de Chalons and empress Celine with their dresses more or less out of common trends we saw before:

And while Celene's dress I can still place in the general climate we got - like yeah, she's the Empress, she can be the most fashion-forward one and outclass everyone around, and her dress does look like evolution of what we saw, it would be at least 5 more tears before crinoline would start to change it's shape (ironically getting closer to panniers) and while I can read her overdress as on of the exposed underdresses in a "I'm above your backroom dealings and behind the stage machinations and so I have nothing to hide" kinda gesture, it feels like a stretch.

Florianne, on the other hand, while being more in tune with others silhouette-wise... Why does she has those pagoda sleeves? Why the train when even the Empress does not have one? Mystery for ages.

A bit unrelated but one cool canon thing about Orlesian fashion is that codex in DAI that says that it's all about hiding the actuall contour of body behind augmented forms - shoulder pads, structured garments and so on. That actually is pretty close to Elizabethan conception of man as something completely separate from nature that found it's reflection in geometrical fashions of the era.

So yeah, in the end, while very pretty, Orlesian fashion is kind of a mess (as is every other fashion in Thedas we have seen. Can't wait for Dreadwolf to throw even more aestetics wrenches in here).

[casuallivi]

The Midnight Kiss

from a thoughtful elriel piece, to this silly fest. Me in a nutshell. sorry guys, I could not find a movie reference for this one nailing the date pace killed me, I wanted to be organic, but not boring, but comical, but not too much, and here comes cass/mor screams into the void so here's a pretty pic of breadticks 😬

Enjoy. Comments are welcomed and cherished :)

Part 5: Not the girl you are used to

 “No.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“No.”

“Do you honestly believe you can trick me into saying yes?”

Cassian grinned like an idiot, thumb swiftly skating on his phone keyboard, texting God knows who. “You used to fall for that.”

One would think he wasn’t so interest in the conversation, but Azriel knew his brother, could read the tension on his unstoppable tapping feet, the nervous twirl of the watch on his wrist, the childish attempt to beat him by exhaustion. Azriel ignored him. Cass could try all he wanted, but he was not agreeing to this insanity.

Tablet perched on his knee, he continued to work through a selection of garment choices for the winner of the Revelation Designer Award to choose from.

You see, Azriel didn’t believe in unpredictable events, because that would mean he wasn’t prepared for the “incident” happening, and Azriel was always prepared. In order to be ready, he spent a copious amount of time building back-up plans, which had proven to came in had along the years. His, wasn’t the least stressful way of managing a department, but sure was an efficient one. Needless to say he had nearly to none free time. Cassian, on the other hand, seemed to have a lot to spare, deciding to dedicate a part of his day into trying to annoy Azriel to submission.

Azriel had no interested in satisfying his brother’s current itch. A cunning, blond haired itch, who he also had no intention of getting involved with anymore. That’s why he was using this meaningless reunion - more of a one-on-one with his brother - to look through the strongest candidates’ portfolios, selecting D-Day outfits.

“Come one man, you are not thinking this straight. She’s the hottest model these days, runway elite.” Cassian moved forward, pushing a video of Morrigan in Azriel’s face, braving her latest runway in goddamn lacy red lingerie. Her color. Nope, do not go there. “She’ll be a good addition to our catalog.”

Azriel averted his eyes, crossing a giant ‘X’ in the current dress with a little more strength than necessary, the pen scratching the glass. Nope. He’d not be looking either.

“Hiring her for a sporadic shoot is doable, signing an exclusivity contract is dumb, a waste of money. She’s a runaway model, we’d have to compensate her that, pay her contract breaching, pay her even when she’s not working. You are the money man Cass, you know is not worth it.”

“She’s so fucking hot, tho. Trust me when I say she’ll raise our sales. Who wouldn’t want to see a hot girl getting delivery to their home monthly? Hell, I’d sign our magazine.”

"You don't sign our magazine?"

"Why would I sign our magazine?"

Azriel rubbed his forehead, the familiar pressure of a stress-induced headache making itself know.

That’s why his brother managed the money, not the people. The only people he got involved with, were the ones with an ass he was interested in tapping. And that is why he was pushing Azriel to sign an exclusivity contract with Morringan, as if they were a fucking model agency. Cassian might have the CEO position, but thankfully their grandfather left them the same amount of shares. Over his dead body he’d bring Morrigan closer.

“Marinos isn’t about hotness. We are a fashion magazine, Cass. A collection doesn’t sell itself simply by being clothes, is all about how we display them, the ambience, the models. It’s an art of luring the public into seeing themselves in the pages. We have to be diverse, keep it fresh.

“She is fresh!” Cassian argued, leaving his phone on the small table between them, tapping aggressively on the screen, the video rolling. “Look at her. She approaching that milf zone which makes her extra bangable to horny teens.” He held his hands up, palms flat in the air, making the universal sign of a balance. “They enhance their spank bank; we double our sales. It’s a win-win.”

Azriel slapped his brother’s phone face down, his disdain palpable. How Cass could address to someone, who he claimed to be in a serious relationship with, in such a way, was beyond him.

“You are disgusting. And she doesn’t have kids.”

Cassian laughed. “You don’t need kids to be a milf, baby bro,” he enunciated the words as if Azriel was slow. “You only need to be past a women’s prime, which we all know is in her twenties, and still be freakishly hot. Have you seen Mor? Check and check. We like to pretend they are a hot mom without the burden of a bastard running around.” Cassian winked, taking his phone. “Besides, Mor won’t be working much longer. I counting on you to help me make her retirement transition easier.”

Azriel stiffed on his chair.

Morrigan was doing what?

Bubbling laughter erupted from him, tears sliding down the corners of his eyes. Cassian stared at him as if he was insane. My god, he didn't laugh like this in ages. Morrigan would never retire, she loved her job more than life itself. That girl would probably die in a runway, her stone-cold heart finishing its complete transition into a block of ice.

"Are you having a stroke?" Cassin asked, confused.

“Did she tell you that? Did she say she was retiring?”

“She doesn’t have to tell everything, baby bro. Her man knowns.” Her man thought he leashed the untamable Morrigan. Her man knew shit. “She’s turning 34 soon,” Azriel knew that already, they were the same age, “it’s time.”

"Time for what?"

"For her retirement."

“You are so full of shit. Morrigan won't retire, she loves her job.” It’s the only thing she loves. “She won’t quit. She’ll never quit.”

Cassian slouched on the chair, spreading his legs to assert dominance.

“You are full of opinions about Mor today.”

“We were childhood friends. I believe I can judge her inability to drop her career for a man.”

The brothers have met Morrigan when they first moved to America to live with their grandparents. Their grandma quickly pairing Mor and Azriel in the same classes and extracurricular activities. Cassian was around too, but didn’t had much interest for the younger girl in pigtails running around with his brother. She sure had his attention now, wheater she liked it or not.

“Trust me, Mor is settling down. She has a man now, a provider, no need to tire herself crossing the globe all year long. Don’t give me that face. I’m telling you how man thinks.”

“I am a man.” Azriel stressed.

“You are, aren’t you. For a second there I had my doubts.” Cassian mused, remembering how he caught his brother getting cozy with Elain inside the elevator, their ride from hell…

Cassian scratched his stubble, contemplating the recent changes in Azriel's behavior.

His stoic brother, who could not get along with any women introduced to him, scaring them away with his blunt remarks and cold indifference, had been uncharacteristically catering to the girl who used to eye-fuck Cassian from across the room, giving him sunny smiles and entertaining him with dirty jokes. Now her looks where few and further apart, Elain hiding her snort behind her hand instead of giving him a full belly laughter, avoid responding to his innuendos with something dirtier, as she usually would. An unexplainable queasiness twisted in his stomach.

“Speaking of being a man. You and Lainy,”

"Elain.” Azriel corrected with annoyance. “Her name is Elain, not this ridiculous nasal stretch you do.”

“You and Lainy are close now, huh.” Cassian repeated the nickname to spite him, tapping his fingers rhythmically on the arm rest. “Close enough for you to take her home… mouth fuck under the moonlight...”

“Jesus Christ.” Azriel rubbed his face, wishing to be anywhere but here. “Your vocabulary is superb Cass, keep it up.”

“What? You were the one dry humping the girl in front of everyone.”

“No one was dry humping, your sick fuck. I don’t know what you do in your relationship, but us, normal folks, we can kiss for the sake of it, no hidden agenda.” Azriel was not cut out for the lifestyle his brother led. To kiss and bed anyone without knowing where their mouths and body might have been before? No thank you. Hard pass.

“You seriously dating the girl?” Azriel nodded, once. Cassian snorted. “Bullshit. I never saw you with a single girlfriend.”

