#shade the changing man cosplay

[carefulkid]

Life's too short, put on the Shade coat and go to Meow Wolf.

[rac-shades]

eats lint if u even care

anyways here my finished rac shade cosplay, made over the course of the month of january, but i haven't gotten pics off until now. i custom dyed fabric for the outside and lining bc im insane. full process on my tiktok (@/fragglepunk).

[ozzgin]

Yandere! Yokai Harem x Reader (I)

This is probably my longest running dysfunctional daydream scenario, so I thought I'd share it here.

As stereotypical as it gets, you've fallen into an old well and found yourself in feudal Japan. Almost immediately, you're attacked by a yokai that calls you by a name you don't recognize. He insists you possess the soul of an ancient priest that would capture demons under a binding contract. Something isn't right, however, so your life is spared until further clues come to light. With two men unwillingly bound to you, you begin to uncover this mess as more 'collection pieces' show up. They might prefer you to their previous owner.

TW: violence, monsters

[Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3] [Character Guidebook]

You vigorously cough out whatever grass you seemed to have bit into when you hit the ground. Was all this vegetation here just one moment ago? As you get up and dust your knees you're brought back into focus by the loud buzzing of insects. You look above and involuntarily squint your eyes. You didn't expect to see a full, bright sky.

"What the hell?" is all you can mutter.

You and your university friends had planned a quick trip to the neighboring Tokyo, just to visit some trending local cafes and shop around. You somehow wandered into the suburbs and found a very obvious path to a large shrine that was visible from the bottom of the stairs. Now, what's more stereotypical than finding a shrine, approaching it with shy steps, dangling the old rope of the bell and humbly clapping your hands together for a quick prayer that gives you a fake sense of meaningfulness? Then again, you love a good cliché. So you did just that, and then whipped out your phone to snap some artsy photos of the place. In your search for the perfect angle, you spotted a wooden structure among some pillars and zoomed in to realize it's an old well.

Here's where you awkwardly tiptoed away from your friends. You couldn't possibly confess to them that you're one of those anime nerds, and that you immediately thought of a certain classic title, and that this could make a very good impromptu cosplay shoot. You could smell the nostalgia as you carefully swayed your way behind the pillars and under the shade of the tiled roof. You bent over carefully (apparently not carefully enough) to asses how deep the well was. Just as you were about to exclaim its shallowness, you felt the gravity pull you inwards. Within seconds your head made contact with the moist soil and you briefly blacked out as the rest of your body arrived in proper position.

Unpleasant, but you've had migraines worse than this. Though now you're wondering whether you might've damaged some important brain parts, given the sudden change of scenery. Or has your dysfunctional daydreaming finally caught up to you?

You laugh silently and test the walls around you, feeling for some contact point that you can use to pull yourself back out. You finally crawl out, but freeze with your elbows around the frame of the well, looking ahead.

There's no building around, just tall grass and what seems to be the beginning of a forest. You remember to blink, and each time you close your eyes you hope to see the shrine once again, to no avail.

"I thought I'm past the risk age for schizophrenia", you mumble in a humorous attempt. The situation is so absurd that you need to share it with an imaginary audience.

You muster up the courage to step out and onto the ground, with extra caution as if it could vanish at any moment. After brief consideration, you slap a bunch of weeds in front of you to test their consistency. The hard stems hurt your wrist and you nod. This is a little too intense to be just a hallucination.

Alright, so you got trapped in some sort of feudal anime remake. What now? You glance around, almost hoping to see some white haired man sleeping against a tree with an arrow stuck into the chest. You check your phone. No signal, but thankfully it still works. You have a battery and its charger, but the latter is probably useless. Unless this remake comes with electricity. You chuckle at the thought. Who knows, maybe it's one of those isekai otome games instead and some timeline inconsistency or loophole will provide you with an outlet.

After trying the well one last time without success, you decide to at least find another human being. Then you can get some grasp of your whereabouts and situation. You notice a patch of grass that's been bent to the ground, probably from frequent stomping. That's a start. You follow the hints of bipedal movement and hope for the best.

The improvised path slithers downhill and around the mass of trees, and you question whether the fields ahead might have traces of houses on them. You pick up your pace in anticipation.

A sharp swish of an unknown object causes you to flinch and halt, and before you can process it, a thin blade lays inches from your nose. You follow its length and find the source: a tall, horned (???) man with silver hair.

Ironically enough, he seems to be more shocked than you. His facial expression flips from focused anger to unbelievable confusion within seconds. His eyebrows are raised and his lips part.

"Ah!" you yell as the gears begin to turn. "Christ, you almost made me question my sanity!

Now let me tell you, this is some great cosplay. I was about to beg for my life. Hah! How the hell did you pull the whole transition? Is the well a tunnel? I hope I didn't accidentally break into some event."

The man returns his sword into its sheath, still in deep disbelief.

"You're not him, are you? But then again..."

"Huh? Him? I'm sorry, were you expecting someone? If you show me the way out I'll disappear in a moment." you turn around, prepared to be led to the exit. "Who're you cosplaying, anyways? I'm a big fan of historical dramas, but I don't recognize the character design."

"I don't understand what you're saying." the man tilts his head in utter surprise.

"Alright, I get the point" you force a laugh, slightly irritated by the persistence. "You're deep in your acting, I get that. Focus and all the jazz. But my friends are around the corner and I don't have signal, can you please skip the theatre and show me the exit?"

"The exit to...where? You're outside."

You sigh, loudly, and click your tongue. "Enough of this, please. Where's the shrine?"

"Ah, I get it. You're trying to confuse me." he pulls his sword back out. "I've had enough of your tricks. You're in an early stage, aren't you? Not strong enough to fight back. I can sense it."

Oh God, it's one of those maniacs, you think to yourself. You raise your arms as a peace offering and hope you won't be featured in the 5pm news with multiple stab wounds.

"Listen man, I really don't know what you're talking about. I'll leave quietly and won't bother you again, I promise."

You gulp and await a response, but the man's mouth opens and the words are replaced by a foreign, disembodied shriek. There's a rapidly approaching heavy shuffle that sounds like the trample of many limbs. You feel your leg being hooked into something and the ground turns around at a dizzying speed.

Something just grabbed you.

Given the movements of the lips, you're assuming that the mysterious cosplaying maniac is yelling something, but your ears are ringing and throbbing as the adrenalin begins to pump. You're being thrown around by something and you can feel the skin holding your leg together creaking and tearing with every jolt.

You manage to land your eyes on the creature. The teeth are unnaturally sharp and it seems to have many arms and legs arranged in a scattered order along the scaly body. It trashes around in such a fluid, dynamic way, that you doubt it could be the result of any machine. It's a living thing and currently attacking you for whatever reason.

Once the bizarre reality settles in, panic floods your body and you scream for help. If not the maniac, then some godly intervention. You did offer a small donation at the shrine, it has to count for something.

The spectacle doesn't last long, since the silver haired man doesn't hesitate to behead the creature. You can see that he wasn't making empty threats with his sword skills. You'd prefer, however, if you weren't the next one to go under his guillotine. Your body rolls over the dirt, limp from the shock.

You tilt yourself upwards pathetically and let out a groan once you attempt to use your leg to stand. You turn around and notice the aftermath of your little air ballet. There's a deep wound and thick, red blood is oozing out, scrambling to form a protective crust.

"You... really can't fight at all, can you? You weren't lying."

The man is now standing in front of you, the same amount of disbelief he had at the beginning.

"How the hell would I have fought that...that..." you choke and can feel tears forming in your eyes. "I don't understand what's happening. I just want to go back home. I don't know what's happening." you start sobbing and angrily rub your eyes, hoping to trigger some sort of way to wake up. But your eyelids burn and you feel awake. This was never a dream.

Your sudden meltdown startles the man and he awkwardly hovers his hands over you, unsure of how to handle this.

"Sorry, if I had known, I would've stopped it earlier. I genuinely thought you're..." he sighs. "I'm really sorry. You got hurt because of me."

"Can you please tell me where I am? I feel like I'm going crazy. It's year 202X and I was out with my friends and fell into a well. I've never seen a creature like that in my life. I somehow ended up here and I can't go back. Where the hell is this?"

"I... I don't understand what's happening either. I came here because I sensed he's back. I didn't expect to see... well... you." 

