#op-secret-santa-2020

[chromatic-lamina]

Gonna just do this for myself (so don't worry about likes, sending asks and all). If you want to download the image and upload, I think it should be fine. It's all over the interwebs. Also fine to do it like a normal ask/answer meme!

All of my answers under the cut.

Yearly Word Count: (off anon, and not including unpublished zine fics): 31,223

Fav fic: Doctor Death Doula (Trafalgar Law) https://archiveofourown.org/works/37266862 But it had some stiff competition.

3. Fav fic read: ties between:

Living in a ghost town (lawzo) ( double joint @stephanericherthanyou ) Sabaody Shambles by @/CoffeeTimeWorks (Strawhats and Heart Pirates)

Oh! and the last chapter of the fabulous astra inclinant ( @petrachord ).

and at the point of a sword (freckledshoulderblades) (zoro, general) and most recently something's always going on at pathology (v. funny) by thegrimshapeofyoursmile (general)

Also family by @/KallistosWrites (kidlaw) and special shout out to 123_crowbar_solo who always writes quality (especially doff and croc!)

4. Fav ship you wrote for. I only wrote KidLaw this year re ships, but love ZoLaw, MarLaw, LawBin, etc. as well.

5. Fav character POV: Bepo writing as Law (or role swap. Bepo was the captain in his fanfiction!)

6. Favourite latest line I wrote:

Kid's head pushed back on the plushie and it squeaked.

7. WIP you finally finished. Ah, I don't really have any, but I probably wouldn't have written Overworked and Underpaid (Chopper and Bepo) if I hadn't had to scrap another WIP. And the idea for Doctor Death Doula had been sitting in the drafts for some time.

8. WIP you're yet to start finish. The one I'll be writing for the One Piece Kids zine. I'm still working on the one for the corazine too, although I think it's mostly done.

9. Most read fic this year: I guess they mean the ones written this year, right?

It'd be Bepo's Beptober with 868 hits, but that was begun in 2020, it seems, so a better reflection is perhaps Overworked and Underpaid (Chopper and Bepo) which has 841 hits and was published in June.

10. Longest fic of the year (off anon, right? heh). No multichaps for me this year, and some word count restraints for zine fics, but also due to time (and that's just the point where the fic should've ended), so!: Overworked and Underpaid at 6,289 words.

11. Shortest fic of the year: A drabble called kelp for the Justice zine ficlet challenges. 114 words.

12. Fav fic title: Maybe 'snow business like show business (kidlaw for the op secret santa exchange)

13. Biggest surprise while writing this year. Just how hard it is to write Kanjuro! (oh, and also that a free verse fic i did got reasonable interaction)

14. Fav comment you got this year: All of them! Special shout out for all the lovely comments on Doctor Death Doula, and also to @stephanericherthanyou for their always fabulous feedback, and the same goes for @afterdeck-ace

15. Fav fic author to read this year: see number 2!

16: Total fics/chapters uploaded this year: Okay, I'm gonna include the chapters in the ficlet collections, even though most are not very long:

Stand alone one shots: 6

Ficlets/chapters in anthologies (on my page): 10

17: What are you most looking forward to next year?: Some of the work for zines being published and being seen by a wider audience.

[themattress]

So, we have had three major stumbling blocks for Disney.

The first was John Lasseter being forced out in 2018 due to claims of sexual harassment. While I absolutely believe there was a problem with that (the man admitted as much), I do find myself torn on whether removing him was the right call given that no legal action was ever involved, which leaves reasonable doubt as to whether the problem was big enough to warrant such an extreme solution. Couldn't he at least have been allowed to train a proper successor first? It didn't matter so much with the projects in 2019 - 2021 that he already had a hand in developing, but now his absence is starting to be felt on both the Disney side of things and the Pixar side (ex: would Lightyear have even happened had he still be around?)

The second was the absolute shit-show that was Bob Iger leaving, Bob Chapek taking his place, Chapek fucking up so badly that Iger had to oust him and be reinstated, and then Iger fucking up given how disorienting the whole situation naturally is for him. Disney has always been at its best when there was steady leadership, and clearly it doesn't have that right now.