Azriel watched his brother, his restless hand. His brow furrowed. Were Cassian and Elain closer than he anticipated? He knew they were friends, but this. This was something else.

“I didn’t see you either, now look at you.” He eyed the shinning gold band on his brother finger. A commitment ring. Ten years and he couldn’t get Mor to even address him as her fucking boyfriend, but one month was apparently enough to date his brother and get a ring stuck in her finger. Her words, not his.

“People will notice.”

“Say it a regular ring. I’ll get you an inconspicuous one.”

“I can’t have a ring constantly stuck in my finger, Az, it will give me tan lines. People will notice.”

“It’s different. I’m chick magnet, didn’t had a girlfriend by choice, fucked plenty of them, tho." His smug was presumptuous. "You, on the other hand, I never saw you with anyone. Why now? Why her?”

Because Elain is capable of shutting my mind down, she rambles so much I can’t hear myself thinking, can’t think about girls I shouldn’t be thinking. Because Elain made a crazy suggestion when I needed a light. Because Elain is the first woman I enjoyed kissing in a long time. Because Elain doesn’t make me hate myself. Because I want to live like a normal man being loved by a normal woman.

Azriel didn’t voiced the answers. None of them were for his brother’s peace of mind. His deal with Elain was private, there was no need to explain the reasons that bound them to Cass.

“You are awfully interested in my girlfriend.”

“Can you blame me? We figured you’d be coming out of the closet any day now. Then puff, you appear with a girlfriend.”

Azriel glared at him.

“I’ve told you, I’m not gay.”

“Well, now I know that. Cousin Rhys will be thrilled to know he won.”

“You and Rhys made a bet on me?" Cassian grinned. "Assholes.”

Hell yeah he bet on him. Azriel had always been a weird kid, full of don’t-touch-me, all worried about wrinkles on his clothes. Plus, the fact that never introduced a single girl to them, never talked about hook up, or dates, or dalliances of any kind was very suspicious. Cassian sat straighter in his chair, an idea occurring to him.

“Wait. Is this one of those fake-dating situations? You and Rhys working together?”

Okay, Azriel had enough. His brother had nothing of important to discuss, and he had a lot of work to do. He collected his things and got up.

“Damn, little Lainy sure is a good actress. I didn’t know she had it in her.”

Azriel flipped his brother on his way out.

.

.

.

“Marino. For two.”

The girl behind the small reception desk checked her system, confirming Azriel’s reservation.

“Follow me, please.”

Elain and Azriel walked behind the petite receptionist as they quietly moved between the tables filled with families, co-workers, friends, couples. Elain looked down to their joined hands. Azriel had taken a hold of hers soon as they were out of the car, Elain stopping dead in her track.

“What are you doing?”

“Building intimacy.”

“Over here.” The girl lead them to a round table by the window.

Tall framed glass from floor to ceiling, gave them a perfect view of the garden where the structure was built around, a magnificent fountain shooting jets in the sky, water lilies floating unbothered. Azriel pulled her chair and Elain sat down, nervous butterflies beat their wings desperately in her stomach, trying to break free. The girl gave them a set of menus, politely explaining that a waitress would take over.

Elain glanced discreetly at the other tables, trying to figure if theirs was the only one without breadsticks or if this place was too fancy to give them free munchables.

“What?” Azriel asked, following her gaze.

“Breadsticks,” she muttered.

She must have given him glutton vibes, because his eyes crinkled with amusement.

“We can order some if you’d like.”

"You a regular?" He shook his head.

"First timer. Didn't seem appropriate to take you to places I know." Did he want to keep her like a dirty little secret? Would you look at that. Elain was opening her mouth when he said, "I don't want us to make memories in soiled land. I rather start fresh, just you and I."

Elain closed her mouth. Oh, that's actually thoughtful. Her ears pinked on the tips, Azriel returning his eyes to the menu, thick black lashes nearly brushing his cheeks. Elain spied his new haircut, the slight fade on the sides making the perfect shape of his ears stand out, the glossy waves on top combed back in a stylish manner.  He looked particularly handsome tonight, reading the menu with the same keen attention he’d give to a report, as if analyzing steak options required a minuntious evaluation of each option presented. Elain got so lost studying him that when the waitress came, she was yet to choose an option.

Azriel made his order with mastery, adding a bottle of wine by the year. Elain was impressed. She generally chose her wine by category; red or white. She fumbled with the menu, grieving at the lack of breadstick or fries. The waitress took pity on her, helping her though the most requested dishes, asking for her preferences in meat, finding her the perfect dish to order.  

When she was gone, Azriel said.

“I booked us a hotel.”

Elain gasped exaggeratedly, wrapping her arms around her chest in a fake show of modesty. “How dare you? I’ve told you I’ll marry a virgin!”

The table beside their, containing what appear to be a squad of girlfriends in a night out, threw them suspicious glances, whispering heatedly amongst themselves. Azriel rolled his eyes.

“For the RD Award.” He reminded her. Elain needed no remind, she knew exactly what he meant, and she had no interest in it right now.

“Noooooo.” she let out a long-suffering whine, making him frown.

“Did you want to do that?”

“Don’t talk to me, I’m in mourning.” She used the napkin in her lap to dab the corners of her eyes, fake hiccups to match her fake tear. “I can’t believe I’m dating a man who talks about work on a night out. Lord, why have you forsaken me!”

A couple of snickers could be heard from the next table. Azriel rubbed his neck to mask his embarrassment, because her taunt was reasonable. He’d done it out of habit, used to interact with Elain in work related matters.

Despite is energetic disposition when it came to fashion, Azriel was an introvert who didn’t have much interest in anything else. In the past decade his life could be resumed in two things: Marinos and her. Azriel didn’t like people, didn’t have many friends, didn’t left his house unless he was working, didn’t travel unless he wanted to see her. After having to spend five days a week interacting with his employees, giving orders, creating back-up plans, correcting mistakes and solving endless problems, Azriel was perfectly fine spending his free time napping, eating home-made food, nursing a glass while a documentary rolled on the tv. It's how he recharged his energy. And for the dating department…

Truth be told, Azriel was a little rusty on the dating department. On the rare dates he agreed to go, he didn’t have to speak much, the women pretty content in talking about themselves, batting their lashes at him, intrigued by his silence, which they interpreted as a bad boy persona. They've read him wrong. Azriel wasn’t a bad boy, he didn’t have spare energy to invest in being one. Most times he was simple exhausted, uninterested, heartbroken, trying to distract himself to not think about her, trying to forget the woman who wasn’t a good parameter for quality time either.

Her name still caused him pain.

Mor.

He avoided using it, addressing her by the full name when necessary.

When he was with her, he was her secret, and he had to remain just that, a secret. Back them Azriel did lots of confidential encounters, last minute trips to where she’d be modeling, booking extravagant hotels for the pleasure of her company, appealing to secluded resorts if he wanted to see her outside a room, because their outings consisted in gathering with her friends, fund raisings and galas. Non-committal events that wouldn't put her in a spot she didn't want, because God forbid they were out, let’s say, enjoying a good meal, and someone spotted them.

“Now is not the time. My sponsors don’t like this kind of public attention. You know how prissy they are.”

“I’ve signed a no-dating clause, Az. I’ve told you that.”

“Please, please take me back. I won’t sign the clauses anymore, I’ll demand freedom in my personal life. I’m famous now, they have to listen to me!”

“Stop pressuring me! You are making me look like a villain. Look at everything I’ve done for you! They could sue me for being with you. Is that what you want? For me to be sue? Shunned from the spotlight?!”

“I’m sorry, Az. I’m really sorry. I don’t want it anymore; I don’t want to be a model if I can’t have you. I love you. You are my life.”

Elain rapped her knuckles gently on the table, giving him a worried look.

“What are you thinking about?” she asked gently.

Azriel sipped his water.

“That you are correct.”

Elain doubted. His expression had turned a little wistful, his shoulders sagging slightly. She decided not to comment on it, taking his lead to move the subject forward.

Azriel watched Elain sat higher in her chair, smugness pouring out of her. “That’s usually the case, but I’m glad you are finally admitting.” Her napkin went back to her lap. "Keep that energy when you wake up in the morning."

Azriel chuckled.

In the past, Azriel had judged Elain an airhead. Her eccentric persona and taste for crude jokes was far to similar to his brother’s, who couldn’t read the room to save his life. Cassian though himself the guru of flirting, but his inappropriate conducts had often rendered complains, Azriel having to arrange anti-harassment lectures to please the chief of HR. Azriel thought Cass would outgrow this childish fascination with making people uncomfortable as he grow older. He thought wrong. Turns out age was nothing but fuel to his shameless brother.