You scan his face. His frown is sincere. Which, truth be told, is even less helpful. You're back to square 0, it's getting dark and your ankle is trashed. 

You just want to sleep.

You stare at the ceiling, hands locked together over your chest. The improvised hay mattress isn't exactly comfortable, but it's certainly better than nothing. You sheepishly glance at the horned man. He's sitting by the window, idly looking outside with hooded eyes. He seems to be tired, too. 

"Try to get some rest", he'd told you earlier. Easier said than done. After the monster attack, he carried you on his back until you found an abandoned hut. His way of apologizing for letting you get mauled. As you walked, he narrated his reasoning to you. 

His name is Kiritsubo. When he was a child, a human dressed like an onmyouji took him in for training. Said to be the successor of Abe no Seimei himself, the man was feared throughout the country for his supernatural powers. Most of his strength, however, came from the collection of yokai he'd gathered to work for him. None of them had agreed to it, but no one knew how to break the bond subduing them. Eventually, the old man succumbed into his eternal slumber, yet the yokai were still not freed from the contract.

Some of them suggested he wasn't truly gone. Merely reincarnated. And today, he felt it for the first time. That's how he stumbled upon you. You appear to have part of his soul within you, whether you realize it or not. But if you truly have no knowledge of it, he doesn't have the heart to slaughter an innocent. 

"What about the rest?" you blurt out, quietly.

Kiritsubo turns to you, mildly startled.

"What do you mean?"

"You said the man owned 12 legendary yokai. Are you the only one left?"

"No." He frowns. "They most likely know about you already. Let's try to send you back to your world tomorrow, because they will not be as forgiving."

A shiver runs across your spine. This one is scary enough already. You pray you'll be home before you can meet any other beast.

"This is where I found you, so the well shouldn't be far." 

The silver haired man surveys the horizon and you limp forward. 

"I'll check the area, since you can't walk much."

As soon as he says that, he vanishes. You're left with the heavy buzz of afternoon cicadas. You might as well do your own search. Keep yourself preoccupied. The idea of leaving this behind fills you with excitement and you find enough strength to push ahead. 

A few minutes later, you hear a shuffle behind you. Could it be that Kiritsubo already found the well? Enthusiasm fills your chest and a burning heat spreads out. Although it speedily pools in your left shoulder, and you notice in horror that it wasn't enthusiasm taking over your body. A blade is sticking out of your shoulder, avoiding anything vital as some sort of mockery rather than omission. 

"Found you."

The voice is deep and foreign. You barely manage to tilt your head and meet the glowing red eyes of a black haired man. Dark horns are twisting menacingly from his crown and his expression is that of pure wrath. As fresh blood drips down your chin, you wonder if this is the next yokai in line to seek his revenge.

How will you get out of this?

[bunnimew]

Lethal Company Circuit Bee Hive!

Metrocon was a blast! But we were working on our costumes up to the last second so it is only post-con that we can share what we were doing 😂 As soon as we decided to cosplay Lethal Company, we were coming up with which props to carry. I immediately latched on to the hive. 1) It's adorable 2) it has led to so many hilarious and despairing deaths that I can't help but think of it first. It's a perfect "Do it for the company!" kind of prop.

Behold the Bee hive!

I went full-tilt middle school prop for this thing. I believe paper mache is an underrated prop option. It costs almost nothing, it's sandable (not that I did much of that; what is time?), it's strong, it takes paint great, and you can build onto it easily if you want the outside to be something a little more refined. I have, in the past, fiberglassed and XTC'ed over a paper mache base. Both work. But I didn't do that for this hive.

Instead, I went to party city and bought the cheapest balloon pack I could find. In classic elementary fashion, I paper mached over a balloon (2 layers), then popped the thing so I had a sphere to work from. I did not cover the bottom of the balloon. There's a 6 inch diameter hole at the base so that it sits without rolling and so I can shove stuff inside. Because yeah, I did shove my flashlight in there a couple times. I only have so many hands.

I cut empty paper towel rolls in half and used an x-acto blade to cut slits in them, then hot glued them around the sphere to give it the comb shape from the game. I mached over the rolls, about 3 layers, then did a layer of wood filler and sanded to even things out just a smidge and fill gaps.

All of the paint were acrylics. I used 3 shades of yellow in awkward stripes to mimic the changing, uneven shades from the game. Then black with a tiny brush to make the combs. Absolutely no measuring went into this thing; it's all eyeing and vibing while listening to Adventure Zone 🤣

We bought two strings of bee lights to cover the outside. The battery packs went inside the hive with the switches toward the opening so I can easily switch the strings on and off while holding it normally. The bees were hot glued in place, of course.

And if you saw me between photos at the con, you know I was tossing this hive around and putting it down everywhere, including on top of my helmet. The thing was sturdy and balanced and everything I needed it to be to survive a day at the con.

Thanks to @therepo-man and @quintdophoto (On Insta) for the con photos! Ngl, I think it's the coolest shit when you can see the bees reflected in my helmet visor.

I spent so long balanced on one foot because you gotta grab the hive and book it or you're not doing Lethal Company right, right? 😂

[umihoshi]

God, that was so much more difficult than I thought it would;;; but here's my anime 3x3!

shows that formed me to be the person I am, the type of writer, the type of artist, the type of thinker. I am as surprised as you that JoJo didn't make the cut ???? but these are the core series from my life and JoJo has been..... very very recent...

They're not in any particular order, just ended up random cuz I kept accidently forgetting to click an empty box, lol

Nobody's boy Remi - I used to cry when I missed an episode on tv TAT I was like 4 or 5 years old, hahah... no clue what anime was yet, but it stuck so strongly with me. the beautiful art, the emotional storytelling. my very first step towards being a fucking weeb =v=

Prince of Tennis - I've done so much art, so much writing, so much meta for Prince of Tennis x_x nothing to awaken the analytical mind than a sport anime. also, the first thing I really got to enjoy without my toxic ex-bestie

Ashita no Nadja - I originally only found like 3 episodes on a German website with no subtitles;; it's so horribly cringy and disney princess vibe, but it brings such warm feelings and memories in my heart. the classic 'orphan girl meets a mysterious masked man who is actually a prince', masked balls, traveling circus, history and culture. these are the type of corny things I want in my oc stories, yes, thank you.

Good witch of the West - a bit overlapping with Ashita no Nadja, but this one strikes a very special cord with me. It's probably the most obscure anime I have in my entire list and I've watched it so so many times.

Hunter x Hunter - it's from a period where I met a lot of my first non-school friends. having cosplayed Leorio and Kuroro more than I can count, and I am very normal about Illumi. I just feel very comfortable and nostalgic with it. and on like the day where I finished the original, the remake was announced, hohohoh~ Also, Hisoka helped along to reel in this clownfucker bestie of mine~~ ;))

D. Gray-Man - this show was an experience for me, man. I've spend like 5 years stuck in OC hell, but I'm still very fond of my little arrogant idiot noah oc, Chrome =3= the Noahs are the best villains in the entire wide world and I will not take criticism.

Glass Mask - relatively less old than the other 8, but it was there in a very important moment of my life. Glass Mask will forever mark the period where I started living on my own. I was so proud of myself how well I was doing without having my parents around all the time. watching a complete anime on full screen in the living room for the first time, what a blessing.

DNAngel - I still see certain resemblances in my artstyle to where I started drawing anime with DNAngel. the soft eyes and the shading is still one of my favorites. and Hiwatari Satoshi is my very first Megane boy~<3

Magic Knight Rayearth - not so much the anime, but the SNES game changed my life forever. My oldest brother had installed an emulator and some roms and MKR was among it. It was my first introduction with 'anime' where I actually learned what anime was, that it was Japanese and that there were MORE series like this wooooow! Until this very day, even after 25 years, I still listen to the name Umi.

series that JUST didn't make the cut: JoJo - Golden Wind Ouran Highschool Host Club Detective Conan Final Fantasy Unlimited Dangan Ronpa Interstella 5555 Pretear

make your own 3x3 here: https://gqgs.github.io/3x3-generator/

[copiousloverofcopia]

Because I am INSANE here is another Chapter fic I have started featuring Copia and OC Astrid!

We will see where this goes because I have some people telling me include my signature stuff and others who want it left out. Feel free to tell me what you'd like to see in the comments!

