#she just needed a new wardrobe and a better hairstyle

[thebluemallet]

My sincerest apologies to season 2 Colin.

When you said you were feeding the ducks and the camera cut to a swan, I made fun of you. I assumed you didn't know the difference between ducks and swans. Or someone in the editing room used the wrong footage.

But I have only recently learned that a female swan is a PEN.

(There are also ducks in the background if you squint. I couldn't find that specific GIF again, sorry. Just go back and watch the episode.)

[rockonlavender]

Sq prompt: Emma forgot to give that shirt back in season 1 and find it again years later. She decides to wear it again just to troll Regina. Regina's reaction is not what she expected...

Hello anon! I want to apologies for completing this prompt late but better late than never. I will be posting this story on ao3 as well, just need to come up with a title for it. So any suggestions is appreciated. Thank you to my beta @bytherosebushlaughing for her work! Enjoy!

Trigger warnings: none that I’m aware but if there is please let me know!

xxxx

If I had it my way, I would take the lead

And if I had it my way, I would take you deep

If my body had a say, I'd get it off my chest

Show you all the red lace underneath this dress

Emma shuffled through her closet, her fingers skimming over the array of tops hanging on the rod. Typically, she didn't fuss much about her wardrobe choices, but this morning felt different. She wanted to put in a little more effort to find the perfect top to pair with her black jeans and boots.

Frustration flickered across her features as she scanned through the various options, each one failing to meet her standards. But then, tucked away in the back of her closet, she spotted a hanger wrapped in a thin, clear plastic garment bag. A small smirk tugged at the corners of her lips as she remembered exactly what lay within.

Carefully, she unzipped the bag and pulled out the blue silk blouse that had been stolen from Regina's closet by Henry almost three years ago. It was a thoughtful gesture from her son, who had taken it for Emma to wear after she had spilled hot chocolate on her original top. Emma had intended to return it to Regina once it was ready, but amidst the chaos of the curse being broken and new threats arising, the task had slipped her mind.

With the blouse now gracing her frame, Emma swiftly slipped it on, skillfully buttoning it up while leaving the top three buttons undone for a casual yet stylish touch. She tucked the blouse into her jeans and pulled it out slightly, perfecting the effortlessly chic look.

Stepping in front of her full-size mirror beside the bedroom door, Emma smoothed down her Sheffield badge on her jeans, ensuring every detail was just right.

For her hairstyle, Emma opted for a ponytail with a twist. Gathering her hair into a ponytail, she left a section loose to create a side braid before incorporating it into the rest of her hair. The result was a playful yet elegant look, with her curls bouncing at the ends of her ponytail.

Taking one last glance in the mirror, Emma couldn't help but smile at her reflection.

It was noon when Emma strode into Granny's, the familiar scent of home-cooked meals enveloping her as she made her way to retrieve her and the mayor's lunch. She had placed the order ahead of time, a routine they had established to make their busy days a little easier.

Greeting Ruby with a warm smile, Emma exchanged pleasantries with the young waitress, who had become a close friend over time. They chatted about their day and their plans for the upcoming weekend, Ruby's excitement palpable as she mentioned the fair that was happening over the weekend.

Emma nodded along, understanding the significance of the event for the townsfolk. The fair, announced by the Madam Mayor herself a couple of months ago, was a rare treat for Storybrooke, offering modern-day fair rides and attractions. While Emma didn't find the fair particularly thrilling, she looked forward to experiencing it with Henry.

As Emma stepped out of Granny's, the midday sun cast a warm glow over the quaint streets of Storybrooke. She approached her beloved yellow bug parked just outside the diner, she unlocked the door and settled into the driver's seat, the worn leather embracing her like an old friend. As she started the engine and pulled away from the curb, the gentle hum of the car filled the air, carrying her towards the next stop.

Regina's eyes lifted from her work at the soft knock on her door.

"Yes?" she called out, her voice tinged with curiosity, though her attention was fully captured when the door opened and closed swiftly. "Miss Swan—" she began, only to be interrupted by Emma's entrance.

"Madam Mayor, I figured you could use a lunch break," Emma interjected, holding up a takeout bag from Granny's with a warm smile.

Regina closed her laptop with a soft click before rising to her feet, her movements graceful yet deliberate. She rounded her large desk, her gaze fixed firmly on Emma as she approached.

"While I do appreciate the meal, Miss Swan," she began, her voice measured but tinged with curiosity, "Care to explain why you still have my blouse?"

Standing in front of Emma, Regina's dark eyes bore into the green pair opposite her, a silent challenge hanging in the air between them.

Emma shrugged.

“Honestly, I had forgotten all about it. I meant to return after it was done at the cleaners but the curse broke and well…shit hit the fan after that.”

Regina's lips curled into a subtle, sly grin as she regarded Emma.

"I see," she purred softly. Her gaze drifted briefly to the open buttons on Emma's blouse before returning to meet her eyes. "Well, I suppose we've both had our share of distractions." She extended her hand gracefully, her fingers lightly brushing against Emma's as she gestured towards the takeout bag. "Thank you for the lunch, regardless," she added, her voice low and husky.

The takeout bag found itself placed on top of the desk as Regina's fingers grazed Emma's, a jolt of electricity surged through her body, igniting a fire within her that she couldn't ignore.

Her heart raced in her chest, the pounding of its rhythm echoing in her ears like a drumbeat. Heat surged from the depths of her core, spreading through her veins like wildfire, leaving her breathless and undone.

Emma swallowed hard, her voice trembling as she struggled to form coherent words. "Y-you’re welcome," she managed, her breath hitching in her throat.

The intensity of Regina's presence was overwhelming, leaving her dizzy with desire.

Regina's eyes held a smoldering intensity as she sensed Emma's reaction. The air between them crackled with an unspoken tension.

Regina's fingers trailed along the delicate fabric of the blouse, savoring the sensation as she pulled it out of Emma's pants. The silk felt cool and smooth against her skin, sending a shiver of anticipation down her spine.

"Now, Emma," Regina began, her voice low and sultry. "About this blouse..."

She held the garment up between them, her eyes locking with Emma's as she let the implications hang in the air.

Emma's breath hitched as Regina's lips brushed against her ear, sending a jolt of electricity coursing through her veins. She felt herself being drawn closer, her hands instinctively finding their place on Regina's hips, anchoring her against the older woman's warm body.

"As much as I think you look decent in this top," Regina murmured against Emma's ear, "I have to say, Miss Swan, it looks much better on you when it's off and on the floor."

A soft moan escaped Emma's lips as Regina's words sent a shiver down her spine. The sensation of Regina's warm breath against her skin sent chills racing through her body, igniting a fire within her that she couldn't ignore.

Regina's fingers moved deftly, undoing the buttons of Emma's blouse with deliberate slowness, each one revealing more of her bare skin underneath. Emma's breath caught in her throat as Regina's touch sent shivers down her spine, her body trembling with anticipation.

"Is that so, Madam Mayor?" Emma's voice was barely a whisper, her lips hovering just inches from Regina's as she leaned in, her heart pounding in her chest.

Regina's dark eyes smoldered with desire as she met Emma's gaze, a small smirk playing at the corners of her lips. Without a word, she continued to undress Emma with her eyes, her touch igniting a fire within her.

As the last button came undone, Emma's blouse fell open, revealing her soft, milky skin to Regina's hungry gaze. A low moan escaped Emma's lips as Regina's fingers trailed lightly over her exposed flesh, sending waves of pleasure coursing through her body. Regina felt herself come undone, her fingertips tracing the smoothness of Emma's skin with reverence.

The sensation was like velvet against her touch, igniting a fire within her that she couldn't deny. Goosebumps rose on Emma's milky skin with every gentle caress, her abs rippling beneath Regina's touch, tempting her to explore further.

The desire to taste Emma's skin was overwhelming, the need to feel her warmth against her lips almost unbearable. Regina leaned in closer, her breath mingling with Emma's as she hovered just inches away, her lips tantalizingly close to Emma's exposed flesh.

With a hungry look in her eyes, Regina whispered softly, "You have no idea how much I want to taste you."

Her voice was barely a whisper, filled with longing and desire as she fought to control the urge to devour Emma whole.

“Gina, you can't say things like that..." Emma's voice was barely a whisper, her lips tantalizingly close to Regina's, the heat of their breath mingling in the space between them.

Regina's heart raced at the sound of Emma's voice, her breath hitching in anticipation as their lips drew closer. The air crackled with tension, each word a silent plea for more.

She leaned in closer, unable to resist the magnetic pull of Emma's presence.

Regina's voice trembled with a mixture of authority and vulnerability, her words a whispered plea that hung heavy in the air. Her eyes were fixed on Emma's soft pink lips, her desire evident in the way her hands fumbled with Emma's jeans.

"Emma, don't make me beg," Regina urged, her voice barely above a whisper as she leaned in closer, the heat of their bodies mingling in the intimate space between them. Her fingers trembled with anticipation as she sought to remove the barrier between them, her need for Emma palpable in every touch.

"But I like it when you beg, Madam Mayor." Emma teased.

Regina's breath hitched at Emma's teasing words, a shiver of anticipation running down her spine. Despite her attempt to maintain composure, a small smirk tugged at the corners of her lips.

"Oh, do you now?" Regina replied, her voice laced with a hint of amusement. The tension between them crackled in the air, their desires unspoken yet unmistakable.

"Oh, you know I do. And I love it even more when you're screaming for it," Emma teased, her lips dangerously close to Regina's, their breaths becoming one.

Regina's pulse quickened at Emma's words, her heart pounding in her chest as desire surged through her veins. Their closeness sent electric currents tingling across her skin, her body responding eagerly to Emma's proximity.

"Is that a promise, Miss Swan?" Regina whispered, her voice husky with desire as she leaned in closer, their lips mere centimeters apart.

Emma simply nodded and finally their lips met in a heated embrace, a surge of electricity coursed through their bodies, igniting a fire that had long smoldered between them. Regina's hands found their way to Emma's waist, pulling her closer as their tongues danced in a tantalizing rhythm.

