#professor elemental fan art

[misterparadigm]

A fun little project for my good friend, Professor Elemental.

#professorelemental #geoffrey #fanart #professorelementalfanart #fatherofinvention #apequest #giddylimit #indifferenceengine #skating

[aspenmissing]

ʜᴇʀᴇ ᴋɪᴛᴛʏ ᴋɪᴛᴛʏ

ᴊᴀʏᴄᴇ | ᴠɪᴋᴛᴏʀ | ᴊᴀʏᴠɪᴋ | ᴠᴀɴᴅᴇʀ | ꜱɪʟᴄᴏ | ᴊɪɴx || ꜰʟᴜꜰꜰ/ᴀɴɢꜱᴛ ||

8704 ᴡᴏʀᴅꜱ || ᴡᴀʀɴɪɴɢꜱ: ᴅɪꜱᴄʀɪᴍɪɴᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴀɢᴀɪɴꜱᴛ ꜱᴘᴇᴄɪᴇꜱ, ᴠɪᴏʟᴇɴᴄᴇ, ɪɴᴊᴜʀʏ

ꜱᴜᴍᴍᴀʀʏ: ᴏᴜʀ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀꜱ ɪɴᴛᴇʀᴀᴄᴛɪᴏɴ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴀ ᴠᴀꜱᴛᴀʏᴀ! ʏᴏᴜ

ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ | ᴊᴀʏᴄᴇ | ᴠɪᴋᴛᴏʀ | ᴠᴀɴᴅᴇʀ | ꜱɪʟᴄᴏ | ᴊɪɴx/ᴘᴏᴡᴅᴇʀ

JAYCE

Jayce had heard whispers about the new professor of Arts at Piltover Academy long before he’d ever seen her. The faculty was buzzing with excitement about her arrival, her reputation as an accomplished artist preceding her. But the one detail that caught his attention most was the fact that she’d come from an entirely different background—one that was described as both mystical and far removed from Piltover’s strict focus on science and progress. He hadn’t thought much about it, assuming it was just another eccentric professor, but his curiosity got the better of him.

When Jayce first walked past the door to the art classroom, he noticed the faint sound of brushes against canvas, the soft swish that was both rhythmic and calming. He paused, peering inside to see who was creating such an intricate sound. The door was slightly ajar, and inside, the room was filled with the scent of paints, the glimmer of sunlight filtering through the windows, and the tranquil yet focused air of someone deep in their craft.

There she was, the new professor, wearing a well-worn apron that hung loosely over her clothes, her fingers stained with a medley of bright colours. She was crouched over a piece on the canvas, her movements fluid and graceful, as though each stroke of the brush was an extension of herself. Jayce’s breath caught in his throat as he took in the sight of her—something about the way she moved, the way the fabric of her apron swished as she worked, seemed to echo something far deeper than art. It was as though the act of creation was woven into the very fibre of her being.

Her long hair, a deep mix of hues that reminded Jayce of a sunset, was tied back loosely, strands falling around her face as she worked with quiet intensity. Her tail—something he hadn’t noticed at first—was flicking behind her, the motions nearly hypnotic. She was completely engrossed in her work, yet there was an undeniable aura of calm that radiated from her, almost as though the room itself had come alive with her presence.

Jayce leaned against the doorframe, not wanting to interrupt but unable to tear his eyes away. He’d heard about her being a professor of the arts, but no one had mentioned the quiet elegance with which she carried herself, nor had they described the sheer focus she brought to her work.

"Professor Y/N?" Jayce called out after a moment, his voice cutting through the silence of the room, though it was softer than usual. He hadn’t intended to startle her, but his curiosity was getting the better of him.

Y/N slowly turned, her gaze meeting his for the first time. Her eyes were a striking amber that seemed to glow faintly in the light of the room. She blinked, her lips curling into a soft smile as if she hadn’t been surprised to find him standing there. The warmth of her expression gave him an immediate sense of ease, though his mind was still racing with questions.

"Ah, Jayce, I see you’ve found me," she said, her voice melodic, almost ethereal in its softness, as if each word held its own weight. She wiped her hands on her apron and straightened, stepping away from the canvas. "But please, Y/N is fine. I am not a fan of titles."

Jayce shifted, feeling slightly flustered—this was his own academy, and yet, in this moment, he felt entirely out of his element. “I didn’t mean to interrupt,” he began, his voice carrying the hint of apology. “I just... heard about you, and thought I’d come by and see your work for myself.”

Y/N tilted her head, her feline features accentuating the gesture. “Ah, you’ve heard the rumours then,” she said, her tone light, with a playful undercurrent that was as mysterious as it was captivating. “There’s no need to be shy. Art is meant to be shared, after all.”

Jayce stepped fully into the room, trying to act as though he wasn’t mesmerised by the scene before him. But the sight of her work—alive with vibrant colours, hues of blues, purples, and golds blending seamlessly—pulled him in. It wasn’t just a painting; it was a living, breathing piece of art, as though the canvas itself was in the midst of its own transformation. The unspoken power within it felt almost tangible.

“That’s incredible,” Jayce said before he could stop himself, stepping closer to take in the detail. “The colours... the blending. It’s not like anything I’ve seen before.”

Y/N smiled, the corners of her lips curling up with a mix of pride and amusement. “Thank you. It’s still a work in progress, but I find that’s often the way with art. It takes time to reveal itself, just like people do.”

The phrase stuck with him, stirring something deep within. Jayce’s mind raced with curiosity, wanting to ask a hundred questions—about her process, her background, the world she came from. There was something in the way she spoke, something in her choice of words that hinted at a depth of experience far beyond what he’d expected.

“I’ve heard you come from... quite a different background,” Jayce ventured carefully, the words slipping out before he could think them through. “From what I understand, you’re... not from Piltover?”

Y/N chuckled, the sound light and melodic, and her eyes sparkled with a knowing gleam. She moved toward the window, her gaze distant, as though she were seeing something far beyond the walls of the classroom. “Not exactly,” she said, her voice turning reflective. “I come from lands far beyond Piltover, where the magic of the world still flows freely. I’m here to teach art, but... I suppose I have much to learn about Piltover as well.”

Jayce’s eyes widened, and his pulse quickened at her words. He had heard whispers about distant lands, ancient magics, and secrets beyond the borders of Piltover. But hearing it from her—seeing the truth in her eyes—made it all feel so much more real. She wasn’t just a professor; she was a living connection to a world he had only ever dreamed of.

“I’d love to hear more about it,” Jayce blurted out before he could stop himself. “The magic, the lands you come from... I’m fascinated by the unknown.”

Y/N turned back to him, her gaze softer now, though still with that playful gleam. “Perhaps in time, Jayce,” she said with a sly smile. “After all, you’re not the only one who finds the unknown fascinating.”

A quiet challenge lingered in the air between them, unspoken but present. Jayce realised that, if he wanted to truly understand her—and the world she came from—he would need to open his mind beyond the rigid structure of science and logic that had always defined his thinking. There was more to learn here than he had anticipated.

“Well, I’ll certainly be attending your classes more often then,” Jayce said with a grin, his excitement and curiosity growing by the second. "I think I have a lot to learn from you, Y/N."

She gave a small nod, her smile widening as she returned to her canvas. “And I, you, Jayce.”

With that, their worlds—science, art, and magic—began to intertwine in ways neither of them had expected, each of them unknowingly stepping into the beginning of a shared journey that would challenge everything they thought they knew.

VIKTOR

Viktor had been wandering the streets of Zaun, more accustomed to the harshness of the city than he liked to admit. His young feet carried him down narrow alleyways, past discarded scraps and dim-lit corners. The air was thick with the stench of machinery and metal, the noise of industry surrounding him, but it was a strange hiss that caught his attention.

He froze, his heart skipping a beat. It was a familiar sound, like a cat in distress, but something felt different about it. Curiosity pushed him closer, his footsteps quiet on the cold cobblestones. With his cane tapping gently against the ground, Viktor moved carefully, the brace on his leg giving a subtle tug with every step. Turning a corner, he saw her: a small figure wrapped in a tattered blanket, her back hunched defensively. A group of stray mutts circled around her, their eyes glinting with hunger.

Viktor’s first instinct was to run—he had no love for dogs, much less the dangerous ones prowling the alleyways—but something held him in place. The girl was unlike anyone he had ever seen. Her hood was pulled low, but the way she moved, the slight hissing sounds she made, intrigued him.

The dogs lunged, their growls rising in the air, and Viktor’s heart raced. But before he could do anything rash, the girl hissed again, her body coiling, showing her sharp teeth. The animals hesitated, growling in response, but she was clearly in pain, defensive, cornered.

“Hey!” Viktor called out, taking a tentative step forward. “Leave her alone!”

With a quick, sharp motion, he threw a stone toward the mutts, distracting them for just a moment. It was enough. They scattered, growling their discontent but retreating into the shadows. Viktor took another step forward, his voice soft and steady.

“It’s okay... You’re safe now,” he said gently, kneeling down. His cane rested against the cobblestone as he balanced himself, careful not to startle the girl.

She flinched, pressing further into the corner, her large eyes filled with suspicion. She hissed again, the sound unnerving and primal. Viktor paused, his hands raised in a gesture of peace.

“I’m not going to hurt you,” he murmured, feeling a surge of empathy. "You're hurt." His gaze landed on her arm, where a deep gash had formed. It wasn't a fatal wound, but it looked painful.

She looked at him with a mix of fear and wariness, as though deciding whether to trust him or not. Viktor could sense the tension in her small body, her muscles coiled, ready to spring into action. He slowly reached into his satchel and pulled out a small piece of cloth. Gently, he approached her, not wanting to startle her further.

“I... I can help,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper, his fingers trembling slightly as he reached out to her injured arm. “It’ll stop the pain.”

At first, she recoiled, the hissing louder now, but Viktor remained still, showing no signs of aggression. He didn’t want to force her, just to offer help. Slowly, as though she had made a decision, the girl relaxed her body slightly, allowing him closer.

With careful hands, Viktor wrapped the cloth around the injury, doing his best to secure it. The girl winced but didn’t pull away, and Viktor smiled softly.

“There,” he said. “It’ll be okay now.” His voice was warm, comforting in the way only a child’s voice could be. “You don’t have to be alone.”

The girl, still cautious, looked up at him through the veil of her hood. Her eyes, deep and knowing, met his for the first time, and something in the moment shifted.

“I... I’m Viktor,” he added, his words soft and sincere.

The Vastaya girl didn’t respond, but for the first time, she didn’t seem afraid. She tilted her head, her ears twitching slightly as she studied him. In that brief, quiet moment, the two children shared a silent understanding, the beginnings of a bond formed in the heart of Zaun.

Viktor’s heart beat faster in his chest as the girl’s piercing gaze locked onto his. He couldn’t read her thoughts, but he felt a strange connection, like a spark igniting in the dark alley. The air between them seemed to hang in a fragile balance, thick with uncertainty and unspoken understanding.

For a long moment, they simply stared at each other. Viktor was acutely aware of the dim, flickering streetlights above, the distant sounds of the city carrying on as if nothing extraordinary had just happened. But in that quiet corner of Zaun, with the girl’s injury and the odd calm that had settled between them, it felt as though time had stopped.

Viktor shifted his weight, unsure of what to do next. He didn’t want to leave her alone—he didn’t even know why he cared so much. But something about her presence, the vulnerability in her eyes, tugged at him. She was so small, so different from him, yet he could sense she was capable of more than just surviving. She was something beyond human, something powerful, but there was an edge of rawness to her—something that spoke of pain and hardship.

After a long silence, the girl finally shifted, her movements hesitant. She glanced down at the cloth that Viktor had wrapped around her arm, and for a split second, he thought she might lash out. But she didn’t. Instead, she slowly reached up and pulled back her hood, revealing her full face. Her features were sharp, with feline-like eyes, golden in the dim light, and ears that twitched ever so slightly. She was a Vastaya, no doubt about it. Her skin, a faint shade of gray, was marred with cuts and bruises, but her eyes... her eyes held a world of untold stories, of loneliness, and something Viktor couldn’t quite name.

She looked at him with a strange mixture of confusion and curiosity. Despite her initial defensiveness, there was a softness there now, a flicker of trust in the way she regarded him. Viktor hesitated, unsure whether to push further or leave her to her own devices.

“I’m not going to hurt you,” he repeated gently, this time more earnestly. “I promise.”