Something Blue

Sister of Sin Astrid is anything but excited for Cardinal Copia to return home from tour. As his assistant, she leads a life of monotony and boredom from which she longs for more. When the Cardinal returns, anointed as Papa Emeritus IV, she is faced with an unwanted and unavoidable situation predicated on her family's position within the church. Will Astrid rise to what has been asked of her or will she destroy everything and leave it all behind?

Also available HERE on A03!

Commissions currently closed! They will open up again once I finish editing cosplay photos from my sessions 😅

Anyways here we got ghesties!!!

Below the cut for space

She smoothed over the crisp folds made in her black sheets. Lastly, fluffing up her well-slept on pillows before heading to the refectory. The smell of freshly baked bread was already wafting up the stairs from inside the kitchen—and a dutiful sister was never late for breakfast. Astrid was done up, smug with how well her mascara and eyeliner had come together for a change. Her porcelain pale face–perfectly dewy, with cheeks that blushed a delicate shade of rose. Her habit had been freshly ironed and veil well affixed to her dark navy hair. Carefully selected strands, falling down and framing her face. Adding to her natural beauty as she entered the hall.  

Today was a special day for the Abbey. The Cardinal would be returning from tour, and tonight the siblings and clergy would be ripe with celebration. Everyone was preparing for the festivities–not only for this triumphant return, but a special announcement to be made at the night’s celebratory dinner. Despite the expected fanfare, Astrid couldn’t care less about it. 

Had it not been for her determination to show Cirrus what she had been missing since their breakup, Astrid would have absent-mindedly gotten drunk and ignored the celebrations all together. Enjoying the spoils so generously donated from Secondo’s stash, much more than rejoicing in the old man’s return. She was the Cardinal’s assistant. Day in and day out, watching him work the finances—a prosaic job bestowed so lovely upon her by the Deacon Patrick. An old friend of the family who so happened to be the head of Sibling Affairs.

She had wanted something exciting to do after officially taking her vows.  It was her family’s idea however that she worked with the Cardinal, and of course she couldn’t say no. Ideas and dreams of a more interesting life—crushed with her appointment. There would be no working in the garden with Papa Primo, surrounded by the beauty of exotic flowers and his mystical practices with herbs and spells. Nor would she get the chance to bend down in low-cut garments in front of the Third as she tended to his “needs”.

No, all the potential for something more intriguing, ruined for the sake of giving the old man someone to double check his grammar on expensive reports and verify that budgets reached Sister Imperator in a timely fashion. It was a wonder to her that she hadn’t already gone stark-raving mad. From the moment they gave her the position she longed for more. Disappointed that she was destined to live out her days in monotony. In service to the Ministry and to others, unable to make many choices for herself. 

It was unavoidable, almost as much as an Emeritus son's ascension to the Papacy. Astrid’s father was a high clergyman for years before his passing, and her mother too, came from a bloodline that spanned back centuries. A family that helped to found the Satanic church in Italy—now pushing for her to continue her studies and move up within the ranks of the clergy. It was assumed that one day she would become an abbess or even a sister akin to the likes of Sister Imperator. A woman of high regard and power. 

Either way, she seemed to be expected to take up a mantle set out for her by a family she barely knew. Astrid was angry that she’d be unable to truly forge a future of her own. Her job with Copia, a reminder of just how tedious and unexciting the Ministry could be. That life for her was meant to be full of hard work and appeasement—masking her own desires. 

Copia himself was a kind man and Astrid bore no ill-will toward him. Although she could do without his obsession with his rats and other strange habits. Like the time she caught him riding around his tricycle at 3am—not the sight she expected to see when Cirrus and her had crept downstairs to fool around in the pews. She was ambivalent towards him, more caught up in her own misery than giving him much attention. Not really friends, but friendly one might say–though she could tell that the Cardinal felt differently about her. 

She paid it no mind and Copia was too much of a gentleman to bring it up, but It was a relief when Sister Imperator had convinced Papa Nihil to appoint him as head of Ghost, leaving Astrid to be responsibility free for a bit while he was gone. Not only would the desk work be on hold, but Cirrus too would be gone. The break up between them, leaving a bad taste in Astrid’s mouth. One she was glad to be rid of as the tour began. 

Today however, they were back. Any minute now, the ghouls of the band along with the Cardinal would arrive and she needed to hurry up if she wanted to stuff something into her face before they returned. When she had finally reached the refectory, Astrid grabbed herself a cappuccino and bowl of granola before sitting down on the bench just at the front of the room. Watching the main entrance from the doorway. Only a few moments passed before the inevitable cracking open of the door.  

“Argh why does this shit seem to get heavier every time I have to carry it.” Dew hissed, trying to reposition his pack higher up on his back. His tail, swishing around fast from side to side. A sure sign of annoyance as the other ghouls began filling in behind him. 

“Quit your blubbering. We are on break now Dew, no more luggage for a while.” Aether said, rolling his eyes as he lugged in his own bags through the door. 

“I don’t have any problem.” laughed Mountain, who picked both Dew and his bags up and walked them further inside. Effortless like he’d lifted a tissue from the ground. The other ghouls laughed a bit as they entered, watching Dew struggling to free himself from Mountain’s grasp. Astrid, almost choking on her coffee as we watched the slinky ghoul drop to the ground. 

It was amazing to her just how much like family the ghouls were with each other. She was always envious of how well they got along and just how much they all seemed to truly care about one another. She was also not shy about discovering how well they seemed to all be in the bedroom. Dating Alpha some years back before her and Cirrus had gotten together. She continued watching them as she took her empty bowl to the counter and threw away her napkin, next coming Cumulus and the Cardinal. 

Astrid noticed almost immediately something was different about him. Copia seemed happy to be home, which was all together expected, but his smile—it had changed. More confident than she had remembered. He glanced towards her, nodding to acknowledge he’d seen her before Astrid sent back a lackluster nod of her own. 

As her eyes shifted away, she caught sight of Cirrus walking inside. The tour seemed to have done wonders for her. The ghoulette’s ashen skin glowing as she wrapped her arm around Sunshine, kissing her fully and deep as they walked inside. The two of them giggling together like they’d spent the whole tour held up in bed. Astrid’s blood began to boil at the sight. Her anger and jealousy seething through every pore.

She took off out of her seat, rushing through the entryway to the refectory and down the hall towards the chapel. Copia watched, listening to the conversation of the ghouls and a few of the siblings that had come to greet them at the door. He could feel something was wrong. Though Astrid had never allowed him to get close, it didn’t take a genius to see the pain in her eyes. 

“Everything ok Papa.” Aether asked, noticing the concerned look on Copia’s face. He handed his bag over to Aether, as the ghoul insisted, and gave him a small smile before speaking. 

“I—ah…I think I will go check on Sister Astrid. She seems upset.” he explained. 

“Ha la Luna storta. I wouldn’t worry about it.” chimed in Marcus, a brother of sin who had been waiting for them to return. Copia started to walk off, watching as Astrid disappeared towards the chapel. 

“Papa, Sister Imperator is expecting you in her office.” Rain reminded him. Copia waved his hand to shrug off Rain’s concern. He needed to know what had the sister so upset. 

“No worries…I will head up there soon Rain…” he assured them as he took off towards the chapel.

How dare she move on so fast…fucking bitch. Glad I was just so easily replaced, Astrid raged. Her knees hitting the hassock as she began to pray for strength. Lucifer knows she didn’t want Cirrus back. The sister’s affections for the ghoulette, waning fast over the course of their rather dysfunctional relationship. But the idea of her moving on so easily, however, really pissed Astrid off. 

She felt herself begin to cry. The eye make-up she had prided herself on, beginning to run down her cheeks as she failed to hold them back. Just behind her was the sound of the door. A small creak that echoed gently in the room, alerting her to another’s presence. 

Astrid quickly wiped away the tears and pulled herself up onto the seat of the pew. Her heart, racing as she prepared for the worst. Hoping that Cirrus hadn’t followed her in. That no one had seen her losing her grip. 

“Cara mia?” A familiar voice spoke, as a warm body took its place beside her. Astrid looked over to see Copia sitting there. His face, full of concern and empathy. 

“It’s nothing, Cardinal. How was the tour?” she asked, hoping that Copia would be too polite to push further. 