And the third was just the natural, political and business upheavals that the world has gone through since 2020. Big corporations like Disney were woefully ill-prepared to handle it, and are still desperately struggling to adapt, with this year's worker strikes being the latest case.

In any case, what have I loved after 2019, perhaps Disney's biggest year ever? Well...

Soul Raya and the Last Dragon Encanto Luca Turning Red Wandavision Loki What If…? Hawkeye Ms. Marvel Werewolf By Night The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special Black Widow Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings Spider-Man: No Way Home Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Obi-Wan Kenobi Andor The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse The Quest The Santa Clauses Goosebumps Mirrorverse Dreamlight Valley Once Upon a Studio (and probably Wish)

So, a good amount of stuff! The problem is that there has been just as much, if not more, stuff that I either am highly torn on (which I will mark with a *) or that I flat-out don't like, such as....

Onward* Mulan Cruella* Jungle Cruise Phineas and Ferb: Candace Against the Universe* Secret Society of Second-Born Royals Godmothered Home Sweet Home Alone Chip n' Dale Rescue Rangers* Lightyear* Pinocchio Hocus Pocus 2 Disenchanted* Strange World Willow Peter Pan & Wendy* The Little Mermaid Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny Elemental* Haunted Mansion The Bad Batch The Book of Boba Fett* The Mandalorian: Season 3 Ahsoka* Eternals Thor: Love and Thunder Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantomania The Marvels The Falcon and the Winter Soldier* Moon Knight* She-Hulk: Attorney at Law* Secret Invasion

With more to come that also doesn't sound appealing to me.

And this goes against what I said in the OP:

It doesn’t have to be a case of quality over quantity, both can co-exist: if there is quality to the work, then the quantity of the company’s power is justified. 

If Disney can't ensure that good quality far outweighs the bad in what it puts out, then it needs to slow the fuck down and reassess itself. I really hope that Iger's next successor can do this, because if not then Disney will stay on the fast track toward yet another dark age.

Unpopular Opinion Re:Disney

Under Bob Iger, Disney has become a more powerful mega-corporation than ever, beyond what was thought humanly possible. Not only has it increased the quality of its own output, but it’s got Pixar, it’s got Marvel, it’s got Star Wars, it’s got Fox, it’s constantly making a killing at the box office, it’s getting its own streaming service to rival Netflix…it’s honestly terrifying!

And I want them to keep at it!

Look, I’m no corporate expert - all I know is that no matter how huge a corporation might grow, if it produces satisfactory products that feel like I’m paying for something worthwhile, then I’m totally fine with it. It doesn’t have to be a case of quality over quantity, both can co-exist: if there is quality to the work, then the quantity of the company’s power is justified. 

And I am REALLY loving most of Disney’s output over the past decade. They’ve given us:

The Marvel Cinematic Universe Bolt Wall-E Phineas and Ferb Up The Princess & The Frog Toy Story 3 Tangled Epic Mickey Winnie the Pooh The Muppets Brave Gravity Falls Wreck-It Ralph Wander Over Yonder Sofia the First Disney Infinity Frozen Star Wars Rebels Big Hero 6 Inside Out Star VS. The Forces of Evil The Lion Guard New Star Wars movies Zootopia The Jungle Book Finding Dory Elena of Avalor Moana Tangled: The Series Big Hero 6: The Series DuckTales Coco The Incredibles 2 Christopher Robin Ralph Breaks the Internet

And with much more still to come!

Not everything has been great, of course (ex: The Jungle Book remains the only live-action remake of an animated film that is actually worth anything, IMO) but the good far outweighs the bad. Disney is providing me with exactly what it’s supposed to - entertainment. And if the company growing bigger means it can keep doing so at this level of quality, then so be it.

[oopensandwich]

Cookies are messy bussiness (but everyone has a good time regardless).

This is my piece for @op-secret-santa-2020. Merry Christmas @glannon!!! I hope this silliness gives you a smile. I wish you a lovely holiday season!!

[necrosishead]

merry christmer @ask-the-marimozoro !! i was your secret santa this year!