The girl didn’t respond at first, but she slowly took a deep breath, her sharp teeth glinting in the weak light as she let out a long, calming hiss. It was a sound Viktor now recognised as a form of communication, one that told him she was settling down, at least for the moment.

“I can’t leave you like this,” Viktor said softly, his voice thick with a mix of determination and concern. “You need to get better.”

His words seemed to spark something in her. She blinked slowly, then leaned back against the wall, her gaze shifting to the ground, as if processing his offer. Viktor watched her closely, every second feeling like a fragile thread that could snap at any moment. She wasn’t just a wounded creature; she was something entirely different, something that didn’t belong in the streets of Zaun, a world that was harsh and unforgiving to those who weren’t human.

Suddenly, the girl spoke, her voice soft, rough around the edges as though she hadn’t used it in a while.

“Why... why help?” she asked, her words slow, as though trying to figure out if they were real. “No one... helps.”

Viktor swallowed, the weight of her words settling heavily in his chest. He couldn’t quite explain it, but something inside him, something that felt stronger than his fear or hesitation, made him want to protect her, to give her something she hadn’t had before—kindness.

“I don’t know,” Viktor admitted, his voice a whisper. “But I don’t think you should be alone. And you shouldn’t have to fight so hard just to survive.”

The girl, still warily watching him, slowly nodded as though considering his words. She shifted a little, the blanket wrapping around her tighter as though shielding her from the world around her. Viktor wasn’t sure if she was acknowledging his help or simply lost in her own thoughts, but he sensed that she was, at least, a little more willing to trust him.

“I’ll... find a way to help,” Viktor promised. “I’ll find a place where you can rest.”

The girl tilted her head again, as if trying to understand the boy’s intentions. But as she did, Viktor noticed something else—there was a faint glow to her eyes, an intensity that seemed almost... magical. The power of the Vastaya was unmistakable, even in her weakened state.

Viktor’s gaze softened, and without thinking, he held out his hand to her once more, palm open. “Come with me,” he said, his voice gentle but earnest, inviting her to take that first step.

The girl looked at his hand, her golden eyes reflecting a mixture of uncertainty and curiosity. For a moment, she hesitated, her body tense as though weighing the offer. Then, as though deciding something in her heart, she slowly reached out and placed her hand in his.

Viktor gave a small, reassuring smile as he gently pulled her to her feet, his grip firm but not forceful. She stood a little shakily, her movements still cautious but less defensive now. He could feel the slight tremble in her touch, but there was no more hesitation.

Together, they began to walk down the alley, side by side, as Viktor led the way. The streets of Zaun stretched before them, dark and unforgiving, but for the first time, Viktor didn’t feel as alone in the world. And though he didn’t know where this strange journey would take them, he knew that he couldn’t let her face it alone either.

As they walked, the girl’s eyes remained fixed ahead, though Viktor could feel her studying him from time to time. After a while, she spoke, her voice quieter than before, but more certain.

“I'm Y/N," she said, her words careful, as though testing them in the air. She glanced at him, her golden eyes meeting his with a newfound softness.

Viktor nodded, her name settling in his mind as something important. Something he would not forget. ”I'm glad I found you, Y/N" he said softly, glancing at her as they walked together, side by side.

Y/N didn’t reply immediately, but there was a slight nod from her, a small acknowledgment of his words. The bond that had formed between them in that quiet, dim-lit corner of Zaun felt like a thread, tenuous but growing stronger with each step they took together.

They didn’t speak much more as they moved through the streets, but the connection between them was undeniable. Two lost souls finding a moment of understanding, walking the harsh streets of Zaun side by side. Neither knew exactly where their path would lead, but for the first time in what felt like a long while, they had each other’s presence. And that, for now, was

JAYVIK

After an exhausting day, Y/N’s journey through the streets of Piltover had become nothing short of an emotional gauntlet. The murmurs behind her back, those hushed voices and sideways glances, crept into her every thought. It wasn’t just the casual dismissal one might expect from those who looked upon her as a mere outsider—it was the disdain, the quiet hatred, the refusal to accept her because of what she was. Her Vastaya heritage was a mark she couldn't escape, no matter how hard she tried to fit in.

Her tail swished anxiously behind her, brushing the cobbled streets as her sharp ears picked up each whisper, each derogatory remark. Some muttered about her kind being ‘dangerous’ or ‘unnatural,’ others discussed her marriage to Viktor and Jayce with barely veiled incredulity, as though it were some grand farce. But it was the looks—the looks of disgust and fear—that clung to her the most. It was as if her presence itself unsettled them, as though her very existence was a reminder of something they feared.

By the time she reached the lab, she was exhausted—exhausted from the harsh words, exhausted from the constant vigilance, and, most of all, exhausted from the weight of being something they couldn’t understand. She felt small, as though she had no right to exist in this world that never truly accepted her. Her furrowed brow, her tail dragged low and twitching, spoke volumes, but it was her body language—slumped, defeated—that really gave it away.

Viktor had been working in his lab, seated in a couch near the far corner, his cane leaning against the desk. He heard the soft click of the door as it opened, followed by the telltale quiet steps of Y/N entering. He didn’t need to ask her what had happened. He could see it in the way her ears drooped, the tension in her shoulders, the weariness in her movements. He could feel her distress as if it were his own.

Without a word, Y/N curled up on the couch, her body instinctively seeking comfort, as though it knew exactly where it could find solace. Her head came to rest in Viktor’s lap, and he immediately reached out, his fingers tracing the edges of her feline ears with a tenderness that seemed to melt away the first layer of her exhaustion. The touch was slow and deliberate, his fingers brushing against the silky fur with the same careful affection he always showed her. She sighed quietly, letting herself sink further into the moment, her eyelids fluttering in a delicate mix of relief and lingering tension.

“You’ve had a rough day, haven’t you?” Viktor’s accented voice was low, almost a murmur, as he continued to gently run his fingers along the sensitive appendages. His tone held a quiet sympathy, as though he had already guessed the source of her weariness.

Before she could respond, the sound of Jayce’s footsteps echoed through the lab. He had been pacing, his mind undoubtedly preoccupied with work, as he often did when there was something on his mind. But as soon as he entered the room, he stopped dead in his tracks. His gaze landed on Y/N, and the moment his eyes met hers, he knew something was wrong. She was curled up on the couch, her body language all too telling, and her tail twitched anxiously behind her.

For a brief moment, Jayce stood still, confusion and concern flashing across his face. He hadn’t expected to find her in this state, certainly not after a long day. His heart tightened as he noticed the tear on her cheek and the slight tremor in her form. He quickly closed the distance between them, dropping to his knees beside the couch, his hand instinctively reaching out to cup her cheek.

His thumb brushed away the tear, and he stared at her, his expression softening with a mixture of worry and helplessness. He had never wanted to see her like this. “What happened, love?” he asked quietly, his voice barely above a whisper, the concern unmistakable in every syllable. His gaze searched hers, trying to find the right words, but all he could feel was the overwhelming urge to make it better, to take away whatever pain she was carrying.

Y/N closed her eyes as the steady rhythm of Viktor’s fingers along her ears and Jayce’s hand against her cheek worked to calm the storm inside her. Their presence, their touch, felt like an anchor, grounding her to the present and pulling her away from the harshness of the world outside. It was as if, in this moment, the lab, their sanctuary, existed in a bubble—safe from the judgmental whispers, from the cruel stares, and from everything else that sought to diminish her.

“I hate it,” Y/N finally spoke, her voice soft, almost lost in the quiet. Her words came out in a whisper, as if she feared even saying them out loud would make them more real. “I hate walking through those streets, knowing that the moment they see me, they don’t see me. They just see… a beast. Something to fear.”

Viktor’s hand paused on her ear for just a moment, a slight tightening of his grip as he heard the raw pain in her voice. His gaze softened, the sympathy in his eyes obvious, but he didn’t need to speak right away. Instead, he simply continued his gentle strokes along her fur, as though his touch alone could offer comfort.

Jayce, kneeling beside the couch, reached forward again, his thumb brushing against her cheek in an attempt to offer reassurance. “You’re not a beast,” he said, his voice steady but laced with the emotions he was careful not to let show too much. He took a moment before continuing, his voice firm with an unwavering certainty, “They’re scared of what they don’t understand. And it’s not you they fear, Y/N. It’s what you represent. What you are.”

She let out a sigh, a tired sound that spoke volumes, and her tail twitched behind her. “I know,” she whispered, her eyes still closed. “But that doesn’t make it easier. Every time I walk through those streets, it’s like I’m being reminded that, no matter how much I try to fit in… I’ll never be truly accepted. Not by them. Not ever.”

Jayce’s brow furrowed, the sense of frustration building within him as he listened to her words. He could feel it, too—the anger at the injustice, the hurt that she tried so hard to mask. His fingers curled into a fist briefly, before he forced himself to relax. “No one should have to deal with that,” he muttered under his breath, a flicker of something darker in his tone. “If I could, I would make them understand—force them to see you for who you really are.”

Viktor, hearing the sharp edge to Jayce’s words, placed a hand gently on his shoulder. There was a quiet weight in his touch, a calmness that reminded Jayce of the necessity of patience. Viktor’s voice was cool and measured, his words always laced with that quiet wisdom he was known for. “I know you mean well, Jayce,” he said softly, “but forcing them to understand isn’t the way. It’ll only breed more fear, more hostility.”

Jayce looked at Viktor, the frustration in his eyes still apparent, but he nodded slowly. “I know… I just hate seeing her like this.” His voice softened as he turned back to Y/N, his thumb now gently running along the curve of her ear. “You don’t deserve this, Y/N. You shouldn’t have to carry their ignorance, their hatred. But, I promise you this—you will never face it alone. Not while I’m here. Not while Viktor’s here.”

Y/N felt a tear slip down her cheek at his words, a soft, almost imperceptible sound escaping her lips. She couldn’t help it; the tension in her chest, the constant pressure of feeling unwanted, unloved by the world, had finally broken free. But even in that moment of weakness, she didn’t feel ashamed. She knew that Viktor and Jayce wouldn’t judge her. They would only shield her from the world’s cruelty, just as they always had.

Viktor continued to run his fingers through her fur, not speaking for a moment as he let her emotions settle. When he finally did speak, it was with a quiet, unwavering resolve. “No matter what they say or think, Y/N,” he began softly, his gaze intense as he met her eyes, “you are ours. And nothing will ever change that.”

Jayce’s hand remained against her cheek, the warmth of his touch a constant reminder of his love for her. “They’ll come around,” he said, his voice steady but hopeful. “But until then, we’ll keep you safe. Keep you sheltered from the storm outside. And we'll keep reminding you every day that you’re everything we could ever want.”

Y/N closed her eyes again, letting their words wash over her, letting their assurances settle into her heart. The tears that had flowed freely just moments before began to slow, the peace that came from their comfort beginning to heal the raw ache inside her. She finally let out a slow breath, feeling her shoulders relax for the first time that day.

“I don’t want to feel like a burden,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “I don’t want to drag you into this mess.”

Viktor’s hand, still resting gently on her ear, gave a soft, reassuring squeeze. “You’re not a burden, miláčku,” he said, his voice filled with tenderness. “You’re our world. We chose you, not because we had to, but because we want to be with you. You’re everything we need, and nothing—no one—can ever make us feel otherwise.” (Darling)

Jayce nodded firmly, his voice a gentle promise. “We didn’t marry you out of obligation. We married you because we love you—because you’re the one we want by our side. No matter what the world says, we’re not going anywhere, love. And neither are you. Together, we’re stronger than anything they can throw at us.”

Y/N’s heart swelled with love for them, the weight of the day beginning to fade as she realized, yet again, how deeply she was cherished by these two men. For the first time in hours, she smiled, a small, tired but genuine smile.

“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “I… I don’t know what I’d do without you both.”

Jayce’s hand cupped her cheek one last time, his fingers tracing the soft lines of her face with a tenderness that made her heart ache. “You’ll never have to find out, Y/N. We’re here, always. We made this choice, and we’ll never regret it.”

VANDER

Vander sat at the bar, wiping down a mug as the usual crowd filled the room with chatter. He had seen it all in his time running the Last Drop—thieves, mercenaries, gamblers, and all kinds of other souls looking to escape their troubles. But when the door swung open and a figure entered, the room seemed to momentarily still.

Her presence was unlike anything Vander had ever felt before. The moment she walked through the door, the atmosphere in the bar shifted. She was a Vastaya—a rare sight in the undercity—and her striking appearance immediately commanded attention. There was something almost ethereal about her, a quiet elegance in her every movement, like she was part of the very soul of the land itself. Her sharp eyes carried a mystery, a depth, and Vander couldn’t help but watch as she made her way towards the counter.