Their kisses grew deeper, more urgent, each one a testament to the raw desire that simmered just beneath the surface. Emma's fingers tangled in Regina's hair, pulling her closer still, while Regina's nails traced gentle patterns along Emma's back, sending shivers down her spine.

Their breath mingled between kisses, hot and heavy with longing, as they lost themselves in each other completely. Time seemed to stand still as they explored each other's mouths with a hunger that bordered on desperation, their bodies pressed together in a passionate embrace.

With each touch, each caress, the tension between them mounted, building to a crescendo that threatened to consume them both.

As their lips continued to meet in a fervent dance, a soft knock on the door startled them both. Regina and Emma froze, their eyes meeting in a moment of shared hesitation. The interruption was unwelcome, but duty called, and they reluctantly began to pull away from each other, their breaths mingling in the still air of the office.

As their lips parted, Regina's heart pounded in her chest like a drumbeat, the rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins. She quickly straightened her dress, her fingers fumbling with the fabric as she tried to compose herself. Beside her, Emma hastily buttoned her blouse back up, her movements mirroring Regina's sense of urgency.

Their shared moment of passion lingered in the air like a palpable heat, leaving them both with a sense of vulnerability and uncertainty. Regina's mind raced with conflicting emotions, a tumultuous whirlwind of desire and apprehension.

Emma's expression mirrored Regina's turmoil, her features drawn tight with a mixture of longing and hesitation. They exchanged a fleeting glance, their eyes speaking volumes even as their words failed them.

Regina's touch was gentle yet possessive as she pulled Emma closer by the loop of her jeans, their bodies drawn together in an intimate embrace. With her free hand cradling Emma's cheek, she leaned in for one final kiss, their lips meeting in a lingering caress that spoke of unspoken promises and shared longing.

As they reluctantly pulled away from each other, Regina's voice was soft but resolute. "We'll continue this later," she murmured, her words carrying a hint of anticipation and longing.

Emma's heart fluttered at Regina's promise, her own desire mirrored in the depths of her green eyes. With a nod of agreement, she stepped back, her fingers lingering against Regina's before reluctantly releasing their hold.

With a deep breath, Regina finally composed herself enough to call out, "Come in.”

The door opened slowly, revealing one of Regina's advisors, his eyes widening in surprise as he took in the scene before him. Regina quickly schooled her features into a mask of professionalism, though she couldn't quite shake the memory of the passion they had just shared.

As her advisor launched into the details of the upcoming meeting, Regina stole a fleeting glance at Emma before she slipped out of her office, their eyes meeting briefly before she turned her attention back to the task at hand.

[mamamittens]

I'm making another shippy drawing, this time with Izou since I haven't given him proper 1:1 love with Nikia.

It's not a bad time to think about their particular dynamic, actually, since I am, once again, not falling asleep as I should when I really should already be passed TF out

It won't hurt to establish Nikia's with Thatch just as a reminder for myself honestly.

Thatch and Nikia are a bit dorky. Thatch acts suave, enjoys sweeping romantic gestures, and is very bold about his affections. You will know if he hates you and if he loves you to pieces.

Nikia is, predictably, very embarrassed but pleased about this. Quieter, she likes smaller moments. Bigger gestures are overwhelming for her. Not very good at being loud and proud, so to speak. So naturally most of their moments are small. Personal. Intimate gestures.

Passing kisses and touches. Small "I'm thinking of you" gifts. Thatch not one for trinkets finds himself with many, each one a gift from her because he's weak for the "I saw this and thought of you". He loves that. The thought of being thought of even when he's somewhere else. And he makes an effort to space out his very loud, public displays of affection to meet her in the middle. He can't always control himself. Partly because he's usually so busy, so what little free time he has he wants to make it memorable.

Now! Onto Izou and Nikia!

Izou is a lot more subdued. He's not secretive about his affections but he won't be singing on rooftops anytime soon. He will make his feelings known, however, regardless of what free time he has. Which is a little more than Thatch given he doesn't need to plan meals for a massive crew and overlook kitchen staff.

Okay, it's a little misleading to say he's subdued. Actually. It's really fucking loud and clear, he just doesn't use his voice for it. So he gets away with being a bold bastard a lot more, especially since a lot of it is pirate etiquette that goes over Nikia's head. Thatch, not so much, but he keeps his mouth shut if he knows what's good for him. And he doesn't argue with it either.

The silk foulard is a gift from Izou after all, and has a subtle pattern from Wano weaved in.

So she finds her wardrobe subtly tailored to suit her better, a side project of Izou's. And also pieces slipped in from Izou himself. A spare yukata trimmed to function as a loose jacket since she gets cold easily. Hair ribbons and chokers with silk in his colors or with Wano exclusive patterns.

She doesn't realize how damn possessive his actions are for someone not a tailor because he's not crass enough to just give her his actual yukuta to wear. Like Thatch will drape his foulard over her shoulders when she's cold and Izou nearly smacks him for it.

For those that know, it's like wearing a cowboys hat lol

So anyway, Izou sinks his claws into her wardrobe in whatever way he can and is the first to offer his services if she wants a makeover or hairstyling. If she wants to try hair jewelry, he gets it. Maybe with Thatch's help if he's being generous.

He enjoys showing how he can provide since Thatch has the literal food and dramatic displays handled.

Basically, in pirate speak, Nikia is SUPER spoken for. If they can't tell by who, they can definitely tell it's someone from Wano. And anyone who is bold enough to ignore that earns a bullet in their ass at minimum.

Izou enjoys his trinkets and adores when she secures him crafting materials for clothes. New thread and needles, silks and fabrics. The works. She may ask for assistance at first to get a good idea of what he prefers to work with, but once she has it down, he'll be pleasantly surprised often. Which is quite practical and sweet.

Her favorite thing is getting him jewelry with flowers. Roses if she's being overtly romantic. Delicate cherry blossoms or other such small flowers for cute variety. Even if he doesn't wear them anytime soon, they're displayed beautifully alongside his practical, daily pieces.

Once she learns how bold both of them have been while courting her, she's very flattered.

And they're very interested in how flattered and flustered she is about that.

Very much integrated into dirty talk anytime they give her a particularly bold gift. Notably, she still wears them.

And they very much like that.

And then they'll both use gifts she's given them just to fluster her with their newfound meaning.

It's like ongoing foreplay for them and everyone else thinks they're insufferable. Like, "just fuck already" but worse, because clearly fucking has not helped lessen the tension.

A pirate giving away treasure is a very intimate act, after all. And decorating someone in your colors or home patterns/fabrics equally bold. To keep doing so I'm new ways... Well, it's a lot. Let's put it that way.

Only way they could be more overt is if they just got married already and got matching tattoos.

They're very happy for them but... Yeah. It's kinda obnoxious lmao

[theysherobinbuckley]

baby👏🏻butch👏🏻robin👏🏻buckley👏🏻

first of all. they/she robin supremacy

they don't cut their hair but they start keeping it kinda short. short enough that it's basically a flatter version of steve's hairstyle. he jokes that she's stealing his look and she jokes back that it works better on them. it does

they start wearing some of steve, eddie, and jonathan's old clothes, mixing shit up and getting some of her own pieces until their wardrobe is perfectly curated to their style

she wears steve's old khakis when they want to be a little fancy. eddie gifts her a pair of loose black cargo pants that didn't turn out to be his style at all. jonathan's tshirts and sweaters end up in their closet but they never admit to stealing them. jonathan doesn't admit to leaving shit at robin's house for them to "steal"

robin is a pioneer of dirtbag lesbian chic. she wears ties over tshirts and layers flannel and jean jackets over everything they wear

steve takes her shopping somewhere far away from hawkins and they get a nice pair of steel-toed work boots. they love stomping around in them and generally causing a scene. she and eddie have a competition to see who can wear the highest platforms

now that she's out to their friends, the party starts experimenting with their genders too! el still doesn't like her shaved head but she starts wearing mike's button downs. lucas tries wearing more jewelry and max finds that she really likes buying it for him (for his birthday she organizes the whole party into getting him a bracelet with a charm for everyone on it. it's very heavy but he loves it). eddie tries a skirt and loves it but really only wears one with ripped jeans under it. dustin surprises everyone by immediately declaring that their pronouns are they/them too because "that just makes so much sense, like, why do I have to be a he just because I was born a certain way?"

most of the time they act all loud and proud abt being a butch lesbian (bc they're more comfortable in their skin and because their friends are all so accepting) but it's still hawkins indiana and it's still dangerous, so they make sure they don't go out alone too often or at night at all. the guys and nancy usually have her back and drive them wherever they need to go

another sad one: robin finds that now that she's presenting more masculinely, other girls don't want to talk to her anymore. they don't want to be called slurs or assumed gay just because they hang around robin. this includes vickie and robin is Very sad about it

nancy comforts her saying that the right girl will love robin for who they are and not what other people think of her. they'll like robin's new self and not just tolerate it. robin only sort of believes her but nancy is really adamant so she might be onto something

"any girl would be lucky to have a boyfriend like you, robbie"

oh! boyfriend sounds nice!

robin didn't even know that about herself, but nancy's so smart (and beautiful and thoughtful and funny and amazing and-) that she figured it out and just put it out there! like it was nothing! but it's everything robin never knew they wanted

sometimes when robin needs to revert back to her old self, maybe for family stuff etc, nancy will lend them clothes and do their makeup, and nancy will almost cry at seeing how miserable robin looks

she will then gently wipe all the makeup away and say "there you are!" when robin is clean-faced and back to themself. she'll put together a Real robin outfit and clap excitedly when robin is finally smiling again

then nancy will stand on her tiptoes and kiss robin on the cheek and say "it's good to see you again" as robin blushes bright red

later that night robin calls steve and tells him everything because goddamn it's nice being nancy wheeler's boyfriend and they will brag about it until the end of time

[the-girl-who-didnt-smile]

Very Rough Concept for the Erzulie Freda (Hazbin Hotel)

The final member of The Shichibukai (Hazbin Hotel)!!!

Description below cut:

That is lookin a lil fucking rough, brother…! What the fuck is that?!!

