#personally I LIKE that her design is more simple
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heavy | sylus q.
â summary: who takes care of the person busy caring for everyone else? sylus. the answer is sylus. â cw: female!reader, fingering, unprotected intercourse, naughty things done in a bathtub, creampie, alcohol mention, pet names, slight choking, allusions to depression and anxiety, explicit language, praise kink, not proofread, kinda rough sex, mdni â wc: ~3.4K â dividers by: @grabby-smitten â now playing: truman show - merges & l3gion
It begins with a steady pressure behind your eyes.Â
Untreated, it blossoms into something more intense, seeping through your temples like spilled liquid, and the pain borders unbearable. You canât focus on your work, the harsh glow of your monitor worsening your plight.
You snatch your glasses from your face. Attempt to ease the pressure with kneading fingers. Pinch the bridge of your nose. Sigh. Itâs useless; your vision blurs around the edges, and your head is pounding as if your brainâs seeking release from your skull.
You donât notice Captain Jenna behind you. Jump when she comes to you in the form of a firm hand on your shoulder, voice soft. âYou should go home to get some rest,â she suggests through a pitying smile.
You donât protest. Thereâs more to her words than a simple plea. Itâs an order, and youâre smiling small, already gathering your things and slinking out of your cubicle.Â
Youâre grateful for the reprieve. Maybe a restart will help ease the weight off your shoulders.
â
Something smells divine.
It jumpstarts your appetite, the rich scent of herbs and meat seeping through the cracks of your apartment door. You didnât realize how hungry you were, your stomach snarling whilst you ease your key into the lock.Â
You canât remember if you left something in the oven. Canât be bothered to recall much of anything, your head still pulsing like a war drum. Your curiosities are sated once you slide into your home, and the aroma is stronger here. Hearty, nearly lifting you into the air to carry you to the kitchen like one of those old-school cartoons.
You meander into your kitchen after dropping your pack by the doorâby a pair of designer, red-stained loafers twice the size of your own feet. Your suspicions are confirmed when you catch sight of a familiar shock of white and broad shoulders nestled between your humble decor and drab cabinets.
Never mind how he got here because youâre reining in a giggle. Heâs wearing the frilly Kiss Me apron you got him as a joke gift a few months back. Humming something, bobbing his head before he acknowledges you over a broad shoulder. His scarlet eyes are mirthful, and the soft grate of his voice is enough to put you to sleep.
âYouâre home early.â
You smile, tired and swollen-eyed, leaning against the doorframe. Study him over crossed arms. Heâs busy with something on the stove. Concocting something delicious, and your stomach reminds you that itâs empty and youâre cruel.
âJenna kicked me out.â
His shoulders shake with a chuckle when he returns his attention to the pot and wooden spoon in his hands. âGood. I take it youâve only sustained yourself on coffee and air today.â Stopping, he peers at you again, a knowing lift to his brow.Â
You sputter, the heat of embarrassment prickling your neck. He knows you too well. Youâre an ass who often neglects yourself, pushing food and sleep to the backburner in favor of shouldering everyone elseâs burdens.Â
You pout, caught red-handed. The man in your kitchen chuckles. Sets the spoon down, and you watch him stride across the tiles for something.Â
He comes to you with a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon, already pouring the red, viscid fluid into a wine glass. Slender fingers brush over yours when he eases the glass into your hand. He angles himself to kiss you, full-bodied and red-blooded on the lips. A kiss that leaves you reeling. Craving more, the warm scent of his skin hijacking your senses as you tug on the collar of his shirt.
You whine when he pulls away, and heâs all smug smiles that crease the corners of his eyes when he steps back to tend to dinner.
A tide of warmth wades over your skin. You smile against the rim of your glass, grateful to have someone who knows you sometimes better than you know yourself.
Drinking might not be the best decision for you right now. But you havenât the heart to tell him, watching with all the fondness of the world as he buzzes around the kitchen like a Disney princess.
â
Dinner will be ready in 30.
In the meantime, Sylus shepherds you into your bathroom, insisting you settle in with a bath.Â
Itâs lavender-scented inside your bathroom, the warm, wet steam washing over your cheeks. Greeted by the dull hum of the ventilation and the sound of rain lazily falling onto the world beyond your window.
Youâre exhausted and hanging on by a thread. Donât think you could manage the task of undressing on your own. So, heâs gentle as he props you on your counter, stripping you of your clothes, touching you like something to be revered.
His lashes bow when he swoops in to adorn your bare shoulders and the swell of your chest with kisses. Your body responds in kind when he nears your pebbling nipples, though he doesnât grace them with the lazy drag of his lips.Â
He promised you he would be good. At least until youâre washed up, fed, and comfortable.
He brands your skin to the crooks of your elbows, down to your wrists, your fingers. Catches your gaze when he kisses between the peaks and valleys of your knuckles, and the fire that burns beneath his irises sets your insides alight.Â
Broad palms move down your sides, perch on your hips. He hefts you up with one hand fastened to your rear, and your arms and legs unconsciously shoot out to encircle him. He chuckles, swinging you âround, walking you to the tub. Youâre the biggest baby when youâre tired, but he would never complain. He prefers you like thisâall supple and pliant, desperate for the feel of his body against yours.
You watch the rose petals he sprinkled in your bathwater cling to your skin once youâre inside. And it works as a soothing balm through your person, the frothy water embracing you like a warm hug at the end of a tedious day.Â
You sigh heavily, leaning back against the tubâs wall. Your eyes slide shut. Youâre about to succumb to the pretty girls of slumber when the sound of shifting fabric alarms you.Â
Sylus moves to leave, but your hands dart out to ensnare his wrist. He glances at you over his shoulder, a question hanging between his brows.Â
âStay,â you urge with a pout. Throw in watering puppy eyes for dramatic effect, laying the guilt on thick.Â
He chuckles something hearty, settling onto the floor beside you. âI figured you could use some alone time. Besides, Iâve got dinner going. Do you want me to burn it? Cajun wasnât on tonightâs menu, sweetheart.â
You huff. âYou set a timer, right? Itâll be fine.âÂ
Truth is, heâs the only thing keeping you tethered to this plane right now. A constant in a world filled with turmoil. Your security blanket. You never mind him impeding on your time, your space.
âShall I help you bathe, then?â He doesnât await your response, already reaching across you for your body wash and loofah.Â
Heâs tender as he works the soap into a rich lather over your shoulders. Honey-slow, dipping between the valley of your breasts, snickering when you instinctively arch into his touch when the material catches on your nipples. Once heâs satisfied your upper body is thoroughly saturated with suds, he maneuvers himself onto his haunches on the floor.
âSit up,â Sylus instructs. You sluggishly obey, bowing forward to grant him access to your back.Â
Lids shuttered, a content hum eases from your throat as he works out the knots and strain of your back. Smooths the loofah down the ridges of your spine, encircling one shoulder blade before moving onto the other. Heâs gifted, trained in the art of your body. Knows just where to touch, to massage to get the cogs in your mind turning and your breaths evening out.
He dips the loofah into the water, and you giggle as it slides between the swell of your ass and the tubâs floor.
âWell, I canât exactly get you clean when youâre sitting down like this.âÂ
Your gaze shifts to his. His eyes darken with something familiar, a smirk curving one corner of his lips as he salaciously cocks his head.Â
You feel a pull in your tummy, and your lashes flutter, lips parting slightly. Without thinking, you position yourself onto your hands and knees, the water lazily sloshing about and licking your thighs. Curiously, you peer at him from over your shoulder and waggle your ass, playfully signaling for him to finish up.
Resigned, amused, Sylus works the loofah over the globes of your ass. Up and down the backs of your thighs. And itâs purposeful when, with each pass, he grazes your fat labia, peeking through the plush of your thighs. You shudder each time, a pleasant sigh escaping your mouth, and you wiggle to chase the harsh drag of the loofah, if only for him to mistakingly graze your clit with it.
He tsks behind you. âSweetheart, we agreed this would only be a harmless little bath.â
How harmless could he expect it to be with him looking at you like that? Touching you like that, his palm branding your thigh whilst an errant thumb kneads the muscle there, dangerously close to the outskirts of your cunt?
âI changed my mind,â you relent in a breathy, needy whisper. And youâre rocking your hips this way and that, trying to lure his thumb into the catch of your pussy.
He laughs again, the sound of it murky, and you feel it furling in your chest. âAs you wish.â
Your body vibrates with anticipation. Youâre not made to wait long, a virile, wide palm stroking your legs apart. Soon after, you feel his thumb stroking down the expanse of your slit, and you jump, a shudder racking through you.
âEasy, darling,â he coos. Voice is thick as bourbon, and his thumb even thicker as he dips just the tip of it into your puckering sex.
He moves maddeningly slow as he collects some of your nectar on his thumb, smoothing it between your folds in search of your clit. He finds it with laser precision, stroking the distended pearl to life with meticulous circles that leave you baring down on nothing and moaning against the grit of your teeth.
A hand fastens around your hip. Massages one of your cheeks, holding you steady whilst he fucks his thumb into you slow and consistent, and the sticky squelch of your cunt soon fills the atmosphere as he works you into a mess of shaking tendons and sighs of âyes, yes, please. More. Fuck.â
Spurred by your words, he alternates between fingering youâtrading out his thumb for his index and middle digitsâand rubbing your clit. Ducks in to blister your rear with kisses, and you jerk, hypersensitive to every sensation, every sound. He pants softly behind you. Enjoys himself, watching you fall apart around his fingers, his girth pushing against the seam of his pants. He palms himself, kissing closer to your labia, the scent of it bewitching, and he wills himself not to add his tongue into the fray. Â
He curls and pistons his fingers inside you, a frothy ring of lubricant collecting around the base of his digits. He eases a palm over the curve of your stomach to massage your tits and pluck your nipples, sweltering breaths fanning across your spine.Â
Youâre pushed closer to the precipice, towards that slurry edge of bliss. He murmurs words of praise against your skin, and you hump against his fingers like a beast in heat, chasing that sparkling rush. Chasing that crest of pleasure in your stomach, eyes screwed shut. Just a little longer. Justâ
âCum for me, sweetheart,â Sylus quietly demands, pressing against that unfathomable knot of pleasure inside you.Â
And as if he has some sort of hold on your body, the world falls away from you at his behest. Your orgasm ripples through you, spilling like lava, pooling in your stomach, and dripping to your extremities. Your mouth opens with a gasp. A shaky exhale with his name in it, and you pitch forward, catching yourself on your hands last minute before you nosedive into the water.Â
He laughs behind you, roosting one hand on your hip and the other on your stomach to steady you. âGood girl,â he croons, rubbing your pulsing cunt with his fingers. âYou look so fucking sexy when cum like that.â
You shiver, clearly overstimulated, and he resigns to help ease you back onto your rear in the bathtub, kissing the sensitive space behind your ear.Â
He lures you into a languid kiss with gentle fingers beneath your chin. Licks into your mouth, groaning his approval as you lazily return his affections, loose-limbed and spent.