"You're a rare one," Vander remarked, his voice easy but genuine, his gaze lingering on her with genuine curiosity. "What brings a Vastaya like you down here?"

Y/N raised an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at her lips as she leaned in slightly. "A rare one, huh?" she teased. "I imagine you use that line on all the girls who come through here."

Vander chuckled, the edge of his smile deepening. "Only the ones worth mentioning," he replied, pouring a drink with ease, his eyes meeting hers with a mix of intrigue and amusement.

Y/N’s smile softened as she settled onto the barstool, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "A drink sounds good after a long day," she said, her voice light, but there was something about it that made Vander feel like there was more she wasn’t saying.

"I’ll make sure it’s to your liking," he said, a playful glint in his eyes as he slid the drink toward her, watching her every move.

=

Vander’s gaze lingered on Y/N as she sipped her drink, her features soft yet impossibly captivating. She had settled into the corner of the bar, seemingly at ease despite the ruckus of the surrounding patrons. Her eyes scanned the room with an almost knowing expression, as though she saw more than just the people around her, something beneath the surface. It was the way she carried herself—a subtle, quiet strength—that intrigued him most. There was a deep connection to the land, the city, the very air that she breathed, something that made her presence feel both foreign and strangely familiar at the same time.

As Vander continued serving his regulars, the atmosphere in the bar shifted. The usual noise of clinking glasses and rowdy chatter seemed to subside around her. Even the children, usually so full of energy and mischief, were drawn to her, fascinated by her serene calmness.

Powder, unable to contain her excitement, spent the better part of the evening in a state of pure wonder. She couldn’t seem to stop touching Y/N’s tail, her small hands running over the long, shimmering fur with unabashed joy. Y/N was more than patient, her soft laughter filling the space, her gentle nature evident in the way she responded to Powder’s innocent fascination. She shifted her tail playfully, letting the little girl chase after it in a circle, until even the other children couldn't resist joining in, laughing and mimicking Powder’s antics.

Vi watched from a distance, her arms crossed but a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. She was always the protector, but seeing how easily Y/N connected with the younger ones put her at ease. There was something about Y/N that made Vi feel... safer, somehow. It was an unfamiliar sensation, something she hadn’t felt in a long time.

Claggor was quieter than usual, taking in the scene with his usual curiosity. He hadn't said much since meeting Y/N, but there was a certain respect in his gaze, a quiet acknowledgement of something extraordinary in her. Mylo, ever the joker, had already teased Powder about being "captured by the tail," but his tone was light-hearted. He could see that this was different. The children looked up to Y/N with an awe that couldn’t be faked, and he could sense that, beyond the playful exchanges, there was something deeper—something important.

But it wasn’t just the kids who felt it. Vander noticed it too. There was a sense of quiet power in the air whenever she was near. He’d run this bar for years, and he’d seen every type of person—mercenaries, criminals, drunks—but none had commanded the space quite like Y/N did. The way she held herself, the way she didn’t seem fazed by the rough surroundings, spoke volumes about her strength.

As the evening drew on, the rough man who had started the commotion earlier was still stewing in the corner. He was looking for trouble, scanning the room for someone weaker to take his anger out on. When he noticed Y/N again, his foul mood flared up, and this time, he stumbled over to her with malicious intent.

"You think you can just waltz in here, some freak with your weird tail, and not expect someone to call you out on it?" he slurred, his breath heavy with alcohol. The tension in the bar thickened as everyone realised what was coming.

Vi was the first to move, standing up from her seat and blocking the man's path. Her posture was rigid, and her eyes were hard, challenging him without a word. "You want to try again?" she said, her voice dangerously calm.

Mylo and Claggor followed suit, their expressions serious now, no longer the playful kids they usually were. Mylo gave the man a wicked grin, though there was no humour in it. "You’re in the wrong place,"

Y/N remained seated, her expression serene but her gaze never leaving the man. There was no fear in her eyes, just an unspoken understanding that she didn’t need to prove anything. Powder, small but fiercely protective, had already taken her position beside Y/N, hugging her leg tightly and glaring at the man with a protective fire that only the youngest could muster.

The man sneered, clearly not used to being challenged, and took a step forward. But before he could utter another word, Vander’s booming voice cut through the tension.

"You heard them," Vander said, his voice low and commanding. His presence filled the room as he made his way toward the troublemaker. "You’ll apologise, or you’ll be escorted out. I don’t care which."

The man hesitated, realising too late that he was surrounded. With a muttered curse, he took a step back, his bravado crumbling under the weight of the room’s collective gaze. "Whatever," he grumbled, stumbling toward the exit. "Freaks," he muttered, but the words were nothing more than a whimper as he left the bar.

As the man disappeared, the tension in the room melted away, and the kids immediately returned to their playful antics, a sense of security having settled over them once again. Powder looked up at Y/N, her eyes wide and full of admiration. "You’re not scared, are you?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Y/N smiled down at her, brushing a strand of hair from the girl's face. "Scared of what, little one?" she replied softly, her voice a balm to the chaos of the night. "There’s nothing to fear when you’re surrounded by friends."

Vander stood nearby, watching the children and Y/N with a warmth that didn’t quite fit the hard exterior he had built over the years. He found himself admiring her strength, her ability to make those around her feel like they belonged. It was a rare quality, and he hadn’t realised how much he had missed seeing something so pure in this city of decay.

As the night continued, Vander couldn’t tear his eyes away from Y/N. He had never been one for attachments—he had a bar to run, a community to protect, and a reputation to maintain. But something about her made him want to break all the rules he had set for himself. Something about the way she cared for those kids, the way she moved through the world with grace, made him feel like there was still hope in this city.

And maybe, just maybe, that rare connection was something worth holding onto.

SILCO

The air was thick with tension in the dimly lit alley, the heavy scent of industry and smoke hanging around the exchange. Silco’s focus remained sharp, his gaze unwavering as he handled the deal with practiced precision. Every detail was accounted for, every movement deliberate. Yet something, or rather someone, caught his eye in the midst of the transaction.

On the opposite side of the exchange, a tall, imposing figure gripped a leash in one hand, the other held by a woman tethered to him like an animal. The collar around her neck was cruelly tight, the chains dragging beneath her feet as she knelt on the cold ground, her posture slumped in submission. The sight of her—diminished, shackled—stirred something inside Silco. Her ears, long and pointed, betrayed her as one of the Vastaya, and the terror in her eyes cut through the hardened façade he’d built over the years.

Silco’s jaw tightened, his expression darkening. He had dealt with many types of business, many different kinds of people, but something about seeing her like this—like a mere possession—churned in his gut.

"Finish the deal," Sevika’s voice broke his concentration. Her eyes, too, had landed on the woman, her gaze flickering between the two parties. Silco’s eyes flicked to Sevika momentarily, then returned to the woman, still kneeling before the leash-holder.

The deal concluded, the exchange seemingly done, but Silco couldn’t shake the image of the woman bound before him. The way they treated her, as though she had no life outside the chains—no future—gnawed at him.

“Hold on,” Silco’s voice was sudden, sharp, his eyes fixed on the leader, a broad man who bore an arrogant smirk. He stepped forward, his tone colder than ice. “How much?”

The leader glanced at Silco, then down at the woman at his feet, before tugging on the leash, pulling her closer to him. “She’s not for sale,” he growled, tightening the chain around her neck with a cruel jerk. Y/N gasped, her chest rising sharply as she struggled for breath, her hands instinctively grasping at the collar in a futile attempt to loosen it.

Silco’s expression darkened as the air seemed to freeze around him. His voice dropped low, each word wrapped in a lethal calm. “I didn't asking is she was for sale” he said, his eyes narrowing into slits. “I asked how much. Everything has a price.”

The tension in the alley grew thick, palpable, the threat of violence crackling between them like a live wire. The leader smirked, too comfortable in his arrogance, and flicked his wrist dismissively. “You think you can just take her?” he sneered. “She’s not worth your time.”

Just as Silco took a step forward, ready to make good on his threat, Sevika stepped in, her towering form casting a shadow over the exchange. She cracked her knuckles, her lips curling into a dangerous grin as her eyes locked on the leader, her posture poised for a fight.

The leader hesitated, his bravado faltering in the face of Sevika’s imposing presence. He scoffed, but the tension was palpable, and after a moment of standoff, he dropped the leash with a huff, spinning on his heel to walk away, his pride still intact but his anger boiling under the surface.

Silco’s eyes remained locked on Y/N, who still knelt on the ground, her shoulders hunched, her gaze cast downward. Her fear was suffocating, her trembling hands still clutching the collar, as though she feared even the slightest movement would result in punishment.

For a moment, Silco did nothing, simply watching her. He had never been one to show kindness, but there was something about her—something that spoke to him more than he cared to admit.

He approached her slowly, every movement measured, his steps silent on the cobblestone. Kneeling before her, Silco’s cold eyes softened ever so slightly as he gently took hold of the collar, his fingers brushing against her skin with surprising care. Y/N flinched, her entire body tensing as she instinctively recoiled from his touch, but Silco’s gaze was unyielding.

“Don’t be afraid,” he muttered, his voice almost too low for anyone but her to hear. His fingers worked quickly, unclasping the collar with a flick of his wrist. The chains fell away, clattering softly on the stone beneath them. Y/N’s breath shuddered, the weight of the collar finally lifted from her throat, but she remained still, her body trembling with both relief and uncertainty.

Silco took a step back, his eyes not leaving hers. He studied her carefully, his gaze flickering between the trembling woman before him and the desolation in her eyes. “I don’t care what your… ‘master’ called you,” he said, his voice growing colder with each word. “Who are you?”

Y/N hesitated, her chest rising and falling as she struggled to steady herself. For so long, she had been nothing more than a tool, a creature to be controlled. No one had ever cared to ask her name, to see her as more than a possession. And now, in the face of Silco's steady, unwavering gaze, she was unsure what to say, unsure if she even had the right to speak.

Her voice came out in a barely audible whisper. “I’m… I’m Y/N.”

The name hung in the air for a moment, as Silco processed it. There was something in the way she spoke it—soft, but filled with a quiet strength—that caught his attention. Y/N.

Silco stood slowly, his eyes never leaving her. There was a spark in her—a resilience that hadn’t been entirely crushed. He found himself intrigued by that spark, that flicker of defiance still hiding beneath her fear.

For the first time in a long while, Silco allowed himself a small, calculating smile. “Y/N,” he repeated, tasting the name, letting it roll off his tongue.

He extended a hand toward her, a silent invitation. “Come with me,” he said, the command in his voice unmistakable, but there was something else there, something softer beneath the icy surface.

Y/N stared at his hand, the disbelief in her eyes palpable. No one had ever given her such an offer. No one had ever wanted her for anything more than what they could control. But Silco was different. She wasn’t sure what it meant, what he saw in her, but for the first time in a long while, there was a flicker of something—hope, perhaps—deep in her chest.

Without a word, Y/N stood, hesitantly reaching out to grasp his hand.

And with that simple gesture, she stepped into a future unknown, away from the life that had shackled her, and toward something far more dangerous, far more promising than she could have ever imagined.

POWDER/JINX

The warm glow of the streetlamp bathed the alley in a soft, golden light, casting long shadows across the cobblestone. Y/N stood beneath its glow, her long, graceful tail swaying behind her, the quiet rustling of her fur almost blending with the sounds of Zaun’s endless hum. She was the kind of person who seemed to soften the harshness of the city, a gentle spirit amidst the chaos, a protector without ever lifting a hand in violence. Her presence brought a kind of peace to the children who often ran to her for advice or comfort, though that same peace made her a target for those who didn’t understand her.

Jinx had always watched her from the sidelines, her electric blue hair a sharp contrast to the darkness of Zaun. She had seen how the world treated Y/N, how they whispered and mocked her for being different. It hurt Jinx, the way people could be so cruel to someone so kind, and every time it happened, she couldn’t help but step in.

Tonight, she perched on a stack of crates, hidden in the shadows, her eyes flashing with a knowing grin. Y/N hadn’t noticed the group gathering around her yet—rough-looking men, their eyes narrowed with malice, clearly up to no good. Jinx’s heart sped up, sensing the tension before it even started. She knew what was coming.