Erzulie Freda is The goddess of femininity, love, and beauty herself!!! Is that the best you can fucking do??

Sadly, yes. 

I’m sorry, I just had neither time nor talent to do a better job at rendering her. This is a really bad attempt at translating Erzulie Freda into a Hazbin Hotel character. It’s just a very rough first pass sketch. She got done as dirty as The Warrior Go D. Ogun…

Let me describe what her physical appearance is actually supposed to look like: Erzulie Freda MUST be the most gorgeous woman you have ever fucking laid eyes on!!! She is literally the most beautiful woman who ever fucking lived. She is hyperfeminine and loves all things that are traditionally feminine. She has an extensive wardrobe, and loves wearing makeup and jewelry. Her favorite colors are pink and light blue. She carries a gold and pink fan. Traditionally, she is depicted as Mother Mary. This is because both Erzulies (Erzulie Freda and Erzulie Dantor) are two different aspects of the goddess of love, and are both syncretized with Mother Mary. But since Alastor is from New Orleans, I wanted Erzulie Freda to be dressed in a New Orleansian gown. Something extremely decadent in its luxury. Something a goddess would wear. She wears a beautiful, gold, godly crown and a hood, and her hair is done in exquisite braids. She's supposed to look a bit like a Disney princess, especially Aurora. Her hairstyle is one thing I think could be changed. Basically, you have to give her the maximally beautiful outfit and hairstyle. However, I am very much opposed to her having straight hair. I don’t want any aspect of her to be whitewashed in European standards of beauty. You really need someone who actually knows what the fuck they’re doing to design her. She has to be the most beautiful woman you have ever fucking seen, but I insist that she not be whitewashed in any way. Normally, Erzulie Freda is portrayed as a light skinned woman. But in my fanfiction, she is the identical twin sister of Erzulie Dantor (for reasons I will explain shortly). As such, she must embody the pure beauty of dark skinned African women.

When I said Maman Brigitte has the best female singing voice of the Loa, I lied. Erzulie Freda literally has to have the single greatest singing voice of ANYONE in the entire cast of Hazbin Hotel! She's the goddamn goddess of beauty herself!!! She's gotta be the only one who can sing better than Lucifer, Lilith, and Big Papa!!!

You might have observed that Alastor’s mother somewhat resembles Erzulie Dantor. But she’s actually supposed to resemble Erzulie Freda. In my non-canon Hazbin Hotel fanfiction, the Erzulies are identical twin sisters. They have the same face, but very different personalities.

Gravity Falls!!!

Erzulie Freda (Hazbin Hotel) is somehow the only being in all of fiction that is more beautiful than Erzulie Dantor (Hazbin Hotel). Not Damballah nor Erzulie D. Antor nor Baron D. Samedi can match her beauty! Erzulie D. Freda is the hottest one for sure!!!

…Well, maybe tied with Baron D. Samedi.

The fact that I think that the fucking scary skeleton man is on par with the most beautiful woman to ever fucking live…. That REALLY fucking tells you everything you need to know about me!!!

Anyways, I have been jokingly calling my Deviantart OCs “the Shichibukai” of Hazbin Hotel. They are in fact the Shichibukai because they actually have 7 members. Erzulie Freda is the seventh and final member of the jazz band. Sadly, much like God Warrior Ogun she left the jazz band, leaving a core band of five members. 

Erzulie Freda is very important for two reasons. First, she is the mate of Damballah. Second, she is linked to Alastor’s mother.

In The Shichibukai of Hazbin Hotel, there are three official couples:

Ogun + Erzulie Dantor (tragically, divorced…)

Damballah + Erzulie Freda

Baron Samedi + Maman Brigitte

As the fierce and ruthless defenders of the weak, Ogun and Erzulie represent the “yang” side to masculinity and femininity respectively. Damballah and Erzulie Freda contrast with them, as the “yin” side to masculinity and femininity. They are both gentle and peaceful souls, whose mere presence is calming and beautiful. It is because they are on this same wavelength that they fell in love. 

As for Baron D. Samedi and Maman D. Brigitte… dude, those two are just the freak side of masculinity and femininity respectively!!

Big Papa is so chaotic, he doesn’t fit into this scheme at all!

Up until this point, I fear that I’ve made Damballah sound like a joke character or a goofy fucking idiot. I’m a bit of a goofy fucking One Piece in real life. I was withholding some information about Damballah for the reveal of gorgeous wife, Erzulie Freda. Damballah is not a goofy fucking idiot, nor is he a joke character. He is very important, because he is linked to Alastor’s grandmother. As a human, Alastor’s grandmother was an absurdly intelligent woman who might have fucking had future vision while she was alive on Earth! If she had any degree of psychic powers, those came from Damballah. Damballah is the most powerful psychic to ever exist. As the most ancient of the Loa, he is the wisest one. He has a close relationship with Alastor’s grandmother, and imparts his wisdom and powers onto her.

If he were to appear, it should be in the context of Alastor’s grandmother visiting him. She asks Papa Legba to grant her access to Damballah’s pocket dimension, where she humbles herself before the most ancient Loa of them all.

Because I am goofy fucking One Piece character in real life, I’ve made jokes about how Damballah (Hazbin Hotel) is essentially a shut-in. You can NOT make a single joke about him if you put him in the show!!! Every time he is on screen, he has feel like he’s an actual fucking god. A divine and mesmerizing being. The most ancient Loa of them all!

In real life, Damballah is so important to New Orleans Voodoo, for he is the most ancient of the lwa. I’m not an expert on this topic, I am just a weird internet goblin who is a fan of world religions. But in real life, Damballah is the most ancient lwa and Papa Legba is the Gatekeeper to the Spirit World. For these reasons, I would argue that Damballah and Papa Legba are probably the two most important lwa in the context of 19th Century New Orleans Voodoo. This has to be conveyed to viewers, should they be put into Hazbin Hotel.

So yeah. You can’t fucking make jokes about Damballah (Hazbin Hotel) being a fucking recluse. But my inner One Piece character thinks it would be funny to make quirky Hazbin Hotel 4koma about this…

The other reason Erzulie Freda is very important is because of her relationship with Alastor’s mother. Alastor’s mother was tragically separated from her child, who she loved and continues to love more than ANYTHING! Her love for Alastor is what gave her the strength to live when she was being tortured by a horrible pedophile who owned her and made her want to die!!!  Can you imagine how heartbroken she was when he was sent to Hell and separated from her forever?!! She wants to see him again more than ANYTHING, but she can’t see him because she’s in Heaven and he’s in Hell. In this darkest hour, it is Erzulie Freda - the goddess of love, beauty, and femininity herself - who has brought this woman comfort when she needed it the most. Erzulie Freda is not just outwardly beautiful, but radiates with an inner beauty that can lift someone out of the pits of despair. Her beautiful smile, the way she talks to you, and the loving manner in which she treats others pushes the dark clouds away. She is the most emotionally intelligent and sympathetic of all the Loa, and she is very wise.

Erzulie Freda can personally understand the pain that Alastor’s mother experiences, for she is also tragically separated from a loved one. In the beginning, the two Erzulies were very close to each other. As identical twins, they had very similar personalities, interests, and appearances. They were practically tied to the hip. But when her son died, Erzulie Dantor was consumed with despair. The Loa are immortal, all-powerful gods. None of them could understand what sort of pain Erzulie Dantor felt when she experienced loss. Not even her own sister. In her despair and rage, Erzulie Dantor maimed herself with her dagger. Erzulie Freda became extremely distraught when she saw her sister do this. She wanted to help her sister, but her intervention led to a bitter argument that destroyed the sisterly bond the two once had. Erzulie Freda does not spend time around the five core members of the Loa, for the sisters agreed not to be around each other. The only one she spends time with is her mate, Damballah, in the isolation of his pocket dimension.

Neither sister was really in the wrong when they fought. Both sides are sympathetic and understandable. It is meant to mirror what can happen in the real world, what can cause two twin sisters who once (and still do) love each other dearly to become estranged from each other.

Erzulie Freda wants to make up with her sister more than anything, but she respects her sister’s wishes and is afraid that Erzulie Dantor is still angry and does not want to see her again. Erzulie Dantor guards her heart. Not even Damballah - the wisest of the Loa - truly knows what she is thinking. Deep down, she also wants to repair the relationship with her sister. But like her ex-husband Ogun, she has devoted herself to humanity as the ruthless defender of the weak. She also has self-harming tendencies and survivor’s guilt, where she does not think she deserves to be happy or loved by family. Her sister is the can that continually kicks down the road. She avoids her because she doesn’t want to deal with her emotions and wants to focus on her work instead.

To summarize, Alastor’s maternal relatives and Alastor himself are all linked to the following Loa: 

Alastor’s grandmother - Damballah

Alastor’s grandfather - Ogun

Alastor’s mother - Erzulie Freda

Alastor - Erzulie Dantor

Alastor has a very interesting relationship with Erzulie Dantor, for she is the one who possessed him and granted him the strength to slay his evil father. Between ages 12 and 17, she tried to guide him through life. Although she was always cold with him, she was a positive influence on him. In her actions, she always tried to push him down the path of Good. Although she tried to harden her heart, on some level she was very attached to him, for it is in the eyes of the vulnerable that she sees her beloved, now deceased son. In the end, Alastor chose the path of Evil, and although she predicted this would be his fate, witnessing this drove the knife into her heart a little deeper. Erzulie Dantor has witnessed every iteration of the cycle of abuse to ever happen. The fierce protector of the weak hardens her heart. If she did not do so, her immeasurable sorrow would break her completely.

ERZULIE FREDA’S BULLSHIT ANIME SUPERPOWER

…Anyways, let’s talk about the anime powerscaling side to this!

Erzulie Freda’s bullshit anime superpower is the weirdest one of them all. Basically, she takes Damballah’s pacifism to the next level. This is a woman who really doesn’t like fighting. Her special power allows her to remove herself entirely from any battle.

She just fucking dips!

She can never get the W, but she can also never die. She’s the only one who can enter this weird purgatory of The Loa Civil War, or any other battle for that matter. It’s really weird to think about this…Like, where did she go??