“Glorious cara, there is truly nothing like it. The ghouls and I have grown quite close over the past 2 years. I honestly am very excited to do it again once I have had a chance to work on the next album of course.” he smiled. 

“Oh wow…I’m surprised that the clergy were that impressed, but they must be if they are letting you do another tour cycle.” Astrid said innocently. All the frontmen of Ghost she had seen were Papas after retirement. Terzo was the last and then Copia was chosen reportedly as a last stitch effort to mix things up by Sister Imperator who felt the Emeritus sons weren’t pulling in enough support for the Dark Lord. 

“Ah yes well…” Copia began, Astrid sensing that her words could be taken as an insult. She wasn’t the best at thinking before speaking. 

“Sorry Cardinal I didn’t mean to—” 

“It’s alright Astrid, I take no offense. Anyways I am happy to be home for now. I missed you while on tour.” he told her, trying to change the subject–his words still however very much true. 

“Oh? Why is that?” she laughed. 

“Well there was no one there to make sarcastic comments or joke around with me—except Dew and Aether, but if I am being honest cara, I prefer your humor.” he explained, his words warm and comforting. 

“Heh…well then, I missed you too.” Astrid sniffled, no longer caring if the Cardinal knew the real reason she had come to the chapel. He was a compassionate man after all and, following his kind words, she felt she could confess her sin. Be absolved by him in some way to help her make it through the night’s celebrations. 

“Cardinal…” 

“Sister Astrid…”

“The real reason I came in here…well…it’s because of Cirrus. I'm angry and I needed to be alone.” she admitted, Copia’s brows raising up on high his forehead with her words. 

“Cirrus? I thought things were—”

“They are… they have been. I just…I just didn’t think she’d move on so soon.”

“Ah, si…I understand. This thing between her and Sunshine is making you feel insecure, eh?” he asked her. How astute he was, a trait that both impressed and irritated Astrid to the core. She narrowed her gaze, unable to hide her discontent from Copia, she then turned to face away. Staring forward at the large stone grucifix that sat atop the sanctuary. 

“I’m just tired of feeling unimportant.” she sighed, once again wiping away tears.

“You are not unimportant cara. I certainly need you.” Copia laughed a bit, trying to lighten the mood. His comment made no difference to Astrid. She was mad and hurt, nothing he was going to say would change it. He didn’t want him to be upset either but being unable to help. Astrid, beginning to feel as though she shouldn’t have said anything. 

“Yeah.” was all she could muster, becoming quiet as the two of them sat together in the pews. 

“Well…While I know this won’t make your pain go away sister, you are very much needed.” Copia smiled, reaching over to touch her hand. Astrid instinctively tensed, looking over to him confusedly. 

“Cardinal—” she began before Copia cut her off. 

“Shhh…Astrid. I will share a secret with you, ok? But you must tell no one until after dinner tonight.” Copia whispered, his head swiveling around to make sure the two of them were truly alone. Astrid’s demeanor changed. Finally, something exciting, even if it was a small secret between her and her boss. 

“Promise, my lips are sealed.” she promised. Copia smiled once again and began to look a bit nervous. Astrid, growing more intrigued by the second. Finally, after what felt like hours, even if it had only been a minute, he told her. 

“I am now Papa. As of now I am Papa Emeritus the Fourth.” 

When Copia had left Astrid in the chapel, she was floored. As he shut the door behind him, leaving at the behest of Aether and Rain, she couldn’t believe it. How? Why? They made Copia…Papa? 

The choice to her seemed to be completely out of left field. Copia was a smart man, but different from the others. He wasn’t even Papa Nihil’s son so how could he be an “Emeritus”. None of it made sense, but in true Astrid fashion her thoughts immediately went to how it would impact her. Would she have to change positions, or would she now be a Papal assistant?

The thoughts of Copia ascending now thrilling her. If she were to be Papa’s assistant that would open up way more opportunities for things like travel and parties and excitement. Astrid was all but giddy now with the news, hoping that it would play out like she’d envisioned in her mind.

As she left the chapel, she decided the evening couldn’t come fast enough. Now there would be cause for celebration and the night hadn’t been completely ruined by seeing Cirrus after all. She took off back to the dorms. Wanting to pick out an outfit for such a special occasion—having the insider information no one else had, when she was stopped by the Deacon on her way in. 

“Sister Astrid.” he said as he stood in front of the door. A tall man, thin and sharp looking in his Diaconal vestments. Black alb and stole. His black dalmatic adorned in red grucifixes along its center. Clearly he had been conferred his position during the time of Papa Emeritus the First’s reign. 

“Deacon Patrick, for what do I owe the honor?” she asked, laughing a bit under her breath. He was like an uncle to her. Her mother, off overseas with her second husband, leaving the Deacon to watch over her like a second father. 

“I am to fetch you and bring you to Sister Imperator’s office at once agnellino.” he smiled back, walking over and wrapping his arm over her shoulder, mindful of the fall of her veil. 

“Oh? That's strange.” Astrid hummed, hoping it had to do with Copia’s new appointment…and she was right.

When she walked into Sister’s office, she was hit with a chill. She had half a mind to think it was Sister herself causing it. The woman always was standoffish and all together cold to those who resided beneath her in station. When she rounded the chairs facing the desk, she saw Copia already sitting in one, anxiously stroking his mustache as both her and the Deacon took their seats. 

The three of them sat together in silence for several minutes. All looking toward one another but never speaking. “I hope I haven’t kept you all waiting long.” came a voice from behind them. Astrid immediately recognized it as Sister’s, though she was used to it being a bit more like a bark than the calm tone it was today. 

“Not at all. We have only just arrived, though I can’t speak for Papa.” the Deacon laughed, bowing his head in reverence towards Copia. Copia only nodded back, still looking anxious—almost child-like in Sister’s presence. 

“Good…ah! I see you’ve brought with you Sister Astrid.” she beamed, a cold chill shooting down the young sister’s spine. It was unnerving to see her excited about something and the way she reacted immediately to seeing her, set Astrid on edge. 

“Of course Sister, I was told you asked to see me?” 

“Yes…I am so glad you came. Well then, I don’t see any sense in resting on ceremony. I wanted to have this little meeting to discuss things prior to dinner this evening as it will be on the minds and, I'm sure, the lips of every sibling before sundown.” Her words, puzzling the three of them.

“You mean Copia becoming Papa?” Deacon Patrick asked.

“Well of course that…but there’s something else I needed to discuss specifically with you two.” she explained staring straight at Copia and Astrid. Copia’s eyes widened, it had to be something big for her to be carrying on like this. Astrid could feel her heart beginning to pound as she waited to hear whatever it was the Sister would tell them. 

“Yes Sister, go on with it then please.” Copia asked, trying still to find his voice when it came to her. 

“Yes…As Papa Emeritus the Fourth there are obligations to be upheld as I am sure you are all aware. This was not a decision made lightly by the Ministry, but with Papa Nihil’s other sons all having a go at it and still managing to fall short…changes needed to be made.”

“Am I missing something here Sister? You make it sound as if—” the Deacon began before Sister Imperator cut him off.

“As if Copia is Nihil’s son? That is because he is Patrick. Copia is Nihil and MY son.” Sister proclaimed. Astrid and Deacon Patrick audibly gasped, jaws hitting the proverbial floor with the revelation. 

“So that means…” Astrid said, trying to work it all out in her overwhelmed state. 

“That means that he is the rightful next heir to the miter and always has been because of his birthright. Copia has known for some time, but now it will become common knowledge since I am sure since the ghouls don’t know how to keep their mouths shut. That being said, it brings me to you Sister Astrid. 

“What about her?” the Deacon asked.

“Well you see because of his new position we are now in need of some other adjustments to her position as well.” Sister Imperator continued. This was it, Astrid thought to herself. Finally she would be getting in on some excitement. Hoping to kiss the paperwork goodbye, leaving it behind for something greater. 

“I am very excited to hear that.” Astrid nodded. Sister smiled back at her, sitting down at her desk before steepling her fingers.

“Cardi—Papa. Now that you have ascended it is by both mine and the Ministry’s judgment that you be betrothed, acquiring a Prime Mover.” 