That’s why Azriel was instantly peeved with Elain, who strolled in his life with swaggering confidence and a sharp remark for everything, deeming her a female version of the brother who gave him constant headaches. Azriel was wrong again, but this time he was please to be. Now the paid her more attention, Azriel noticed Elain didn’t carry the same arrogant obliviousness as Cass. She was witty, outspoken, brazen even, having no problem in standing up to herself or what she believed, but she only joked around those closer to her, using her humor to make people at ease, to let them know she cared for them.

Sparkling chocolate eyes smiled at him.

Empathy wasn’t something Azriel was used to. It made him lightheaded.

Elain watched Azriel place one hand on top of the table, palm up, wiggling his long sumptuous fingers at her, the bronzed moisturized skin gleaming under the fluorescent lights. “Have I told you how lovely you look today?”

The word “lovely” coming out of his sinuous lips was enough to have her heart doing cartwheels. Her heart was trump. The useless lump of overly excited muscle had no business trying to beat out of her chest when Elain had put an extra effort in her appearance today. Gone were her everyday jeans and t-shirt, replaced by an elegant sage lily dress, the elastic ruched fabric ending with small ruffles around her knees, her pearl colored flats matching the pearl clips keeping her curls behind her ears, small sparkling dot adorning them.

Elain planted her palm in his. “Are you implying I don’t look lovely on the other days?”

“Would you drop dead if you spent a day of your life without contradicting me?” His voice lacked the usually annoyed undertone, his thumb tracing the path of her knuckles.

“Guess you’ll never find out.”

Elain put her free hand down as he had done, asking for his other hand, mimicking the strokes he gave her. Damn, this man’s hands were smooth as a baby bottom!.. is the rest of him this soft? Her thoughts slipped in a dirty tangent.

“I like your shirt.” The material of his dress shirt stretched comfortably over his chest, draping over his powerful arms, to end carefully folded around his elbows, leaving his forearms bare in a way he rarely did. The last time she had seen him sporting such a casual disposition, he stole her breath away. Literally. Elain licked her lips, her voice lower. “Black looks good on you.”

His lips tugged in the corner. “It is my color.”

“It is," she agreed in a daze

A tranquil atmosphere settled over them.

“Can I tell you something?”

“Mmh.”

“I'm glad I kissed you.”

Now she was full on blushing, her cheeks growing incredibly hot, especially when he lifted her hand to his face and kiss her palm. So, Elain did what she do best to mask embarrassment. She cracked a joke.

“My, my. I didn’t know you had it so bad. Tell me mister, how long have you been in love with me?”

“I’m not.” Azriel kissed her other palm, his gaze so intense she squirmed in her chair. Under the artificial light his eyes were all hazel, the fleeks of green hiding, waiting for the sunlight to unravel. “But I intend to be.”

[rh3maji]

Some musings abt the soon to be Precure season

So i took a look at the new website and bruhhh

they're so tacky looking and cute I love them! I'd actually gotten spoiled for Cure Wonderful and Cure Nyami's designs thanks to fanart on pixiv, and at the time I thought the season was going to have an Alice and Wonderland motif thanks to Wonderful's crown [thought she was gonna be like the queen of hearts but nope]. After checking out the website and trailer tho, it seems like the theme is more of a zoo and or animal companion theme. When I first realized that I thought to myself "wait haven't we been here before?" but thinking about it further Healing Good's theme was more along the lines of veterinarians and the earth[?] and Kira Kira Precure's was moreso just animals as window dressing/attack inspo with sweets being the main theme so I suppose we're not technically retreading old ground here. Speaking of not retreading old ground- HOLY SHIT THE MAIN CURE IS A DOG??

Just like...a full on dog dog bruh, like dang man I never thought i'd see the day where we'd essentially get a fairy leading the team. It seems like the team's split into both humans and animals, with Cure Nyami definitely being that white cat

This is exciting! I love that Precure's held onto having fairies transform into humans, it's so heckin fun! Back to the designs- In order of my favorite to least favorite it's Cure Nyami [look at that hair bruh! she is beauty, she is grace]

Cure Friend [the poncho and hair are my fav]

Cure Wonderful [she looks like such a peppy kid awwww]

and lastly Cure Lillian [her arm thingies remind me of Futari Wa and I adore that ribbon]

Honestly, I think this may be the first time since Kira Kira Precure that I've been immediately on board with the designs. I ended up loving Hirogaru's over time but at first glance, I couldn't get over how weird they looked [never fully ended up liking Cure Wing's design but still love the character]. The only thing I dislike about them is Lillian's headband, and the big heart on Friend's shoes. I'm sort of a big sucker for poofy/frilly skirts, long straight hair, and ponchos so I feel well-fed. I'm especially looking forward to seeing them all in motion, especially Lillian since based on her turnaround she seems to have a bit of sass to her. Based on Nyami's turnarounds/previews she seems to be more of a kuudere[?] type which isn't something we've gotten for a main cure in a while. There's also all of these guys just hangin' out on the site too

Can't wait to see what these lil guys can do, hoping that they'll be connected to powerups and maybe even special outfits/attacks [really enjoyed it when Happiness Charge did that]. But maaaan this is so cool. It seems like ever since Hirogaru decided to play around with Precure conventions they're going all out with unique approaches to the formula. One thing I hope they continue doing this season tho, is keeping the fighting style as a literal fighting style like super sentai where they actually throw punches. I love Kira Kira, but there's only so many times [like 2] that I can watch someone fight by pointing a wand at something before I start skipping the battles. Really loved how Hirogaru frequently would have the characters strategize in battle, it really kept me engaged even if I always know how it'll end. All-in-all, it's sad to see Hirogaru go, but I'm excited with what new stories await in the new season! ^^

[rhiochel]

Dovesso Christmas headcanons!!

Christmas is nearing!!!!! I wish everyone advance Merry Christmas!!! <33

• Lesso tries to hide her excitement upon seeing even the tiniest Christmas Decors and the gifts

• On the first winter day, Lesso goes out for walks, loving the Snow itself and also tries to look for spots that she can take Dovey for a date

• Dovey loves to cuddle, but she’s extra cuddly whenever the temperature is too cold for her, she likes to squeeze in to Lesso and clings to her.

• Dovey checks up on Lesso’s knee every night because no matter how Lesso is used to the cold, her knees just sometimes give up because its too cold (this is based from true experience ahjsjsksks I have the same knee problems with Lesso and it ain’t easy)

• Lesso loves being the small spoon, she loves placing her head on Dovey’s chest and feeling Dovey’s chin on her head and Dovey’s soft breast against her cheeks

• Lesso also loves to backhug Dovey!!!!!!!!!

• Lesso is a child at heart during Christmas and no matter how much she denies this, Dovey knows her too well.

•So, every winter break it is spend with Dovey pulling Lesso outdoors with heavy matching winter outfits and not giving Lesso the room to argue because “It’s Christmas, dear! Atleast let me do this for us” with pleading eyes, and do summ activities with the evers and nevers who spend their holiday in the school.

• It would start off with making Snowmen with different types of design and then a mischievous never throwing a snowball on evers which will then start off a snowball fight between the kids.

• Lesso would stand beside Dovey watching the kids fighting off a smile, and then an Ever accidentally throwing a snowball on her and everyone stopped and looked at her for a whole damn minute, watching what’s about to unfold between the Ever and the Dean for Evil.

• Dovey tries so hard not to laugh but the look on Lesso’s face is Comical, so she started laughing.

• Lesso being the dramatic ass of a woman that she is, rolls her eyes and used her magic to throw a snowball towards Dovey.

• Dovey gets even and they banter about “It’s not very good of you to get even”<<<Lesso and “Well dearest you started it”<<< Dovey

• After the whole Snowball shenanigan, everyone gathers in the Good Castle because it’s warmer and even with Lesso wanting her Nevers to get used to the cold she knows their limits but ofc she’s not gonna say it out loud and instead make the whole “I don’t want them freezing to death in Christmas before Graduation” excuse.

• Dovey like the fairy godmother that she is, came with blankets and Hot chocolate for everyone, she didn’t stop aiding the Evers and Nevers until Lesso had to make her sit down and drink her own cup.

• Dovey and Lesso had this tradition in granting even one wish in the Kids Wishlist (it’s Dovey’s idea and surprisingly Lesso agreed the moment she pitched it in when both of them was cuddling on their bed one night)

• Dovey makes it a mission to Wrap all the gifts for the Evers and Nevers 3 days before Christmas so the kids will have something to look forward to.