Erzulie Freda’s magic really should be pink. I kinda fucked up here by giving Maman Brigitte pink magic (but I just think the whole black and pink jewel aesthetic goes hard as Hell!!!) As such, Erzulie Freda’s magic is blue in color. It’s a light blue, to contrast with Erzulie Dantor’s harsh red.

Light blue magic is a counterpart to Damballah’s white magic. Damballah is the epitome of rational intelligence; Erzulie Freda is the epitome of emotional intelligence. Damballah is the most powerful psychic attacker period; Erzulie Freda is the most powerful psychic healer period. Where Maman Brigitte heals physical wounds, Erzulie Freda heals mental wounds. Erzulie Freda can also do Blue Diamond type shit, where she can read and even control emotions. Similar to Blue Diamond, in theory she can literally manipulate the emotions of a MASSIVE radius of humans (quite possibly, all humans on Earth, or all humans period!!!). However, she generally does not like to use her power to control another’s emotions, unless they ask her to. She understands the damage that literal emotional manipulation can cause, so she generally refrains from doing so as she considers this a violation of boundaries.

Erzulie Freda uses her magic to bless Alastor’s mother. Alastor’s mother is supposed to be an angelic counterpart to Alastor the Radio Demon. There are tons of parallels between her and her son, which make her a very interesting character. At some point, I plan to write at length about this.

Similar to Alastor himself, Alastor’s mother struggles with a horrible case of c-PTSD. They have the same trauma. In fact, Alastor’s mother’s trauma is actually worse. At least Alastor had a loving mother in his life. Alastor’s mother had no one. Unlike her son, Alastor’s mother has actually taken steps to heal from her trauma. Erzulie Freda was essential to this healing process. At Alastor’s mother’s request, Erzulie Freda used some of her light blue magic to enter her mind and help heal the mental wounds inflicted by her traumatic past. She has also done this with other members of Alastor’s matrilineage, including his grandparents. Although they are still scarred by their traumatic pasts, they are very functional and much healthier in their thoughts and relationships because of this goddess.

In theory, Alastor himself could call on Erzulie Freda to heal him, but he would never do this. This would require Erzulie Freda to enter his mind. He would never allow anyone to enter his mind, with all of his mental scars laid bare.  

SLEEPING BEAUTY & ERZULIE FREDA

Erzulie Freda's appearance is specifically inspired by Aurora not just because of the aesthetics, but to connect her to Sleeping Beauty. In a sense, Erzulie Freda is a sleeping goddess. It’s a lot harder for humans to access Erzulie Freda because she is avoiding Erzulie Dantor, whose domain is Earth. In addition to “What if Erzulie Dantor was cynical?” I think “What if Erzulie Freda was asleep?” is a really cool concept, as it makes the entire world of Hazbin Hotel take on a darker tone.

The other reason she is linked to Sleeping Beauty is an application of her powers of emotional manipulation. Erzulie Freda can induce Soul Slumber, a tranquil spiritual coma that puts one’s soul to sleep, dormant until she awakens them. She used this power on Alastor’s grandfather while he was in Heaven.

When Alastor's grandfather saw what was happening to his daughter, he was filled with righteous fury. He prayed ceaselessly to the Warrior God Ogun to overfill his soul, so that he could become an invincible God of War to slaughter Alastor's evil father and all of his kin.  Being wise and far-seeing, Ogun knew that Alastor's mother was destined to enter Heaven, and thus refused to destroy Alastor's grandfather's soul. The Warrior God denied every last one of his requests, but Alastor's grandfather would not stop praying to have his soul overfilled.

This was a most difficult time for Alastor's grandmother. Her mind knew that her daughter's pain would only be temporary, but her heart was as torn, distraught, and furious as her husband's. In the end, her mind won over, for she takes after Damballah and is most wise and rational. She had the mental strength to bring her husband before Damballah and Erzulie Freda. The three of them convinced the rational side of Alastor's grandfather that his daughter would soon enter Heaven, but his emotional side could not be quelled. At the beckoning of his beloved wife, he agreed to have Erzulie Freda place him under Soul Slumber. 

As the righteous patriarch slept, his wife watched over him faithfully, awaiting the day their daughter would ascend to Heaven.

SIDE NOTE ON D&D ALIGNMENTS

Previously, I described the Loa as being neither Good nor Evil. They are all Neutral, with the exception of Erzulie Dantor and Ogun, who are both on the side of Good, due to having the unique experience of loss.

I would still categorize the others as Neutral, but arguments could be made that Damballah and Erzulie Freda are also Good. I mostly just categorize them as Neutral because they are both so reclusive. Damballah spends almost all of his time in his pocket dimension. Erzulie Freda also spends most of her time away from humanity, as she is distancing herself from her sister in an attempt to respect her boundaries. 

(Like many other things, this is not true for the actual deity. It’s just something that’s in my fanfiction.)

You could also argue that Baron D. Samedi and Maman D. Brigitte are not Neutral, but extremely Evil. I don’t even care. I love those two so much, they are my favorite official couple by a large margin!

ERZULIE FREDA’S STUPID ASS ALTERNATIVE NAME

Since Hazbin Hotel was inspired by Disney Princess films, it’s just fucking Princess Voodoo.

Actually, in all seriousness, I’m giving some serious thought to renaming all these characters. Tentatively, these are the names I came up with:

Papa Legba -> Big Papa

Baron Samedi -> The Baron of Death

Maman Brigitte -> Maman la Vie

Erzulie Dantor -> Lady Love

Damballah -> Sir Duke

Ogun -> THE GOD WARRIOR

Erzulie Freda -> Lady Rose

(Lady Rose is a reference to Louis Armstrong’s “La Vie en Rose”)

[winns-stuff]

LO APPRECIATION:

Okay I know I’ve been bullshitting this whole time with this post my bad. But I finally have the motivation to do it so here we go. I’ve been meaning to introduce you all to this dashing devil ever since I decided to start these appreciations, it’s a crime that I’ve taken so long with him but soon my charges will be lifted. Everyone raise your glasses and welcome Hermes to the new year!

Yes, I’ll be doing Hermes this time mostly because I actually really liked his personality and character. Now, do I enjoy the fact that Rachel made him a borderline pervert? Absolutely not, genuinely believe that that was character assassination so Hades can be the only “good guy” in this story which is ass because he’s not even a good guy. If you need to assassinate every male interest in order to make the main love interest look better than maybe he’s not the best one, that’s all I’m saying. I also despise how he became an echo chamber for Persephone with all of the compliments and holier than thou speeches he now gives about her constantly because it ruined his character completely, we haven’t even seen him in a very long time and we don’t even know if he’s okay all because he was only ever meant to be a side character who was obsessed with Persephone. The shit is stupid and redundant and it’s getting on my nerves how this comic butchers and shuns characters in favor for HxP, like I said if you have to do all that to play up how good they are they’re really at the bottom of the barrel.

Anyway, now that I’ve addressed his flaws I can now talk about what I like about him and his character. One thing for sure is that he has to be the only character with a consistent character design for the most part which already makes him very unique from the rest of the cast and I appreciate that cause it gets tiring seeing everything be so off all of the time. It really confuses me when everyone starts changing colors, body types, hairstyles, and even height. But luckily no one has changed him in a drastic way yet so let’s all be glad about still being able to look at Hermes and say that it’s Hermes.

Next is his fashion. You can argue that a lot of times he’s kinda in his underwear or his sleeping clothes but he always manages to make it work. He has such a great sense of fashion that I genuinely appreciate because I think it’s really fun and carefree which really suits him. I wish that Rachel and her team actually cared about the wardrobe in Lore Olympus when drawing the characters and make it in a way that it’s not just from Pinterest because it just feels like they’re just looking for things that they think would be cute and not the wardrobe of the characters that they created. Like for example Persephone, she wears these weird tight dresses and high fashion clothes even though it doesn’t match her character at all, she’s from humble beginnings and she’s supposed to be innocent and shy so why would she wear high fashion clothes like that since it would most likely draw more attention to herself. You’d think she’d like more comfier and minimal clothes, maybe even flower print? Something that actually represents her and not random women you see on the app. But there’s something about Hermes’ way of dressing that does say a lot about him and I feel like it tells readers what kind of person he is, which is why I enjoy it so much.

Next one is his personality. I love how energetic and goofy he is, I know the main cast is “just like that” but they’re like that in an annoying way. Their goofiness doesn’t come naturally like it does with Hermes, it always feels forced which make everything so stale. But with Hermes he has an amazing balance of when and where to be goofy, like it’s the perfect amount to not make you bored of him and not be annoyed with him which is why so many people love him including me. It’s always stuck with me how he acts and I genuinely think he’s got one of the best personalities in the comic, no one else really rivals him (right now of course since it’s late and my brain is half on half off) which is why I adore his personality so much.

Another thing I love about him is definitely the way that his hair is always so flowy and all over the place yet put together at the same time. Like is it just me who gets so amazed at how his hair is drawn? I fucking love it it’s like Rachel put visual drugs in his hair I’ve never loved a characters hair more than Hermes’ hair. It’s more complex than a lot of the main cast really and it’s so pleasing to look at, not only that but it really gives him even more personality and it fits him. There’s so many hints of who he is that lies in the way his hair is drawn that I can’t even begin to cover it and while everyone else’s hair lacks any volume and personality the opposite has to be said about his hair because it would be a lie to say that his hair doesn’t have a personality of it’s own which makes him even more intriguing.

Last thing is his overall character design. I’ve always enjoyed the way that Hermes looked because I thought it was pretty especially with the red that he’s got going on I think it’s really nice, not too bright and not too muted it’s a nice color to give him I’d say. I was scared though with the later seasons because I saw so many characters, many of them being my favorites, being completely changed and altered which really fucked me up because I felt like they lost all uniqueness and originality from that since I truly believe that character design also tells a lot about a character and their identity so to have their designs change it took away from them everything that made them those characters in the first place and replaced them with uncanny clones trying to mimic what they once were. Luckily though Hermes’ character hasn’t changed too much like I said earlier, it really makes me happy to see it since I think his design is one of the best, maybe even godly (get it? please laugh - joke btw).