Y/N’s ears twitched as the group approached, her tail flicking nervously. She turned her head slightly, her warm gaze meeting theirs, but she said nothing, never one to escalate a situation. She always tried to de-escalate, even when people saw her as nothing more than an outsider, something strange to be poked at and prodded.

The leader of the group stepped closer, his sneer almost as sharp as the knife on his belt. “What’s a beast like you doing here, huh? Don’t you know your kind doesn’t belong in the city?” He reached for Y/N’s fur, fingers outstretched as though she were some sort of exotic animal on display.

Before he could touch her, Jinx’s voice cut through the air like a blade. “Touch her again, and I’ll make sure you’ll never be able to touch anything ever again,” she threatened, her voice filled with that familiar manic energy. Her eyes were wild with defiance, her grin unhinged as she leapt from the crates and landed in front of Y/N, her stance protective.

The man stopped dead in his tracks, recognition flashing across his face. The wild, electric-haired girl was no stranger to him, and her threat was all too real. Jinx’s grin widened, her eyes dark with fury. “Get lost, idiot,” she spat, “or I’ll make sure the next thing you touch is a bullet.”

Y/N reached out gently, placing a calming hand on Jinx’s shoulder. “Jinx, it’s alright,” she murmured, her voice a soft, grounding force. “Please, you don’t need to fight.”

But Jinx wasn’t listening. “No!” she snapped, spinning to face Y/N. “These assholes need to know you’re not their punching bag!” The words poured out of her like a storm, a mixture of frustration and protectiveness. Her eyes were burning with a fierce love for Y/N, the only one who had never judged her or feared her. “I don’t care what they say about you, or your tail, or your fur! They have no right to treat you like that!”

Y/N’s eyes softened, a small smile curving her lips as she looked at Jinx with affection. She could see the raw emotion behind Jinx’s anger, the desperate need to protect. It was something Y/N had seen before, something she recognised. Jinx wasn’t just protecting her. She was protecting everything they had—everything that was good between them.

Slowly, Y/N pulled Jinx into a hug, her arms wrapping around her tightly. Her soft fur pressed against Jinx’s skin, the familiar purring vibrating gently in her chest. It was comforting, soothing—a reminder that no matter how much chaos surrounded them, they had each other. Jinx's frantic energy settled for a moment, the warmth of Y/N’s embrace grounding her.

“I know, Jinx,” Y/N whispered, her voice gentle. “I know you’re trying to protect me. But I don’t want to fight. You know that.”

Jinx looked at her for a long moment, her breath ragged from the adrenaline. But as she met Y/N’s eyes, something shifted inside her. The anger that had burned so fiercely faded into something softer, something more tender. She remembered how Y/N had always been there for her, how she had never treated Jinx as anything less than a person, even when the world saw her as a monster.

The man, now realising that his words and actions had no place here, muttered a curse under his breath and slowly retreated, taking his followers with him. Jinx stood still, watching them leave with a satisfied smirk, her eyes still blazing. “Yeah, that’s right. Go cry to your momma,” she yelled after them, her voice dripping with disdain.

Y/N pulled back from the hug, brushing her tail against Jinx’s leg playfully. “You didn’t have to do that, you know,” she said with a teasing smile. “But I appreciate it.”

Jinx grinned back, her eyes still fiery, though there was a softness to them now. “I told you, you’re mine to protect,” she said with a wink. “No one’s ever gonna hurt you. Not on my watch.”

Y/N’s heart swelled with warmth at the words. She knew Jinx meant every one of them. “I know, Jinx. And I’ll always be here for you too,” she replied, her voice filled with sincerity.

Jinx’s expression softened even more, her usual chaotic energy tempered by a rare tenderness. She remembered the first time she met a Vastaya, a long time ago, when she was just a young girl. She had been in the Last Drop, just talking with her sister and brothers, when she saw a Vastaya walk in—a woman with long, flowing hair and bright, knowing eyes. Powder Jinx had been curious, intrigued by this creature who seemed so calm, so serene. She had approached her shyly, unsure of what to expect.

But the Vastaya had bent down to her level, a soft smile curling on her lips. “Hello little one, I see you have the curiosity of a cat, hm?” she had said, her voice like honey, full of warmth and understanding. She hadn’t looked at Jinx as though she were strange, as though she didn’t belong. Instead, she had reached out, offering Jinx her hand. That moment had been brief, but it had left an imprint on Jinx’s heart.

And now, standing in front of Y/N—another Vastaya, another being with that same quiet grace—Jinx couldn’t help but feel the same sense of belonging, the same warmth. Y/N wasn’t just someone different. She was a friend, a protector, a person who had never judged her for the wildness in her spirit. And Jinx wouldn’t let anyone take that away from her.

The man was gone, but Jinx was still filled with a burst of energy. She turned to Y/N with a grin, the playfulness returning. “You want to go grab some candy? I’m feeling like celebrating another victory!” she asked, her eyes dancing with mischief.

Y/N chuckled, her tail flicking behind her in amusement. “Only if you promise not to steal all the good ones this time,” she teased, giving Jinx a playful nudge.

Jinx gave a wide, wicked grin. “No promises,” she laughed. “But hey, I’ll save you a gummy worm or two. Maybe.”

Together, they walked off into the night, the bond between them stronger than any threat or insult from the outside world. They had each other, and that was all that mattered. The city of Zaun could try to tear them down, but they would always stand tall, side by side.

[atwas-gaming]

People who complain that Sonic's character is "static" must have never played Unleashed or Black Knight. Or they did, but they didn't understand them.

I think one of the reasons why Unleashed and Black Knight are such fan favorites and stick in our memory so well is because the entire theme of both games is about taking Sonic out of his element, taking away things that he has relied on for so long- speed, jumping, spindashing, boosting, homing attacks- taking all those things away from him, and seeing how he does.

And he still shines. Even without all the abilities that he has relied on throughout his entire life, he still manages to beat the Big Bad.

(Please note that I haven't finished either game yet and I'm just drawing from what I've been spoiled on.)

As the werehog, Sonic is not able to curl into a ball at all (we're ignoring the mobile games for this post), and his greater height and weight, probably due to a larger bone structure, as well as heavier, thicker fur, keeps him from being able to run as fast or jump as high as he's used to. He now how to resort to fighting styles he has never used before, including several forms of martial arts (aided by his Dark Gaia-powered stretch abilities). Perhaps the most unusual of all is how he has to get down on all fours to run.

In addition, Sonic describes his werehog form as "pretty ugly." Sonic thinks of himself as good-looking, and this is a part of his personal identity, which is part of why he was upset that Amy didn't recognize him (no matter what feelings he may or may not have for her). The werehog form also seems to be physically uncomfortable and taxing on Sonic's body due to the heavier weight, as the werehog idle animations include Sonic stretching in an exaggerated way and forcibly rotating his shoulders (motions I, myself, have learned to use after years at a desk job that has ruined my neck and upper back). Sonic's idle animations also include him being jumpy and looking around every few seconds- basically, the werehog never fully relaxes.

All in all, Sonic is very uncomfortable as a werehog, and prefers not to be seen in this form. But the reason why is not fully evident until he thanks Chip for protecting him and keeping him from turning evil. To this, Chip replies, "I haven't done anything, Sonic. You're too strong to lose yourself."

On top of this, Amy doesn't have a problem with Sonic's appearance. She still loves him. Tails also doesn't care what Sonic looks like. Neither does Professor Pickle. Neither does ANYONE. Even if they're startled by the werehog's appearance at first, they all seem to go, "Oh, it's just Sonic. This is just what he's like at night."

The entire story of Unleashed was about Sonic coming to realize that he is not who he is because of what he looks like or how he is built.

Black Knight takes this a step further. In Unleashed, Sonic wasn't able to run, but he was still able to use his body as a weapon. In Black Knight, Sonic can run again, but nowhere near as fast as his normal speed. All of Sonic's abilities to fight with his body are stripped from him, and he is forced to use an actual weapon, instead. And Sonic hates this. He even says it: "I wish I didn't have to use this dang sword!"

Sonic has never used a weapon before in the games (as far as I am aware, anyway). His weapon has always been his own body: his feet, his fists, his whole body via spindash and homing attack. Now he's having to train himself to fight with something outside of his own body. This requires not only the creation of new muscle memory, but also a complete shift in the way his brain processes information to fight. He always has the option to just crumble and say, "I can't do this, it's not what I'm used to, I give up." He never does that. He complains a bit at first, but eventually rises to the occasion and excels at swordfighting.

Please bear in mind that I haven't ever gotten past the King Arthur battle. I presume Sonic is forced to kill him, and then I believe there's another half a game after that. But so far, it seems that Sonic's character arc in Black Knight is about him learning that he is not who he is just because of what he can do.

What makes Sonic Sonic is not what he looks like or what he is able to do, but about who he is inside. Sonic is someone who cares, someone who is strong, someone who doesn't give up, someone who sees a difficult situation and, no matter how much of an inconvenience it may be, turns it around and finds a way through.

[the-east-art]

Hi Thank you for coming to my TED Talk about how I dont like the Grid Method for drawing

I think most people in their life have seen the grid method for copying a piece of art - if you haven’t seen it you can probably at least get an idea of it pretty quick. The grid method for art requires you to break a piece into a series of equal squares, and then transfer those squares onto a blank piece of paper divided into the equal squares of the same ratio. Conceptually this idea is very sound - rather than biting off the entire picture, you focus on each section. Theoretically, if you can make square A1 look like square A”1, and so on and so forth, you should finish with an identical drawing to your picture. I, personally, have a strong distaste for this method. It teaches bad habits - especially to younger and newer artists. (If you are a big fan of this method please read all of my rant first or at least scroll to the end where I will reiterate some of the perceived positives of the method)

The best way to discuss this is to start with a general idea of how we go about drawing something - especially something from a reference! I will try not to riddle this rant with disclaimers, but not everyone will draw using the same or similar methods, but this is the way that I was taught and when discussing with other artists they usually follow similar ideas: When you draw you go from big to little - from general to specific. Getting too specific too early is detrimental. This is an art rant, so let’s chat about this with some pictures. 

Here I have a picture of a square and a circle. Next to it I have my blank piece of paper, and I want to draw it EXACTLY THE SAME on the paper. To do this - whether consciously or not - I will start taking mental ‘measurements’ of various aspects of this composition. How far are these objects from the edges? How much space do they take up? And I will compare these objects to each other - which object is bigger? Where do they connect - is their point of contact halfway up the square or a quarter ways up the square? In the previous questions I am specifically focused on circle in relationship to the square, so it’s worth noting that if my square isn’t placed correctly then everything else will be placed incorrectly as well. Early on in a piece you want to keep lines light, ready to be changed if need be. One of my professors used to say that you wanted to avoid falling in love and getting married to a line as long as possible, because once you fall in love with your lines you will be reluctant to change them. 

Here I have a square and a circle - although maybe these have a little more details going on in them than our previous square and circle. Now maybe this is overwhelming, but remember we want to start from general and then get specific - our process for drawing this should look much the same as our previous painting! Starting with the outline and general shape! This brooch technically isn’t a circle - it’s scalloped on the edges - but before we put that information in we want to make sure we have the placement of it correctly both on the paper and in reference to our other elements - the square. When we feel confident in those elements, we can start SLOWLY adding the other information. A lot of art is about training the eye - we’re looking between the picture and our drawing, trying to see visually what the difference is and correct it. 

Naturally, the more complicated the piece the more complicated this process becomes. If we, for instance, have a person, thats’ a lot more to deal with. We once again want to work outside first. My professor was very big on outlines and shadows first and details slowly after that - so I would likely want to work on the external form, and some lines, and then work in blocky shadows, and fine-tune it from there. Once again let’s ask ourselves what will happen if we just start with the eye - and we spend HOURS drawing the perfect eye - only to realize that it isn’t in the right place in reference to everything else. We’d either have to erase that eye and all our work, rework the entire rest of the drawing, or leave it to look offputting and wrong. When you start art you can get preoccupied with features, when in reality they should be one of the last elements you definitively put in. 

There’s one last part about this that is relevant to my dislike for the grid method, and it’s the idea that when we’re looking at a piece we find commonalities along lines to help guide our art. For instance here we can see that one eye lies horizontally on the same plane and the back of the dogs head matches with a place on the coat - these can help guide us in making sure things are looking right! The grids may help us to see these things, but not necessarily.