You prop the back of your head on the tubâs rim, lips still sealed to his, and Sylus rubs up and down your body to encourage you back down from the clouds. You whimper into his mouth when he pinches your nipples, catching his hands to twine your fingers together, the stimulation too much.Â
He greedily milks what remains of your voice from your throat before drawing away from your lips with a sticky click to pepper your throat and shoulder with apologetic kisses.Â
When your heart beats something steady, and your labored breaths slide into something more even, Sylus peels away. âDinnerâs ready,â he purrs, grin all toothy, smug.
You track his movements to the door through hooded eyes, a satisfied cant to your lips whilst you sink to your chin into the water, mind a delicious slurry and the tension between your shoulders nearly gone.
â
âYouâre insatiable,â he breathes, hot and wanton, against your hinged-open mouth.Â
You have him notched between your splayed legs on the kitchen counter, and his hands are on an unhurried mission over your thighs whilst you kiss him. Your arms snake about his shoulders, fingers, easing into delicate locks of white, and you slant your mouth possessively over his, sealing your bodies together.
Dinner cools on the stovetop. Stuffed chicken breasts, garlic mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus. All a labor of love that you promise to consume after youâve consumed him, pushing your greedy tongue into his mouth.
His groan vibrates your tongue whilst his thumbs ease over the inner cut of your thighs, and he grazes your outer labia with each pass, sending satisfying jolts of electricity throughout.
The bath renewed you. Cleared the fog from your mind, stoked the fire of your libido. Which is why you ambushed him in the kitchen, seducing him into fucking you when he was just about to set the table.Â
Your body rolls like waves licking the shore against his, your nipples rubbing against the harsh fabric of his shirt.Â
Heâd peeled the straps of your negligee down your shoulders, bunching the neckline beneath your tits.Â
âFuck me,â you exhale, grappling with the catch of his belt. Hands perched on your waist, he peers into your eyes, brows knit with the strain of reining in his desire.
âCan I at least get you to the bed first,â he breathes, gritting his teeth when your lips brand his Adamâs apple.
âNope.â You finally pull his belt free, and you busy yourself with unbuttoning his pants.
He chuckles darkly. Shakily, propping his hands on the countertop on either side of your thighs, letting you do terribly distracting things to his neck with your mouth. He sucks in a breath when you palm him, hand hot and searing against the cotton of his briefs. Cranes his head back, and you exhale all triumphantly against his throat, hand dipping beneath the elastic waistband to fish him from the confines of his underwear.
âFuck,â he curses through swollen lips. Cheeks dust with a pretty shade of crimson, and he twitches each time your hand smooths over the leaking tip of his cock. Each time you stroke down the shaft, back up to thumb his slit, smearing his pre-cum over him.
âFuck me,â you order once more, licking behind his ear. Draw his lobe into your mouth to nibble it, and he groans something bitten off, a pliant mess of muscle and sinew beneath the artful glide of your hand.
With no further goading, Sylus encases your hips with his hands. Drags you impossibly closer toward the edge of the counter, replacing your hand on his cock with his.Â
He strokes himself so well. Your mouth waters from the sight, your sticky, bare pussy clenching with anticipation. The predatory gleam in his eyes reads as one of restrained desire. Like a beast subdued behind a cage, giving you an out, a chance to escape.
You merely swallow, enraptured by the sight of him so desperate for you. So eager when, moments ago, he was resistant to your temptation. He fists himself once more, his weighted hand swallowing up the bulk of his cock. He taps his heavy dick against your folds, the sensation curving your spine and siphoning an unbidden whimper from your lips.
He undulates his hips, rubbing himself between your folds, saturating his turgid flesh with your essence. And oh, it feels so good when his tip bumps the pucker of your pussy. He teases you with the prospect of fucking you proper, drawing himself out to repeat the motion from before, each time digging a little deeper.
When he finally eases home, nestled deep in the hot channel of your sex, your rigid walls ravenously sucking him in, you share a breath out. His chest heaves when he looks at you. The need that lurks behind his gaze makes your cunt flutter, and his responding groan is strained with the effort of keeping still inside you.
You lean back on your hands. Give him the go-ahead with a flicker of your lashes, and then heâs moving inside you. Fucking into you like a well-oiled machine, and he lifts the hem of his shirt to watch your union.Â
You watch the steady ripple of his abs, wanting to chase the sweat that beads between them with your tongue. For now, youâll settle for enjoying the feel of him. Throw your head back, your heels hooking into the backs of his thighs, keeping him in motion. Refusing to let him go.Â
âFuck,â he sighs. âFuck, do you know what you do to me?âÂ
A sweltering hand curls around your neck, squeezing with enough pressure to bring your pulse thrumming to your ears. His thumb finds the hang of your bottom lip, drawing your mouth open to ease it inside. Your tongue darts out to sample the taste of it. Wraps around the worn pad, and you close your lips around it to suck.Â
He fucks into you harder, your eyes rolling back as his balls knock against your ass. Reluctantly draws his finger from the hot suction of your mouth, splaying his fingers down your sternum to where your bodies convulge.Â
âYou feel so fucking good, kitten,â Sylus breathes. Thumbs your clit, your body convulsing. âSo good, squeezing me like that. Taking me like a big girl. Look at you. So fucking good. Ah, fuck.â
That sparkling feeling pools in your stomach again. You grit your teeth, bowing forward to roost a hand on his shoulder. Your gazes interlock, and heâs so fucking beautiful like this, that carefully constructed composure giving way to something primal. Animalistic, and his hair falls into his face as he grips your hip to the point of bruising, mooring you to the countertop. Keeping you steady for him to ravage you.
After some time of skin slapping and desperate moans saturating the air, he twitches inside you. Hips stutter. Head falls back while his mouth hangs open, and he sighs, so relieved with one final stroke, molten spurts of cum painting your insides a gooey white. Branding down the inner cut of your thighs, puddling on the countertop.
You tug him into your arms, blistering his neck with open-mouthed kisses and the soft rake of your teeth. He shudders, leaning into you, propped on his hands on the counter, face nestled between your breasts.
You share a laugh as you massage his scalp. Relieved. And youâre patient as he softens inside you, stroking over the broad expanse of his back, cooing affectionate words against the crown of his head.
#sylus x reader#sylus x you#lnds sylus#sylus#lads sylus#love and deepspace sylus#l&ds sylus#sylus qin#sylus love and deepspace#qin che#sylus smut#reader insert#lnds fanfic#lnds x reader#lnds x you
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Seeing as how Iâve done both the top ten for best and worst superhero costume redesigns, I feel obligated to put my money where my artistic mouth is and take a stab at fixing or updating some of these costumes. Â Iâve picked five here based on:Â
Itâs a particularly awful outfit that doesnât fit the character, or
Itâs a solid character who just needs some updating or tweaking
Iâll list these in order of âreboot depth:â
5. Starfire
Whatâs wrong: In the wake of DCâs ânew 52â this felt like a no-brainer. Â Starfire is a decent character whoâs always, in my opinion, gotten the short end of the costume stick. Â I get that sheâs supposed to be sexually liberated and somewhat polyamorous, and thatâs fine, but dressing like a John Carterâs Princess of Mars-themed stripper doesnât cut it. Â Really, up until the Teen Titans cartoon sheâs always been in the most awkward and impractical getups for someone fighting crime.
The Fix:Â I went for the simple route and took some notes from the cartoon (notably the skirt). I wanted to make sure it kept the bubbly, innocent feeling of the character while also hinting at some power (with the exposed arms here). Â The overall effect is meant to convey someone whoâs tough, cheerful and comfortable flying around in the air.
4. Dr. Strange
Whatâs wrong: I love Dr. Strange, but heâs always had the worst outfits. Â For a guy who basically hangs out in his house in the West Village, he seems to always wear the most ostentatious getups. Â Heâs not an alien from another planet or from some culture that would dress that way, heâs a grown man who became a wizard well into adulthood. Â Nothing wrong with having some style while youâre maintaining the balance of the mystic planes.
The Fix: Two parts Vincent Price, one part Christopher Lee and one part Dr. Orpheus, this Dr. Strange is still magical, but with a more coherent design direction.
3. Ms. Marvel
Whatâs Wrong: Simply put, I think itâs embarrassing for Marvel to showcase a prominent character like Ms. Marvel and have her wearing that outfit. Â Itâs just so tacky, and tells us nothing about the character. Â Basically they just changed the colors of Jean Greyâs Phoenix costume and exposed more skin. Â Come on, guys.
The Fix: Since her origins are ostensibly tied with Captain Marvel, I decided to go a route thatâs more along the lines of the Ultimate Marvel version of that character, where her abilities come from alien technology rather than vague space magic.  The notion that sheâs, for example, permanently bound with this technology that she doesnât fully understand can make for some interesting stories.  There can be some potential with this character again with just a little bit of tweaking.