• Lesso makes delicious fcken cookies and other Christmas desserts so while Dovey wraps the gifts she bakes (she knows how to bake because she read baking books and she experimented the baked goods with her potions)

• On Christmas, the nevers and evers sings Christmas songs before unwrapping the gifts, Lesso tho refused to sing with them she humms secretly and looks at Dovey’s glowing expression with awe and love in her eyes (she doesn’t admit that ifc)

• Lesso even tho she wouldn’t admit it, likes to watch the kids unwrapped the gifts she and Dovey picked out for them, and all the while Dovey loves to watch Lesso watch the children open the gifts and giving out sarcastic commentaries.

• Lesso ofc notice someone looking at her and she looks back only to find out the Loving, affectionate, warm look on Dovey’s eyes aim at her, Dovey mouths a subtle “I love you” and Lesso roles her eyes before winking,( she says “I love you immensely” when they’re both alone after, with a passionate kiss)

• On Christmas night after they celebrate it with the students and teachers, Dovey and Lesso in their room exchange gifts.

• Lesso as a horkny jail subscriber makes inappropriate jokes to Dovey abt being warm bcz its so cold🤪😏😏😏😏😏😏

[i-am-minty-fresh]

Alright here’s my unwarranted opinion on post-timeskip designs.

(Not including the fact that they just made everyone’s skin tones lighter for no reason cause that’s complete bullshit but we’re gonna talk about their other design features).

Luffy: I love it. Don’t get me wrong I love his stupid vest + flip-flop combo in pre-timeskip but his fluffy shirt and sash are just so him without taking away all his silliness (also adding the yellow sash ties way better to the ASL theme because the yellow in the hat is more tied to Roger/Shanks while the sash is purely related to him and his brothers with is great!)

-8/10-

Zoro: no notes. I love how Oda took one his eyes and refused to explain. I love what that means for Zoro’s character. He doesn’t think about his injuries in that way, he just moves forward. Other than that tho, the boots? The coat? The sash? (Every gets a sash now-a-days) I love that he kept his haramaki because it looks so comfy!

-10/10-

Nami: ….I feel like they could have done a bit more…Don’t get me wrong I love the long hair but her outfits just kinda became bikini top + jeans which not only look uncomfortable but isn’t half as stylish as Oda thinks it is.

-6/10-

Usopp: My guy leveled up. Abs, pants, no-shirt, little facial hair, Usopp’s a fucking man now guys and I’ve got respect for him. Also love his pop greens I just wish he also used other chemical combinations like he did pre-timeskip.

-9/10-

Sanji: they’d tried to make him a big strong man like Zoro, but I don’t think that was ever the appeal of him. He’s meant to be lean so buffing him up was just kinda stupid. Got rid of his pants chain and all his silly undershirt colors.

-4/10-

Chopper: Controversial opinion! I don’t mind his post-timeskip design. He looks cute! I don’t like that they replaced the hat that his dad gave him (I feel like we never talk about that! He has a different hat now! How do you get a new ‘dead dad’ hat?!?) Now he’s got a little stripped shirt, and his heavy point looks a lot better. I do not like how they lean on Kung-fo point so heavily when he has so many other forms for fighting (horn point is my favorite).

-8/10-

Robin: What. Why did they- HER HAT?!? HER BANGS?!?? What the fuck happened in the revolutionary army to do this to my favorite women?!? Give her back her hat, give her back her bangs or I swear to god.

-2/10- (I like her long skirt)

Franky: Also controversial opinion!(?) I don’t hate his bigger body. I wished we got more of his pre-timeksip form because I love his greasy dad look but post-timeskip does a lot for giving Franky a 2 year long power-up in a way that he would. UPGRADES PEOPLE, UPGRADES!

-9/10-

Brook: I love it. His been living in star-dome being flamboyant as all hell and so of course he comes back with a diva-boa, some $10 star glasses, a plastic crown, and strange old man pants. I love formal peepaw but I also love weird party peepaw. I also think the guitar was a good way to make him seem big and aggressive while the violin has the silent, deadly elegance.

-10/10-

All and all I think a lot of us just missed the pre-timeskip style which is fair! I love how pretty the animation gets in Wano but there was bit of an awkward faze where the studio was still trying to figure out how silly vs how pretty they wanted everything to look.

[micah-write]

Chapter 1 part 1

Here comes the expected odd witch comic critique !! Since we have more content I can properly begin to critique it

@oddwitchcomic

Tho before I start critiquing the comic , mare there's a huge issue for your fan base, the comic doesn't have a unique tag to find it wich will make fanart , fanfiction critiques ect very hard and your audience won't be able to make content about your comic easily , you should really establish a unique tag so your comic doesn't get lost and your audience can actually interact with you and your content .

I really like it !! It's a great cover that teaches us many things

Background wise we learn that it's a world that mix technology (probably some kind of magical/fantasy technology) and a very old time fantasy and we see that trough the towers on the left and the more rustic houses on the right

I like how Winnie is crunched down and is picking up mushrooms, we learn that she's a very down to earth person in connection with nature and her outfit is indicating she's probably from the more rustic side of this world she has gloves wich could indicate that she fights with her hands rather than magic hence why she would be a "odd" witch

The second character is turning their back to Winnie, wich shows us we don't know them yet and so does Winnie, they have a very clean uniform and a gun showing us they're most likely from the technology side of that world . The long hair could be purely a design Choice or in that world hair could be an indicator of someone status in society.

I also like how they're the one facing the world while Winnie is hidden could be significant and show us that they're known while Winnie isn't and is maybe even a pariah to society

I really like the backgrounds !! As it seems mare worked really hard on this aspect of the comic , she also visibly worked on the goo on the ground and did a great work for the lighting and shadows wich can be a real pain in the ass hahaha tho I do admire how she want a very highly professional looking comic (marvel/DC style) so I really hope this won't lead her to burn out

I like how we visibly see her hair under the effect of gravity , idk if it's intentional so I find interesting how easily the goo falls off her , maybe will become relevant later in there comic

I really like how she takes the time to put sounds effect and show us it's a very multidimensional work , she obviously put a lot of work in it and it's admirable , I really like the consistency of the backgrounds we see she took her time to define the environment and choose how she wanted Winnie to wake up

As she does she has a quite blank expression signifying she might not be used to be awake (perhaps not used to be alive as well ?)

In the fifth case I'd like to see Winnie more impacted by the intense beam of light that's right next to her lol but it's a pretty small detail that can be worked on , I feel like mare is still a bit unsure of how she want to shade/light her comic but with her level of skills I'm not worried and I have hopes she will find her style and do better lighting in the future

I like how Winnie features stay consistent trough the angles mare show us , she's telling us here "look that's Winnie that's her expressions" and I like that , it's important to be able to show off your characters in simple actions/expressions and work on how colors affect them

Also see how mare doesn't whitewash Winnie? Very demure (it's a joke lol)

I also like how we get to see the environment trough Winnie, it's not forced we are simply spectators of her journey

Wow strong speech , I like how the characters is a catalyst of some sort clearly telling her she HAS to go forward I also really like the colorful design !! I'm hoping to see more of them cuz it would be a design gone to waste otherwise.

In case 2 tho I have a small critique about the fingers , they're slightly too long compared to the hand , and since they're on a similar plane of perception (ik it's not the right word I just can't remember the English one) it look a bit odd but it's not too bad

I like how trough the panel Winnie looks confident but then step back and try to go back from where she came it's interesting to see she's fierce but knows when to back up . And all the poses are far from stiff or boring everything is very lively and interesting

Unfortunately the lighting is very lacking here , Winnie is directly facing the light as shown on her nose and lips so she should have light hitting her cheeks as well , a simple detail to be careful of !!

Over all I think that the odd witch comic is on a strong beginning and if mare is ready to push trough it and work hard on the style lighting ect then go for it !! Maybe I would've told her to start smaller so she can see her limits and what she's ready to do but I wish her luck especially I wish her to not get burned out hahahahah

[lion-buddy]

THE WONDERFUL PRETTY CURE MOVIE CAME OUT?!?!?!?!

yeah i saw!!!

everyone over at bird site [derogatory] was posting abt it lol. i didnt realize it was gonna happen so soon.

some stuff was revealed that i want to mention, but to avoid spoiling ppl itll be under the cut

while i havent been watching wonderful actively, i have been keeping track of it from the sidelines and asking friends their opinions on it. seems silly and fun! the villains and conflict seem interesting too, and i find it funny that no one seems to trust the unicorn thing lol. aside from general character dynamics thats about the extent of my knowledge on the series. im planning on checking out the movie once its up on sites, which who knows when thatll happen. i think its scheduled for international release by the end of october but idk if thats accurate to the US. bleh.

the one thing i was looking forward to with wonderful was seeing what they were going to do with daifuku. i know the theory was mid season cure, but now i think everyones confused?? it seems like he and satoru are getting some sort of role in the movie, but im unsure if theyre supposed to be precure. i wont lie, their designs dont really feel like precure outfits. something feels missing when i look at them, especially when put next to the others. maybe theyre too simple? idk. i do like their hats tho, and daifuku's civilian outfit is cute. but maybe theyll grow on me, or maybe theyll just be movie exclusive. we'll just have to wait and see

im also very interested in seeing what they do with the 3D aspect, i think its a medium that will tie in well with the video game theme. ive watched all stars memories, and that movie has some super cool 3D animation. im hoping they can do something fun like that again.

prediction, when i do watch the movie i think im gonna end up liking natsuki lol. idk what her role is supposed to be exactly, she may just end up being one note. but i really like her design, the mask is so gender.