Okay, back to the grid method. As I’ve stated earlier the grid method can be used well and the principles behind it are good - our neat squares provide an easier visual way to do the exact same stuff we were doing earlier - how far is the object from the edges and from each other etc etc. However these squares actually can encourage the artist to focus too closely - again either a square at a time or a feature at a time. In addition they narrow the focus of the artist away from the whole - instead of seeing how everything lays on the entire page, you focus on how things are lying in that specific tiny box. Art is usually a dance of in and out - close and far. Taking a step back. The grid method discourages this. 

I say this again aware that many people are extremely successful using this method - young auteurs who draw a giant portrait hyperrealistic. Leyendecker would use a grid to make his smaller drawings bigger (although I would argue he first had an understanding of the previous methods for the intiial drawing, and used the grid more for enlargement of the previous piece). People do this method and do it well… just more people learn bad habits from it that they have to fight against to progress. 

The last thing I want to say is about how the flaw, always, with the grid method is that it has to be something that you can place a grid on - you become confined to the paper and ruler. While the earlier method was taught to be through still life drawings, measuring with a stick, it was clear that this eye training and method was versatile, and could be used for anything you placed in front of me, the grid method becomes a shackle. And I know I know I know, but other artists have found ways around such a block - the perspective frame for painting has been used by many artists over the years, including Vincent Van Gogh - places somewhere to make the process of copying the real world easier - but why let yourself be confined willingly? If you are a big grid believer I would beseech you to AT LEAST try and expand your studies in addition to the grid formula - a healthy diet of many different kind of studies and practices and eye trainings is what we do to hopefully, one day, be able to put the designs in our head down onto paper accurately. 

Additionally, using the grid method provides no room for your to be using your instincts to help. I’ve been reading through ot3’s personal philosophy of composition and I found the line in the introductions where they discuss the idea of following your instincts very important. Part of my philosophy firmly believes that people understand art ephemerally without the need of words first, and overtime the act of art is becoming more aware of the words and phrases of certain concepts, so that we gain the ability to use and manipulate them purposefully. 

Anyway there ya go! Let me know your thoughts!

[leahkentwriter]

Hannibal but make it sapphic

Someone recommended a novella called Bloom by Delilah S. Dawson as it was apparently inspired by the tv show Hannibal. That got my attention. As did the cover art. (I kind of want to fuck the cover art, and I'm asexual.)

I feel like this is a twisted romantic horror story between a budding bisexual and a homoromantic asexual. Which I loved. More of that, please. Lesbians are great, but I like it when those of us who are a bit underrepresented are front and center.

What I will say here is that if you're a fan of the show but really wanted more of that sapphic element - this novella is worth a read. The rest of what I have to say I'll hide in case you want to pick this book up without my thoughts in your head.

This is a story about Ro, a newly appointed assistant professor of literature, and Ash, a free-spirited artisan. The story is sapphic and feminine, even when the horror is on full display - and it is on full display. There are very clear parallels into Hannibal which fans will pick up on, so those craving a sapphic version of the Will-Hannibal relationship may be interested in this story.

That said, the Hannibal references got a bit heavy-handed in my opinion. I think that in honoring every part of him, the narrative leaned in a bit too heavily. I enjoyed the elements that were unique to this particular story more than I did the tie-ins to Hannibal. Something more domestic, something that turns a certain kind of polished pastel Instagram aesthetic into horror. A protagonist that resonated with the awkward feelings and tendency to overthink that many of us experience. How well Dawson represents what obsessive feelings look and feel like.

Because this is a novella and it had to move quickly, there were things that had to be told rather than shown. That's fine - but at times, in this story, it felt clunky. There are moments where the narrator is clueless, yet it's so obvious what's going on. The literary references are sometimes great but sometimes don't pull their weight, and I wish they'd been used a bit more intentionally. The foreshadowing is at times less shadowy and more like a big blinking neon sign. Even without knowing anything about Hannibal, readers will know fairly quickly where things are going. This novella is about appreciating the journey, and what that journey looks like between queer women.

Ro is actually annoying, and I love that about her, because anyone who has ever been obsessively fixated on another person knows how your critical thinking skills suddenly shut down. She's distracted, she's fumbles, she does the wrong things for the right reasons and doesn't really listen and often knows she's not really listening, and her internal justifications are weak at best, so she's definitely not a martyr in this story. She both ignores red flags, and is a red flag herself. Both of these women have needs they're trying to sate, and have elements of toxic behavior.

Ro's awkwardness and mistakes and messy emotions and overthinking are usually relatable. She's pretty quickly out of her element and gets pushed more and more out of her comfort zone, which she at times overthinks, but at times just gives into. I did enjoy that about her.

Ash read to me as distinctly asexual. That's never overtly stated, but that was the vibe I got, which I enjoyed. And yes, there's sex in this story, because asexuals do fuck, and do even enjoy fucking (it's me. hi.) but Ash? She's a homoromantic ace. She's not getting off on the sex - there's something else driving her desire. (I'm a panromantic ace with kinks. I will die on this hill.)

Ash is an interesting predator, and any story where you've got women hunting women is going to get my attention. I've had enough of men hunting women. Women hunting men does satisfy a certain urge but I have to be in the mood.

Women hunting women is a whole different beast. And there's something Ash says toward the end of the story that felt very uniquely like something a predatory queer woman would say. We only ever see her via Ro, but it's easy to fill in the gaps that Ro doesn't (want to) see. If you're a Hannibal fan, you'll understand Ash pretty quickly. Even if you're not, her motives become clear. I think the thing I liked the best was that her desire isn't singular - by the end you realize that there were several ways this could have gone, and Ro was always the one who was going to determine that. (Of course, how much agency Ro actually has is debatable.)

I'm not sure how more hardcore Hannibal fans will like the ultimate ending - they will definitely understand where it comes from. I have mixed feelings about it simply because it does borrow from the show in a very direct way that I didn't like. I wish it had been done a bit differently. But I'm not disappointed at what it reveals about Ash.

My biggest critique is that I feel like this should have been a novel, because the things I felt were a bit clunky and heavy handed and rushed could have been easily smoothed out in a longer narrative. I also wanted to stay in this story longer. Despite my critiques, I did like it, and I feel like there's a lot more here that could have been explored. Dawson wove in lots of interesting threads.

I love stories that center women and women's spaces and feminine aesthetics, without making them seem silly or diminishing them. Stories that, like Dawson's, see the beauty and the horror without trivializing. You never get the impression that she's parodying or making fun. You see the idyllic nature of the life behind the aesthetic, as well as the gruesome realities. These are all things that are very familiar and very understandable. And that's what makes it chilling.

[bed-buggier]

Game Theory About Who Professor Victoria is

This evening, we just recieved one final TailsTube to close out the year, and within this episode was a cameo from a character many have speculated on for over a year now, and I believe this piece of the puzzle will help us solve SEGA's game of Where's Waldo

Professor Victoria

Or just Tori, has been a thorn in the community's side since 2022, where she first appeared in the official social media series, Tailstube, alongside various humans from Sonic Unleashed. Since then, she's made a cameo in the 3rd Sonic Movie and tonights episode. Many were quick to believe she had ties to the then upcoming Sonic Frontiers and its new addition to the cast, Sage, but this wouldn't be the case.

Her Many Appearances

Examining her first appearance, she's depicted not in the Sonic Unleashed style, but rather Yuji Uekawa's artstyle (note her smaller head and overall lack of western stylization). This style is so rarely used nowadays, instead Sonic Team opting to use their 3D models and on this rare occassion, it's only in merchandise. Why would SEGA randomly revive it for a random addition like this?

Her next appearance would be in the 3rd Sonic movie, showing up during Team Sonic's initial encounter with Shadow. This would both be the first time we saw the name Victoria associated with her, and act as a teaser for tonights TailsTube.

What's also worth noting is this is the 2nd time the films have acknowledged TailsTube, with movie Tails' desktop being pulled straight from the series. Clearly whatever they have planned for her expands outside the Sonic games.

and then there's today with the release of TailsTube #10, solidifying her as Prof. Tori: Historian and author, 2 aspects of her character that combined with the nugget of lore Shadow Generations gave us, has lead to me forming my crack theory of the evening.

Taped on the back of the cover to Gerald's Journal is a note left by someone simply known as T. Who is T? A new character? A returning Topaz from Sonic X? No.

It's Tori.

The Actual Theories

so, we now know Professor Victoria is a historian/author who may have or had connections to GUN, collecting material for past projects such as the Space Colony Ark and Project Shadow, depicted both in a artstyle SEGA doesn't often use and within the Sonic Movies, having some notoriaty to be on billboards. From my findings, I've boiled it down to three possibilities of when we could see her finally debut.

1. GUN member/Team Dark's Coordinators/Robotnik(?)

This seems like the most logical, with GUN having a resurgance in Sonic 3 and Shadow Gens. We also don't know what's up with GUN after the Eggman wars in Sonic Forces, where they went under following the doctors takeover.

Perhaps with Sonic Frontiers' successor, we'll see the remains of GUN researching the Starfall Islands with Team Dark leading a exhibition. It could be a way to explain what ties the Black Arms could have to the ancients that led to Shadow visiting Chaos Island, AND many have speculated that she just might be a Robotnik, particularly, Maria's little sister alluded to in Gerald's Journal, bringing it all full circle.

That said, we have yet to see much of any continuity in the games, and it's a element in Sonic's greater storytelling I'm not sure SEGA would integrate now when isolated adventures have been the series' bread and butter for years, give or take a small nod to the fans. Why mess with success knowing any game could be someone's first?

2. Remake/Remaster Side Campaign

This one I have little faith in, but there's a slim chance. We now know SEGA isn't against adding new story content to re-releases of Sonic games with Shadow Gens, so perhaps Tori will get her start in a new campaign?

Perhaps she was a author studying the mythology of Sonic's world before GUN, residing at Spagonia University with Professor Pickle, someone we saw in that TailsTube art collection. That then raises the question though: Why go through this much trouble for a simple port of a Xbox360 game? Putting her in movies and setting expectations this high? It doesn't make sense, but that's where my main theory comes into play.

3. Sonic Lorebook

Call me crazy, a schizo, desparate for answers, whatever, but I'm fairly confident SEGA's apology for the Sonic Encylcospeedia may come very soon.

For those unfamiliar, in 2021, SEGA released a encyclopedia for the Sonic series. What many hoped would be a answer to all the continuity errors over the years and a clear outline of the SEGASonic universe turned out to be just a booklet of game facts, modded screencaps of Sonic 06, and offhand lore tidbits like Infinite being dead and Marine possibly having hydrokinesis, something I'm sure we'll see explored soon big trust.

The release of this book left many with more questions than answers, but I think it and Sonic Frontiers are the first in a major domino effect.

With Frontiers, we saw its writer, Ian Flynn, go a little wild with callbacks to previous Sonic games. While one may see this as leaniance on SEGA's end with the game initially set to launch that same year for the series' 30th anniversary or Ian Flynn being Ian Flynn, I see both as the early groundwork for reinstating of the Sonic continuity. Combine that with what we know of Tori, the establishment of a lore management team in 2022 (who just recieved a artist with Evan Stanley), alongside relaunching Sonic Gens which explored the series' history with DLC that gives us the most overt crossover of the game universe to the movies, and you have a recipe for a broader audiences entry to one hell of a history.

I believe within the game universe, Professor Victoria will be a well known historian, researching gods and anomolies within throughout the galaxy and multiverset. Meanwhile for us, she'll be the mascot of the IRL Sonic the Hedgehog Lore Management Team, and will be our guide for the long awaited true encyclopedia of the Sonic the Hedgehog series; Every character, every historical event, every world. All explained and outlined for a general audience and fans consumption.

or I've gone mad because I still don't have a snug placement in my timeline for Team Sonic Racing idk

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Common Knowledge 1

Warnings: non/dubcon, power imbalance, bullying, and other dark elements. My username actually says you never asked for any of this.

Characters: Geralt of Rivia, Harald Halfdansson, tall & plus-size reader

My warnings are not exhaustive but be aware this is a dark fic and may include potentially triggering topics. Please use your common sense when consuming content. I am not responsible for your decisions.

As usual, I would appreciate any and all feedback. I’m happy to once more go on this adventure with all of you! Thank you in advance for your comments and for reblogging.

You unfurl the strip of legal pad, marked with Professor Halfdansson's messy and pointed writing. The usual scribble that has you squinting at your returned papers. He must be the only instructor in the college that still handmarks his assignment.

Like much of his style, his slanted cursive is chaotic. Often, his lectures or spiraling tangents about his trips to Norway or some mythos unrelated to the topic at hand. He is a well of knowledge, but one which is often overflowing and bottomless.