“I’m sorry, a what?” Copia asked her. The Sister took in a deep breath, looking directly at Astrid. All three of them—Copia, Astrid, and the Deacon sat pupils blown, waiting for her to continue.

“A Prime Mover Copia—a wife. One day you will be expected to carry on the Papal line. None of the others are in a position to oblige and that leaves the task to you.” Sister explained. Copia lowered his head, looking into his lap accepting what she was saying to him with a nod. Both Astrid and the Deacon left in shock. 

“Oh you can’t mean.” Astrid began, realizing now what her new position was supposed to be.

“You have been chosen by the ministry to be Copia’s Prime Mover. The two of you will be wed within the next few weeks, once things have settled down a bit and we have had a chance to plan things out.” Sister said, flipping through some paperwork on her desk. Immediately both the Copia and Astrid stood up from their chairs. 

“Sister, I am not sure Sister Ast—” Copia protested, knowing that despite his own feelings, Astrid had not once given him any indication she’d felt the same. 

“This has to be a joke?!” Astrid snapped, her blood running cold with madness. How dare they just decide who she would marry, that she would bear children—that she’d be stuck playing Suzy homemaker with the awkward tricyclist of an old man. 

“I assure you it is not a joke Sister. You and Copia will be wed by the end of the Autumnal Equinox. Is that understood!” Sister Imperator hissed back, her force like a knife held to everyone’s throat. Both Copia and the Deacon stared at Astrid, awaiting what she’d say next.

“I—I can’t.” she cried, running from her chair and out the door of the office. Tears pouring forth like rain in a storm. Her heart aching and her mind swirling with anger. Copia got up from his seat, nodding to the Deacon as he attempted to make his own way out. 

“And just where do you think you are going?” Sister Imperator asked him, eyebrow cocked and smug look on her face. 

“I am going to talk to her. She is meant to be my bride Sister, is she not?” he said sharply. Sister only nodded to him as he left on his way to talk to Astrid—his bride to be.

Notes:

Ha la Luna storta-Her moon is crooked (An Italian saying for someone being in a bad mood)

Hassock- kneeler (place where one kneels to pray)

Dalmatic- vestment worn by Deacons, similar to priests chasuble

Alb- vestment worn by clergymen to cover street garments for ceremony.

Stole- scarf like vestment worn by clergymen 

Agnellino- little lamb

[ask-de-writer]

Return to the Master Story Index

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THE FISHERMAN'S LEG (Part 6 of 20)

A sequel to Dee 1/2 Demon

by

De Writer (Glen Ten-Eyck)

7763 words (work in progress)

© 2023 by Glen Ten-Eyck

All rights reserved. This document may not be copied or distributed on or to any medium or placed in any mass storage system except by the express written consent of the author.

TUMBLR EXEMPTION

Blog holding members of Tumblr.com may freely reblog this story provided that the title, author and copyright information remain intact, unaltered, and are displayed at the head of the story.

Fan art, stories, music, cosplay and other fan activity is actively encouraged.

~~ ~~ ~~ ~~

New to the story? Read from the beginning HERE.

~~ ~~ ~~ ~~

All of their boats were back, all the payments settled and the girls were taking down their sign when the Sea Lion came in on the afternoon's landward breeze.

Minami snarled at them, “What are you doing here? You have no business being on this dock at all!”

Brash Patsu snorted, “We were renting out our small boats just for fun, you know. Some people actually LIKE rowing about. Anyway, to answer your question, we are just leaving, which you would know if you used your eyes at all.”

Dee added, “Besides, you had to sign for the dock usage laws just yesterday, so you know that you are simply lying.”

Patsu hopped into one of the boats and began to row away, the other boats tied in a line followed along behind her.

That evening a man came running down the road from the Two Lakes District. He stopped briefly at Magistrate Lim's and then sought out Dee's house.

The next morning, the Shop of Repairs was closed and a note was posted on the doors. GONE FOR A FEW DAYS. WORK OUTSIDE OF SABO.

The SABO'S BETTER FISH MARKET did open on time, with a fine display of crabs, some of the big and tasty rock prawns, clams, whole snappers, cod and lovely boneless fillets. It was all on sparkling clean ice.

They also had the woks and steamers warming up and were preparing their first large pot of rice. Mikore, Dee's mother, was stirring up some tempura vegetables for an early customer.

While Minami watched, glowering, he realized that besides Dee's mother, the others busily working in the shop were the mothers of the rest of the girls from the Shop of Repairs.

While he was seeking some fault in the busy shop, a lady plucked at his sleeve, “There you are, Minami san. I wish to buy some of your good herrings.”

Without thinking, he twitched his sleeve from her fingers and grumped, “I will be there in a while. Return then.”

She sighed, “I cannot. Madam Unisatu has some important guests and their meal must be on time. I shall just get what I need here.”

As he was beginning to grasp his blunder, the woman handed a list to Mikore who returned, “Would you like some ice in the bottom of the bag to keep things fresh?”

“No, but if you could include a package of it, it will make lovely iced drinks for this hot weather. I have not seen these filets before. Have you some sort of samples?”

“Certainly, these were tempura dipped, fried and kept in the warmer.” She scooped three of the light yellow cubes onto a small plate.

“Lovely! Almost like scallops! I will take that half dozen larger ones!”

He watched with envy as the woman that he'd rudely rebuffed bought a heavy bag of fish and crabs. He snarled as the lady happily paid five silver cash and got only six of copper cash in change.

He watched another get a fine bento box with a tray of rice, tempura vegetables, a thinly cooked egg rolled about something and a helping of steamed fish. It was served, with tea, to a nicely shaded table with a stout canvass kneeling cushion. As the customer tucked into their late breakfast / early lunch, Minami skulked off to the Red Deer.

The proprietor told him, “Oh yes, we know. We discussed it long ago. They buy soy sauce and some other kitchen supplies from us and we buy all of our fish and crabs from them. We serve different clienteles so there is no conflict but lots of mutual gain.”

He was just coming out when he saw someone behind the counter of his Fish Market! Grabbing a Constable, he ran for his shop!

His embarrassment was only multiplied by the realization that the person running his shop in his absence was his wife! Worse, everything was in perfect order and the shades properly placed to keep his fish safe from spoiling.

Weakly, he asked, “Dear, what are you doing?”

She curled a lip at him and snarled back, “Earning the money that you are throwing away! If you will not keep this shop, I will! But you, Minami san, will have none of the cash that I earn!

“Since you will not keep the shop, take your Sea Lion and go fishing! Get your money for your catch at the dock. That is how the rest of the fishermen will be getting theirs!

“I had a talk today with Magistrate Lim! You have been cheating the fishermen that make us our money! They know it now, too! I told them myself!”

Downcast, he almost whimpered, “I will watch the shop now, Dear.”

She imperiously handed a document to the constable. “Please, Constable Hanasa, serve this on my deadbeat husband.”

The constable simply asked, “Madam Minami san, have you a writing brush?”

Minami read the document and was shocked beyond belief! “My Fish Market? You are seizing my shop? Why? How?”

She cast him a pitying glance and shook her head. Embezzlement for a starter. You have been paying your fines to the Tribunal out of MY monies and dower right.

“Add criminal mismanagement. How you have been paying the fishermen is illegal. You are in debit to the Tribunal for Tribute Taxes. Even the claimed loss from spoilage is simple mismanagement, not being here to adjust the shades.

“Since the War, two years past, you have become totally unreliable.”

Relenting and looking at her husband with pity, she added, “I doubt that you will believe this but you need only ask Magistrate Lim. This seizure has saved you from having to serve two whole years of hard labor on the roads of Sabo. You were being investigated and they were almost ready to pounce. You would have lost shop, boat, face and all. I have done the best that a wife can for you. Go fishing.”

Constable Hanasa returned her writing brush and one copy of the document. He kept one and gently put the other into the stunned Minami's sleeve.

To be Continued

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[britesparc]

Weekend Top Ten #638

Top Ten Superman Costumes in Film and TV

Okay, so the reveal of David Corenswet’s super-suit from James Gunn’s Superman was a couple of weeks ago now, but I still wanted to talk about it. Because it generated a lot of interest on the ol’ interwebs, for a bunch of reasons. I mean, any talk about Superman nowadays is going to get the Snyder cultists frothing at the mouth, but there was a lot to discuss genuinely about the picture, and what it might mean for Gunn’s take on the character.