[dizzybevvie]

Hello B!

Do you have any opinions on the character designs within the aphverse?

Example: too many characters have blue eyes, there aren't enough (x) traits, etc etc

OK I WILL GET TO THAT BUT OMG NO ONES EVER CALLED ME B BEFORE ... I LOVE IT

[Keeping this to MYS because thats what I know.]

I mean, I DO think too many characters have blue eyes. Between Dante, Laurance, Garroth, Katelyn, Zane - thats already the majority of the friend group.

I dont mind the blue hair/blue eyes combo, but Dante AND katelyn having it is a bit much 🤷‍♂️ AND they couldve kept Laurances original colour pallet :( I totally get changing the design bc of the skins, but in MYS theres no lore reason for Laur having blue eyes so at least they shouldve been green right??? Im also devastated hes not ginger but alas <\3

I think overtime the girls in the show have less variety, particularly in the hair. No different lengths or anything. I mean, just take Cadenza! She has longass hair in s1 but it eventually gets cut the same length as Kate, KC and Aph. The girl with THE most variety in character design - and probably one of the best designs imo - is Kim, and i literally couldnt tell you a single one of her character traits other than 'possessed'. Her highlights are different and I like her colour pallet.

The guys all look... kinda similar too. But they did well differing them in little ways, like hair partings and such. I do want Laurance's long hair back tho. Jess dont be a coward give us ling hair ginger laurance

I think its very funny that Laurance has ABSOLUTELY NO fashion sense, but i would like clothes to be more consistent! I like Dante's outfit with the button up/button up/shirt combo, even if it was ridiculous it felt in character - although its a shame that after Aarmau was made canon no other character could wear purple or red, because dante looked good in red!! I love Garroth's hawaiian shirt getup and they should bring that vibe back for him for sure.

I dont think there are enough brown eyes im gonna be real brown eyes are beautiful and like. way too many inbred eyes /lh

this isnt so much an issue with character designs because. minecraft. but there arent many different body types. Like, I think Aphmau and Zane are fat, and then Travis has broad shoulders (according to 1 line of dialogue in s1, and hes still buff). and everyone else is just somewhere on the sims4 slider of skinny and strong.

WHERE ARE MY SHORT KINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOT EVERY GUY CAN BE 6"02U392U3837 JUST BECAUSE YOU LIKE THAT JESS. THERES NO WAY TRAVIS IS TALLER THAN KATELYN THERES NO WAY

It wouldve been neat seeing disabilities other than zane's blindness purely because of limited differentiation in design. Like, going forward into s7 I would love to see Travis keep the wheelchair bc im pretty sure he cant. recover from that. unless they pull some aphmau magic bs

All in all im torn abt Luci because I think its cute for her to be the odd one out (as i said in my If-I-Was-Tasked-With-Rewriting-Mystreet post), but thats clearly not the intention and you kinda forget shes a witch at all. Which would be cool if it was brought up? idk. Her black dress + bow was her best outfit i think. The red eyes and the bright ginger hair is a lot on the eyes and the black is a good combo for that.

TBH, the only Aph outfit I liked was the one from Season 3, but her current skin (non-mystreet) is actually very cute. I like it a lot

People have said this a lot, but one BIG issue i have with the mys designs is the colour pallets. Im a big fan of shows where one character is heavily associated with one colour, and though this doesnt HAVE to be the case for Mystreet, Id like then to be consistent. Kate's colour has always been blue, Travis' colour has always been green, Aph/Aaron Purple/red, Kc pink, zane black/grey, and Garroth is usually blue. but Dante, Laurance, Lucinda, Melissa, etc have had some super inconsistent ones.

One character design that I like across the series is actually KC. Once they know how to pair the pinks and black/white well, they do pretty well with it! Its just a lot of pink and easy to get wrong. but they do well

Travis' also isnt that bad, the outfit of his i really remember was fhe green hoodie and black trousers which felt correct.

To go back to the eye colours, Its fun to see Jess' thought process bc like. almost ALL of her love interests have blue eyes except aaron? idk. food for thought.

In conclusion,

[greypetrel]

Dance the Marigold

@ndostairlyrium asked for this prompt for either Alyra or Aisling. And as the wise man said…

I challenge you, reader. If you read this, and you’re willing: - Design the ugly outfit Alyra would bully your Inquisitor/Hawke/Warden/OC into wearing. - Design Alistair’s prized outfit, Aisling’s shoes or Nathaniel’s hat. And of course, tag me when you do!

33. Orlesian shoes with jeweled buckles – Alyra/Aisling

“… What are those?”

“Don’t ask me.”

Aisling groaned, wobblying on her feet on a pair of overly tacky high-heeled shoes that just demanded attention. They would have demanded it even if they weren’t so different in style they were from the tartan skirt she wore and the simple white sweater above.

The shoes were covered in yellow silk that was damasqued in silver, had a high heel painted in bright red with golden swirls all over the exterior, and on the square point laid a horrible big buckle in silver with too many pearls and gems of too many colours mounted all around.

Beside the fact that she was so out of shape with them -it’s been more than two years since Josephine had last had a chance to force her in wearing high heels, after all- that she looked exactly like Bran that time he tried to walk on the frozen lake, extremely ungracious and unsure of her footing, they were so evidently out of her taste that Cullen couldn’t but think that something had happened.

He knew his wife, and he knew she would have declared high heels illegal if she had had enough power to do so and not having to wear a pair anymore. He was there when she had leaned in, during an important party at Skyhold, smiling very rigidly and asked him for help because she slipped her feet out of the shoes while eating, accidentally kicked one of them away and couldn’t reach it anymore. And the hem of her skirt wasn’t long enough to cover up that she was barefoot. He was the one who suggested her to raise up as she was accepting the Duc’s invitation to dance and pretend to faint instead, and had to let her go as soon as they were safe behind the door leading to her tower because she started laughing as soon as they were out of the crowd and couldn’t stop thrashing around.

So no, her wearing high heels, and such a busy and tacky pair moreover, wasn’t anything normal. And now she was trying to make her way down the front stairs of Vigil’s Keep on them, trying desperately not to unbalance herself and fall.

Something definitely happened.

“Do you want some help?”

Aisling turned to glare at him.

“Just to make it down the stairs. I could carry you.” He offered, knowing full well that she actually liked being picked up. She actually liked it a little too much.

She frowned, this time, tho, pouting at him. Her cheeks took colour, but she didn’t yield.

“Absolutely not. What if he sees me? I won’t give him the satisfaction.”

Cullen rolled his eyes to the sky at the answer, knowing full well whom that “he” was, and trotted up to flank her, without actually touching her but still ready to catch her if she fell. She recovered in the last years after the Exalted Council, the worst was definitely over, but she never fully regained her balance. She learnt to walk around a missing arm and became proficient in a fight again, but on high heels and down a stairway? Better safe than sorry. Not to make her feel crowded and pitied -which he knew she hated- he went on speaking, taking the chance to sate his curiosity.

“Why are you wearing those…” He stopped, looking for a fitting term. He doubted she actually liked the contraptions, but in the case he was wrong, he didn’t want to offend. “… ah, those shoes?”

Aisling hissed, her cheek pinked again, as her pout grew.

“… They’re Leliana’s nameday gift. I have to break them in, since we have the same foot size.”

Cullen rose an eyebrow at her, snapping forward as she wobbled more, gasping aloud and flailing her arm to regain balance.

“I’m ok! I’m up!” She declared, before he could catch her. She regained her lost balance and very carefully descended the last steps sideways. “It’s but a kindness for a friend, poor Leliana is so busy being the Divine, she deserves shoes already broken in and more comfortable…” A pause. “… Since she somehow can find walking on stilts comfortable.”

He hummed in recognition, reading between the lines and offering her his arm, hooked at the elbow. Now that the stairs were gone, she looked up and smiled gratefully at him, placing her hand on the crook of his elbow. They moved forward, he knew she wanted to check on the horses and moved towards the stables, automatically, slowing down his pace. To accommodate her uncertain steps, and also to steal some more moments with his wife. Since they’ve been called to the Keep, they had both been so busy in different tasks that they saw each other little. More than in Skyhold, but after two years of living together, not having her around and seeking contact at every single given chance felt weird and felt bad, and he quite missed her.