The subject is far from your first choice. You prefer history with a human subject. Your intrigue is those events which truly occurred, people who once walked the same earth as yourself. Mythos and belief is a human creation but it hardly captures your imagination.

Along your search for title jotted onto the scrap, you find several other books to sate your personal preferences. A book on the Beothuk and their demise and another illustrated index of Renaissance art. Finally, you find the rear corner of the store, the mythology shelves nestled behind Spirituality and New Age.

You hover your finger before the rows and lean in, squinting through your lenses as you search out the rather Nordic-sounding name. You sense a shadow at the end of the aisle but do not look over. You'll just be on your way once you-- there it is.

You pinch the spine of the deep blue tome and slide it out. The cover is stamped with gold runes and lettering, a viking helm the central image. You double-check that it matches the professor's scrawl, however you can never be sure as his Fs look like Ss.

You set it flat on your armful of book, balancing the weight with the rest as you crumple the scrap and tuck it into your pocket. It's a bit more than you want to spend but it will be useful in maintaining your average through Halfdansson's course.

The shadow comes closer and you shift out of the way for the approaching customer. You sidle away as they huff, a breath that fans around them. He leans into the shelf and you sense his head shift and his gaze follow your slow retreat.

"Ah, you are a fan of vikings?" He asks, stopping you in your tracks. "You must've watched the show, hm? Cute series but not very accurate, you know?"

You blink, taken aback but his tone and his assumption. It isn't the first time you've met the attitude in your chosen discipline. When it comes to military history or the lives of vaunted men, there is often an intonation towards female scholars. You have been dismissed more than once.

"Never seen it," you lie, "you seem the type though."

You note his snow white hair, a peculiar shade, drawn back into a half pony, and his blindingly pale eyes. He wears a tunic better housed in the closet of a LARPing club and looms with an air of indignation. He puts a thick hand on the shelf and leans, no doubt used to towering over others.

"Funny, that is the very book I came for," he intones.

"Oh, what a coincidence."

HIs jaw ticks and he snorts, "seems you've found quite the lot--"

"I have. A whole trove."

You go to turn away and hear his sole clomp down behind you, "surely you can grab another encyclopedia. I really need that one."

"Uh, no, this is what I need."

He follows you down the aisle as you keep a quick step, uneasy at how he trails you so fervently.

"Maybe you should grab another one."

"I have all the others. I've been waiting months for that to come into stock," he insists.

"Well, you can find a kiosk and order one in--"

"On a three month backorder," he interjects and grabs your arm. "I'll pay you--"

You spin back to face him and hit his chest with your books, "don't touch me."

"Well, just..." he retracts his hand, "hold up. I'm trying to talk to you. To barter--"

"I'm sorry, but I need this book for class," you hug the books and back up, overly aware of the tingliness from where he grabbed you. You don't like being touched. At all. You can feel your heart pumping.

"Does the school not have a library, little girl?"

Your mouth falls open. Little girl? This guy just can't help himself. You haven't been rude, maybe matter-of-fact, but he's been downright mean.

"Not for sale," you push your shoulders up and back away.

You twist on your heel and speed away. You weave between the shelves and discount tables and join the winding queue at the counter. You don't look back and sway in your boots, waiting your turn.

"I could give you several recommendations for an alternate text," the man appears at your side, crowding you inside the black cords that rein in the queuing customers.

You ignore him and turn your head away. You wish he'd just take a hint. If you heard a single please or any sort of respect, you might consider it. He's only been a jackass and judging at first glance, he's too old for that.

"You don't need it–"

You move with the line and he growls, shifting with you.

"Look, girl–"

You snap your head back and give him a glare. He sucks in one cheek and exhales heavily, "miss, I am asking you nicely–"

The associate at the counter calls for next and you take your cue. You quickly cross the space and put your haul onto the wooden ledge. You hear the pushy stranger snarl something under his breath. You refuse to look back as you hand over your membership card.

Men like that are the very reason you despise the general public. Hard to fathom how you can be so intrigued by the human condition when you can hardly bear to be around other people.

[short-wooloo]

Star Wars saga full of Jewish references and themes. Did you know Yoda was Jewish?

Like so many of you, I am anxiously awaiting the release of Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens.

A long time ago in a galaxy far away…1977 actually…we were introduced to this most amazing epic, and appreciation has only grown over the ensuing years. The characters have become embedded in American culture.

For most fans, Star Wars is great entertainment, and it is definitely that…and much more.

The Star Wars series is eclectic. It combines many religious, philosophical and historic themes taken from a wide array of religions, including Zoroastrianism, Taoism, Stoicism, Nihilism, Christianity and also Judaism. A student of any of these religions will find something of their own faith somewhere in Star Wars.

College level classes have been taught on the mythology and symbolism that are so much a part of Star Wars. There is even a book entitled “Star Wars and Philosophy: More Powerful than You Can Possibly Imagine” which is a compilation written by various college professors.

Most prominently, the conflict between “light” and “dark” sides of the Force comes almost directly from Zoroastrianism and their intertwining connection certainly is a reflection of the yin and yang of Taoism. And there is much more.  The strong ethical element to Star Wars bears a direct connection to various ideals of Buddhism and Stoicism.

The virtues the Jedi shares with the Stoic sages are patience, commitment, seriousness, calm, caution, benevolence, and, of course, wisdom. Given all these virtues, Yoda is what the ancient Stoics described as the sage, the ideal person who has perfected reason and achieved complete wisdom. Speaking of Yoda, students of Hebrew will recognize several choices of names in the films as having Hebrew roots. Yoda most obviously comes from the Hebrew word Yodea, meaning one with knowledge.

Both Judaism and Christianity are reflected in Star Wars, philosophically and historically. Particularly concerning the depiction of the eternal conflict between good and evil, students of Judaism will recognize the yetzer ha-tov vs. the yetzer ha-ra, the opposing human inclinations present in every person. There may even be a connection to the Dead Sea Scrolls, one of which is entitled “The War of the Sons of Light Against the Sons of Darkness.”

The struggle between good and evil in Star Wars seems closer to the Christian concept where good and evil are competing and independent powers battling over the domain of creation. Judaism, of course, sees everything as emanating from a single Creator. This includes evil that has no independent will of its own to oppose God, but is also under God’s domain, as is portrayed in the Book of Job.

Judaism teaches that the source of Light and Darkness are One and the same, as it says in the prayer book: “Blessed art You, Eternal One, our God, Ruler of the Universe, Who forms light and creates darkness, Who makes peace and creates all things.” The source for this line of liturgy can be found in the Hebrew Bible, Isaiah 45:7: “Who forms light and creates darkness, Who makes peace and creates evil; I am the Eternal One, Who makes all these.”

The ever-present and overarching theme of Star Wars is that of the Force that endows these films with their undeniable spiritual orientation. The Force is what gives a Jedi his power. It’s an energy field created by all living things. It binds the galaxy together.

Call it what you like; it sounds like God to me.

The expression “May the Force be with you” is emblematic of the Star Wars legacy. This line is invoked by at least one character in each of the Star Wars movies. To those familiar with the Catholic Mass, these words seem to directly reflect Dominus vobiscum, the Latin phrase meaning “The Lord be with you” – the ancient salutation and blessing traditionally used by the clergy in the Roman Catholic Mass, and several other Christian denominations.

In other ways, the Force has taken on Christian overtones. In “The Phantom Menace,” Anakin Skywalker (Darth Vader as a boy) is supposedly the result of a virgin birth.

And there are suggestions of Messianism as well. The idea of a foretold “Chosen One” who would restore balance to the Force is a theme running throughout the Star Wars films.

I do not believe that George Lucas set out to create a science fiction universe intended specifically to reflect Jewish history. Nevertheless, the allusions are apparent to Jews.  Darth Vader and company are Nazis and Storm Troopers – the embodiment of all that is evil and destructive.

Since it is Chanukah, I should add that the heroes of Star Wars, the members of a “rebel alliance,” are the few against the many. They could be the Maccabees in outer space, the small band of determined fighters who struggled against the overwhelming power of the Greek Syrians, or they could be the partisans and defenders of the Warsaw Ghetto who did all that they could to resist the Nazis.

This brief essay actually is only scratching the surface. Stars Wars is so much more than science fiction. On so many levels, it is a serious endeavor dealing with universal human concerns that are confronted by all of the world’s religions. Its universalistic moral themes, as much as its originality and cinematic genius, are what endows Star Wars with timeless value.

[oldsport1]

So I’ve been drawing Steve Saga fan art for a VERY long time and today is the day I finally share some of it. (Be aware these are all my own take, some characters are more accurate than others, no hate pls!)

(Also be aware some of these are much older than others, two are up to over a year old, so no hate)

I also do have more than this so if you would like to see more lmk ❤️

I’ll try to group them up by character ❤️

Time Steve and Elemental Steve 🕰️🔥

Genesis 💚

M ❤️

Professor Red 🥼 (the right photo is a more recent concept art rather than a fanart)

Assistant Steve and Hypno 🤖👁️

[raccoonfallsharder]

recommended works ⊹˚₊⊹˚☕︎˚⊹₊˚⊹

these are the folks who have written or drawn something (specifically within the rocket raccoon fan community) that either murdered me, resurrected me, or both.

(i am always open to recs so if you wanna link me to your fave i will be so happy to check them out)

⊹˚₊⊹˚☕︎ fanfiction ☕︎˚⊹₊˚⊹

The All of You (ao3) i fuckin love this story so hard. i love the OC. i love the writing. i love the set up. i reread this probably every month or so and pine for more. it's so fuckin good. @lazarel-3000 is a double-threat (at least) who is also on my recced artist list, which means (obviously) they are a recced creator as well.

Casino Royale (ao3) this fic by @hibatasblog (see also: Entanglement, below) is so fucking delightful. petra quill is so hot i want to date her myself, and the tension between her and rocket is through the roof. loving the angst, loving the little ways that heartbreak seeps through every new paragraph, loving the mystery of trying to figure out what happened to petra and rocket to set them on their separate paths and now bring them back together. always waiting anxiously for the next chapter.

Entanglement (ao3) this fic by @hibataao3 has me rationing my consumption in a way i have not done in a long time. i'm like "i only read one chapter a week to pace myself, as a little treat for surviving another seven days." beautiful writing and intricate storytelling, the metaphors and analogies are so good i almost wish i was back in undergrad writing a thesis on it.

Experiment: The Ravager Code (ao3) ☕︎ Experiment: The Ravager Code (tumblr) [NEW ADDITION 2024] check out author @guardian-angel12 for character art and more ♡ girl gets scooped, experimented on by the high evolutionary, saved by ravagers, and finds her family. what more could you ask for? featuring a fantastic, fascinating OC and i am in love (i do need to catch up, though). the writing is beautiful, the emotional elements are so moving, ugh i love it.

Friends (tumblr) @nyxivy is making their way through the rocketober 2023 prompts and the first fic of the series is. so drool-worthy. i've probably read it fifty times since it came out. short and so hot i could die (much like rocket himself), and somehow incredibly sweet in just the span of a few paragraphs? i will continue coming back to this fic and look forward to more from them at every chance i get.

Get Up (tumblr)@caesarhamato22 is another person on my recced creator list because trying to find just one fic to call my "favorite" is a challenge (obviously i was unsuccessful because there are two on this list). anyway this is lovely and fluffy. i die.

Heatwaves (tumblr) [NEW ADDITION 2024] oh my lord. this was written a while ago i never officially added it to the list and i should've. @mytheoristavenue writes a very sultry, steamy oneshot about you helping rocket fix the ship's climate control. i melt into my chair everytime i reread this one (which is often). so much of this lives rent-free in my head but THIS changed the course of my fantasies: Finally, he placed a paw against your cheek and whispered in close: "You're burnin' up, baby."

last (friday) night (ao3) nsfw. trying to pick a "favorite" of @aliasrocket's work is like trying to choose a favorite incarnation of rocket (i cannot). guess who is also on my recced creators list.

more than seven (tumblr)second @caesarhamato22 fic on this list and another recced creator. this one is one of my favorite comfort fics (i mean it's still sexy as hell) that i come back to very often. like it's just so wonderful and sweet and perfect and atmospheric and vibes

Professor R Raccoon or How Rocket Got His Groove Back (ao3) [NEW ADDITION 2024] nsfw. the third @hibatasblog fic on this list. this author doesn't miss. ever imagine rocket raccoon wearing his dad-glasses in a perfect slice-of-life au smut fic? by which i mean wouldn’t it be nice if someone could just fuck rocket’s brains out till his glasses fall off and he doesn’t even have to worry about blowing up living planets or killing mad titans? enter petra quill once again. this is hot, highly-communicative smut complete with both consent & shredded silk stockings, and rocket just feeling good.