Bonus: I love his mom too I’ve always thought she was so pretty, mainly because all of her colors and her clothes everything made sense with her and she also has an amazing character design. Also she’s very very pretty, I would like everyone to know that. It’s completely disappointing that we don’t get to see her more I feel like she was a really fun character and loving mom because of the way Hermes turned out in Lore Olympus (minus the perverted stuff) maybe I’ll make a separate post for her… Spoiler I will no doubt about it.

Anyways this is the end of the appreciation post but surely not the end of the appreciation I and his stans will be giving him of course. I’m sorry for making this long I feel like I rambled mostly but I hope everything makes sense, happy new years!

[toriluv607]

💅🏻🎀💁🏻‍♀️10 Simple Ways To Be More Feminine Everyday!💄💋🎀

Femininity comes naturally to some lucky women, while for others, it has to be practiced with a conscious effort.

Being feminine is both nature and nurture. If you didn't naturally gravitate towards playing with dolls, or you weren't encouraged to be girly, soft, and gentle as a young girl, chances are, you were probably more comfortable operating from your masculine energy growing up.

Many women went through a tomboy phase, and it wasn't until they reached puberty that they started experimenting with being more girly and feminine. This can sometimes stick with us or fade once real life starts to kick in for us as young adults.

The good news is it's easy to tap into your divine feminine power with a few daily rituals. But, like any habit, it takes a bit of discipline, patience, and consistency.

Aim to incorporate a few of the below into your daily routine, and watch your feminine energy start to flow more naturally.

1. Take Good Care of Yourself

The best and quickest way to connect to your femininity is by taking good care of yourself. Make a conscious effort to nurture your beauty, your physical and mental health, and your environment. Take action by doing at least one good thing for yourself every day. It also helps to add it to your to-do list, so you're motivated to do it.

“When you take care of yourself, you subconsciously tell yourself that you deserve to be treated well.”

Do you want to feel more healthy? If so, perhaps one of your goals could be to drink more water and do hip stretches, so you feel hydrated and relaxed. Or what about going for a 20-minute walk every day to clear your mind? Maybe try buying a bunch of your favorite flowers to lift your mood and brighten up your home.

When you take better care of your needs and wants, you're subconsciously telling yourself that you deserve to be treated well.

2. Hair and Makeup

One of the foundations of being a feminine woman is looking your best, starting with simple hair and makeup.

You don't have to wear a full face of makeup every day, but taking the time to apply your makeup correctly and brushing your hair so you look well-groomed is critical. Have some fun with it and try out different hairstyles. You could put your hair up in a bun, or sweep it to one side, or try on a hairpiece. Explore with hair and makeup, and take the time to feel beautiful with different looks.

3. Dress Up around the House

If t here’s one thing that makes a woman feel alive, it's dressing up in a gorgeous outfit.

Instead of throwing on your everyday pair of jeans and top, grab something more interesting from the closet. Most women have loads of clothes they've only worn once or twice. For example, what about all those cute outfits you bought for your honeymoon that you haven’t worn since? Pull them out and wear them again! Or what about that stunning dress you bought for your cousin's wedding last summer?

“Add accessories and heels to your outfit to feel more feminine.”

If you feel like you don't have anything to wear, maybe it's time to update your wardrobe. Clothes are so cheap nowadays you can buy an entire wardrobe for just a few hundred dollars.

Pair your outfits with accessories and some nice heels to transform your look to feel more feminine.

4. Wear Perfume

Spraying on a bit of perfume can instantly make you feel like a feminine woman.

Again, most women have many perfume bottles that they hardly wear because they associate perfume with going out or for special occasions. Get into the habit of spraying perfume when you're getting ready. Not only will you smell good, but it will put you in the mindset that today is a special day and that you deserve to look, smell, and feel special.

5. Wear the Color Red

Wearing the color red can instantly make you look and feel more feminine, and science backs this up. Research at Glasgow University shows that the skin on women's faces becomes redder before she ovulates, which could be the reason why women appear healthier and more attractive when they're blushing.

“Men find the color red magnetic and attractive.”

It's also the reason why men are drawn to women who wear red lipstick or a red dress. They find the color red magnetic and attractive because it sends a biological signal to their brains that you're at your most fertile and more likely to be "in the mood."

6. Wear Silk Pajamas

Don't go to bed in any old pair of sweats and t-shirt. Treat yourself and invest in a beautiful pair of satin pajamas. Silk is more expensive, but synthetic satin feels just as lovely and is a fraction of the price. You could go for a cami nightdress, a short sleeve and boxer shorts set, or the classic blouse and trousers PJ set.

Not only does silk feel luxurious and delicate against your skin, but it will make you feel prettier and elevated as a woman.

7. Get a Manicure

Your nails look so much prettier when they’re done, so embrace your femininity by getting a manicure. Or if the budget is tight, do them yourself.

You could get gels, extensions, a classic French polish, or try a completely brand new color. Having manicured nails can feel like a treat and makes you look more put together.

8. Dance

Dancing is a great way to get out of your head and more in touch with your body. Set aside at least 10 minutes to dance to your favorite songs or playlist. You may want to do this in privacy so you can completely let yourself go.

“Set aside at least 10 minutes to dance to your favorite songs or playlist.”

Start by closing your eyes and taking a deep breath to ground yourself. Then start moving your body slowly to the rhythm of the beat. Move your arms, torso, and hips in sensual motions to feel in the flow. Once you're done, notice how much softer and grounded you feel.

9. Create

The essence of being feminine is all about creation; even our bodies can create another human being! So take some time to work on a creative project. You could try painting, knitting, cooking, decorating, gardening, pottery, or singing. Being creative is fun, freeing, feminine, and gives you a feeling of satisfaction.

10. Connect with Other Women

Sometimes the best way to connect with feminine energy is by being around other women. Call up that girlfriend who is always positive and uplifting, or have lunch with that friend you haven’t seen in ages, or reach out to a woman you look up to for inspiration and guidance.

We women can have a profound influence on one another. We also have a unique capacity to understand each other's feelings and emotions on a much deeper level, which can leave you feeling rejuvenated and powerful.

Closing Thoughts

Being a woman is truly amazing, and embracing your feminine energy can be a beautiful thing. Practice some of these action steps to transform your life and watch your confidence grow.

[nostalgiachan]

For this batch of 100 OCs, I decided to do something a little different and zazz them up with some colored backgrounds. Let me know if you prefer the images with or without. As always, new drawings up top, original drawings down below (with a special double for Arlein since I completely redesigned her from her original iteration), and detailed character info below the cut.

#53: Mina II Idea: Peppy punky lead singer (and eventual keyboardist come 3) Story: Rock Band

Now, if there was any instrument I could play expert, it was vocals, lol. Except on fucking Good Vibrations because HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO HEAR WHAT PART I'M SUPPOSED TO BE SINGING ON A LIVE FUCKING RECORDING? IT'S A SIX PART GODDAMN HARMONY. And also Tanlged Up in Blue because BOB DYLAN IS NOT SINGING SPECIFIC NOTES HALF THE TIME WHY ARE THESE CHARTED LIKE THIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIS.

Anyway, Mina.

Mina's my character for vocals, and come Rock Band 3, I slotted her in for keyboards, as well. She's the upbeat and outgoing punk of the posse, and her character color was green; green hair, green microphone, green-forward outfits. Even though the characters predate the release of the anime, I like to imagine now that D.A.R.K. specifically starts because Mina saw K-ON! and said "Dude, Sydan, we could fuckin' do that. We could do it better. We just need to find, like...a drummer and a bassist." They meet Ren and Paz in their school's band, start their own...and then spend half their time dicking around, not unlike Houkago Tea Time. They do scrabble an EP together, though, and thus their legend begins.

#54 and 55: Ren and Paz II Idea: Polar opposite identical twins who aren't actually that polar opposite Story: Rock Band

Finally, we have Ren and Paz, the twin brother rhythm section of D.A.R.K. - Paz as bassist, Ren as drummer. The only reason they wound up being twins was that there was only one face option I really liked for men in RB1 and I really liked The Emover hairstyle, so I just kind of leaned into it.

Ren's character color was light blue, though unlike the other characters, I didn't include any black in his wardrobe because I wanted him to have a kind of ice king look. I'd initially planned on him being the Metal representative, but most of the metal items leaned more towards GWAR costumes - lots of armor and literal metal. So instead, I also put him in Goth attire. Thus, he became the graceful, mysterious, icy drummer - who was a total dork behind the scenes.

Meanwhile, Paz was the Rock style representative, and while I'd intended on giving him a yellow color scheme, it turned out that the game didn't really have a good bright yellow color. Thus, I went with pink instead, and the combination of pink scheme and flamboyant classic rock attire went quite a way towards forming my image of him as an upbeat, showy performer, all sunshine and rainbows and bouncing about on stage in contrast to Sydan's stoic technicality.

Ren and Paz also provide back-up vocals (as Sydan is far too self-conscious about her voice and will only step to the mic in those instances where a four-part harmony is absolutely necessary), and Paz has done lead precisely once: when he wrote a song for his Spanish final project (aka when they added Me Enamora to Rock Band 3).

Fun fact: their hair highlights are reversed (Ren has white hair with a blue highlight, Paz has pink hair with a white highlight)

#56: Arlein Idea: Storm Lord in training on a bit of field work Story: Dragon Tavern

Somewhere around 2009 or 2010, I made a second batch of nine characters for Dragon Tavern. Since I already had the idea for the five-year timeskip, I decided these guys would be bands of adventurers searching for the missing Champions; their respective kingdoms started to get suspicious after they stopped receiving updates from the parties and put out monetary rewards for anyone who could find and bring them home. An entire subculture began to form among these "Seekers" as they traded info, banded together, and raced against one another, eventually leading to the formation of the titular Dragon Tavern and its surrounding community in an area equidistant between the three kingdoms.