[ask-the-marimozoro]

Yo, @onehyperboi, I am your Secret Santa for the @op-secret-santa-2020 ; have this comfy Christmas’ evening scene. Hope you like it, man! 

[glannon]

Here is my illustration for the @op-secret-santa-2020! Merry Christmas @s4m4ndr13l! Katakuri is having a sweet dream flying in the clouds with donuts! I wish you to have such happy dreams as his ! I wish you happy festivities for this end of the year !

[mer-meladraws]

It's the 25th here already so here's my gift for the @op-secret-santa-2020 for @asktheseawitch ! I really enjoyed doing this, I hope that you like and that you have very happy holidays aaah 🎄♥️✨

[op-secret-santa-2020]

Applications are opened!!

One Piece Secret Santa apps open from Oct 26- Nov 24!!

Link to apply!!

Please read the Rules and FAQs before you apply!

[pokeharvest]

Surprise, @maybe-livid! I was your secret santa for @op-secret-santa-2020! This is my first time drawing Law and I had a lot of fun doing so >:) I hope this is what you had in mind when you said maid outfits hehe

((click for better quality))

[dual-mayhem]

@necrosishead For Op secret Santa.

Croc and sleeping luffy,  I hope you get a very Merry Christmas!

[drafterbites]

Hey @generaldevi !Merrry Christmas and here’s my present for ya cuz I’m your @op-secret-santa-2020 ❤️ I was so so SOO excited to draw out this wishlist of yours just cuz I LOVE Flamingo man and crocodaddy 💘💘💘 aaand i hope ya like it too!!

[ask-waiter-bellamy]

🎄 🎁 This is my piece for the @op-secret-santa-2020🎁 🎄 Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to @catqueenk It’s not much but I spent a lot of time on this so I really hope you like it! 🎁 🎄 🎅 🍪 🥛 ❄️ ☃️ 🎁 🎄 🎅 🍪 🥛 ❄️ ☃️ 🎁 🎄 🎅 🍪 🥛 ❄️ ☃️

[oopensandwich]

revolutionary snacktime. what havoc will they bring to the table this time.

hey @gomugomu-no-tickle, i’m your backup santa for @op-secret-santa-2020! I’m glad I got the chance to draw your oc Eurydice!! I love her and wish her all the best (and i wish you all the best also!! i hope you have a wonderful 2021.)

[anubislover]

A Tea Party for Baby 5

(Gift fic for @velvety-love for the OP Secret Santa 2020! I really hope you like the fic - it was a ton of fun to write!)

It was quite the sight, the infamous Donquixote Doflamingo sitting at a small table in a child-sized chair, his knees practically pressed into his chest, but he would maintain that for a man of his status, any seat was a throne. Before him was a decadent assortment of pastries, chocolate-covered fruit, finger sandwiches, and quiches. Baby 5 had recently begun training to be the family’s maid, and this tea party would be a useful way to hone her serving skills. Since the eight year old girl was still too short to reach the dinner table, this was a perfectly reasonable alternative.

And yes, the dolls and stuffed animals sat up in their own chairs with cups and saucers was also absolutely necessary. She needed to learn to serve multiple people, after all.

“More tea, Young Master?” Baby 5 asked, hefting up the large china teapot, a hopeful smile on her face. There was a bit of tension around her mouth, though; visible strain from the weight of the pot that she desperately sought to hide for fear of disappointing him.

Doflamingo grinned, holding out his pink floral-patterned cup. “Yes, please.” The child had insisted on being useful to him, and while his main interest was in the deadly Devil Fruit powers she possessed, it was nice having some proper servants around.

However, her little arms trembled, the pot far too heavy for her, resulting in her inadvertently missing the cup and instead spilling hot tea onto his hand.

“Gah!”

“Oh no! Young Master, I’m so sorry! Let me get you a towel, or some ice!” she cried, nearly dropping the teapot in her panic. Luckily, Doflamingo was able to grab it before it could fall and set it on the table, preventing tea from splattering everywhere and staining his suit pants.