Rocket Secretly Likes Being Petted (tumblr) [NEW ADDITION 2024] @whitedragoncoranth writes LOTS of fluffy lil rocket one-shots and series, but this one is my ultimate fave. rocket hacks his own software to allow himself permission to be a soft lil guy that likes being petted.

stars. (tumblr) ☕︎ stars. (ao3) sexual tension & some of the loveliest atmospheric writing i've ever consumed. another @aliasrocket fic that lives in my head.

untitled drabble/oneshot. [NEW ADDITION 2024] @hyperjorts probably never meant for their random drabble (which they mistakenly tagged as a shitpost) to live rent-free in my head for months on end but here we are. you can skip (or not skip) the original ask they were reblogging and just focus on this wonderful little bit of fiction that SCREAMS "universe-killer rocket" to me. (and then has me sweating & panting at the end)

A Very Basic Instinct (tumblr) ☕︎ A Very Basic Instinct (ao3) nsfw. when i tell you this fic did things to me. it is probably one of the fics i reread most. like, all the time jkjk only semiregularly. check out the author @elegant-fleuret for other equally brainrot-inducing smut (also mentioned in my recced creators).

⊹˚₊⊹˚☕︎ art ☕︎˚⊹₊˚⊹

@angyc0rtoons the way they draw rocket is just. the most perfect embodiment of chaos. i WISH i could draw such animated expressions so fluidly and perfectly. and their color-choices make me want to cry in the best way. it's like i actually believe in the future again. make my brain go brrrr. (this one makes all my dopamine receptors light up) (also i will go to the grave grateful and sobbing over the time they illustrated my dumb hashtags) [NEW ADDITION 2024]

@bathmob i wish. i could draw rocket. like this. the vibes are so good. the style. is perfect. i thank the universe whenever i see new art from them.

@glow-autumz is absolutely going to be a published comic artist some day and i will buy anything she works on ever. literally everything she creates has a story behind it, which i love. like, not only are her illustrations gorgeous (and like…often very hot) but every single one is (at least) a single-panel narrative. plus her OC is also cool as hell and i love her interpretations of rocket.

@happylittleshrub is a genius of the highest order. love watching all the different ways they render rocket, and i would sacrifice my LIFE for their baby rocket (raised by groot). protect them and their little rockets at all costs [NEW ADDITION 2024]

@lazarel-3000 creates the most toe-curlingly delicious art i've seen in a long time. i am seduced by pretty much everything they create. even their rough drafts have me panting. (i also have a crush on their OC and as a bi-lady i look at their art and am often like oh shit this is a fuckin feast). as mentioned before, this artist is also the author of one of my favorite fics and is a recommended creator in general.

@projectanimation7 is an amazing artist in general but i am specifically posting to share this little snuggled-up rocket and groot. glorious, magical, cuddly. 10/10. [NEW ADDITION 2024]

@rogertaylorswift i honestly don't know how this artist was not already on my rec list??? a staple and a god in the rocket fancommunity tbh. i can't pick one piece of theirs that i love more than the others. their album covers are beautiful, their meme redraws are hysterical, their one-frame comics are deeply-moving and lovely, and their longer comic arcs never fail to make me weep. [NEW ADDITION 2024]

@uglly-rodent posts always make me want to pinch the babby raccoom's cheeks and/or cry.

⊹˚₊⊹˚☕︎ creators ☕︎˚⊹₊˚⊹

@aliasrocket writes such beautiful things it is impossible to pick a favorite (i got two of their fics in the fic section and it was difficult to narrow it down that far and even now, i'm not certain). their tumblr has the added advantage of a ton of drabbles, every single one of which is perfection.

@caesarhamato22 read everything. like everything. great smut but i am a sucker for the slice of life shit and it's so fuckin good here. i just wanna be a nail tech on knowhere/locked in a closet with rocket/have him steal my t-shirt/whatever. it's like all my most domestic desires got turned into little fanfiction dreams. so much wish fulfillment i could die

@elegant-fleuret has great fanfiction (more than just the one on my fic list - i just felt like i had to narrow it down and A Very Basic Instinct literally gives me a a fresh hit of dopamine every time i reread it, which is a lot). plus also art. double-threat.

@lazarel-3000 look. look. i cannot say this enough. please go check them out they are hope in a hopeless place. some of the sexiest art + one of my very favorite fanfictions + one of my very favorite OCs have come out of this flawless individual. (full disclosure they also did some nsfw art of my OC jolie and rocket that has me crying and dying and hyperventilating on a daily basis)

@love-for-faeries-go-burrrr has another one of my favorite OCs and i am always hungry for their little storylines whenever they post.

@mrwolfhare is one of my favorite sources of gotg food-for-thought. just some of the most thoughtful explorations of the details of both the mcu and comic canon, excellent headcanons, beautiful screenshot sets, and really solid art. the drawtober art and ficlets have been highlights in my days this month and i'm told there may be a rad fanfiction on the horizon so keep your eyes on this! (rad fanfiction is here now! read Subject 880HR on ao3)

@raccoon-coded just. A+ gotg content, both original and reblogs. most recently i find myself coming back again and again to their review of various gotg novels (and adding a few to my tbr pile). [NEW ADDITION 2024]

[artdcnaldson]

for someone who isn't the biggest fan of frat guys irl, frat!art has a hold on me. i might be projecting but i can envision an enemies to lovers where he tries to corrupt you. you're this studious goody two shoes virgin and clearly out of your element at the frat party. your friends dragged you there and it's obvious you were sheltered growing up. the way you fluster so easily when he flirts with you like you've never had any male attention before makes his ego skyrocket.

i remember one time you said art would be the kind of guy who fails a class just to get closer to you. i'm imagining the professor appointing you to tutor art because he's failing and you begrudgingly accept. you'd never say yes otherwise unless you were being forced to. arts so annoying the entire tutoring session, just using it to flirt with you. you almost leave but he proposes an idea, where in exchange for tutoring he'll help you get experience. give you your own lessons... art coming up with convoluted ways to get nerd reader who hates him to fuck him bc he's so fixated on corrupting her after she rejected/insulted him at a party one time 😭😭 is it giving cruel intentions a little..?

OHHHHHH I love it!!!

Corrupting you AFTER you’ve already rejected him is soooooo yummy <3

Bc you’re so fucking embarrassed about your lack of experience. You feel like a fucking child while all of your friends are fucking around and doing the stuff you’re *supposed* to do in college. Meanwhile you’re a virgin who hates the taste of alcohol, has never been high, and has never even been flirted with before Art. Of course you thought it was a joke when he approached you— smacking his gum and smiling all smug down at you. It felt like some cosmic joke that a guy that hot would use you as a punchline.

But Art does want you. He finds your innocence intoxicating. He watches you blush and fumble your way through conversations with a guy from the swim team and he knows you’re still completely untouched and pure. It’s like finding a unicorn.

It feels like punishment when you get assigned to help Art out with his class and boost his grade. Art, who shows up late with Taco Bell and cinnamon gum he sticks on the lid of his Mountain Dew so he can finish it after. Art who gets distracted staring down your shirt and peeking at your girlie little bra.

“Does your boyfriend know you’re my tutor?” He asks, leaning in close so you can smell the spice of his deodorant and the cool mint of chewing gum.

You look down at your paper and huff. “Don’t have one.”

“I could fix that.”

And you just flush and look away. “Stop making fun of me.”

But he could. He could fix that. He could fix your awkward, unapproachable personality. Teach you how to smile pretty and dress so it didn’t look like you were ashamed to have a physical form. He’d teach you how to act, how to speak, how to kiss and fuck and moan pretty like boys like.

“‘M not. Just offering,” he says. “That swim guy? I know his type. He likes my sloppy seconds.”

And you grimace. “If you think I believe that if I… if I sleep with you he’ll date me, you’re an idiot.”

He grins. “I’m just saying I know what guys are into, and I really know what he wants. I could show you the basics sometime, teach you how to get a guy. We can trade lessons.”

And fuck, if that isn’t convincing.

[litas-writings]

Die Edelstein-, Silber- und Vergissmeinnicht Trilogien sind miteinander verbunden (und Wolkenschloss irgendwie auch)

//!\\SPOILER //!\\ Für alle oben genannten Buchreihen!

Das habe ich schon früher immer gedacht, als ich Silber gelesen habe, was ja genau wie Rubinrot in London spielt. Da habe ich mir immer vorgestellt wie Gwendolyn in Tempel durch die Zeit springt, während Liv in Hampstead lustig durch Träume spaziert.

In beiden Roman-Reihen ist nicht so recht klar, wo der magische Teil aka das Zeitreisen und die Traumtüren eigentlich herkommen. Natürlich gibt es den Grafen von St-Germain in der Edelstein-Reihe, der den Chronographen entdeckt und die ganzen Prophezeiungen schreibt. Die Frage ist nur: Warum gibt es überhaupt Zeitreisende? Wo kommt der Chronograph her? Der Graf hat ihn zwar entdeckt aber nicht gebaut! Wo kommt er also her? Woher wusste der Graf dass dieses Teil mit Zeitreisen verbunden ist? Ähnliche Fragen kann man sich auch bei Silber stellen: Warum können Liv und die anderen sich gegenseitig in ihren Träumen besuchen? Die ganzen Rituale stellen sich ja als kompletter Schwachsinn heraus. Nichtdestotrotz gibt es diese Traumtüren und eine Erklärung zu ihrer Existenz bekommen weder die Figuren, noch der Leser.

Und dann kommt Vergissmeinnicht um die Ecke: im ersten Teil gibt es einige Easter-eggs zu Rubinrot und Silber. Zum Beispiel der Wasserspeier Bax der von Matilda mit Xemerius verglichen wird. Oder der Saum, den Menschen nur in ihren Träumen betreten können. Im zweiten Teil wird das alles natürlich eindeutig, mit Professor Cassian, der in London von der Geheimloge der Wächter erzählen möchte, dann aber von Fee unterbrochen wird; oder eben Matilda die mit Bax' Hilfe ihre Traumtür entdeckt und somit in den Saum gelangen kann. Und schon hat man eine Erklärung für die Unerklärten Dinge der zwei früheren Trilogien: Zeitreisende haben einen Ursprung, nämlich aus dem Saum. Beziehungsweise sind sie entfernte Nachkommen von Saumwesen. So erkläre ich es mir jedenfalls. Denn in diesem Fall haben sie keine Lentigos, die in Vergissmeinnicht alle Nachfahren haben. Aber vielleicht haben die Zeitreisenden auch eine Art Lentigo und wissen es nur nicht. Schließlich hat Gwendolyn ein Muttermal in der Form eines Halbmondes unter ihrem linken Auge. Möglicherweise sind die Zeitreisenden mehr Mensch als Saumwesen, weswegen ihre Lentigos sich im laufe der Generationen mehr und mehr zu etwas weniger magischem entwickelt haben d. h. ein etwas ausgefallenes Muttermal. Gut, Gideon scheint kein ausgefallenes Muttermal zu haben, genausowenig wie Lucy und Paul und die anderen Zeitreisenden...

Dennoch ist seit dem zweiten Teil Vergissmeinnicht klar, dass die Zeitreisenden auch dort existieren und dass sie den Saumwesen wie Cassian bekannt sind. Also müssen sie in irgendeiner Weise mit dem Saum verbunden sein. Eine Zufriedenstellende Erklärung kriegt man jedoch für die Traumtüren und Korridore aus Silber, denn man erfährt, dass diese dem Untergrund angehören, welcher ein Teil des Saums ist.

Was Wolkenschloss betrifft, hat dieses Buch deutlich weniger Verbindungen mit den drei anderen Reihen, was größtenteils daran liegt, dass es weniger fantastische Elemente dort gibt. Dennoch gibt es auch dort einige Parallelen, zumindest zu Vergissmeinnicht. Das ganze Hotel scheint seinen eigenen Willen zu haben, denn es hilft und rettet die Protagonistin Fanny an mehreren Stellen. Aber besonders auffällig ist der Concierge des Hotels, Monsieur Rocher, der angeblich nicht älter wird, wenn man dem russischen Oligarchen Viktor Igorov glauben soll. Laut ihm ist er Monsieur Rocher schon als 12-jähriger in diesem Hotel begegnet und dieser scheint seitdem nicht gealtert zu sein. Auch sonst wird Monsieur Rochers Alter nie genannt und Fanny bezeichnet ihn als alterslos. Monsieur Rocher könnte also ein Arkadier aus dem Saum sein, da diese unsterblich sind, was erklären würde warum er nicht älter wird.