The first group of Seekers in this story hailed from the Mountain Kingdoms, led by the trainee Storm Lord, Arlein. Unfortunately, Arlein's one of the least developed of this second generation, probably most evidenced by her original design; it was supposed to be an armored mage look, but it came out fairly bland. Years later, when I was redrawing everyone for practice, I noticed a funny little thing about all of my previous characters: thanks to not really thinking about it as a kid, they were basically all white people, barring the slightly tan Enkeli and Systir and the vaguely southeastern Asian adjacent Alriem. Since I was more aware of actively trying to create diverse characters, and since I wasn't overly fond of Arlein's original design, I decided that was the perfect time to give her a complete overhaul. Since I didn't have any no-shit black characters in DT, Arlein would be the first.

Now, I still have to work on her backstory and details, but the general idea for her is that she's on this trip to earn a hefty tuition - so long as she does some general "field work" along the way, the Academy will give her a basic stipend, and the full reward would cover just about any proper academic work she would ever undertake - and the notoriety that bringing in Alriem, Systir, and Iros would bring.

[asianpopfan]

Kpop fans need to understand that just because a staff member didn’t do the best job, they did it on purpose and are evil and hold favoritism against others.

It is well known that they can be more careless with whom they like the least and give the best outfits,hairstyles and makeup to whom they prefer but sometimes they are just humans in a working field where not everything goes as planned.

Gaeul’s shoes were too big and extremely embarrassing but there was no reason for the stylist to embarrass herself, get hate and risk her own career because of that. It was way too evident. It’s silly to believe that she did it on purpose without any proof at all except the big shoes.

In, sometimes sizes are wrong and that’s a shame, they either don’t have the time to change or took the best size they could. In runway shows, this is even way more common, and I am not referring to the recent Valentino FW, but pretty much all FWs. That’s why it’s also convenient for stylists to have models around the similar sizes. The outfits that IVE wore were probably temporary and evidently the shoes were the wrong fit for Gaeul’s but they probably didn’t have enough time to fix that. Most times there are fitting but not always the celebrity does the fitting themselves as they simply hire a model with the same exact (or the closest as possible) measures and possibly skin tone as the celebrity. Most outfits are sponsored, maybe they came too late to get a new better fitting size.

Just because something didn’t go as planned in the favourite of your favourite, it doesn’t mean it was premeditated sabotage. Sometimes yes but the size of her shoes was a bit TOO evident and embarrassing to send her out like that. It’s highly disrespectful to give out such strong accusations and to want the stylist to be “reprimanded” and “fired” because of 1 wardrobe malfunction only, at this point you are worse than Karen who has no respect for workers and wants all of them fired. Respect the staff members too and give constructive criticism.

[witcherscreenshotsdump]

mod project progress! ✔️-> finished ⭐-> progress has been made ⭕ -> on hold

@ningnomaningnong oh a list ! yeah that could be a good idea to list out all my projects,( for me too, so i don’t get lost in the mountain of projects i have :’D )

the one i’m working on right now is the alternate outfit for Syanna inspired by Anna Valerious’ outfits ✔️

i’m also working on a new hairstyle for my Angoulême model, it’s well on it’s way but i’m not satisfied with the headband  ✔️

hairstyles for Ciri:

short cropped ‘mistle’ styled

ashen messy hair

the long ‘ alypre’ hair model ✔️

the ‘jinx’ hairstyle

the braided ponytail

the child ciri ‘actually look like herself ‘ face model ⭐

the witcher 2 faces for both Ves and Triss

 the poet shirt for Jaskier

the Eva green face model for Yen

the rework of the lore friendly Blue dress for Triss

the long hairstyle for Eskel (  i have another version ready for game import but i have to actually do it ) ⭐

the Regis dressed down mod ⭐, i also want to make him alternate outfits, something closer to the books ( love the idea of him with an apron ) but maybe something very fancy too idk yet, maybe i’ll do both 

then i have the Yennefer lore friendly wardrobe ones :

Maribor torso ( started, currently in WIP folder )

Wyzima torso   ✔️

some witcher armors for Ciri :

Cat ( started, currently in WIP folder )

Manticore ✔️

Viper ⭐( started, currently in WIP folder )

Griffin ⭐( started, currently in WIP folder )

i’m thinking about doing a Skellige style mod for both Yennefer and Triss too, but it’s not started yet ( beside the early draft of an hairstyle for yen )

i may do a Nilfgaard style too for Ciri and triss, Yen not sure yet

i would LOVE to do the ‘hexer’ actors like I did the netflix ones :

Michał Żebrowski’s Geralt face is started and it looks cool in blender but i’m dreading the game import :’)

Grażyna Wolszczak’s  Yennefer is also started but i’m going to redo it all over because she looked AWFUL in game, that poor woman

Zbigniew Zamachowski’s  Jaskier isn’t started yet but i’m looking forward to it

⭕ for the netflix crowd i still have the netflix triss mod to update with the new dress and hair option, also would like to redclothify the blue dressthen the other characters models i had planned but never had the strenght to start lmao: netflix dijkstra, philippa  maybe ciri and jaskier complete with outfits and hair ( maybe an outfit and hairstyle for the yennfer mod too idk ) not gonna lie it’s not a priority for me ⭕

the Dicks out for temeria mod check this ask for the list ( minus Avallach who is already out ) ( Eredin’s model is started but i’ll need SBUI for further testing ) ⭐

an alternate outfit for Evelyn Gallo based on Evangeline season 2 outfit from wakfu ⭐ ( near finished )

lady echo model from wakfu season 4 ⭐ ( started )

the romance swaps like i did with Ves, Tomira is next and i’ve finished all the new assets ( fancy bun for parties, custom hood,naked body, party outfit ) all that is left to do is making the swaps ✔️

the Play As Iorveth mod that i desesperatly want but i have to actually work on it to have it :’) ( the mod is fuctional but needs a lot of polishing! V.0.2 is now in WIP folder ) ⭐

then the source mods, omg the source mods i want to make so many of them D’:

Cahir ⭐ ( re-re-re-re started from scratch AGAIN )

but there’s all the others:

Essi daven ⭐ ( not started, STARTED  looking forward to do it because i never see her depicted like i imagined her so either i read the book wrong/have bad memory, or it is another ‘rhino’ experience or maybe i just imagined her slightly differently either way it could be fun  )

Eithné ( started )

Lara dorren ⭐ ( near finished )

Cregennan of Lod

Neneke

Jarre ( started kinda, i have a face/hair initially for Cahir that would be better on him

Borch three jackdaw/téa/véa ( started, well i have a start of a tea or vea Hairstyle, that’s it lmao )

Vilgefortz

Tissaia de Vries

Mève of lyria ( based on thronebreaker ) ✔️

Gascon Brossard ⭐ issues with exporting a needed model ⭕

Reynard Odo ⭐

The rats and Ciri as Falka ( started, only mistle hair for now, also have an old falka hairstyle for ciri but it’s wonky )

some female dwarves ( started)

iorveth ( started )

✔️ also started making child Syanna and Annarietta models, maybe i will make more child characters it’s useless but fun ( started but can’t continue due to mesh exporting problems ) ✔️

i probably forgot some and it doesn’t count the new ideas i consistantly get   😂

[narraboths]

you know that catco employees are already groaning whenever Kara walks into the office with a new hairstyle or a new outfit bc they know they're going have to put up with their boss staring like she's never seen a woman before

Kara Danvers is, objectively speaking, an incredibly worthy object of one’s workplace crush.

Most of CatCo’s employees will readily admit that they’ve all been there: Kara Danvers is lovely and kind, she has the nicest laugh, she’s practically sunshine personified. She remembers people’s birthdays, brings them coffee unasked, and attempts to temper Cat Grant’s wrath whenever it threatens to strike. Even when she gets bumped to junior reporter, she’s still the same charming goofball, only she now rushes in and out of the building chasing stories  with a vengeance instead of lattes. Who could ever resist a crush on her?

Most of CatCo’s employees, however, will also hasten to point out that they could at least keep their infatuation to a reasonable level.

When Lena Luthor first walks into the CatCo bullpen, heading towards Kara without sparing a look for anyone else, the bullpen falls so deadly silent for a second, the clicking of her Louboutins is the only sound that can be heard. Then they all go back to acting totally, extremely normal, as if the most notorious new citizen of National City (a billionaire tech genius at that) isn’t flirting up a storm with a cub reporter right before their very eyes. They only snicker about the gala invitation in a very restrained way, with the appropriate amount of concern and jealousy, Luthor sure knows what connections she needs, Danvers better look out and You’d be trying to make that connection too if you were in her position.

Then the visits become a regular occurrence. 

Lena Luthor, CEO of a Fortune 500 company and a staple of 30 under 30 lists, shows up every week, and patiently waits around till Kara, who earnestly says golly and has to be reminded that exclusive is spelled without a ‘k’, stumbles across her. She beams at Kara’s rambling, laughs delightedly at her bad puns, calls her darling in a tone of voice that makes eavesdroppers blush, and bites her lip like she knows exactly what it is that she’d like to devour, and it’s certainly not the vegan bar that she’s dragging Kara away to for lunch. (CatCo refuses to publish the paparazzi shots that surface every third day of the week, but other outlets are not so squeamish.) And Kara meets her every step of the way, face lighting up whenever she sees Lena (even on TV, some note), hugging her tightly with every hello and goodbye even longer than necessary. She gushes about Lena’s projects and meets Lena’s own compliments to her writing with bashful smiles and fidgeting hands. Properly and utterly enamored.

The office settles into the new status quo, young love and all, though it seems to be incredibly slow-burning, with the entirety of CatCo (and likely half of L-Corp) getting front-row tickets to its process. Snapper mumbles about professional boundaries. People start a betting pool, and stare at Kara with a bit more hopeless yearning when she storms past them to greet Lena with a wide smile.

But then, there’s something else that changes with their courtship: Kara starts to get dapper.