For a moment, his hand clenched and he glared down at her through the lenses of his fierce red sunglasses. The former Celestial Dragon wanted to be upset. She’d burned him! How dare she—

But then he looked at her distraught little face, eyes already wet with tears, and he was suddenly reminded of his precious little brother when they were children and how hard he’d tried to please him…

Picking up a napkin, Doflamingo wiped his hand clean of the tea. Honestly, it hadn’t hurt. Barely anything to someone like him. And she was trying. Really, it was impressive she could even lift the pot, considering it was nearly as big as she was and how thin her arms were. They really needed to get some meat on her bones—she wasn’t the half-starved waif who’d come to him in desperation anymore. She was part of his family. It was his job to take care of her.

Coming to a decision, Doflamingo removed a stuffed dog from the chair at his right and patted the seat. “No worries, Baby 5. Come here and I’ll pour the tea.”

“Ah! But Young Master, I—”

He gave her a reassuring smile, one as gentle as he could manage. “It’s fine, Baby 5; proper tea party etiquette says that the host should serve.”

“But then, you don’t need me,” she said sadly, small body slumping miserably.

Inwardly he grimaced. The last thing he wanted was for her to cry. So, he grinned more widely and picked her up by the back of the dress, plopping her down into the chair. “Sure I do! I need you to be a good guest! I can’t work on my hosting skills if I don’t have guests. These guys,” he said, indicating the dolls and toys, “are terrible conversationalists.”

Baby 5 visibly perked up, thrilled at still being needed in some capacity. “Oh! That’s true. Then I’ll be the perfect guest for you! I’ll be anything you need, Young Master.”

A small sigh of relief escaped his chest. Crisis averted. She was happy, and while serving himself was not ideal in most circumstances, the child could learn by example and he wouldn’t have to worry about his suit.

Getting an idea, he attached his strings to one of the dolls sat around the table, making it lift the teacup so he could pour. “Watch carefully; it’s important to hold the pot from both the handle and the spout to avoid spilling. We don’t want even a drop on the nice white tablecloth, do we?”

“No, we don’t,” she agreed, studying his technique carefully. Her dark eyes took in his every movement with near-reverence, her own little hands even miming him to ensure she would get it right later.

Satisfied, he filled Baby 5’s cup and offered her a blueberry scone. “Here, eat up—you’re a growing girl, and someone who works as hard as you deserves a treat.”

“Really?” she asked, even though she was already practically drooling as the smell of the pastries she’d baked that morning wafted up her nose.

“Really. Now have a scone, then some sandwiches, and then you can help yourself to the tarts and cupcakes.”

Practically glowing with happiness, she snatched one off the plate, but froze before she could shove it into her mouth. “Oh. Sorry,” she said, setting it on her plate and picking up her knife and fork.

Doflamingo shook his head. “Nah, you were right the first time. Eat the scone with your hands. Save the fork for the quiche.”

Thrilled that she was getting to sit at the Young Master’s side and enjoy the goodies she’d baked and laid out to his specifications, she tucked in, smile so wide her cheeks ached.

It was…kind of cute, seeing her so happy. Just a child eager to belong. Sure, she would make a fantastic assassin, but there was no reason not to let her have little moments like this, right? The chance to just be a kid and have fun? His father’s foolishness had denied him that joy after they’d left Mariejois, but he was far better than Homing.

He was the patriarch of the Doflamingo Family; it was his job to keep everybody happy. To give them all they could ever ask for so that they would do the same for him.

Looking her over, he wondered what else he could do. Her bow and dress were looking a little worn. He’d order replacements. Simple ones for everyday wear, but he was sure he could get her something cute and fancy as a reward the next time she got back from a mission. Dress her up like a doll and show her off. New shoes would be a must, too – he and his brother had constantly been outgrowing theirs, and while he doubted she’d every reach his exalted stature, she certainly would grow up to be a lovely young woman.

And lovely young women attract boys, he thought, scowling for a moment behind his teacup. Gonna have to watch her like a hawk once that happens. Can’t have anyone thinking they’re good enough for Baby 5 and trying to steal her away. I’ll make sure she’s got no reason to leave the Family. Who could provide for her like me, anyway?