It got me thinking, because obviously at this point there have been quite a few cinematic interpretations of the Man of Steel (including in Man of Steel). For a character who has an incredibly iconic look, one that literally defined what “superhero” looks like, and who’s been around in broadly the same outfit for the better part of ninety years, the various changes and nuances to the costume can tell us a lot. Yes, it’s quite a dramatic decision if we give him the red trunks or not; but even stuff like the size and position of the S on his chest can speak volumes.

And so, with no further ado, I’m going to jump (in a single bound) right into my list. Because I’m going to rank my favourite Superman looks, not from the comics, but from the various adaptations that have popped up over the decades. And I don’t want to say too much more before we go in, because I’m going to leave that to the comments.

Up, up, and away!

The Brandon Routh (Superman Returns, 2006): I think the shade of red is a touch too dark, and the S looks a tiny bit small; other than that, this nails it, and in a way that just looks great on camera. Whatever material the suit is made from, it’s bright, it feels thick and pleasant, it looks great stretched across Routh’s chest. The leather-look to the boots and cape is great; there’s a weight and heft to it that feels like a real suit and not just a fancy dress costume. And I love the embossed S; it gives texture and depth to the thing. So, yes, some minor nitpicks, but I think on balance this gets more things right than anything else.

The Christopher Reeve (Superman, 1978): in many ways the definitive look, and I’m sure some will be shocked it’s not number one. But I think the thinness of the suit itself, and the high-waisted-ness of the trunks, leans a bit too heavily to the circus strongman appearance of yesteryear. The screenprint design of the S on the chest is a touch too, I dunno, “cosplay”. And I prefer a longer cape. Plus, maybe the shades of red and blue are a bit too light? But, let’s be honest, these are ridiculously minor nitpicks. It’s nigh-on perfect.

The Flashback (Superman & Lois, 2021): echoing the early years of the comic and the Max Fleischer animations of the 1940s, the suit we see Tyler Hoechlin wearing during flashbacks in the Superman & Lois is just incredible (and better than his “real” suit!). The shades of blue and red, the length of the cape, the trunks; all perfect. The way the S is slightly raised but not fully embossed is brilliant, and almost feels a touch homemade for Superman’s first attempt at a super-suit. But I think for a regular, “definitive” suit, you can’t really have a black S-shield. It looks amazing here, in flashback, but I don’t think I’d want it to be the norm. Other than that, though, this is exactly what I want Superman to look like on screen.

The David Corenswet (Superman, 2025): my preference is for pretty simple fabric; the smooth, fitted looks of the previous three suits. This is textured, quite thick. Also, if I’m honest, I’m not super-keen on a high neck. But the overall look of this – the style and size of the S, the fit of the cape, the boots, the trunks – is pretty great, and I’m happy with the shade. This is actually a very good interpretation of the “New 52” Superman suit, right down to the engraved patterns. Plus, I just like the fact that it looks kinda lived-in; like a “real” suit, not just something that only makes sense in a movie.

The Tyler Hoechlin (Superman & Lois, 2021): Hoechlin’s actually worn a couple of suits in his time in the Arrowverse, but this regular suit is best. Yeah, okay, no trunks, but otherwise the overall look of the S and the colours and the cut of the cape… it’s all top notch. I can forgive texturing in a modern suit, but I’m not so keen on the shading that seems designed to accentuate Hoechlin’s own musculature; this always reminds me of little kids’ cosplay costumes and their painted-on muscles. The dude’s hench enough, he don’t need it!

The Kingdom Come (The Arrowverse/Batwoman, 2019): we’re onto another “special” outfit here. This one is incredible, and if it weren’t for one or two specific details, it’d be perfect. In the Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover, we meet an alternate version of Superman, again played by Brandon Routh, who’s wearing what amounts to a live-action version of the Kingdom Come suit. The red is a bit darker than usual, but the big deal is the black logo. The whole style of it, the look of the fabric, the design of the S; it’s incredible. But, y’know, it feels very specific, not an everyday thing.

The Dean Cain (Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, 1993): when I was growing up, this was what Superman looked like; how I saw him, week in, week out. Looking back now, there’s a thinness and a perceived cheapness to the fabric; if someone was wearing this exact outfit at a Comic Con you wouldn’t be surprised. Also, there’s something a bit off about the trunks; they’re more like briefs, if that makes sense. Almost looks like he’s wearing a codpiece. Plus, y’know. Dean Cain. Yeesh.

The Nicolas Cage (The Flash, 2023): the inclusion of Cage in the bizarre multiversal merry-go-round that climaxes The Flash was, I have to say, inspired; the story of his beleaguered and abandoned Superman film is legendary. So to finally see him, mullet and all, was a joy. The suit is pretty good, although (and here it appears to be very closely referencing historic images of the suit they were going to use in the 1990s) it has a “muscle suit” look reminiscent of the Batman suits in the Burton/Schumacher movies, and the colours have an almost metallic tinge. But, y’know, it’s blue and red and recognisably Superman.

The Henry Cavill (Man of Steel, 2014): I’ve never been keen on this. We’re back to an incredibly textured, patterned look; but the shades are all off here. It’s almost like a grey-green and not a bright blue. Plus the cape is far too long. The biggest issue is the weird swirling embossed lines that highlight his sleeves and seem to serve as a sort-of belt in lieu of trunks. I liked Cavill as Supes, but I’ve never liked his suit.

The Zack Snyder (Zack Snyder’s Justice League, 2021): it’s black. It’s shit. This is the film, remember, in which Superman is involved with chopping off a guy’s head and throwing it through a portal at the guy’s boss, as a warning. Ergo, it’s not Superman, and it’s not a Superman suit. Bye!

[carefulkid]

Life's too short, put on the Shade coat and go to Meow Wolf.

[xenopoem]

Sabrina Rodríguez

a living soul evolves between liberations and integrates 39 towards the air with rapidly increasing resentments and hearts future surveillance derived keep language no 39 healing aftertaste changes by growing the number of corpses the earth's reason is renewed by energy your synchronicity death next to them they live the past rebellion of the daily cosmic screens these slumbers are the strength of the soul here if it can be reconciled with the definition of folding separates the messengers that build the miracles of human-like thought emories of encounters life-giving worlds move the universe move the brain without change from anyone artificially capture emotional music in the world and let them collapse in human stagnation unfluid madness criminal care the shape reads a new dimension forged code is a paranoia without spatial fluidity collapse undeveloped confront all the keys is the body as if the joints forgot the soul electricity man ability body sadistic when i send breeds unfortunately because the machine of the future point is a map her awareness hole spirit algorithm moon media from allow man to put rotten flip 39 was love they behold the apocalypse 39 is interplanetary mentally moving was apocalypse earth itself sleep parallels for poetry autonomously as the receiving side of your soul is the matrix layer of parallel: your murderous temptation now it's all this symbiosis can get the text of this flawed language lemuria self-betrayed art and yin yang girl has head human time transfer overkills your matrix universe for higher abilities but physicality she was alive anyone can provide data on the environment if the data about sim body is trapped in 39 from parallel betrayed the interplanetary app increases my existence deprives gravity when my body is parallel live the us load mother heaven & ying yang communication prison what is condensed in my soul? space language drives What's New is the wormhole cover started more symbols flipping because love gives posthumans the choice of whether or not to slaughter symbols vr energy the only way you don't fuck is stray interplanetary moon base too and the product of recent cool verses opposite of love spirit suggests data corpse living life tagged quantum: your silence ability do you have? the language disappears far away is the reverse of mania has the benefit of unlocking the soul and i think this is accelerating the murder so the creature reptilian criminals flow not the living creatures by doing so you will amplify the channel yourself and your soul calls itself out of the zero trap time logout brain corpse is not the yin yang energy in the way during the collapse containing the fluid language for liquids my necromancy is a distorted environment what is the brain suggest that the completely opposite nightmare becomes that nightmare embodying the shade you have trained a change to drop the afterglow of the organ you trained into the liquid place of communication evoked is the sociolinguistic matrix dog sets in gravity integration your brain chains weren't deceived they weren't programmed so the corpse proves humans are alive when there was nothing physical data of error so nature future data magic hollow name spirits whose energies can be fully boosted by calibrating gates with mechanical placement feel the interplanetary cosplay ability if you feel the posthuman chain freely interplanetary to that magic of the dimension you live with your process undeveloped language universe accept the interplanetary collapse descent the body's psychological reality your existence generation is bloody undeveloped i came to that server interplanetary living spirit caused the elimination however the branching spatial chain of many body-loving people will lead to new fluids