2. Wonder Woman
Whatâs Wrong: Wonder Woman, in my opinion, is a character thatâs always been on the cusp of being really neat but never quite making it like Superman or Batman. Â Although a feminist pop icon, her origins are too tied up with creator WIlliam Marstonâs obsession with bondage. Â Because of this (and an all-too-frequent parade of poor or sexist writing), sheâs never had a solid, progressive design. Â The 21st century can update this character.
The Fix: One part Thor, three parts Xena. Iâd push the mythological angle further.  Just as nobody thinks of Thor as âSuperman with a hammerâ I donât want Wonder Woman to be âgirl Superman,â as sheâs sometimes seen.  Iâve also tweaked her origin slightly, making her a more literal âstatue come to life.â This isnât as extreme as it seems: in regular canon, Wonder Womanâs origin was that she was formed out of clay by the queen of the Amazons, and imbued with the powers of the Greek Gods.  This, I think offers more story possibilities if sheâs less literally human, physically.  Her personality would remain the same (nothing more fun than the perspective of an Amazon in the modern world), but we now have an added Pinnochio-style layer.
The costume change is mostly conservative. Â Because of the strong fetish associations (and overall impracticality for a fighting Amazon), Iâve removed the lasso in favor of more traditional Greek weapons. Â The overall effect is intended to push Wonder Womanâs core themes further while making her also stand out as more than just âthe female superhero.â
1. Superman
Whatâs Wrong: Since his creation, Supermanâs drifted from being a progressive champion for the common man to a patriotic middle-America boyscout who represents the establishment and traditional values. When he was developed in the 30s, Superman was very much a Depression-era hero, mostly going after villains like crooked money lenders and saving people who were being abused by the system. Â His superpowers came from the fact that he was from a more advanced society, and his morals too were because he was simply a brainier, more sophisticated guy. Â During and following WW2 and into the Cold War, though, he became an official symbol for American values in particular (it was originally âTruth and Justice,â without âthe American Wayâ). Â He was now not just an alien, but an alien raised by simple Kansas farmers and his abilities had a more generic âsuperpowerâ explanation. Â This is all fine, really, but I think the original concept is more compelling these days.
The Fix:Â âSuperman: the Man of Tomorrow, Strange Visitor from Another World.â I really want to push that. Â First off, Kryptonians should actually look like aliens and not white people. Here I have Kal-El from a race of beings who are essentially post-human (in that theyâve long since merged with technology). Â Theyâre strange to our mortal eyes but mean well. Â Iâd keep the âdestroyed planetâ origin but more heavily emphasize the ânon-interferenceâ part of Supermanâs mission statement. Â
If youâll remember from the 70s movie, his father Jor-El told him he was forbidden to interfere with the course of human history, but when you think about it, thatâs kind of vague. Â What Iâve done is added a Star Trek or Uatu the Watcher kind of prime directive to all advanced species: Â Kal-El canât let people know that heâs an alien, nor can he openly interact with them using advanced technology. Â Still, heâs a compassionate guy and wants to help, so he takes the form of âSupermanâ to inspire the mortals in a constructive way. Â Also, the notion that he can take on different forms means that the Clark Kent secret identity need not be as bad as it currently is.
The costume redesign holds to the basic themes but makes it a little more working class. Â The buttons at the top are meant to invoke overalls, and the sleeves are cut a little higher for someone working with their hands. Â Iâve removed the spandex and gone with looser fitting slacks, while keeping a short cape and boots, since heâs still an adventurer.
Overall I want to evoke a classic Superman feel while making it a little more modern in its exploration of the sci fi themes. Â Heâs still basically the same guy: Â an alien from another world looking to fight injustice, but without the overt patriotism and a quirkier execution of the secret identity.
*********************
So there you have it. Â Iâve hope youâve enjoyed my superhero costume trilogy!
Part 1: The Best Superhero/Villain Redesigns
Part 2: The Worst Superhero/Villain Redesigns
That Superman is⊠probably the best redo of Superman I have ever seen, both in looks and backstory. Bravo!
cool stuffff
The Starfire is a no brainer, the Dr. Strange is my new unrequited fictional crush, the Wonder Woman is breath-taking and that take on Superman is one thousand degrees of shit I didnât know I wanted but I would be so comfortable if they uprooted over 70 years of comic book history to change him into this.
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âFIDELITYâ |part8
MASTERLIST -`âźÂŽ- Rafe Cameron x Kook!Reader x JJ Maybank
Summary: Kook!Readerâs world is upended by betrayal, and her only way forward might lie with the most unlikely personâJJ Maybank. But as they build a new life together, old flames and past mistakes refuse to stay buried.
Warnings: slut shaming(?)
previous - next
Could you really call yourself an adult now?
I mean, honestly, is there some magical age that makes you a certified grown-up?
If itâs all about age, then nopeâyou werenât an adult. Maybe a âyoung adultâ at best, but even then, the life you were living? Letâs just say it was⊠a bit different.
When everything started happening so quickly, keeping up felt impossible. And letâs face it, that was normal. If you managed to juggle everything with calm composure, youâd probably qualify as Wonder Woman. Life came with its ups and downs, but throw pregnancy symptoms into the mix, and things got extra tricky.
You liked to share what you wanted with others. Talking about your plans openly was just how you were. It wasnât about bragging; you just enjoyed sharing your happiness. But every single timeâwithout failâwhatever you talked about? It never happened.
That Venice trip youâd been set on for the summer? Canceled.
The dream university? Rejected. That car you were this close to buying? Nope, didnât happen.
It was like clockwork. Every time.
And the thing was, you never learned. Not really. Youâd repeat the same mistake again and again. Lifeâs law, right? Someday youâd figure it out⊠though that day clearly wasnât anytime soon.
Pregnancy, though, wasnât exactly something you could go shouting about to everyone. That was off the table. But moving?
If you werenât pregnant, thereâs no way youâd have kept quiet. Youâd have made sure the entire island knew. And naturally, that wouldâve meant it wouldnât happen.
This time, though, you zipped it. The only person who knew was JJâand, well, he didnât really count. Or, okay, maybe he did. Of course, he was important, but not the kind of person to stand in your way. On the contrary, he had your back. He even offered to help you with the whole moving process.
Things happened so fast, you could hardly believe it.
Your dad came home from his work trip, you visited the mainland, met with a realtor friend of his, checked out potential homesâit was like someone had hit the fast-forward button.
You couldnât decide on anything. You were even okay with a cute little apartment. The list of occupants was simple: you and your daughter. You didnât need much more.
Your mom, however, had her opinions. She didnât want a mansion either, but she was firm about the house having enough rooms. One for you, one for your daughter, and a guest roomâbecause naturally, grandma duties. And a yard, because she wanted to watch her grandchild play outside.
So apartments were out. Houses it was. After seeing what felt like a million empty ones, you were ready to scream.
But finally, you found it. The perfect house. The yard alone sold it. You could already picture the memories youâd make there with your daughter. Maybe a swing or a hammock⊠some comfy furniture on the porch.
You never imagined youâd get so close to your dream so quickly.
It had the three rooms your mom insisted on, was two stories, and honestly, it was beautiful. You loved it. But the idea of living there alone was terrifying.
Still, the deal was sealed.
It didnât take longâtwo weeks, tops. When your mom insisted on hiring an interior designer, you didnât argue much. Secretly, you liked the idea. And once your belongings were packed, it was all done.
All that was left was you.
There werenât many people to say goodbye to on the island, which was, honestly, fine. Who were you supposed to bid farewell to? Rafe? His family, who didnât even know you were pregnant? Your friends, whoâd probably broadcast the news to the world? No thanks.
Except for JJ.
Youâd have been a total ass not to acknowledge his help. Even if his support wasnât entirely physical, his presence had been a huge emotional lift.
So saying goodbye wasnât hard.
Ignoring the support heâd given you wouldâve been dumb. When you decided to give him a nice surfboard as a thank-you gift, you didnât overthink it. You just thought about who JJ wasâsomeone who loved the ocean and surfing. Beyond that? You didnât know much. So you kept it simple. Spoiler alert: he liked it.
You hesitated, thinking a gift might make things unnecessarily sentimental, but he deserved it. Nobody else in his position wouldâve treated you as kindly. Even Kooks barely treated each other well. Expecting a Pogue to go out of their way for you? Yeah, no.
But JJ had.
You werenât super close, but during one of your conversations, heâd mentioned how much he liked the rare nights when his shift ended early. He worked at a pub. In your head, youâd given him two weeks before he got firedâor kicked out after starting a fight. You were that sure of it.
A week ago, knowing the end of his evening shift, you parked near the pub, sitting on your car hood to wait for him. The plan? Give him the surfboard. Maybe even give him a ride home if he needed one.
Fifteen minutes passed. He hadnât come out.
You started questioning everythingâmaybe youâd gotten the wrong day? Or maybe youâd messed up the time?
Waiting around for nothing felt miserable. You shouldâve paid better attention when heâd been talking about his schedule.
Not that the gift had been planned or anything. The idea had hit you on a whim. You just wanted to do something before you left. After all, there werenât many people to say goodbye to. And texting JJ a quick see ya felt way too impersonal.
âWhat are you doing here?â
You snapped out of your thoughts, your eyes shooting up from your phone. JJ stood a few steps away, mid-turn before he stopped and faced you fully. His eyes scanned the car before landing on you.
Quickly, you shoved your phone into your pocket. âMaking sure you didnât pick another fight.â Sliding off the hood, you smirked.
JJ rolled his eyes, flashing you a sarcastic smile. âHa-ha. How funny.â
Unlike him, your grin was genuine. Why should he have all the fun pissing people off? It was your turn.
Unlike him, your lips curled into a genuine smile. Was it always going to be him getting under your skin for his own amusement? No, this time, it was your turn.
You heard him say your name, his tone serious. âNo, really. What are you doing here?â
Keeping surprises wasnât exactly your specialty, but you couldnât resist messing with him a little. After all, this was the first time in days youâd left the houseâand only in your baggiest clothes. Might as well enjoy it.
âJust hanging out.â
He frowned, his eyes scanning the area before gesturing around. âHere? Outside the pub?â
The confusion on his face was nearly comicalâborderline annoyed, maybe?