She’s already looked unreasonably dashing in thin cardigans and pastel button-ups before, drawing dreamy sighs from the interns she’d stroll past. Now, it’s starting to verge on it’s a public menace to look that hot. The shirts get tighter, more crisp, and with it, her biceps and powerful shoulders considerably more accentuated. Well-tailored jackets start to make an appearance in her wardrobe, along with slim ties (their quirky patterns a testament to Kara’s nature), and elegantly knit jumpers come winter. And Kara starts to stand a little taller, too, shoulders squared and chin held high, her steps ever so slightly wider and more confident every time she has to chase after Snapper in one of their daily bouts.

The effect of it in the office is most profound. A rolled-up shirtsleeve and a hint of tensing muscles, and Jen at the art department almost scraps a magazine cover in her stupor. An unbuttoned collar and loosened tie at a late night editorial meeting, and Mackenzie nearly pours her coffee into her lap. 

And the very cause of this upheaval is certainly not immune to Kara’s newfound charms, either. There’s already been plenty of physical affection between the pair, as most of the office and a whole wealth of pap photos would attest, but now, it’s bordering on handsiness. Lena takes any opportunity to squeeze Kara’s arm, run a hand over her shoulder, or rest a hand on her forearm as they talk, and the bullpen grows green with jealousy.

When Cat Grant departs for the White House and L-Corp swoops in for the acquisition, the mood turns explosive.

Any illusions about the lovebirds keeping things more strictly professional with the change of management are shattered when Kara strides into the boss’ office with a gift-wrapped planner, all giddy, only to be greeted with their usual hug. Someone lets out a groan.

It only gets expectably worse.

It’s no fault of Lena Luthor’s overall management style – she’s a decent boss, a shockingly good one, even, if one considers the family name and all its implications, and infinitely milder than Miss Grant had been. But there’s only so many times one can witness their chief blushing in the middle of a meeting, or get lost in impure thought staring through the glass walls of the boardroom, out into the bullpen where the office heartthrob is currently stretching, providing an ample view of her entire upper body musculature. There’s only so many times they can watch Lena lean against Kara’s desk and reach down to gently smooth out her shirt’s collar or fiddle with the lapels of her jacket as they talk. At some point, Lena helping Kara tie the bespoke silk tie that she’s recently gifted her after a trip to Italy, batting away her “Lena, you really shouldn’t have” with “Nonsense, darling” and then stopping to fiddle with the damn thing, staring up at Kara with that unmistakably smitten expression becomes just another Tuesday morning at CatCo.

To say that there is a sigh of relief once news of CatCo once again changing hands start to spread is no understatement.

Andrea Rojas seems like a hardass and people start to feel a sense of comfort. She’s a businesswoman through and through, one whose ideas about running the place might be battled, but one who certainly won’t be head over heels for a pair of pretty blue eyes and jacked arms.

Antsiness and relief thus both settle over the first office-wide meeting Ms Rojas calls, preparing to address the entire staff. The first couple of sentences are delivered smoothly, with none of the longing looks cast into the crowd towards a certain blonde that they’ve had to get used to before, and people are starting to feel safe.

Then, getting to the meat of her speech, Andrea Rojas takes a breath and turns towards where the cream of CatCo’s crop is gathered, with Kara Danvers standing at the very front, arms crossed, navy suit hugging her imposing figure tightly, forehead crinkled in annoyed concentration.

Andrea Rojas looks, then looks again, and skids to a halt, lips parting as she takes in the view. Twelve seconds go by, an agonizing eternity, before she’d continue her speech, her gaze returning to Kara again and again.

“If you have any questions about the future of CatCo, I’d be happy to hear them now,” she finishes. “Or in my office, if you’d prefer to sound your concerns in private.”

She looks around, almost haughty before she’d turn her gaze to Kara again, biting her lip as they lock eyes, and someone in the back finally decides to give voice to what they’re all feeling:

"Oh, for fuck’s sake!”

[vixenpen]

Dabi smut with a teacher. Like in some quirkless au or something (He’s scarless but hella pierced and tatted), he had to pick up kid!Shoto one day and he sees his hot black teacher (Sis got thickness and curves for days, even in simple clothes) So he consistently picks up Shoto (even when he doesn’t have to) just to hit on her and when he finally scores a date with her, he’s at his limit after seeing her in casual wear and how amazing her personality is.

I LOVED this request. I had so much fun writing it and the details were amazing! I hope you enjoy

Hot For Teacher (Dabi x Black Reader) Quirkless AU

“Ah, come on kid,” Dabi sighed, expelling a stream of smoke as he waited at the curb for his baby brother to get out of school.

He rolled down the window to air out the car and watched the stream of middle schoolers burst through the double doors and head to their respective busses or cars.

“Shooo,” Dabi groaned, “where are you? I got shit to do, kid.”

He enjoyed hanging out with his youngest sibling, and he had no problem picking the kid up, but he also had a business to help run. If he didn’t get back to the shop in an hour and a half like he’d promised Hawks, he’d get an earful about responsibility and time management and blah, blah, blah.

He leaned back in the driver seat, deciding to give Shoto another fifteen minutes before he texted the kid.

Just then another wave of kids exited the building, Dabi’s bright blue eyes scanned them before landing on the finest woman he’d ever seen in his life.

Her cream colored silk blouse popped beautifully against her rich brown skin and a pair of slacks hugged her wide hips. Her makeup made her dark eyes sparkle and red lipstick painted her pouty mouth.

Dabi sat up, turquoise eyes running up and down that beautiful body of hers as the sexy teacher strutted past to talk to parents and wave good bye to students. When she turned around, his eyes slid down to the fattest ass he’d ever seen and he licked his lips.

Damn it must be hard as hell for her students to concentrate in class.

She turned again and began walking back towards the school. Fuck! If he didn’t stop gawking he would miss his chance. He couldn’t let that happen.

Holding his cigarette between his lips, Dabi quickly stepped out of the car and took leggy strides to catch up with the teacher.

“Excuse me.”

She turned around, her big dark eyes landing on him. Immediately Dabi knew she was sizing him up and wasn’t impressed. She gave that same disapproving teacher look Fuyumi gave whenever she was put off by someone.

Regardless, he flashed her his most charming smile. He may not be a goody two shoes like these other khaki wearing dads out here, but he knew he looked damn better than any of them.

“Sorry to bother you ma’am. I was just hoping you could help me out.”

“Sure,” she smiled back, showing off a pair of pretty white teeth. “Let’s start with that cigarette. It’s against our school policy to be smoking on the premises so if you could.” She cocked a brow expectantly.

Dabi cocked his own pierced brow back in response, but quickly stubbed out his cigarette on a nearby janitor’s cart and threw it away in the accompanying trash can.

Her smile widened. “Great. Now, how can I help you?”

Dabi chuckled. “Well, ya see, I just got this new phone and cleared out all my old contacts. Ya know, new year, new me and all that,” he shrugged, “anyway, my contacts are pretty empty now. So, I was wondering if I could get yours.”

She let out a little snort of amusement.

“That’s your pick up line? How many Girls have had the misfortune of hearing that one?”

“You’d be the first,” Dabi smirked back. “Figured the usual ‘hey beautiful, what’s your name’ line wouldn’t exactly help me stand out.”

“Trust me, you don’t need help standing out.” She replied, eying him again.

“Then that means I’m ahead of the game, right?” He held out a hand, “I’m Dabi.”

Tentatively, the teacher shook it. “Ms. Y/n.”

“Ms. Y/n, huh...” Dabi repeated slowly, his eyes ran over you with a barely masked longing. “Not ‘Mrs’?”

“Not yet.” You replied.

“How soon are you looking to change that?” Dabi asked, his smirk growing a bit smaller and more intimate.

“Who said I was looking to change it at all?”

“Certainly not me,” he replied, “that’s why I asked. I would love to talk more about how much you don’t want to change it over dinner sometime though.”

You fended off a smile. You were not about to give this over confident asshole any encouragement.

“Sorry, but I make it a point not to date my student’s parents.”

“Well, it’s a good thing I’m not a parent then.”

“Oh? So you just like to stroll on the campuses of random middle schools and hit on the teachers for fun?”

Dabi chuckled again.

“I’m here to pick up my little brother. Ah, hell, speaking of which, I actually could use your help with that. Kid hasn’t come out yet and I’ve already been here over half an hour.”

Your pretty face immediately crumpled with worry.

“What’s your brother’s name?”

“Todoroki Shoto.”

“Oh!” You looked surprised. “Shoto. I think I saw him headed towards the baseball field. I think the team has practice today.”

“Dammit! Really? Well, I better go say hi to the kid anyway. You mind, uh, leading the way?”

“Sure.” You shrugged.

Turning, you took the lead and guided Dabi towards the baseball diamond behind the school. You could feel the man’s eyes on your ass the whole way, and couldn’t help but put an extra switch in your hips as you did. Much to his appreciation.

You had to admit the man was fine as hell. The black undercut with lines cut in the side, his multiple piercings and even the colorful tattoos you saw peeking from under his fitted black tshirt were hot as hell. However, you had long since given up on bad boy types. You preferred nerds. Still a little light flirting wouldn’t hurt anything, right?

“There he is.” Dabi stated once the two of you verged on the field. He held up his hands to his mouth and called out: “Yo, Sho!”

The boy looked up, heterochromatic eyes widening in surprise.

“Why didn’t you tell me you had practice today you little half and half?”

“Why don’t you ever check mom’s texts?” Shoto shouted back. “She told you to come later.”

You snickered as Dabi pulled out his phone and checked his text messages.

“Huh. Well I’ll be damned.” He muttered to himself. “Alright, kiddo, I’ll be back in an hour!”

“Can you stop shouting and leave now?! I have to concentrate.”

Dabi laughed before turning back to you.

“Anyway, thanks a lot for your help Ms. Y/n.”

“Just doing my job.”

“Still, I would love to thank you properly. Maybe over coffee.” He said, sounding hopeful.

“Before it was dinner.” You quipped, playfully.

“I know. I‘m just planning for future dates.”

You giggled, shaking your head. “It was nice meeting you, Dabi.” With that you turned and strutted off.

“I hope you know I’m gonna keep trying until I get a yes or no.” He called after you.

As you entered the school’s back entrance you could hear Shoto shouting: “Can you please stop hitting on my teachers? I have to see them everyday!”