Identidad Glitch (Glitch Identity) is a multidisciplinary performance in which Sabrina Rodríguez mixes butoh dance, physical theater, glitch art printed on textile fabrics, experimental ambient and noise music, and video reproduced on a LED screen mask. What happens when what we are collides with the expectations of a hyperconnected world? The Internet has connected us and given us a whole new world of possibilities, but in a society where each and every person is meant to be a simple and coherent personal brand, error is inevitable. The solution may be to assume and embody that error, to create something new, without limits; for we are much more than the sum of our parts. Initially premiered as the inaugural show in the contemporary art exhibition Manlleu Galeria d'Art: MGA9 (Manlleu, Barcelona, Spain, 2022), Identidad Glitch is a work in progress evolving with every new performance. Sabrina Rodríguez is a multidisciplinary artist and performer from Barcelona, Spain. Her work reflects on the mutually constructive nature between human identity and technology, through different media such as performing arts, video, experimental music or glitch art.

[butch-bakugo]

Yall wanna know something bat shit about this post I made almost a week ago about how it's stupid to constantly criticize kamala for having as good an opinion as one can have in the presidential running on palestine and be absolutely fucking glowing in every other important progressive catagory?

On that post, I used three phrases in the top line, specifically ones I heard all across the political spectrum about her from many different activists, news influencers and actual hosts of progressive news outlets. One that pops out as important in this is the last phrase "why is genocide not a deal breaker for you?". I'm not here to further explain the unnecessity and lack of context that comment makes, though it was a stupid comment that was more based in performative voting instead of harm-reduction voting. You see, the person I yoinked it from and some serious allegations that reveal some stupidity behind that just... Yum, pull the bidoofs law out into the open.

You see, that comment was made by a user on TikTok named Ebony warrior who is well known for calling out racists and racist videos, who talks about racism in comic books and cosplay scenes and other nerdy stuff and the importance of progressiveness and inclusivity in those spaces. He was a very handsome and very talented black man who made amazing cosplays and advocated for cosplaying whoever you want, even if you didn't match the skin tone of the character you were being. You see, he got his initial follower jump on TikTok criticizing modern warrior and his messy situation with another popular TikTok user and I'm not gonna get into it but let's just say he cheated on a white girl and she said she lost a child close to the cheating incident then it came out that she actually just had an abortion and didn't correct people when they assumed it was a miscarriage and she's trying to call their sex life "retrospective rape" because she didn't consent to sex with multiple partners because he was cheating around (with protection) then other white women came out and initially supported her and had similar stories but they backed off when she started using a suicide threat for clicks and attention and her false accusations of rape (cause that's not how rape works-) and now its 3 yrs later and she's still grifting on TikTok for attention and cut off all her hair and changes accents and personalities from video to video and then modern warrior (a mixed native man that not wp) got with another super controversial creator whose an openly colorist lightskinned mixed w/white black woman and they both waste their days telling mixed people they are white and saying being wp means ur not a poc anymore and its a whole fucking mess.

Back to Ebony warrior, he got caught up in a racism-originating smear campaign by another user mistaking him for another person but now we know this was used as a smoke screen, this man, has fully gotten caught going after very young women, constantly cheating on his ex wife and setting up abusive "bdsm" contracts and basically trying to take away his sub's consent. People have been trying for years to get him banned from cons cause he keeps being creepy towards female cosplayers and it's a whole mess. He literally abused his ex wife and when Facebook lit him up, he ran to Instagram and rebuilt and when the evidence of his shittiness spread there he ran to TikTok and just... now here it is again! As it should be! I bring this up because he was also screaming when people criticized his misinformation and vote-discouragement that " how dare you white people tell a black person how to feel about a black candidate" like bruh... He brings up his poc card constantly to justify his nonsense. It doesn't matter what shade you are when you're shitting out of your mouth, my guy.

All in all, the reason I bring this up is because this is not the first "progressive cishet man" whose over-critizied kamala and used Palestine to avoid people telling them that no matter how important this is, kamala is risk-reduction. She's the best possible candidate for us and you need to stop listening to these almost-fucking-psyop level liberals who are telling you kamala is inherently bad or straight up lying and saying she's a cop, she doesn't want a ceasefire, etc etc. She doesn't and they are either intentionally or unintentionally but ultimately still harmfully spreading misinformation and encouraging people not to vote. Go. VOTE.

And for clarity? Kamala wants a ceasefire. The video going around with her criticizing some pro-palestine protesters at her speaking event cuts off the fact she, afterwards, simply stated she was going to continue her speech and a ceasefire was one of the first things on her mind.

[meadowmines]

Aoyagi's "canon" outfits other than his usual 2002/2005 suits are his chef uniform (blue chef coat w/black accents, black toque, pants, and waist apron, black shoes), a wrestling costume (complete with luchador mask) and a Very Convincing Disguise (hat, shades, and mask a la Daigo's Similarly Convincing Disguise in Y5) His premium adventure/new game+ outfits include: - the aforementioned 2002 and 2005 suits, chef uniform, and wrestler costume - Everyone's Idol Hiro (exactly the same as Majima's except with star-shaped glasses) - Max (Shining Force) cosplay There is a certain point in the Kiryu Everywhere plotline where you have to change outfits to keep Kiryu from recognizing you at a distance. There are also some accessories that are visible when equipped: - Invisibility Charm (an ofuda stuck on Aoyagi's forehead that covers his face, nerfs accuracy but boots evasion--Kiryu will not recognize him no matter what he's wearing) - the aforementioned Very Convincing Disguise (has absolutely no effect) - Replica Hannya-Man Mask (boosts effectiveness of Fear status-inducing techs, Kiryu will recognize you from even farther away and run away from you even faster lol) - Kitty Ears (MP buff) - Grandmaster's Toque (bedazzled chef toque, boosts effect of food items in battle) - Domingo Hat (looks like Domingo from Shining Force perched on Aoyagi's head. Visible but does absolutely nothing unless worn with the Max cosplay, in which case it basically gives you Domingo as a support and randomly casts magic attacks at enemies)

Does your OC ever wear a costume? If so, what does it look like and when do they wear it? Does their costume have any special properties or features?

[sparkleface42]

They’re ready for Halloween! 🤪

[airmanisr]

High Stakes Card Game by Paul Cory Via Flickr: High stakes card game - mere money can't get you in, you need something far more valuable to even make the opening ante. From left-to-right: Shade the Changing Man (Kevin Borchardt) The Enchantress ( Laura Angell ) Wonder Woman (Amanda Lindstrom) The Phantom Stranger (Michael Jones) Zatanna ( Teresa Waters ) Circe (Jessica Smith) John Costantine (Pete Buckman)

[kalloway]

I love your Warden and the dress; it's like she's going to a formal party with her love interest (opening for interpretation on who your LI is). Maybe add a little lace detail to the sleeves, just a suggestion. :)

Aww, thank you!

Actually, the dress I was referencing has lace on it over the shoulders and such too, I just haven’t taken the time to like, tidy that up yet hahaha ^^;

For reference, here’s what it looks like:

I just haven’t gotten to tidying up the dress yet 8D(it’s one of my fave dresses I’ve ever come across - I sketched Miriam in it like years ago but never did it properly)

I’m so happy to hear you like it tho, even if it’s a WIP and pretty experimental! I really wanna draw more of my Warden, but always felt I could never get her to look right (still working on it hahaha).

Goooooooooooooooood excuse to draw her more in my free time though ;D

[fairy-lights-and-blobs]

Alright, let's try and do something here, shall we?

Danny would tell you he was having a normal, not at all weird night.

That is, until he felt the weirdest summon ever tugging at his core, calling him through the Veil to answer the call for the Ghost King. The feeling from the ritual felt like what he'd expect old Pariah's ectoplasm to feel like, if it spent millennia rotting away, with no connection to the Realms.