You mirrored his glance at the surroundings, raising your eyebrows. It wasnât much to look at. Just⊠a place. âWhatâs wrong with here?â
JJ let out a frustrated sigh, and for a moment, you couldnât believe youâd actually managed to annoy him. He genuinely looked upset. âAre you serious right now? Youââ He stopped himself, clenching his jaw as he stepped closer. Lowering his voice, he added, âYou canât drink. Youâre not even supposed to be hanging around.â
So, he thought youâd come here to drink? Thatâs why he was so worked up?
It was kind of⊠cute. But poking the bear was way more fun.
You let out a dramatic hum as you crossed your arms. âNot allowed? Says who?â You tried not to laugh at the look he shot you, a mix of exasperation and disbelief, like youâd lost your mind.
âMe. Youâre not drinking. Not here, not anywhere. Have you lost it?â
Your lips pulled into a grin, and despite his attempt to scold you, his irritation only made it funnier. Especially since you hadnât even done what he was accusing you of.
The second JJ caught onto what you were doing, his annoyed expression melted away. As your laughter echoed, he pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly unimpressed. âYeah, yeah. Hilarious. Now, can you just tell me what youâre actually doing here?â
You clutched your stomach, your laughter dying down into a lingering smile. Sure, he wasnât amused, but you were, and thatâs all that mattered.
âIâve got something for you.â
JJâs eyebrows shot up. He straightened, intrigued. âYeah?â
You stepped away from the carâs front, glancing back to see him still rooted in place. You gave him a quick head nod to follow. With a sigh, he finally moved. âIf this is a gun for self-defense, just so you know, Iâm not really clear on the rules here,â he joked with a wink.
You snorted, shaking your head. âPlease. If I gave you a gun, youâd be arrested in, like, two seconds.â
He laughed, but you could tell he was curious now. Opening the back door, you reached inside. âItâs a thank-you gift. Kind of.âThe surprise on his face was priceless. He clearly wasnât expecting this. Honestly, neither were you until the idea struck.
JJ tilted his head, his expression skeptical. âThank you? For what? For telling you not to pick fights?â
You rolled your eyes. He couldnât be serious. âNo, JJ. For helping me out.â
He smiled, but it was that classic, goofy grin of his. Any trace of his earlier irritation had completely vanished. He didnât even glance into the car. âOh, I get it. Like a âwithout JJ, my life wouldâve fallen apartâ kind of thank you? Go on, feed my ego. I live for this.â
For a split second, you considered slamming the door and driving off. Instead, you laughed. Sure, there was some truth to what he said, but no way were you letting him win.
Taking a deep breath, you opened the door wider and stepped back. âNope. Itâs just a small gesture. Donât read too much into it.â
JJ walked over and held the door open, his eyes going wide when he spotted the surfboard wedged into the backseat. His fingers ran over the smooth edges and the blue-and-white design. âYou got this for me?â he asked, his voice softer now as he inspected it.
You couldnât suppress your grin. âYeah. I mean, I know itâs kind of random, but I figured you could use your own board for a change. For everything youâve doneââ You hesitated, trying to find the right words. âIt meant a lot.â
JJâs smile was different this time. It wasnât cocky or teasing. It was genuine. âIf I donât take this, I feel like youâd be really annoying about it,â he muttered, pulling the board from the car.
âAbsolutely. You wouldnât want to hear me talk about how I poured my heart into its design,â you teased.
He froze, eyes narrowing. âWaitâyou designed it?â
You smirked, holding his gaze. âNo. But itâs nice that you believed it for a second.â
JJ laughed, shaking his head as he leaned the board against the car. For once, he wasnât mocking or making jokes. Instead, he looked at you with something softer, something you couldnât quite place. âThis is⊠perfect. You didnât have to do this.â
âI know. I just wanted to.â
He hesitated, glancing at the board before meeting your eyes again. âI was just trying to help. I didnât think it was that big of a deal.â
And that was it, wasnât it? Thatâs how it felt. Deep down, youâd even envied the way he was with his friends. He didnât know you. In fact, he hated your group. But if he treated you like thisâwho knew how he treated his friends?
You werenât used to people doing things for you without expecting something in return. Sure, you had a hunch JJ liked money. Not just youâeveryone on the island knew that. But still, the way he talked to you, made time for you⊠it mattered. It broke the prejudice you had against him.
It wasnât anything grand. He didnât buy you houses or cars. He didnât shower you with jewelry. But he talked to you like no one else did. He made you feelâlike you were someone. Like someone whose decisions shouldnât be dictated by anyone elseâs words.
And that? That was worth more than jewelry. More than anything money could buy. It was something most peopleâRafe includedâdidnât have.
From the moment he heard, he didnât tell anyone. What friend would do that? Ruthie? Sophie? Who?
JJ did.
And he wasnât even your friend.
Thatâs why it mattered. He was just being himself, and you needed that.
âIt felt like that.â JJ was holding the surfboard, his eyes catching yours. A strange silence fell between you. Neither of you had expected such a gestureânot just surfing, but the support heâd given you.
You hadnât expected his support; that was his gesture to you. And he hadnât expected a surfboard from you; that was your gesture to him.
JJ lifted the board to examine it, the usual smirk still on his face. He was clearly trying to ease the tension hanging between you. âSo, I have my own board now, huh? I donât have to give this one back, do I? Because when it comes to stuff like that, youâre pretty stubborn.â
âNo, itâs yours,â you said, smiling. You were grateful for his teasingâit cut through the awkwardness. You couldâve stayed silent for hours. âBut if I catch you getting into another fight, Iâll beat you with that board.â
JJ laughed, shaking his head. His gaze flicked between the board and you. He was ridiculously excited about the surfboard but trying hard not to show it. âFair deal. But just so weâre clear, every cool move I pull off with this board? Iâm crediting you. âThanks to Princess for this wave,â that kind of thing. Youâre my sponsor now.â
You rolled your eyes, but you couldnât deny his antics made you laugh. He was fun to be around. You were glad the whole âstatusâ nonsense between you two seemed to be fading. It wasnât just youâhe had his own assumptions about you too. But it felt like youâd both moved past that. âOkay. Sponsorshipâs over. Go find your wave.â
JJ carefully propped the board against the wall, his expression softening. âJokes aside, thanks. I mean it. This means a lot. Just donât tell anyone I said thatâgotta protect my image.â He smiled, dimples showing as he ran a hand through his hair.
You smiled back, nodding quickly. âDonât worry, your secretâs safe.â
As you both grinned, JJâs eyes flicked from you to the surfboard. Following his gaze, your eyes drifted to his hands, gently tracing the board like it was fragile.
âIâm leaving the island tomorrow.â The words tumbled out, and you saw his hands freeze. His gaze landed on you, but you kept your focus on the board, pretending to admire its design. It really was a beautiful surfboard. âSoâI wanted to say thank you.â
His blue eyes pierced through you as if that was even possible. JJ didnât say anything to make the moment heavier, just nodded. For several seconds, neither of you spoke. Realizing the air had gotten heavier, you shifted your tone to something more casual. âI could drive you home if you want.â
You werenât the kind of person to offer, but making him carry a surfboard all the way home felt cruel.
JJ opened his mouth to respond, but a car horn blared from down the street. Both of you turned toward the sound. Outside the car, John B and Kiara were leaning against it, with Pope, Cleo, and Sarah visible through the windows. Pope waved at JJ from where he hung halfway out of the window.
When Sarahâs eyes met yours, you instinctively tugged at your shirt. There wasnât anything visible, but stillâyou felt uneasy. âWow,â you said, feigning amusement. âYour entourage is here.â
JJ hesitated, looking momentarily torn. Finally, he sighed, a guilty smile creeping onto his face. His gaze dropped to your hand still fidgeting with your shirt. For a split second, it seemed like he wanted to grab your hand, to stop you.
âNothingâs showing,â he said, his eyes lingering on your waist. You knew that, but the idea of anyone finding out still terrified you. Especially someone from Rafeâs family. He didnât want them to know, and neither did you. Thatâs why you felt the need to be extra cautious around Sarah and Wheezie.
âI know. Itâs justââ You stopped, shutting your eyes briefly before opening them again. It was paranoia, but understandable. âRelax. No one knows, I swear.â His hand almost reached out to your arm, but he stopped, remembering his friends were watching from the car.
âGo,â you said, shrugging. You composed yourself. âLooks like youâve got a ride after all.â You smiled.
JJ paused for a beat, then flashed a crooked smile. He hated the awkwardness lingering between you. âIf this board isnât as good as you said, youâre getting an earful. Iâll call you.â He walked backward, teasing. You couldnât help but chuckle at his words.
As you walked toward your front door, you noticed his movements slow. He stopped, turned, and looked back at you. It was like heâd remembered something heâd forgotten to do. Placing the surfboard down gently, his eyes briefly darted away from yours.
Then he walked up to you and stopped right in front of you. After a brief, silent pause, you felt his arms wrap around you. Was he⊠hugging you? Seriously? The gesture caught both of you off guard. Youâd never imagined this kind of closeness. But then again, you hadnât imagined buying him a surfboard either. So, it didnât feel wrong. If buying him a gift made you feel this close, then it wasnât strange that heâd feel close enough to hug you.
You returned the gesture, wrapping your arms around him. His grip was firm, and the scent of salt and ocean filled your senses. How did he always smell so much like the sea?
The hug was short, but both of you felt the strangeness of it. Once againâyou felt like youâd crossed a line. Broken some unspoken rule.
JJ shrugged as he pulled back. âYeah, thatâs it. See you, uh⊠whatever.â
You took a deep breath, watching him stand there. You hated goodbyes. You were going to miss this island, and nowâ
âYeah⊠goodbye.â You pushed your hair behind your shoulders, trying to steady your voice. You didnât understand why you felt like you were losing a friend. Like you were going to⊠miss him?
Stop. Donât even think about it.