But he also knew one thing, and waited after they passed the smithy -Herren and Wade were two gossipers, and he didn’t want this to be spread instantly in the Keep- before asking for confirmation of his suspects, a smile on his face.

“So, the Warden-Commander manipulated you in wearing shoes you hate.”

A pause.

“… She was very convincing…” Aisling admitted, embarrassment deep in her tone.

It made Cullen laugh and earned him a swat on his elbow and a pout.

“Don’t laugh!”

“I’m sorry!” He breathed, but still continued laughing. “It’s just funny seeing you so in awe.”

“I’m not in awe she just…” She wove her stump around, gesticulating. “… Has this way with words that makes everything she says seems the only logical solution. Beside, it was for a good cause.”

“A good cause?”

“She promised she would have rested, if I did. And…” She sighed. “Maybe she’ll hate me less, if I wear them.”

Cullen frowned at that, recognizing a hint of self-deprecation she only had after the Exalted Council. Or well, that she started voicing in such harsh terms after that. He knew she hated when he worried and fussed, so, he just told her he didn’t think Mahariel hated her, and squeezed her hand sympathetically. She smiled and hummed in recognition, and even if he knew she was all but convinced, she didn’t insist either. Which was a start.

They reached the stables, and he saw Aisling looking at the shoes. At the ground in the stables. And at the shoes again with a face like she just ate a pickle -she ate everything but pickles, he discovered.

“Can’t you take them off?”

“… I wish it was that simple.” She hissed. “Stupid shoes and stupid me, one would think that three years dealing with the damn Dowager would make me more clever…”

She started muttering, self-deprecation returning.

“Youare complaining? You?!”

A third voice, full of offence and wounded pride, suddenly called out, making the both of them turn. Peeking from the corner of the stables with an angry face and a shoulder that was bare over… Some pink floofy thing made in fabric and quilted with tiny orange bows, there was none other than Alistair, glaring daggers at Aisling. Naming, glaring more daggers at Aisling: their relationship started badly in Redcliffe, all those years ago, and they kept on bickering between them. Most of all, the King of Ferelden evidently liked to rile the former Inquisitor up, and found it fun, as Aisling inevitably got irritated and answered in tow. In the last days since he and Anora reached them, they hadn’t avoided bickering once when they were in the same room.

Right now, both former Inquisitor and Commander stood there, not understanding why the complaint.

It became clear when Alistair looked left and right very carefully, and only once he was very sure there wasn’t anyone around stepped forward, revealing himself.

In a poofy long dress in Orlesian female fashion, extra poofy with extra tulle around the skirt, bows in orange silk where probably bows shouldn’t be, the poofiest sleeves sprouting out of a off shoulder neckline, and corset covered in gold décor and swirls, sinching snugly his torso down to his hip.

They exchanged a look.

Cullen’s jaw fell open, recognizing the same handiwork behind the shoes and the dress, and not daring saying anything. That was, in spite of the appearance, his king after all.

Aisling, less prone to recognize authority just by name for a start, and very less prone to recognize his authority in particular, started to laugh, loud and hard.

Which made Alistair glare harder at her.

“Andraste’s holy knickers- Be more loud about it, would you, let the whole Keep know!”

“Why shouldn’t they know, you look so good in pink!”

“And you have chandeliers on your feet, so what.”

Aisling didn’t stop laughing, and squealed when the man started to chase her, with the obvious intent of shutting her mouth. She rushed behind Cullen’s back, and they would probably have used him as a pivot to run in circles, if Aisling was in a condition to run.

As it was, she took three steps and she was starkly remembered just how little she could walk on heels by tripping on her own feet and falling hard on the ground.

Face first.

“There, serves you right for laughing of me.” Alistair grumbled, crouching down to help Aisling out nonetheless.

“I’m sorry, but…” She snorted again, shuffling to get sitting on her butt. Looking up at the king, she bit her lower lip, in an evident attempt to stop laughing. “… all that tulle…”

“Yeah yeah I look like the work of a crazy confectioner high on elfroot. But I’ll tell you something.” He glowered at her, seriously, and rose one finger. “I’m not dancing the marigold.”

He sat down on his butt as well, still shuffling his hands -gloved in cream silk- to fan the wide skirt out around him in an halo of pink and white. Cullen approached his wife, still a little on pins and needles staying around nobles and figures he was taught all his life to respect. Figures he wouldn’t ever have imagined to witness dressed in a bombonniere of a dress. Which didn’t look half bad on him, beside the ridiculousness of the cut, the overflowing of details and the extra poofiness making him look like a fairy out of a children book.

“Are you fine?” He asked Aisling, crouching down himself.

“Yes, venhan, thank you. I’m all right and…” She stretched her legs forward, monstruosities of shoes twinkling in the spring sun, a little dirty but still in good condition, and twirled her ankles around. “… Yes, still in one piece.”

“These are the ugliest shoes I’ve ever seen.” Alistair commented. “And you walk like a drunk varghest.”

“Well at least I don’t look like a meringue.” A pause. The elf squinted at him. “A nasty meringue filled with liquorice.”

“At least I know how to move as a meringue.”

Cullen paled when Aisling gasped and swatted his arm. Swat whose effect was nulled by the poofiness of the sleeve, absorbing the hit fully. It made Alistair grin and Aisling pout, but at least it served to stop them from launch themselves in another round of bickering and trying to prove the other wrong. A small mercy Cullen was very grateful for. Before his wife could concoct another way to irritate the man, he decided to ask first, trying to convince himself that it wasn’t his king the person he was speaking with, and his wife had been an important personality as well. His wife got a marriage proposal from the Grand Duke in Orlais, put the Empress on her throne and still wrote -and spoke- very regularly to two Magisters in Minrathous. It was easier, with Alistair, if he was wearing a whipped cream pie of a dress.

“Ah. The Warden-Commander has been very convincing with you too, your majesty?”

“Actually it was… Wait.” He looked at the buckled shoes. At Aisling. At the shoes again. “She forced you too?”

Aisling, the one addressed with the question, actually blushed, stretching her lips and looking down.

“She was very convincing.”

“Ok, what did you do? Now I’m curious.” He asked, more relaxed, and looked up at Cullen. “Is she this good at irritating aristocrats in general? Or it’s just with us?”

“I’m not-”

“In general. You should have seen her with both the De Chalons.”

“Hey. They were assholes-”

“Aaaaaw that’s conforting. Also explains why Alyra likes her so.”

“I’m not-“ Aisling stopped, transfixed, eyes turning big and mouth keeping open as she took the last sentence in. She blinked, once and twice, and it was Cullen’s turn to snort.

“Wait did you say- She likes me?” She asked, full of disbelief. She turned towards Cullen, a dumbfounded expression on her face. “Venhan, you heard him too?”

Cullen nodded, but Aisling turned back to the other man, squinting at him with suspicion.

“You’re not mocking me again, are you?”

“I swear I’m not.” Alistair laughed, at this, raising both his hands to show her his palms. “Did you really think she doesn’t like you?”

“She always glares at me.”

“She glares at everyone. She glares at me too and well. Point is: she would have never asked you of all people to be here if she didn’t like you.”

It made sense. It made a lot of sense, since the reason why they were there was delicate and personal, requiring the utmost secrecy. Aisling lowered her eyes, taking the news in. Her shoulder slumped some, as she stared transfixed at her yellow shoes. Circled the points around, making the heavy buckle catch light.

“But-”

“I’m in the ugliest dress ever. The shoes just mean she’s petty, and-”

“Who’s petty, exactly?”

They all turned around, to be met with the piercing stare of the Arlessa herself, one arm hooked with the one of a Morrigan who looked sincerely amused, in the way a cat that catches a mouse is, the other hand resting placidly on the big bump under her stays. She took colour on her skin since the cure and looked plumper in the late pregnancy, her face more rounded, but the piercing, judgng expression stayed the same.

“No one, love. Absolutely no one would have forced the King of Ferelden and the Inquisitor she hired as a healer to do a walk of shame around her own castle in two of the ugliest, more embarrassing pieces of clothing the world has ever seen.”

Alyra looked totally unimpressed.

“Have thou already danced the marigold?” Morrigan asked, smirking down at him. “Dost tell me I didn’t miss it.”

“Yeah, yeah, you’re only envious because I look better than you in a corset.” Alistair scoffed, pointing his chin up in pride.

They started bickering, and Aisling, in the meanwhile, stared at the Arlessa, transfixed as before. She leaned towards Cullen, as the trio discussed between them of marigolds and darkspawn to show the dance too, and ways to get some undead bodies to force him to dance.