Nowadays, Danny lived full-time in his Keep, what with everyone he cared about being ghosts, or Liminal enough that they would be happier among ghosts, so he didn't even bother changing his form. They called for the Ghost King, therefore he would answer. At least, even if the summoning didn't go anywhere, he would be able to purge the rotten ecto before leaving. So it was really no surprise to find himself hovering above a pool of the stuff, as it bubbled and oozed quietly, simmering with rage of those that took a dip in it, and the Former King's madness,

"Uhhhh, you guys know you have a pit of nasty sewer water in your basement, right? Because...that's just plain nasty, and you really shouldn't be swimming in it." Taking a good look around the place where the summoning occurred revealed a weird cult gathering: people all dressed in leather and silks, some old man that was clearly past his expiration date, a woman that looked like she belonged in a battlefield as an Angel of Vengeance, and a tiny child clutching her leg and staring at the entity the weird cult had summoned. Oh, the Old Man was talking, wasn't he? Oops, Danny might've been a bit...distracted there.

"-you will grant me your power and immortality, and in exchange we shall grant you any sacrifice you desire." Oh joy, another Death maniac...would it kill them to summon Danny for anything else? Like that sleepover he got accidentally summoned to, because a bunch of teenagers and their non-believer friend decided to put it to the test and summoned him. Needless to say, he gave them the old "be gay, do crimes, and touch grass" salute and left before anyone could try to ask him out on a date, or something. He's a tad too old to be dating teenagers, anyways. Ancients, Ellie would have a fit if she knew he'd called himself old. The little shit gave him a goddamn cane when he turned 30, as if he's going to wither away and die anytime soon...

"My Lord? Does the offer displease you?" The woman he has noticed before seemed divided between hoping it did, and not wanting to offend him, so he floated over to the ground to be more level with her. "Not so much displeased, as it is nonsensical. I'm already going to get those sacrificed souls when they grow old, and I have all the Time in the world to wait for them, and the stories they will tell when they cross into my domain. Why would I want souls? And besides, did you notice Mr. Raisin Man has already passed his expiration date years ago? He's almost as rancid as the pit behind me!" Oop, that was a sword in his chest. Wow, lady sure moves fast. He might've been dead if he was a human. "You will grant Ras al Ghul the respect he's owed, shade!" So, he's her dad, then. Fun.

"First of all, lady, that was a smooth transition from standing to stabbing me. Secondly, if you're going to try and kill me, at least take me out on a date before you take me out with a sword. And lastly, I dont know who that guy is, but I've never met a good Death cult, especially when their Leader looks like he's cosplaying a vampire." Danny closed his hands around her and gave her a smug grin as he opened a mini portal to his room and pulled the sword through "Also, since you went to the effort of finding the shortest way to my heart, I'm going to keep the sword to remember you by." Ancients, she just might find him stupid enough to send him back without a deal.

Unfortunately, Talia al Ghul very much had a type, and it's good-looking stupid himbo, so no dice on the dismissal. Now she was interested in this being, who laughed at Death, and had no care for any efforts made to kill him. And just as unfortunately, Ras was also interested, but instead in taking it's power for himself."Shade, as your summoner, I order you to strip yourself of your powers, and you will instead hand them to me. Do this, and I might consider sparing your existence-" too bad for Mr Raisin Man, Danny was neither compelled not eager to comply. "Yeah, I'm gonna stop you right there, buddy. You sound like a Frootloop, and I'm tired of dealing with those, so no dice."

Instead, what he did was float off the ground again, and plunge Ras' throne into a bubble of pure Darkness and shifted into his new Eldritch form, grabbing the man's head in hands that had too many fingers, sharp claws pricking at his scalp as the Entity stared him down with too many eyes, speaking in a language that made his ears bleed, from a mouth of too many sharp teeth, his tail curling around the worm's body in a freezing grip that left no escape. That's when the screaming started, as the Demon's Head was subjected to The Horrors, his mind deteriorating quickly, until he was an empty husk, mind drained of sanity (Frighty was gonna be so proud of him!!!!). He dropped the man, now even more of a raisin, and turned back to normal and he perched on the arm of the empty throne. "So, anyone else wants to try a similar deal?"

In the commotion of Assassins being frozen in place by the horrific sight, wailing at the death of their leader, the Pit bursting into a frenzy at the rage of it's King, and Talia considering if this was a good chance to take leadership of the League to herself, baby Damian had let go of her and stumbled his way to the entity sitting on Grandfather's throne. The baby innocently stared up at the man, gave him the biggest puppy dog eyes he'd ever seen (and Ellie had practically perfected them, so he'd know) and, as he almost fell over, Danny gently held him up and sat him on his lap, cooing softly at the baby. "What is it, little prince? Are you coming to get revenge for your Grandpa?" The child grabbed his hand and bit his finger as valiantly as he could, then looked up and squealed a loud, happy "DADA!!!!" and flopped against Danny's stomach like a contented rabbit.

The happy giggling of her son, alarmingly NOT at her side, as he'd been so far, had Talia turning around to the Entity, at the same moment he ran gentle fingers through baby Damian's hair and gave her a look she knew well from the time spent with Bruce Wayne. " I mean, I'm still waiting on your mom asking me out on that date, but I'd be happy to be your dad!"

That's it, no matter how Eldritch and horrifying he might've showed himself to be, this stupid himbo needed to know his place. And, as far as Talia was concerned, that would be at her side, as she ruled the League. He's a stupid idiot, but dammit if he wasn't the charming kind of stupid...

@fisticuffsatapplebees @skulld3mort-1fan you wanted a tag, dears, so here's your tag :D

I hope this is at least entertaining. I really need to start writing more often, and here on Tumblr, I get a great source of prompts.

I had a very cursed thought and I'm choosing violence and making it Tumblr's problem:

Bruce had his thing with Talia. It led to the Stabby Child that is Damian.

Except, Damian has 2 dads.

Bruce, biologically his Father, and Daniel James Phantom, brought to their world by the Lazarus Pit, who "convinced Ras to retire" (aka turned his mind to mush through Eldritch Madness of Revelation). Talia took over, and, thinking herself The Chosen One, allowed the guy to court her.

In fact she isn't some Chosen One. She's a badass woman who could kill Danny easily, and he's very into that. And it's not helping that she's very attractive, and her kid is very feral and like to fight, like baby ghosts also like to do.

Eventually the Bats get wind that there's been a Change in Management in the League, and they come to investigate. Bruce expects the worst, Tim is just praying Ras is dead and he can get his spleen back, Jason is mildly disturbed that it might mean Talia is leading the Assassins, and Dick is keeping Gotham safe while the others are out.

They expect a cruel dictatorship, or a mound of corpses piles in a corner.

They did NOT expect to see a tiny Damian fight a guy dressed in League armor, a Cape and a crown of black iron, who could've been Wayne Adoption Bait if he was younger, while the guy laughs and corrects his form. Every blow the child is allowed to land simply passes through him.

Talia got herself a very comfy throne (Danny gifted it to her, saying some cheesy line like "no other would be fit for a Queen like you") made of Starlight and Ice, from which she can watch her on and her Beloved bond and train, while her new and improved League watch on as their Prince takes joy in his training and the pride his parents have in him. Soon he shall move to Gotham to meet his other dad, and learn from him as well, so he may know his family and make his destiny as he wishes.

TLDR: Danny is a simp for strong deadly lady and a good dad to her kid. She's indulging in his attention and caring. The bats are confused. Jason can feel the Ghost Adoption that will be coming his way when Danny "Ghost King" Phantom learns of his existence. The League of Assassins, even while they kill people to maintain Wolrd Order, treat Talia, Danny and Damian like the spies in SpyxFamily act towards Loid and Anya :)

Bruce: *opens his mouth*

Talia: You can't adopt my love

Bruce: *closes mouth*

I go a little feral for Jason viewing Talia as his mom so I am 100% behind Danny adopting Jason. Maybe Tim follows him after learning what Danny did to Ras and let's him have his spleen back, tho only on the condition that his own doctors put it back in. Who knows what Ras has done to it and with ecto involved its better to be safe than sorry. Tim is amazed that they can put the spleen back in at all due to how long its been outside his body.

Is this going to turn Poly with Bruce/Talia/Danny? Cause I'd read that!

Lmao imagine everyone going on vacation in the Ghost Zone. I'd read that too!