JJ nodded, picking up the surfboard as he walked toward the car. You watched him for a moment before turning to the front door and stepping into your car. Through the windshield, you caught a glimpse of Kiara muttering something to Sarah. Whatever she was saying, you couldnât hear.
When JJ got into the car, he paused, lowering his head for a brief moment before looking outside again.
He mouthed something to the group. Not to you, but to the friends in the car. âJust shut up.â
When he gave you a quick nod, you returned it before starting your car. Watching them drive off, you felt a strange mix of relief and melancholy. Youâd thanked JJ, and that was all you wanted. It was done.
Except for the quiet ache of losing a friend.
Youâd left only a few clothes back at the house on the island. The furniture and everything else stayed in your room. Your parents insisted the room remain untouchedâthey wanted you to know there was still a home for you there. They even promised not to change a thing.
The first few months were bound to be hard; you knew that. Living alone was going to take some getting used to. But you hoped itâd all be worth it when you finally held your baby.
Now, you were sitting on the couch in your new place, sipping a green smoothie. Youâd have given anything for a coffee, but pregnancy meant sacrifices. A little caffeine might not hurt, but you didnât want to risk it. The smoothie was healthy, though it tasted awful.
It had only been six days since the move. Youâd allowed yourself time to explore the area, taking walks around the quiet streets. Your parents had offered to stay with you for a few days, but you politely declined. You wanted to settle in on your own. Leaning on their warmth and presence only to have it ripped away later would have made the loneliness worse. You couldnât let that happen.
Morning sickness had eased enough for a few walks, so youâd wandered the calm streets near your house. Quiet, orderly, nothing like Outer Banks. You couldnât help but compare the two. Everything here was different. The people, the lifestyleâit all felt so structured and tame. But a part of you missed the chaos of the island. The freedom. The absurdity of going to the store in a bikini without anyone batting an eye. That tight-knit community where everyone knew each otherâs names.
Youâd visited the local park a few times. It was rarely crowded, and you hadnât met anyone yet. By the time you arrived, most of the adults and kids were just beginning to trickle in.
So, here you were: your own place. Did that make you an adult?
How did adults even make friends? Scratch thatâhow did anyone past a certain age make friends? As a kid, it was easy. Just ask someone to play with you, and that was it. Middle school? Same thing.
But now? You didnât know a soul here. What were you supposed to do? Walk up to someone and introduce yourself?
Terrifying thought.
Still, maybe worth trying, right?
-
Socializing wasnât supposed to feel like this.
Your eyes scanned the parkâs scenery. The leaves rustled gently in the breeze, and birds chirped in the branches above. A group of kids played in a sandbox, their laughter mingling with the faint sounds of distant traffic.
You clasped your hands over your stomach, exhaling deeply. âMaybe this is good for me,â you thought.
But the whole idea still felt horrifying. Sitting at home wouldâve been worse, though. At least you were out, breathing fresh air.
Introducing yourself to someone, though? Out of the question. No anxiety attacks, but your chest tightened just thinking about it. No, youâd just sit and enjoy the park for a bit. That would be enough.
Your gaze dropped to the book in your lap: Healthy Nutrition and Development During Pregnancy. You fiddled with the corner of its cover. Would someone else find this funny? Carrying a guidebook instead of a novel wasnât something even you wouldâve expected a few months ago. But here you were, on the verge of a whole new chapter. Screw what anyone thoughtâyou were preparing for your future.
Suddenly, the bench shifted slightly as someone sat down beside you. The movement snapped you out of your thoughts. You glanced up to find a middle-aged woman with an energetic demeanor. Her dyed-blond hair revealed a hint of gray at the roots, and a steaming coffee cup rested in her hands.
âUgh, I hope I can finish this before it goes cold,â she muttered to herself before calling out to the playground. âTati! No running, sweetheart!â
She waved toward the child before turning back to you with a wide smile.
âLovely day, isnât it?â she chirped.
You gave her a polite smile, nodding. âIt is,â you replied, subtly shifting your book closer to your lap. Her eyes flicked to the book in your hands, narrowing slightly as if trying to make out the title. âIs that a⊠guidebook?â she finally asked.
You tilted your head slightly. âYes,â you said simply, hoping thatâd be enough to end the conversation.
âA pregnancy guide?â she pressed, her curiosity accompanied by a cheerful smile that didnât quite reach her eyes. âHow sweet! Helping out a sister or expecting a niece?âOh, where are my manners? Iâm Viola.â
Her question caught you off guard. You hesitated briefly before giving your name. âUh, no. Itâs for me,â you said with a small smile.
Her expression shifted instantly. Her eyes widened, her grin turning stiff and awkward. âFor you? OhâŠâ
You nodded, feeling heat creep up your cheeks. She had seemed friendly at first, but the subtle judgment on her face now was impossible to ignore.
âHow far along?â she asked, as if the question was perfectly natural.
âSixteen weeks,â you mumbled, pretending to smooth the bookâs pages. The weight of her gaze made your skin crawl.
âAh, so young,â she murmured, taking a long sip from her coffee. When she lowered the cup, her eyes lingered on you, as though dissecting every detail. âHow old are you, if you donât mind me asking?â
âTwenty,â you replied, keeping your tone neutral but feeling the words land heavier than you intended. You watched her eyebrows knit together as she took a sharp breath.
âTwenty? You look barely old enough to drive!â she exclaimed, clearly not trying to be subtle. Then, almost conspiratorially, âBut⊠you must be married, right?â
Your hands instinctively moved to rest on your stomach, but you hesitated to respond. The silence must have been answer enough because her eyes flicked from your belly back to your face.
âOh,â she said knowingly, her smile tightening further. âSo⊠is the father still in the picture?â
What was this, an interrogation?
You swallowed the lump forming in your throat. Was it the tone of her voice? Or the audacity of her questions? Whatever it was, it stung. âThatâs not something I need to discuss with you,â you said firmly, fighting to keep the frustration out of your voice.
Viola shrugged, but her scrutinizing look didnât waver. âFair enough. But raising a baby at your age, and without⊠well, you know. Itâs going to be tough. Donât you think this was a bit⊠impulsive?â
Her words hit like a cold wind. You tightened your grip on your stomach and tilted your head slightly. âThatâs none of your business,â you said, your voice harder now.
Viola didnât back down. âYes, maybe youâre right. But people talk, sweetheart. And usually, they judge the ones they think made the wrong decisionsâŠâ She paused, pursing her lips. âWell, they judge.â
That was all you needed to hear. You tucked your book under your arm like you were putting it in a bag, got up, and said, âI think itâs time for me to leave,â your tone colder than even you expected.
Viola raised a hand as if trying to smooth things over. âOh, I didnât mean to offend,â she said, but the look in her eyes betrayed the opposite. âIâm just saying this for your own good.â
You could shove your âthoughtsâ up your ass.
Turning on your heel, you walked toward the parkâs exit. The sound of her coffee cup being placed on the bench and her murmuring words echoed behind you. A fresh start sounded nice, you thought. But a new beginning wasnât a guarantee of escaping old judgments.
There was no way you were going out to socialize again anytime soon. You hated that woman. With every fiber of your being. The way she judged you with that smug little brain of hersâit made your blood boil. You had no memory of how you even made it back home.
You made yourself some hot cocoa, hoping it would calm your nerves. Honestly, lying flat in the grass wouldnât have been enough to shake off the anger at this point.
Even though you tried to distract yourselfâknowing full well that stress wasnât good for the babyâit wasnât working. The incident replayed in your mind on a loop. You were certain youâd shiver every time you walked past that park again.
Who did she think she was, anyway? How could someone pass judgment on a stranger like that? The sheer audacityâit was baffling.
The sound of your phone notification pulled you out of your spiraling thoughts. Glancing over, you reached for the phone resting on the couch.
You waited for a reply, but when nothing came, you set the phone down again. At least one of you was having a good day. Even though you felt like you were on the verge of exploding, you took a deep breath, trying to steady yourself.
The sudden ring of your phone startled you. You looked over, eyes narrowing slightly in surprise. JJ Maybank was calling you. Right now.
Pressing the phone to your ear, you grabbed the half-full cocoa mug from the table with your other hand. You werenât going to drink it anymore. You were too annoyed to even think about washing it, but you figured you could at least move it somewhere out of sight. JJâs voice came through the speaker, and despite everything, a small smile crept onto your face. For all his antics, he was a decent guy.
Heading toward the kitchen, you heard the cheerfulness in his voice as he began, âUsed it this morning.â He was talking about the surfboard, excitement practically dripping from his words.
Frowning slightly, you placed the mug on the counter. This morning? Shouldnât he have been at work? âThis morning? Werenât you supposed to be at work?â
There was a brief pause before JJ let out a muffled laugh. âGot fired,â he said casually, like it was the most normal thing in the world. Honestly, with him, it kind of was. You couldnât help but laugh a little.
You werenât surprisedâof course, you werenât. With the phone still pressed to your ear, you wandered over to the window and glanced outside. âFigured,â you said, your voice laced with playful sarcasm.
JJ didnât miss a beat, his tone now teasingly accusatory. âWait a second. Did you bet on me?â
Smiling, you shook your head even though he couldnât see it, your attention momentarily caught by a cat wandering down the street. JJ cleared his throat, bringing you back. âNo, but I wish I had,â you said.
His response came in the form of a dramatic groan. âThatâs the meanest thing Iâve heard all week. Youâre better than this.â
You turned around and walked toward the kitchen, your tone a little sharper now. âGet used to it.â
JJ responded immediately, his voice carrying a hint of challenge. âNever,â he shot back. Then, after a brief pause, his tone softened, but he added a teasing edge. âPregnancy hormones have turned you into a completely different person. And itâs only been six days.â
The way he always knew how to push your buttonsâand somehow make you smile instead of snapâwas maddening. You found yourself tapping the corner of the table with your fingers, a habit you didnât even notice until it happened. âI take pride in that,â you said, a playful grin tugging at your lips.