On a whim, he got another idea – something that would surely amuse and delight her. Holding out his hands, he attached his strings to a pair of dolls. Like a puppet master with a pair of marionettes, he made them waltz around the table, chuckling while Baby 5 applauded and laughed with joy.

“Figured the least they could do was put on a show for us as thanks for our hospitality,” he explained, making a few more join in so it almost resembled a ball. “Too bad we can’t bring the toys to life—then they could dance without the strings.”

“Maybe there’s a Devil Fruit out there that can do that,” Baby 5 said excitedly, eager to help in any way she could.

“Hmmm, maybe there is. I’ll have to look into it,” Doflamingo agreed, rubbing his chin. The hand fell to pat her on the head. “What a clever girl you are.”

As she beamed up at him, there was a knock at the door, and without delay Corazon strolled in carrying Buffalo and Law by the back of their shirts like a pair of squirming kittens. Law even seemed to growl at his manhandling. Clearly, they’d been caught by his right-hand man doing something they shouldn’t, at least if the way he ground the cigarette between his teeth was anything to go by. However, all three of them froze at the sight of their leader serving tea to his maid-in-training surrounded by a bunch of dancing stuffed animals.

“What the he—” Law started, staring in utter bafflement.

“Ah, just in time! Baby 5 and I were having a tea party! Sit down and join us!” Doflamingo exclaimed cheerfully, indicating the newly-empty seats.

“Yes! Please, join us!” she chimed in eagerly. Even though they could be rude and mean, she considered the two boys her closest friends, so of course she wanted to have them involved. Corazon, too, even though he was grouchy and clumsy and might make the tablecloth catch fire.

Corazon looked between the tiny chairs and the uncomfortable-looking way his brother was sitting, then raised a disbelieving eyebrow.

“Oh, come on, little brother! It’s perfectly comfortable,” he said, even though he could already feel his legs cramping up. Ah well. At least he wouldn’t suffer alone, and Baby 5 could have some time enjoying herself with friends. She needed more socialization. Maybe he should call up Vinsmoke Judge – he had a daughter about her age, didn’t he? Maybe they could set up a play date.

“I’m not taking part in some stupid tea party,” Law groused, glaring at the utter ridiculousness around him.

“Kid, you can either sit down under your own power or I can tie you to the seat,” Doflamingo warned with smile. He turned to the child beside him. “But thank you for providing Baby 5 with another valuable lesson – boys are obnoxiously stubborn.”

“Law, c’mon, let’s play along-dasuyan,” Buffalo not-so-quietly whispered, eyeing the tray of cupcakes.

“Fuffuffuffuffu! But they’re easily bribed with food,” he added, smirking when she giggled. Pleased with himself, Doflamingo gave the three new guests a terrifying smile. “Now, you gonna join us like proper gentlemen, or am I going to have to show you to your seats?” he asked, raising his hand meaningfully.

A shiver ran down their backs and neither Law nor Buffalo argued as Corazon plopped them both in a chair before gingerly taking the spot opposite his brother, grimacing at how sore his legs and back would be after this.

Pleased that her friends were in fact joining the party, Baby 5 instinctively rose to her feet to serve them. A large hand on her shoulder stopped her, though, causing her to look up at Doflamingo inquisitively.

The patriarch smiled down at her, sincerity in his tone. “Now now, I told you the host should serve. The hostess who made all the preparations needs to take a load off and enjoy herself. Let us take care of you for once,” he said, pinching her cheek.

Yes, he’d take care of her, she’d take care of them, and they’d all live together as a big, happy family. What more could anyone want?

@op-secret-santa-2020

[bird-pieces]

I wanna be still with you - read on AO3

Hi @traffy-is-d-law , I’m you secret santa this year! I hope you enjoy the art and the fic and have a really nice day!

@op-secret-santa-2020

[ultravioletwinters]

hey hey i had @mer-meladraws for @op-secret-santa-2020 !!! i loved all your suggestions so i tried to incorporate as many as i could, heheh. i’m very tempted to do a couple close-ups of the suggestions in a more detailed style at some point, they’re such cute ideas 🥺

anyways! i hope you enjoy, and happy xmas!