“Do you think that’s true?” She asked him, with a hint of vulnerability it took years to be so comfortable in showing.

“Only one way to know for sure, love.” Cullen smiled, leaning forward and pressing a kiss on her lips for courage.

She smiled, still bashful at it after all these years, as she always was when he showed affection so openly. She mouthed a thank you, and turned around, looking at the other Dalish.

“You didn’t make me wear these shoes because you hate me, then?”

Everyone stopped to turn and look at her. Aisling rose up on her feet, brushing her skirt off with her hand and straightening her back to look at Alyra. She was still shorter than her, even with the added height.

Alyra, on her own, rolled her eyes to the sky, scoffing aloud as if the topic annoyed her greatly.

“I don’t know what made you think I do, if I called you here now of all time.” She scoffed, stepping forward to look at the other woman in the eyes. “You’re annoying. And whiny. The way you have of having no self esteem and at the same time being prideful to the point of stubbornness makes me crazy.”

She listed, matter-of-factly enough. Aisling stretched her lips and contracted her fist, closing on the wool of her skirt until the knuckles turned white. But she didn’t lower her eyes, not once, under the scrutiny.

“And you.” Alyra turned to Alistair, who smiled smugly at her. “You’re insufferable, and speak when you’re not supposed to and your sense of humour is getting worse by the year I swear.”

“I love you, too.”

Alyra groaned, rolling her eyes.

“I don’t hate neither of you. Or none of you would be here in the knowing of the progeny.”

She patted her bump to state where the progeny still was, at least for the next two weeks. Then, she looked alternatively at the both of them, with the air of a mother who was scolding her children for the tenth time and was tired of repeating herself.

“That said, you are the midwife, your competence is appreciated and welcomed, but your contribution is not required much until the progeny decides to show up.” She nodded at Aisling first, and then at Alistair. “And you are the father, your contribution was necessary to the purpose, and welcomed, but right now is inconsequential.”

“May I remind you that-”

“You may not.” Alyra cut him off. “What I’m saying is: I didn’t prevent two darkspawn invasions to be told when I should or shouldn’t rest and sit down. If you still think your opinion is so necessary, you can give it to me and to all the Keep in ugly clothes.”

She glared at the both of them for good measure, a challenge on her face to speak back at her. No one dared saying a word, Aisling was frozen on the spot, Alistair smiling with more of a habit of such reactions, and knowing better than to answer from experience. After a full minute spent without blinking, she turned to Cullen, raising one eyebrow at him.

“Do you have anything to say too about my whereabouts and level of activity?”

“N-no, ma’am.”

Instinctively, he straightened his back, his right hand twitched and he had to remind himself that she wasn’t his superior, she wasn’t a Chantry mother, and saluting her would be overly silly. More than calling her ma’am, which made Alistair snicker. It pleased Alyra, who… didn’t smile, but nodded her head with a hint of approval.

“Someone at least turned their brain on today, good to know. Please talk to Nathaniel and tell him to do the same, you’ll recognise him by the hat.”

Alistair started to fully laugh, and quickly rose to his feet, a glint of amusement in his eyes that he totally lacked when he arrived, three days prior.

“I order you to wait, sir, this I have to see it.”

“He was in the great Hall talking with Varel.” Alyra informed him, casually, the ghost of a smile curling her lips.

“At the cost of having people see you in this dress?” Morrigan teased.

“I do look great in pink.” He shrugged, and came to offer his arm, gloves in silk under the poofiest sleeve ever, to the Arlessa, strutting just for show. “My Lady, if you would be so gracious as to do me the honour…”

He wiggled his eyebrows at her, and in spite of rolling her eyes to the sky and shaking her head, Alyra smiled, shifting to hook her arm in his.

“Your majesty, you look particularly dashing today, who dressed you?”

“I think it was Lady Velanna who chose the item, if my intuition doesn’t wrong me.”

Alyra rose an eyebrow. “Why shouldn’t it have been me, pray tell me.”

“Darling.” He scoffed, starting to walk away. “She’s the one petty enough to buy something like that. You wouldn’t have touched this monstrousity if it was free, not even for pettiness, and insulted the designer for good measure.”

Alyra’s laughter echoed as the pair walked away, leaving the other three to stand, two dumbfounded and one amused. One amused who turned to the other two and smiled.

“Ma’am.” She pointed out, with the same tone of a cat who just was left unattended in a milk shop.

Cullen blushed and scoffed, trying -and failing- to give himself a tone.

“She was very convincing.” He grumbled.

“She really was.” Aisling nodded, before turning to Morrigan, defeat on her face. “Is she like this with everyone?”

Morrigan laughed, nodding towards the side and starting to walk. The pair followed, still arm in arm, with Aisling who didn’t even mention the option to take her shoes off.

“Only with the people she cares about. She doesn’t bother trying to teach a lesson to the rest.” The Witch explained.

“Did she ever make you wear or do something embarrassing?”

Morrigan turned, raising one eyebrow in scepticism as her all answer. A clear denial, even if her smile betrayed some affection.

“I know other ways to make her do something.”

She cryptically said. When prodded and asked about them, offered options and hypotheses, tho, she just chuckled mysteriously and refused to elaborate any further.

“You’ll see.” She just told them, and that was it.

---

Aisling did, indeed, see, three days later.

Three days later, when the Warden-Commander’s water broke as she was trying to show a pair of recruits how to effectively duck and counter a shield bash “without being idiots about it”.

She looked stunned as if the thing surprised her, and was very pissed off when now both Morrigan and Aisling intervened and dragged her back into the Keep.

Morrigan stopped Alyra’s every complaint that she should finish the training, that this would require hours and she at least could spend some finishing her job and she didn’t understand why everyone fussed over her like so, women give birth all the time it was no big deal.

The Witch, seraphical as if she was expecting the very same scene to occur, managed to put the Warden in a corner, had Aisling state that yes, the physical exertion and the too wide and sudden movement as she showed the recruit the move she intented him to make was what triggered the labour. Alyra looked at her with an expression of pure, utter betrayal that froze Aisling on the spot. Only then the woman seemed to notice one thing about the room. Everything was exactly in the place it was supposed to be: pots of water with glyphs ready to be activated to warm them up. Towels, a table with herbs and a mortar, all in pristine order and just ready to be used. As ready as Aisling was, calmly slipping an apron on and waving her fingers to tie the ribbon on her back.

“… This is all too ready. Were you expecting this to happen?” She didn’t ask: she inquired as if they were in her throne room and she was interrogating some of her vassals about something she was the last to know.

“Uh… Yes? Just in case… You are at 38 weeks, and you were moving a lot…” Aisling managed to spit out, almost apologetically.

Alyra squinted at her, but before she could say anything, Morrigan interrupted her and grabbed both her shoulders, pushing the woman down to sit on her bad and forcing her to look up at the Witch. Witch who had a scolding, out of patience expression on her face which reminded her all too much of Mythal in the Fade, all those years ago.

“You did it all by yourself. Now, will listen and you will do as your midwife says?”

Alyra squinted at her, betrayal on her face. But, she didn’t disagree.

“Say it.” She urged the other, a challenge in her tone.

“We told thee so.”

And indeed, those four words worked better than magic, and when Velanna reached them, she held no ugly clothes in her arms, and wasn’t asked to fetch some.

No one celebrated the birth of the crown prince dressed ridiculously.

[haro-hawayu]

CCS: Clear Card Ch. 74

How is it June already??? Glad I had a bit of down time to check out the latest chapter, which can be found on CLAMP-net’s YouTube Channel. As always, do check out @meimi-haneoka's post on the latest chapter for any EN-JPN translation differences.

Links for previous chapter reactions can be found here.

Reactions

MAGICIAN SAKURA COVER!!!

Sakura looks SOOOOO COOL WAHHH!!!

If this outfit ever becomes Sakura’s “official” magician robes (like how all the other magicians just happen to have 1 set/design of “magician” robes), I would 100% not be mad about it (except there’s no way she would only have one design/set of such robes with Tomoyo around LOL) cuz it looks so so good

Oh! We’re finally seeing things from Touya’s POV!

Cute Yuki & Nakuru bonding time, loving the vibe!

With how Akiho was mentioned first... makes me feel the “rewrite” did in fact involve everyone...? Except Touya’s expression seems to indicate otherwise.

Omgsh Kero-chan XD

Whoaaa it’s truly the whole gang now!