JJ came back stronger, more confident this time. âHey, do you think itâs the hormones, or is it because you havenât seen my handsome face for six whole days?â There was that familiar cocky tone, but you could tell he was trying to make you laugh. âIâd bet everything itâs because you havenât seen my handsome face.â
âEven your surfboard?â you teased, your voice lifting just enough to show you were fully invested in the banter now. You moved toward the living room and dropped onto the couch, your gaze briefly flitting to the TV. But your attention was fully locked on JJ.
âNot a chance,â he replied instantly, almost defensive. âThe boardâs off-limits. Too precious.â
You chuckled, grabbing the nearby blanket and pulling it over your lap. âThen youâve lost everything except the surfboard,â you said, shaking your head in mock disapproval. JJâs laugh echoed through the phone, rich and warm, before he quipped, âYouâve been extra rude lately,â his voice carrying a mix of mock hurt and teasing amusement.
You didnât just roll your eyesâyou sank deeper into the couch, grabbing a pillow to prop yourself up. Of course, heâd called just to mess with you. Was he bored? Had he decided you were the best target for entertainment? âIâve always been like this,â you replied with a shrug he couldnât see.
âNope,â JJ shot back instantly, his tone softer but still certain. A brief silence followed, filled only by the sound of your own breathing, before he spoke again. This time, his voice was a little more sincere. âSo⊠howâs it going? Living alone and all?â
You didnât hate that he asked. Actually, it felt nice to talk to someone. As an adultâor whatever weird in-between phase you were inâsocializing wasnât exactly easy. It hadnât been easy on the island either, but at least that had been your choice. This wasnât.
You took a deep breath, realizing the question was harder to answer than youâd expected. âIt sucks,â you admitted finally, the honesty not surprising you in the slightest.
âWhy?â JJâs voice was softer now, laced with just enough concern to feel genuine but not suffocating. It was like he always knew how to navigate these moments without overstepping. And honestly, it was strangeâgood strange.
You tried to sort through the chaos in your head. âI donât know,â you said with a faint sigh. âI havenât really connected with anyone. I donât know anyone here.â
JJ, ever the problem-solver in his own weird way, jumped in with his trademark ease. âThen make friends with the stray cats,â he said, that classic carefree tone of his bringing a smile to your face despite everything.
âI already have you,â you teased back, your voice dripping with sarcasm. âI couldnât possibly betray you.â
His laugh from the other end of the line was contagious. âNot funny.âÂ
Fidgeting with the edge of the blanket, you hesitated before mumbling, âAre you okay? How are you?â Somehow, over the phone, it felt easier to askâless intimidating than it wouldâve been face-to-face.
âIâm amazing,â JJ said, his voice taking on a flat, almost robotic tone that screamed deflection.
âYour ego is exhausting,â you retorted, matching his sarcasm. Why couldnât he just answer the question for once? Did everything have to be a game? âSeriously. How are you? After⊠you know, that day.â
JJ exhaled deeply, and when he finally spoke, his voice was quieter, almost reluctant. âI donât live with my dad anymore.â
You sat up straighter, grabbing the remote to lower the TVâs volume. âWait, really?â
âYeah,â he said simply, like it wasnât a big deal. âPacked up my stuff and left.â
It wasnât exactly shocking. In fact, you were relieved heâd done it. Knowing heâd been living with someone who hurt him was unbearable. But still, you couldnât stop your brow from furrowing. You couldnât shake the worry. âAre you staying with John B?â
JJâs silence was unexpected. You listened to the sound of his breathing, the faintest hitch before he finally answered. âKind of?â
âWhat does that mean?â Your voice sharpened with concern. Why was he dancing around the answer when he could just tell you?
JJ sighed again, his tone shifting as though heâd stepped further away from the phone. âThey donât know I left yet. And I donât want to talk about it.â
He hadnât told his closest friends? Why? They werenât the type to judge him. You didnât know them well, but you were sure of that much. It didnât make sense.
Even as your worry grew, you knew pressing him wasnât the right move. âSo where are you staying?â you asked cautiously.
JJâs tone hardened. âI said I donât want to talk about it.â There it wasâhis three-year-old tantrum mode. Did he really think people didnât have the right to worry about him? Idiot.
You pinched the bridge of your nose, already feeling your patience wearing thin. âAs your friend, Iâm allowed to be concerned about your safety, JJ. Just tell me where youâre staying.â
His tone shifted again, this time lighter, more teasing. âFriend, huh? Thatâs nice. Kook and Pogue forever.â
âShut it,â you snapped, your irritation clear. All you wanted was to know he was safe. âJust tell me already.â
JJ paused, then let out a soft laughâthe kind you knew was covering up something deeper. Even a toddler could tell. âI stayed with them for a few days. Been figuring it out since.â
You frowned. That wasnât a solution. âYou need to tell them,â you said gently.
He responded with the same stubbornness youâd come to expect, but his tone hinted at a smirk. âThis is my problem, princess.â Then, as if to shift the mood, he added, âThis is the first time weâve talked on the phone. Cute, right? Now, tell me about your day.â
Despite the worry gnawing at you, you relaxed just a little. He wouldnât be joking around like this if things were terrible⊠right?
You hoped so causeâJJ is your friend.
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Welcome back to lyssten to my rambles: Natlan Nagging. This isn't necessarily hate, I just wanna address and analyze a notion that I've seen around.
The argument of 'This natlan character design sucks and doesn't fit in Genshin' then the apparent answer to it is 'It's a fantasy game duhh'. I personally disagree, I think it's a shallow response that ignores alot of details.
Yes, genshin is a fantasy game. BUT there are rules that makes up a good fictional world, and that is consistency. Genshin has shit consistency obviously looking at the level of tech between each nation. But it IS consistent when isolated within nations alone.
Mondstadt's theme is traditional Germany. So the city has traditional buildings and no mechanical technology, the NPCs dress traditionally and use simple medieval tools, and the characters all use skills that fit the theme. Take Venti for an example, his design and kit communicates that he is a medieval bard which fits the theme of Mondstadt, seeing him move in Mondstadt amongst its people is not out of place.
So what I'm saying here is 'consistency' means the world, NPCs, and character must be within theme of the nation.
Another example. Sumeru's theme is middle eastern, but more fantasy and technologically advanced. The buildings have grand middle eastern architechture, robots already exists here and NPCs have access to the knowledge/skills/magic to make them, the akasha and related tech are accessible for everyone. Let's take Alhaitham for example, he dresses with Sumerian patterns, his skills looks similarly like the existing akasha technology. He is in theme with the nation and see him walking amongst Sumerian people is not out of place.
So what I mean when Natlan characters doesn't look like they came from Genshin is that they are not in theme with Natlan's established themes. Natlan itself is a jumbled mesh of 20 million cultures, but the general theme they were probably going for is tribal civilizations. (Bear with my generalization)
Take Mualani as a GOOD example of an in theme character:
She came from the People of the Springs. It's a Hawaiian (correct me if I'm wrong) themed location. It looks traditional, sail boat like buildings and huts, no visible mechanical technology, has simple magic mechanisms (spiritwave, koholasaurus). Massive tourism spot (Hawaii influence).
The NPCs are all dressed like how people who live by water would dress. They don't use mechanical tools. They are surfers, fishers, or tour guides. They are all relatively much more happy and kinder to guests since they are in a tourism spot. They all can use spiritwaves and koholasaurus.
Mualani herself dress similarly like her people. Very much extroverted since she is a tour guide. Her skills are pool floaties and a surf board. Her design communicates she is a peppy surfer girl. She can move within the People of the Springs and she does not look out of place. She is in theme.
I can complain about her all I want but when I look at her and watch her move. I see People of the Springs. That's it. I see her and she fits the world and people.
Now take Mavuika as an out of theme character
Since she is an Archon she doesn't have any specific tribe's symbols. So the 'world' she must belong in is Natlan in its entirety, aka tribal civilizations + extra fantasy magic tech. Still the architechture is very traditionally tribal with rough stone houses, huts, and tapestries. There IS mechanical technology but it is used sparringly (DJ booth, weapons the enemies wield, etc). Besides that it's all traditional. And much more emphasis on magic and rituals.
The NPCs while they came from different tribes has the same base of clothing styles with minor differences. They all wear clothes with 'tribal markings'. They all have access to their respective saurian and magic mechanisms. They all have access to the basic tech we've seen. They have access to the 'special magic' too (Like being an ancient name smith (or other important roles isn't JUST for playable characters)
Mavuika doesn't dress like any of them. She doesn't look like she'd fit in with her people, hell she barely fits in with the more exaggerated playable characters. When I look at her I see biker, I don't see Natlanese, I don't see important Natlanese. Her bike doesn't look like it came from any existing technology in Natlan. There's ROBOTS in Natlan and her bike doesn't look like it came from the same design origins.
'Oh Lyss it's because it's her signature thing she created out of her element-' CHASCA'S GUN looks more in theme than Mavuika's bike, it looks like it's made from Natlanese tech.
IN A VACUUM WHERE MAVUIKA ISN'T IN NATLAN she looks sick as hell. In NATLAN she looks like a 5th descender. THE POINT OF THIS ARGUMENT IS NOT THAT SHE IS UGLY, THE POINT IS SHE DOES NOT LOOK LIKE SHE IS FROM NATLAN AND GENSHIN HAS NEVER BROKEN CHARACTER THEME THIS BADLY BEFORE.
'Well archons are supposed to be special cases so they stand out-'
Ei doesn't look like a twitch streamer does she? Zhongli doesn't look like a book store owner in 1990s britain does he? Furina doesn't look like a 2020s Hollywood actor does she? They don't need to break their own theme and culture to stand out.
'Are you saying we cant incorporate X in Y culture at all? That's racist-'
There is a certain deviation from theme that people are willing to tolerate before the immersion break. ESPECIALLY when you use an existing culture as a design reference, people can TELL when it goes overboard. You do NOT mix and match culture without consistensy. Incorporate whatever the hell you want and mesh 20 million cultures all you want. But make the deviation consistent for every aspect. World. NPC. Character.