Als großer Fan der Edelstein und Silber Reihen habe ich mich sehr gefreut, Anspielungen auf die beiden Trilogien in Vergissmeinnicht zu entdecken. Außerdem habe ich das Gefühl, dass mit Vergissmeinnicht Fragen beantwortet werden, die man sich in den anderen Reihen gestellt hat. Wenn Kerstin Gier also weiterhin Verbindungen zwischen Vergissmeinnicht und den anderen Reihen herstellt und somit womöglich ein einziges Universum erschafft, wird das meiner Meinung nach richtig interressant und ich kann es jetzt schon kaum erwarten den dritten Teil von Vergissmeinnicht zu lesen ^^

[sg-18-logurt]

new x men tv show

Halloooo !! , fellow lovers. I had a brainworm :-)

once upon a time, in an interview long ago, Stan Lee said, (i repeat in not so accurate words) ".... the secret to writing the x men was not to treat it like an action story but like a soap opera .... "

as far as i can see in my okayish memory, all the x-men intros show their powers in a brief action sequence with there code name showing up before/after said sequence. In my imagination, the intros proceed to show the main/side characters in their element or with their buddies, there by showing their relationships/goofier sides/ bits of personality. Less focus on cool power moves.

Ex: scott with his cereal/soup, professor x (charles xavier) playing chess, talking philosophy with magneto , logan and kurt doing mischief and pranking others with kitty pryde ( in her late teens or as a young adult) , hank and jean doing science shit and list goes on .

all the scenes shift around and about the x-mansion (maybe with a different cooler sounding name) with the character pairs in different rooms, giving the audience the layout with plenty of clues here and there for what could be happening in future episodes.

there will be plenty of kids as main/side characters also. i imagine that as we seen them, their names (real ones not code names) in a font they like with some jazz just beside/behind them

bits and pieces of the intro slightly change with progression in episodes showing the changes in their relationships

( **just personal preference, i don't imagine a jean-logan-scott poly ship or love triangle in this narrative, only scott-jean ship. )

the format of the show will be a hybrid of drama, action, love, friendship, a balance between high stakes and and feels

premises(sort of ?) - older members being teachers (ex: storm) [we actually get to see them teach their subjects], some being in IT support/ security (ex: forge) and youngest (ex: jubilee even magik or quentin quire maybe) being students

A plot- revolves around the various students and teachers: life/origin story, family, inter-personal relations

B plot- anti-mutant, time travel, religious bigot shit, simultaneously advancing the A plot

(as i type this out i do realize that what i just described does take inspo form x men evolution :-p )

----------------

add your headcanons/art for a possible fan animation tv series too. spread the love and do comment *wink wink*

[stuffforthestash]

Modern Academic AU pt3

All this because I couldn't stop thinking about what kinds of classes Professor Raphael would teach... He's laughing up at me from hell, I just know it.

part 1 and part 2

------------------------------

Kagha (by request!) - Environmental Science. Will only teach courses about political lobbying and activism. She's also a militant vegan and active member of PETA, and won't shut up about it.

Dammon - College of Engineering. Teaches "Advanced Manufacturing Processes" and "Finite Element Analysis", and runs the machining shop. Also teaches a metal sculpture class when there's room in the Art School's budget. He's one of the faculty liaisons for several LGBTQA+ orgs on campus as well, and is completely oblivious to the fact he has a fan club (which is for the best, really)

Zevlor - Campus Security. A retired Green Beret who refuses to talk about his time in the service, he's well liked by most faculty and known to be a bit of an old school charmer. LOTS of rumors and speculation about what kind of injury got him discharged, and how he got it.

Barcus - College of Engineering. He teaches classes on Thermodynamics and Process Design & Safety. Has no idea how popular and well-liked he is by both students and staff.

Wulbren - Chemical Engineering Dep't Chair. He's brilliant, but also an asshole, and is constantly trying to weasel more grant money for his research into ethically questionable chemical compound modifications. Also makes his TAs teach all his classes for him.

Lorroakan - English Dep't Chair. Thinks he's hot shit for it but really no one else wanted the job. He makes his TAs teach all his classes AND do all his admin work, so he can spend all his time (and the department's money) on schmoozing with alumni and donors.

Blurg - Environmental Science. Isn't that great of a teacher but it's required for keeping the research grants coming in. Thankfully his passion and enthusiasm for topics like Sustainability in Agriculture make up for his shortcomings.

Omeluum - They're actually Bluurg's research partner and not technically a member of faculty, though they also act as his unofficial TA because otherwise Bluurg's course work interferes with their research timelines.

Nine-Fingers Keene (by request) - School of Business. Her classes are all advanced level and titled things like "Gaining The Competitive Edge". She also runs an entrepreneurial outreach program for young women seeking to start their own businesses.

Dame Aylin - VP of Diversity and Inclusion. She's very passionate about her job and a VERY vocal advocate for social justice issues like inclusivity, diversity, and accessibility. Completely incapable of keeping her personal life separate from her professional one, as she's a devout believer in leading by example.

Isobel - School RN. Is fiercely protective of students right to medical privacy and access to judgment free care, but is much better known on campus for being Dame Aylin's wife.

The Emperor - Board of Trustees. Outwardly just an ordinary Trustee, generally pleasant to interact with and actually rather good at rubbing elbows with students, faculty, and admin alike. There's just something off about them, enough that they've had multiple audits and inquests over the years despite nobody ever being able to find any actual signs of misconduct.

------------------------------

Sorry this set took a bit longer to figure out. A bunch of these characters were a real challenge to fit into roles that actually exist in reality, and I had to do a bit of research to find out wtf kinds of classes or departments certain fields of study even have. Ah, the things we do for the blorbos, amirite?

[toydrill]

ULTIMATE CBS MASTERPOST

(or, a general hub to answer a few questions that my followers who are here for other things that are not my passion projects might be curious about)

recently i've been really pushing hard into working on this revival project, so i thought it would be helpful to have a nice big post with links to all of my stuff inside it!

"what is care bear stars?"

care bear stars was a 2008-2009 fanime created, drawn, and animated by joshua click (known at the time as jcstars5). here's a general synopsis:

Care Bear Stars follows the story of Terry Rogers, who meets a magical anthropomorphic bear named True Heart Bear. She gives him a magical talisman, and with it, he transforms into Tender Heart Bear. Along with the other Care Bear Stars, they work to protect good feelings and love among humankind and fight the evil Professor Coldheart, alongside a rogues gallery of otherworldly foes.

for those who don't know exactly what a fanime is and what it entails, here's a good definition from TVtropes:

Fanime (a portmanteau of “fan” and “anime”) is a type of Web Animation typically created by young amateur artists that originated on YouTube around 2006, a year after the site's launch. ... In the past, many fanime were animesque cartoons based on pre-existing anime, especially Tokyo Mew Mew and other Magical Girl shows. Tracing was also common. Instead of using animation software, creators would usually draw frames in MS Paint or Photoshop and composite them in Windows Movie Maker. ... As fanime was predominately created by very young artists inexperienced in animation in the beginning, it gained a reputation for being bad. ... Following the mainstream popularity of Nyan~ Neko Sugar Girls, this type of fanime dominated the community for a long time, but creators attempting to create genuine shows still remain and the community has grown increasingly talented and creative throughout the years.

care bear stars was received pretty well for its time for fanime, receiving a decent amount of fanwork and discussions on websites like deviantArt. though it was far from the only fanime at the time with its premise, its generally considered one of the pillars of first generation fanime alongside series like elemental goddess, and stood out for having full TV length episodes (something that was unheard of at the time for fanime).

the project was cancelled in 2009 after the creator received a cease & desist letter from then (now defunct) owners of the care bear stars franchise, cookie jar group.

for a more in depth write up of my knowledge of CBS during its active period, joshua click's thoughts looking back on the series in adulthood, and where many of the VOs in the project are now, you can check out this document i've worked on and off on for 8 years

"why do you gaf?"

autism

i met some really great friends from the fanime community and now i've imprinted on this show in my mind more than any fanime that i'd ever watched

i love care bears

autism again

as a testament to said autism: here's a collection of all the care bears stars fanart i've ever found

"okay so what is care bear stars r?"

exactly what it sounds like. it's just a 1-to-1 remake of the premise, characters, etc with what i could find of the original project + what i would have done if it were me

for an in-depth (but WIP) write up of my revival, CARE BEAR STARS R, you can click here

you can also find all of my art & write-ups here , and all of my friends' fanart here , and all of the references for them here

other resources

my twitter thread that i consistently update

my tumblr tag for posting about care bear stars

the original series in chronological (series) order

thank you so much for reading!

[eternaltae7]

Hani (Fox)

BTS 8th Member

Background:

~Full Name: Hani O’Riordan (한이 오리오던)

~Stage Name: Fox

~Birthday: June 22, 1998

~Nationality: Irish-Korean

~Birthplace: Ireland

~Moved to Korea: When she was a baby, so she has spent most of her life in Korea.

~Family:

•Younger Brother: Currently attending college in America.

•Father: A professor.

•Mother: An artist who teaches art, specializing in painting and pottery.

~Languages: Fluent in Korean and English, with a soft Irish lilt when she speaks English.

~Heritage: Celebrates both Irish and Korean cultures, combining traditional Irish melodies with K-pop rhythms.

~Role in BTS: vocalist, dancer, and song writer

Personality:

~Creative and Playful: Loves to incorporate her Irish heritage into her music and performances.

~Intelligent and Strategic: Known for her quick wit and being a strategic thinker in games or challenges.

~Calm Under Pressure: Provides a grounding energy during intense rehearsals or tight schedules.

~Loyal and Protective: Fiercely protective of her BTS family.

~Warm and Mysterious: While she may initially appear reserved, she is deeply caring and supportive.

Appearance:

~Height: 167 cm (5’6”)

~Hair: Auburn, often styled in soft waves, giving her a striking, unique look that complements her Irish-Korean heritage.

~Eyes: Hazel-green, reflecting her Irish heritage.

~Style: Unique mix of modern and traditional Korean and Irish elements in her outfits.

~Stage Presence: Known for her captivating, mysterious stage persona with a sharp, intense gaze.

Talents:

~Singing: Rich, soulful voice with a slight rasp.

~Rapping: Occasionally delivers precise, impactful rap lines.

~Dancing: Known for her fluid, graceful dance style with flexibility and power. Grew up learning ballet.

~Instruments: Plays the piano.

~Songwriting: Incorporates personal experiences and cultural influences in her lyrics.

~Artistry: Influenced by her mother, Hani has an eye for visual aesthetics, and she enjoys painting and pottery in her spare time.

Quick Facts:

~Nicknames: “Fire Fox,” “Han”

~Favorite BTS Song: “Spring Day.”

~Hobbies: Hiking, painting (even though she’s not good), reading, and occasionally helping her mom with pottery.

~Favorite Food: Jjajangmyeon and Irish stew.

~Signature Move: Her “fox smile,” a mischievous grin she uses to tease the members.

~Fan Interaction: Engages with international ARMYs in both English and Korean during livestreams.

Relationships with Other Members:

~Namjoon: Intellectual conversations about books and philosophy.

~Jin: Shares a love for food and cooking, often talking about opening a restaurant together.

~Yoongi: Spends long hours in the studio with Yoongi, discussing deep topics.

~Hoseok: Her calm balances his bright energy.

~Jimin: Playful banter and intense dance rehearsals.

~Taehyung: Artistic collaborations and shared creative interests.

~Jungkook: They have a playful, competitive dynamic, frequently challenging each other in games and athletic activities. Jungkook is protective of her but enjoys teasing her since she’s the youngest.

Stage Persona:

On stage, Fox is enchanting and mysterious, with fluid movements and captivating eyes that draw the audience in. She brings an emotional depth to her performances, often weaving in her cultural influences.

———————————————————————————

#bts #bts8thmember #foxofbts #btsimagine #btsscenarios #kpop #RM #Namjoon #Suga #yoongi #jhope #hoseok #seokjin #jin #jungkook #v #taehyung #jimin #bangtan