Sakura 1000% best protagonist ever. I love her so much with how she’s reassuring Akiho that Akiho is important to her regardless of the fact that they’re “twins” as a result of the rewriting

Totally getting that “because this person is important you [Akiho], then they are important to me as well” vibe from Sakura as she’s explaining all this, major big sister vibes from her Kinomoto family please adopt Akiho and her fam (Kaito + Momo) after this series ends please

Wahhh it’s painful to see how Akiho is admitting her pain that void in her, of searching for someone except not really knowing who it is... I’m glad she’s admiting and sharing this too TuT

Tomoyo best girl. I love her so much for just being the biggest and best support for Sakura & others even tho she has no magic

Also 100% glee over Sakura declaring before everyone that Syaoran is her number one person!! Wooo!

Big brother Touyaaaa! So sweet!!

THE COSTUMES OMGSSHHHH!! They look amazing!!

~

Okay so it seems like the rewriting really did affect everyone, but it didn’t stop people from feeling that things were “off” (i.e. Touya, Akiho, Tomoyo even). I think that says a lot about how memories are just a very tricky thing, and in the end, some part of you will “remember” or “recall” even if you personally don’t have that memory (huhuuu so much TRC trauma thoughts)... like with Akiho knowing that there’s someone that she missing in her life, or Tomoyo remembering making that outfit somewhere before... because these things relate to that strong bond they have with another person (Akiho with Kaito, Tomoyo whenever she puts in her all with making costumes for Sakura). With Touya’s case, he’s just that very kind and protective person who puts his family and close ones above all, and I love that he also includes Akiho in all that even though she’s not his actual sister (hi again Kinomoto family, please adopt her).

It seems like Sakura and Syaoran will be the only two trying to find Kaito (or clues to lead to him) so far. I guess it would make sense given that because of the rewriting, they’re really going in kinda blind--they have no idea what kind of troubles or dangers may show up. I hope that we do get to the point where Akiho can come in and do the thing that only she can do, which is bringing Kaito back. Like sure, Sakura and Syaoran have the magic power to do all the other heavy lifting, but only Akiho will truly reach Kaito and make him actually desire to return.

Looking forward to the next chapter!! We’re really heading towards the end here!

[commajade]

amber do you have any tips on how to start dressing more gnc? not exaclty where to find clothes but like composition/how to feel confident in my looks bc im always afraid of looking like a 12yo boy 😭 i was going through your blog and saw that ask about boa/yuri/seulgi and i feel like a combination of their wardrobes would be my dream lol also random but yuri added a new layer to bi casual that's p.e. teacher, she now has this sling bag she takes everywhere and imo makes her overall look gayer

hello! i'm guessing ur a baby gay, congrats on trying to gender present differently it's a rly cool experience and it'll bring u a lot of joy! any amount of gnc presentation automatically makes u sexier too so congrats!

i think what you're going for is a mix of street wear and artsy casual and both of those can be as androgynous as u want it to be! for composition it rly depends on ur body type and idols r all skinny so if u r similar to them u can copy the way they layer and arrange clothes but i personally can't. could never wear pants as wide legged as seulgi and boa wear lol.

the key is loose fit clothing for a boxy/rectangular silhouette but don't get clothes that are too oversized. i have a chest and hips so i tend to do fitted pants that taper (not wide leg) but have some room at the waist to not emphasize my hips. i have p broad shoulders so i wear loose shirts that emphasize that and aren't too tight at the chest. outerwear is so important!!! a leather or denim jacket is such an important wardrobe staple for every gay person.

in general seulgi has cute artsy boyish looks that u can emulate with a wider legged jean with a quirky design, unusual and colorful sneakers, and fun hoodies and graphic tees. boa does like dancer look or dad look. lot of beanies, oversized t-shirts and sweatpants or flannels and glasses and t-shirts tucked into belted jeans. yuri's bi casual looks tend to be short button up shirts, sometimes over t-shirts (with the sleeves rolled up). also baseball caps and crew neck sweatshirts.

it's ultimately rly about how u wear it tho!! try wearing the classic white tshirt + jeans + jacket look and see if it feels more feminine or more masculine on u, and see what adjustments u can make to ur posture and hair and the way u carry urself to get the presentation u want. try putting ur hands in ur pockets in a masculine way, my gf calls it the transmasc stance lol and i keep noticing every time i do it now. try wearing outfits but sitting or standing in diff ways, slouching a little more (but take care of ur spine health) or sitting with ur legs wider and leaning back or leaning forward with ur elbows on ur knees. jewelry is also v gendered!! buy some thicker rings or more masculine chains/necklaces u can layer. a nice watch does a lot too. maybe 4 years ago i was rly self conscious about gender presentation and being read as masc but now my gf says it's easy to see that i'm butch because of the way i carry myself and i don't even think about it. i slowly developed the mannerisms and posture that make my clothes look and feel more butch. even when i first started wearing men's clothes for the purpose of being gay i realized that my own masc energy makes women's jewelry look more masculine when i'm wearing it and it was a rly affirming moment for me.

bonus: i consulted my gf and the simple way to not look like a 12 year old boy is to not dress like a 12 year old boy. don't be afraid to mix things that are a little bit more formal into your new wardrobe, it'll make you feel more confident in gender presentation. i just got a nice pair of dressy men's shoes (i got derby style docs) for the first time and i wear them with calf length dress socks and semi-formal pants to concerts and artsy events and it feels rly good! i need a good blazer now, i only have very casual outerwear.

[two-baes]

Not that I'm someone who owns dolls so LMAO WHAT SHOULD IT MATTER TO ME?! but, I'm glad to see the refresh doll for Draculaura is cute! :') I look forward to seeing ACTUAL collectors unboxings of her when she drops, lmfao.

The puffy sleeves are, a Choice, but everything else? very cute! :'o Her little bat bento box, and the charm on her backpack are SUCH cute little details.

Man, all draculaura dolls are so dang cute... like she got an absolute banger of an aesthetic. Very spooky-cute/pastel goth.

like they absolutely NAILED it with her g3 doll designs. I don't think there's any I HATE, tho these three are probs my least favorites, and even then it's just minor nit-picky things I don't like.

like with the first one, it's the yellow-green earrings. Lmfao I just, don't like them, I don't think they're necessary to tie the color on the skirt into the whole look, bc she already has it on her under eye makeup (which I think looks fine! It's just a tiny little pop of the color). I think the earrings being purple to match her lipstick would have looked nicer, or even white, since she doesn't really have any white on her head (unless you count the whites of her eyes which, lmao I don't), and I think it'd tie the look together nicely if she did.

for doll #2, it's the bat-shaped holes that go all around the brim of her hat. They look dumb as shit:

lIKE WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS?? It's so stupid and impractical for a vampire, and it ruins an otherwise cute accessory for the doll to have.

and lastly for doll #3…idk, it's just something about the hair style that I don't fully like about the doll… LOVE the giant bow, thought. I'm a big giant bow fan, lmao. I think restyled hair would, for me, bring the doll up to absolute banger tier with the other 13.

honorable mention to Abbey and Twyla who ALSO got a couple p cute dolls (and gr8 color schemes)… they're some of my other favorite MH dolls, after like every single Draculaura lmao.

aCTUALLY u know what? Monster High gen 3 got a surprising amount of dolls I think look nice???

Cleo has some really pretty dolls... can't go wrong w/ ancient Egyptian aesthetic,

and Lagoona has some dolls that I WANT to like— I think she's colorful and fun, but that I don't bc of the weird dots(I think they're supposed to be scales) on her forehead, I think those are ugly and IDK why her doll has them… she doesn't in the series (tho she seems to in her official art…)

Frankie's another one that's got a fun colorful design.

lmao I think the only g3 characters that don't have aNY doll designs I particularly like are Deuce, Ghoulia, and Toralei…

MAYBE Clawdeen too, but she's another of those 'I wANT to like, but' similar to Lagoona, only my thing w/ Clawdeen is a lot of her outfits are ugly, and I HATE her hair color:

these four Clawdeens are the closest to 'okay, I don't completely HATE these—', but none of them are, imo, good. 1-3 have outfits I kind of like(but I hate all their hair colors), and #4 has the hair color I like most of all the Clawdeen dolls, but I hate her outfit lmfao it's so ugly… I've yet to see a Clawdeen doll with both hair color AND outfit that I like on the same doll.

ALSO, I actually recently was able to finally find somewhere to watch MH, and did so, and I'm happy to report Draculaura is my favorite not JUST aesthetically! Also—pleasantly surprisingly—Cleo is a close second fave… I went in expecting like, 'bitchy popular girl' or s/t from her, but she's a sweetheart, and I love her...(I also think Cleo/Frankie is a bit out of nowhere and she'd be cuter with clawdeen, bUT, that is irrelevant). I actually like all of the mains, tho don't/didn't care much for Toralei, bc SHE was giving the bitchy thing I was expecting from Cleo—but she seems like she gonna get better/have character growth? so that's good and maybe I'll like her more…