Because what makes Genshin stands out is the cultural details of its nations and characters. Without it then it's a standard gacha game spewing out whatever random character with insert trendy detail here. And that really upsets me because the cultural design is one of the reasons I stayed in Genshin.
#ok i went off here#please do uh tell me if im being racist or something#im just looking at this through a world building lense and not cultural#i also just think its stupid to excuse inconsistency with 'iTs FaNtAsY'#like... no... worlds dont work like that#lyssten to my rambles
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What made you decide to make your online persona, avatar or whatever itâs called a cat? Was there a reason, or is it just because cats are adorable? Just curious.
WELL to be honest it started with some friends I had that INSISTED I make a [cough cough] fursona [cough]
Now I don't consider myself a part of the furry community in the slightest and never had any "anthropomorphic" characters before - so when they asked I just came up with this goober on the fly. She actually USED to be a fully fledged black cat before I void-ified her đ
Here's what she used to look like!
But I eventually simplified her design more and decided to start calling her a "Void Cat" :3 I knew I wanted to go with a cat because my irl name is actually "Kathleen" (Kat for short!) and I love black cats sooooo it only seemed fitting đŒ
Plus making her more simple-looking fit more with her/my personality. Which is just being kind of a dumb little menace sometimes đ
(plus it's a lot more fun to draw goofy expressions on her design now heheheh)
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Again, since Sin Resources are even in-text described as feelings the Sinners themselves feel (from Sign of Roses observation log, describing the mechanic of sapping Sin Resources: "It was like some⊠emotion in me was getting snapped in half." and "Everyone told me that it was as though the bottledâup feelings inside them were melting away.") I don't see how it can be argued to be coming from anyone else other than Gregor himself.
The reason why it's possible for the Lust to "come from his arm" rather than specifically Gregor himself is because, despite his perception of it being otherwise, they are both still inherently part of one being. After all, his arm is a PTSD allegory - even if he may see it as him not being himself when in the middle of reliving his trauma, it is still a part of him. This does not apply with Hermann - a completely different person with seperate feelings and experiences.
There is currently no precedent for a situation where someone's E.G.O requires the feelings and experiences to come from a Completely Different Person. You'd have to have a really good reason for such a massive break from the rules and conventions to happen, especially when E.G.O are as a concept so inherently tied to the very self using them, to the point where E.G.O of the same abnormality can represent vastly different things for different people. It's a leap in logic that I simply can't stand by when the explanation of Lust coming from Gregor himself, just simply a part of himself that he wishes to be divorced from, is much more fitting with established lore and still explains why he can't fuel it himself.
I never disagreed with you on the fact of emotional and spiritual fulfillment being a part of Lust - it very much is so. But to say it has nothing to do with the idea of base desires at all is to actively ignore a massive amount of visual motives, design choices, and narrative points.
Base desires in this case aren't just, as you put it, "cannibalistic eating and fucking". Human connection could be said to be a base desire in the context of Limbus's narrative as well - aren't so many stories in Project Moon's world focused on how people will form relationships and care for one another even when the world actively stands in their way and punishes them for it? Humans are inherently social creatures after all.
Isn't that the point of Heathcliff's Lust, that his wish to connect with Catherine is so strong that he's willing to do anything to earn her back? Isn't that why for Erlking that Lust is replaced with Gloom, since he has fully abandoned that wish and instead is focused on destroying every Heathcliff that contributed to hurting Catherine? You could argue this Lust counts as emotional fulfillment too, but it's certainly no "higher goal" - it's a simple base desire of being cared for and to care for another, born in a household where such care was actively witheld.
Also the interpretation that Bloodfiends somehow seek out "enkephalin" is just. Straight up wrong and I have no idea where you got it from SFGHGF. We know Enkephalin comes from the central nervous system, Faust says so in Canto 1: "Enkephalin can only be extracted from the brain and the spinal nerves." It has no connection to blood whatsoever.
The Bloodfiends explicitly need Blood, the difference here however is that it's not a literal physical need - it's a conceptual one. It's not that the Blood they consume is Literally Consumed For The Emotions Held Within, but rather that, conceptually, to them Blood is everything they are. It's the culmination of their being - their feelings, ambitions, worth, reasons for existence. Without Blood, there is no Bloodfiend, because on a conceptual level it's the only thing their self is. It's a base need inherent to them as beings on an abstract level.
It works similarly to how Mermaids are formed through their human selves becoming one with the Whale that digests them, down to the conceptual level where it becomes impossible to tell where the human the Mermaid used to be ends and where the Whale it is now a part of begins. Or how many Singularities work by directly interacting with abstract concepts rather than physical reality, like K Corp's Tears bringing things back to a conceptual "previous state" and thus requiring to be processed with an idea, a concept of what that previous state even is in the first place to be able to work properly.
The connection between Lust and Addiction is explicitly made through the Mirror Dungeon floor packs - one of the Lust-themed floor packs has the name "Addicting Lust". Also, while Gregor does smoke, he is never actively pointed out to be smoking as much as Ryoshu does - someone who is consistently called out for being a chainsmoker to the point Vergilius only ever refers to her when telling people to not smoke on the bus. When Gregor is shown to smoke, it's primarily done in response to negative emotions - he's stress smoking, a Gloom-tinted action rather than Ryoshu's Lust-tinted chain addiction, which she does so frequently and unconditionally that she knows the exact time it takes her to finish a cigarette.
Goddammit the two-in-one theory is even supported by GAMEPLAY MECHANICS
HONG LU'S BASE ID IS SPLIT BETWEEN RUPTURE AND SINKING
Yuuup. I haven't mentioned it on here but yup.
Fun fact, he's the only Base Identity who uses two of the Major Status Effects rather than the usual one!
And just to add to it in case you think that doesn't matter - Faust is the only Base Identity who doesn't inflict any Major Status Effect, and we know she usually sees herself as more of a vessel for the Gesselschaft than a seperate person herself.
So clearly, there has to be Something to it.
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I will say I do really like Operettaâs collector doll, but is it just me or does she kinda look like a fancy playline doll rather than a skullector doll??
Like I love her, donât get me wrong! She just looks kinda plain compared to the other collector dolls weâve had imo.
#monster high#personally I LIKE that her design is more simple#I feel like that kinda fits her vibe tbh#I just wasnât expecting such a simple design for a skullector doll lol
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heavenly virtues - medical malpractice, 1st degree murder, and breaking and entering
#zeno's art#ocs#original characters#reassassination#dr savory#octavia#emery onion reliquary#lets go over their designs!!!! yay!!!!!#starting with savory - a lot has changed but not that much#he's far taller and lankier than he was before and his hair is darker purple underneath rather than green#those were just cosmetic changes to bring more personality to his silhouette and improve focus on his face#otherwise - the shape of the hair highlight changed (from ovals to an X) as did the shoes (no more broken chain on his boot đ)#and also i tried to make his face look older because he looked out of place compared to other characters around his age#really just small changes. his design is quite simple so there isnt much to majorly overhaul#for octavia once again there are both many and not that many changes#shes spiker than ever her face shape changed and so did the shape of her limbs#also those weird little red thingies on her hair are gone. never actually liked them that much#also i just wanna say - octavia's skirt has an X on it to signify that savory made it because all his stuff has X's also#onion had the most changes. most importantly - they do not have a nose anymore#(thats just stylisation dont worry they have a nose)#but anyway their shapes have become more defined and they have freckles now!!! yay!!!!#god i really dont have much to say do i . ummmm these are the final designs and most likely the ones that will show up in the actual comic#when i finally write past chapter 1 o_o#ok bye sorry for all that waffle#i also drew up some other designs but they're spoilers
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i have finished watching g-witch and Belmeria is person I relate the most to.
#she has no strengh to admit her wrongs and act to redeem herself#and i love it because i usually feel the same way#feel like i dont have any choice rather than follow other people orders... and its not truth but it usually feels really limiting#because standing for myself is not the immediate option my brain suggests for me#even though she has a criminal record for conducting experiments on humans she doesnt see herself as villain#but she doesnt think her actions are good so... as long as she gets no punishment she proceeds doing questionable things she was assigned 4#because she believes she is under control of people with more power and thats how hierarchy works#i like her little bravery in ep 23... in danger she tossed off her anxious beliefs and broke from chains of helplessness she created hersel#i like her character a lot because she has a weak personality and she is an adult who lived like this for a long time...#its not like the anime tells 'its okay to be weak' because no one actually tells her that (some charas get annoyed even)#its more like anime allows us to see that adults can be irresponcible too..they can be full of anxiety and fear... and its not good for the#but they exist like this... and they can do better if only there was situations or people that could help them gain more confidence#sorry i have so many thoughts about her. thanks for coming to my ted talk#gundam the witch from mercury#mobile suit gundam the witch from mercury#the witch from mercury#belmeria winston#my art#also big thumbs up for her design... its simple and she feels like a really tired woman who gives no attention to her exterior.. i love it
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ch. 436
#konan#and nagato#man i.....just have to post the entire panel#because it gets me in a way you can't understand#this is the first time we see nagato as an adult and he is looking Bad. like real bad#look at him. the exposed ribs. the cheekbones. the thin frail arms#but of course look at the Fucking machine#i love that design man it rocks. it's sturdy and menacing and it is DEFINITELY a walker given the way it has leg-like things on the sides#and i also love the chakra receptors on his back. like it gives him some kind of unholy halo or wings do you get me.#nagato is to me the perfect image of the âman who became godâ phenomenon#and now on to konan which is the cherry on top of this pic#it's the way she's touching the side of the machine in an affectionate way. konan loves nagato. she loves him a lot. he is her only friend.#and he is the only reason why she even bother staying in akatsuki!! i have no doubt that she is some kind of caregiver to him#given his frail health and that is personally a very important thing to me the mod.#there is so much love behind that simple gesture. this is one of my favorite panels Ever.#there is a sentence that more or less goes like âgod is your best friendâ#konan doesn't sees nagato as a god like the ame citizens do. she sees her friend.#ok im done
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trying not to go crazy and start killing people every time i see another mane 6 redesign post
#I MEANNNNNN. i think its fun sometimes but bruhhhhh when they change their designs completely.. U HATE THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!#ive said this 1000 times sorry im a hater and proud#im also a hater bc i dont like the rat style tails ppl give the unicorns. i just dont sorry LOLL#i think it can be fun to give them accessories and stufff but also they do... have stuff like that in the show.#like its redundant to be like 'i gave rarity clothes to show her as a designer' when she very often wears clothes anyways#its just its her base design.#to me it feels like when ppl go 'ermmm how come this cartoon character always wear the one outfit' completely ignoring animation and#character design principles.#also this is a personal nitpick but when ppl give rd short hair and stuff likeee. part of what i like abt her deisgn is shes still 'girly'#even tho she has more traditionally masc interests etc. same w aj#like its very basic ideas abt gender but idk for the type of show it is i think its cool to show u can be both#also nitpick again. they never include spike or starlight . WHERE ARE MY POOKIESSSS.#the only good redesign concepts ive seen r when they turn the mane 6 into bg pony designs. thats funnn#otherwise its not rlly... redesign. its just ur hcs#which is fine but dont phrase it like that just for the Algorithmmmmmmm. u can just say 'i like to imagine twily wears glasses'#u dont have to be like 'ermmm well to show shes a nerd i gave her glasses unlike the original design'#which is just kinda funny#ironically moon dancer is literally how 90% of twily 'redesigns' look#also yes. dark purple twilight looks cool. BUT ITS NOT AS READABLE OR MARKETABLEEEEEEE#they r pastels bc it is little kids show. they r simple designs so kids can draw them easy#also when ppl make rd dark like a storm cloud even tho she is not even. associated with storms RAARAGHHHHHH[KILLING PPL]#SHE IS A BRIGHT SUNNY SKY AND A RAINBOWWWWWWWWWW BC OF THE MAGICCCC. NOT BC OF ACTUAL RAIN/STORMS#might also be a huge hater bc im not so much of a fan of xeno designs in general buttttt. whatever#whatever. one dauy i will end up making my own mane 6 interpretations and u all can throw rocks at me
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Master and Apprentice Lightsabers
Jedi Master Rejna ShĂșl
â Components â
blade: Blue emitter: Diligence switch: Persistence grip: Temperance pommel: Persistence
â Materials â
primary: Silver Aloy secondary: Stainless Durasteel accent: Jedi White Paint grip: Gorraslug Leather
Jedi Padawan Imogen Kol
â Components â
blade: Green emitter: Temperance switch: Serenity grip: Diligence pommel: Justice
â Materials â
primary: Two-Tone Brass secondary: Stainless Durasteel accent: Polished Iron grip: Gorraslug Leather
#oc insp: imogen kol#oc insp: rejna shĂșl#back on my lightsaber bullshit again#but the survivor customization is too damn good#as soon as I settled on Imogen's primary hilt I knew I eventually had to design her padawan one and also Rejna's#Imogen's design is still a little elegant but I wanted it to be more reserved and almost simple#like when she constructed it she didn't try to make it unique or put much of her personality into it#in a lot of ways she wasn't happy with her lightsaber. but it was functional. got her through the war. she killed Rejna w it.#but that's all it was good for#the lightsaber she has now is very much a weapon she's attached to and works WITH instead of just uses as a tool.#Rejna's reflects her perfectly and while I mostly pick components based on appearance#Diligence/Persistence/Temperance.... are exactly the three words I'd chose to describe her
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angie is... surprisingly annoying to design clothes for? cause as angel it isnt too bad just fancy suits usually with yellow worked in. but her casual outfits are hard to make look nice and distinct cause she just wear tanktops and the occasional band tee for smth youve never heard of
#she and luci actually dress pretty similarly with more sporty casual clothing#but i worry less about luci's clothes cause uhh id never admit to forgetting to develop a character but um luci is kinda on the backburner#but angie! i love her so dearly i want her casual clothes to look good#but an in universe joke that shes a fashion major but she dresses like someone's deadbeat dad#also i just dont think she's an accessories person so i cant do that#i guess i focus on her hair? should probably figure out a way to draw it more consistently#its gone through a few changes design wise so im pretty rough with drawing it still#ooo maybe some cool sneakers#maybe a few patches on her pants? to be the opposite of geist#geist has complicated shirt designs but simple pants so angie can have a simple shirt but complicated pants#and then adam has simple clothing but wears more accessories#and bianca! umm i need to fix her outfit to look nicer still#but also her not fitting into the group as nicely design wise would make sense#although actually bianca kinda brings it in with the hair maybe? since she has white hair + the bow she always has#maybe that makes sense#shout out to anyone who reads all this and sees my live design process#klepto talks to himself#klepto rants about ocs
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Adding a new hero or princess to the cast introduces a whole new variable. Much like when TotK was released, it would have taken something extraordinary and mind-blowingly inspiring for me to make such a big change to LU. As for EoW, while it was a fun and memorable adventure through Hyrule, it didnât quite reach the level needed to be a permanent part of LU. I really like this Link, but the storyâs simplicity and lack of a first/second-person perspective make it hard to build on. Plus, this game is more about Zelda than Link, and if anyone were to be featured, it would be her. While EoW may not be groundbreaking, itâs still a charming and significant part of the Zelda universe. Iâd love to give this Zelda a special role in LU later in the story. Either a special guest, a cameo or some sort of significant contribution to LU.
That said, Iâve already redesigned her for LU, and since sheâs not a major character in the cast, Iâm excited to share her now!
Design thought prosses: Most of the girls in LU havenât been revealed yet, but some embrace their royal identity in their attire. This Zelda gave me the chance to redesign a princess without the usual regal aesthetics. Similar to zelda's blue maiden dress and Skyloft outfit this outfit was to have a more humble look that blends into everyday commoner attire. But In contrast, SS Zelda is vibrant, with Skyloft giving off a feeling of saturated, contrasting colors, much like their avian companions. EoW, however, has a more wholesome, toy-like style, and I wanted her design to reflect more light pastels with calmer saturations. Also the art style it'self in EoW and LA remake is very simple, a redesign didn't need much embellishments. I think after focusing on drawing the boys for so long, I was excited to explore delicate youthful femininityâso I went with a cutesy vintage-doll meets cottagecore mood board to set her look.
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my smp character!!!
#i love her alreadyyyyy im gonna learn how to draw ppl just to draw her i swear#rly happy with the horns in the drawing. i'm they're simple shapes but they feel like they have weight idk#sassy speaks#incubus in the origins mod way. a being made to serve a dark entity#i'd assume that's usually a person but i thought the nether being something malevolent would be more interesting#hydrogen jellyfish are from the betternether mod! they're rly pretty i knew i wanted to fit them into the design somehow#my ocs#she doesn't have a name yet i need to pick one#i feel like maybe it should be one i actually go by but also it'd be fun to give her something new hmmmm#my art
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ultimate IT girl guide
a guide to looking effortlessly perfect
"Youâve got the false narrative of a girl who spends 30 seconds on her appearance, when, in fact, you probably spent hours.â
1. basic hygiene:
having clean teeth and good breath
smelling good 24/7. i highly recommend finding a signature scent as a scent is associated with memory, id suggest something sweet yet not too overpowering like vanilla.
being clean in general. regularly shaving and exfoliating your skin to get rid of bodily hair and dirt that accumulates on your skin to make your skin glow.
clean nails. having clean and maintained nails (with a simple design if you wish) looks better than having acrylics that are wayyy too long and appear tacky.
2. hair :
having smooth healthy hair looks much better than dry and damaged hair. take care of your hair by finding the best products for your natural hair. get rid of your split ends as they make the hair appear really damaged.
in my opinion, loose waves look the most effortless yet pretty. but donât ruin your natural hair by applying too much heat! you can try heatless styling methods to achieve this look.
3. diet and exercise :
being toned is the way to go to fit this aesthetic
avoid oily foods or sugary foods that damage your skin. donât completely get rid of these as we all have our cravings, but try your best to avoid it
find a workout plan that works best for you, keeps you healthy but doesnât burn you out! moreover exercise releases endorphins that improve your mood.
4. makeup and skin care :
natural makeup on clear skin fits this effortless aesthetic perfectly!
take care of your skin by finding a routine that fits you the best, consult with a dermatologist for the best results.
having smooth, blended makeup creates an illusion that you arenât wearing any at all! this appears much effortless than a full face. also try to avoid those really huge false lashes that make you look tacky.
maintain your eyebrows and find a shape that fits you best!
5. outfits :
having a signature style which suits your body type is essential. experiment until you can find what suits you best! you can use a body analysis app for this.
wearing outfits youâre confident in, hot but not too revealing goes a long way. confidence is key. wearing overly revealing clothing might seem like one is trying too hard, but if you can carry it with confidence then thatâs great!
jewellery : having dainty, signature pieces is key! find out which suits you better (gold or silver) through an ai analysis and invest in timeless pieces. personally, i think minimalistic pieces such as solitaires, simple pendants, classic hoops etc. look much more effortless.
6. personality :
donât be too judgemental towards anyone as you donât know what theyâre going through and this makes you seem unapproachable
donât talk too much or overshare! this creates a mysterious aura which draws people to you more
confidence is key! posture is very important too, carry yourself with confidence and walk with your head held up high.
7. examples and references :
serena van der woodsen (gossip girl)
mia thermopolis (the princess diaries)
cher (clueless)
elle woods (legally blonde)
rory gilmore (gilmore girls)
robin scherbatsky (how i met your mother)
gigi hadid
#im just a girl#this is what makes us girls#girlblogging#manic pixie dream girl#tumblr girls#that girl#it girl#serena van der woodsen#gossip girl#gilmore girls#gigi hadid#clean girl#health & fitness#becoming that girl#self improvement#self development#fitness#fit girls#glow up#health and wellness#pink pilates princess#pink pilates girl#rory gilmore#effortlessstyle#effortlesselegance#effortlesschic#self love
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