Unfortunately for Shoto, his plea seemed to go in one overly pierced ear and out the other because almost everyday since then, Dabi made it a point to stop and talk to you when he came to pick up Shoto.

“Hey there, Ms. Y/n. My contacts are filling up fast. You sure you don’t wanna reserve a spot?”

“Sorry Dabi, but my no dating policy extends to immediate family members as well.”

“I hated to cancel our reservations, but you’re left me no choice, Ms. Y/n.”

“Nobody told you to make reservations, Dabi.”

“Dinner was lonely the other day. If only I had a beautiful black queen to keep me company.”

“I’m sure There are plenty of black queens out there that would have loved to accompanying you to dinner.”

“Yeah, but they wouldn’t have been you.”

Dabi was unrelenting. Always complimenting how amazing your outfits looked on your skin tone, how flattering your make up was, or if you wore a new hairstyle or new jewelry.

You couldn’t lie. The attention was both flattering and refreshing. Since becoming a teacher, you usually only got hit on by studious academic types. Attractive yes, but straight laced and all the same with their game

Unfortunately a disturbing amount of married dads also tried their luck with you.

But Dabi was different.

He may have been a far cry from your usual type, but he was always perfectly respectful and even funny. Not to mention he was much closer to your own age than other men that came on to you.

He must have started bribing Shoto for help or asking him about your interests too. Because sometimes when he would see you, he’d have a new book to give you or your favorite iced tea from a cafe you always frequented. Which, admittedly, was pretty damn cute.

The tatted up alt boy was actually growing on you. So one day, when both of you least expected it, you finally agreed to give him your number and go on a date.

That was the first time you ever saw him straight up smile. Not smirk or grin. He actually beamed. Just like a little boy who’d been told he could have a puppy.

Ok, ok. You admit it—he was cute.

Hopefully, that charm would extend over to dinner.

When the big date came, Dabi cleaned himself up. Opting out of his usual dark attire for a deep blue fitted Ralph Lauren polo and skinny khakis. He even took out some of his piercings in an attempt to look more presentable. He thought he cleaned up pretty nice if he did say so himself, but it was nothing compared to what you strutted in wearing.

Dabi had gotten used to your stylish but conservative work attire. He was so used to your hot teacher look, that he forgot you probably had some regular clothes in that amazing wardrobe of yours.

And damn did you pick out the most show stopping dress you had. You wore a wine colored dress that cut low in the front showing off those juicy tits of yours and stopped above the knee. The heels you wore made your thighs look even yummier and your ass was jiggling out of control with every step.

Down boy. Down boy. Down boy.

He scolded himself.

“Well, don’t you clean up nicely, Dabi?” You teased.

“I’m Touya tonight, beautiful.” He struck a pose like a GQ model. You laughed. “Dabi was that guy that kept hitting on you, Touya’s the guy that’s gonna try not to screw it up.

“Oh,” you ran a manicured finger along his solid chest, “well, I agreed to a date with Dabi, but I guess Touya could be fun too.”

Dabi licked his lip, and your eyes fell on his tongue piercing, hungrily.

“Depending on how well the night goes, you might see Dabi come out later tonight.” He replied, suggestively.

You rolled your eyes, but could feel your cheeks (and your pussy) warming.

“Boy! Come on.”

Dabi as Touya opened the door to the restaurant and ushered you inside.

The restaurant he took you to was definitely a high end place; complete with soft candle light, a jazz quartet, and a maître d’.

The chemistry the two of you had definitely translated over dinner.

Dabi was just as funny as he always was and he was genuinely interested in getting to know everything about you. He hung on to your every word about the funny things your students did in class. He enjoyed hearing your college stories. He even knew some of the books you enjoyed reading and could talk literature easily.

You discovered that he was the co-owner of a tattoo and piercing shop. He was the oldest of his siblings. And he enjoyed traveling and learning new things.

Dabi enjoyed vibing with you. He loved that your personality and sense of humor was just as amazing and substantial as that body he wanted a piece of so bad.

Dinner rolled into drinks and lasted well into the night. By the time the two of you were done it was damn near four A.M.

From that night on, you and Dabi became practically inseparable. He picked you up from school right along with Shoto for dinner after work, swung by with coffee, bought you any and everything you wanted (he does come from money after all) and after a year of dating, you became more than just a ‘Ms.’

Pt.2

[merpancake]

Had a lot of Lila Archer thoughts the other day and figured I'd put them down here. Can be read as platonic friendship or pre-relationship with Reid

After the events of the S1E18 Lila and Reid stay in touch and begin emailing back and forth. It's tentative and awkward at first but they find out they have more in common than you'd expect

They send book recommendations back and forth most of the time because they are both in jobs that have a lot of downtime between cases/castings

Lila is a big history buff and loves that she can talk to Reid about it and he won't treat her like she's dumb because she's an actress or blonde or pretty

Reid asks her all the questions about dating or making friends or even just what people mean when they say or do X and she doesn't tease him about not knowing it already because she gets being out of your depth

She likes his long tangents about stuff in their emails because she always learns something new from it

He likes her gossip about costars and set drama and fighting script writers etc because it's something important to her but also low risk compared to his job and he can give her advice on handling a situation

She finally starts sending him pictures from magazines and fashion shoots with large capitals in the subject lines that he needs to start dressing better because "Spencer honey you're a beautiful man but you do yourself no favors with those outfits". She knows he just wants to be taken seriously at his job but she also knows the impact of a good wardrobe and the right hairstyle

He gets more confident in himself now that he's looking better and feeling more like he can handle himself- no longer the newbie at the BAU

She's got hostage negotiation skills courtesy of her FBI buddy and puts them to good use getting herself better contracts and working the Hollywood system to avoid the sleazebags as much as possible

Neither of them mention staying in touch to others because Reid doesn't want to deal with the (he thinks) inevitable surprise at his being friends with a beautiful popular actress; Lila knows what a rare find he is and doesn't want anyone else getting their hands on someone she feels is one of her only true friends

She knows he will never assume their friendship is a way to sleep with her, even though she thinks she would very much like to

He knows she won't cut him off or make him feel out of place for talking about obscure facts or not understanding social cues, or put him down for being inexperienced

They just keep regularly emailing and sharing thoughts back and forth, texting each other as they get closer and want to keep in touch even when too busy to write out a long message. It's unusual and not a relationship anyone would probably guess exists but it's something special for the both of them.

(she's never forgiven him for getting her hooked on Dr Who)

Tagging my CM fellows @ssa-noa @ssa-natalya-reid @ssa-sarahsunshine @katytheinspiredworkaholic @tobias-hankel @dralexreid hope I didn't miss anybody! Probably did

[falloutjay]

Can I please have a part 2 of my ask with the girls of South Park?

Here ya go! I hope it turned out to your liking once more and it was refreshing to think about the girls for once. I made them in my Sims 4 South Park savefile and was happy to see them get some love! ٩(˘◡˘)۶

____________________________

The Girls x Vintage!Reader

Wendy:

Wendy is a confident girl and loves how confident you are.

Short hair? She totally digs it, and you might even give her the confidence to also cut her hair.

With her its super easy to experiment, as she also loves trying on your suits.

Wendy is super interested in everything you do and when you tell her about roller-skating, she is on board.

She is also pretty good at it which makes everyone jealous.

If you ask her for any of her close, she will just give you free access to her wardrobe but also demand the same for yours.

To any formal occasion, she will accompany you in a suit of her own, in signature dark purple.

Bebe:

Bebe is super supportive, but she won’t adapt your style like Wendy does.

She totally likes your suits though and honestly, you two are a super aesthetic couple.

Prom photos? You steal the spotlight with ease. Her rocking a beautiful gown with her hair done pretty and you in your classy suit with beautiful, styled hair? Iconic.

Roller-skating with her is like a time trip. She will wear one of those fifties’ dresses and old school skates.

You two make everyone’s head turn and easily are the most stylish couple in the whole school.

Borrowing clothes? She will give you a distinct shelve in her wardrobe with clothes that you can take.

Heidi:

Supportive as hell.

If anyone dares to comment about you, she will set them straight.

Heidi might cut her hair too, depending on if you encourage her to do so.

She will certainly talk about your style a lot and is super curious about it.

Heidi might ask to try some of your suits on just so she can see if she likes it.

She might like some but won’t really adapt your style, as she loves her own style too much.

You probably need to teacher her roller-skating, but she will totally love it.

Heide will gladly let you take from her closet whatever you desire.

Nicole:

Nicole will adapt a bit of your style. Vests with a simple blouse underneath are certainly something she will try and enjoy.

She loves playing with your hair and digs your style.

Nicole has a rich wardrobe and anything that could look beautiful on you she will show you. If you want to borrow them then, she will happily give it to you.

“You can keep that; I didn’t like it that much anyway.”

She is excited to go skating with you but you two quickly discover that she isn’t as good as you.

You two are happy to keep training thought and soon enough, you glide across the rink.

Red:

Red is a little more tomboyish, so she loves and adores your style.

She is super excited and asks you to please let her try some of your clothes.

You ask for hers in return and so you exchange your clothes ever so often and the other girls find that super cute.

She loves your hair and touches it a lot. “It’s so soft babe.”

What Red isn’t a big fan of? Roller skating.

Its just not her thing and she struggles to remain on her feet, so she rather just sits on a table, watch you and drink some tea.

Henrietta:

Her first thought was „What the fuck are they wearing?“

She thought it was odd at first, but she has grown to like it, since you’re nonconform to the other girls.

If you ask her for her close, she has to suppress a tried smile and a snarky comment.

“Now you look super goth my queen of darkness.”

She likes your short hair but asks you if you ever thought about a little color change, something like her friend Pete for example.

Roller skating?

Not with her. “Sorry Y/N, but I don’t do such poser things.”

She will let you do your thing and just sit close with her notebook writing dark poems.

Sophie:

Sophie is a big supporter, but your style isn’t her cup of tea. So, she will just encourage you to do you and let you do your thing.

She likes a little longer hair, only because she would love to braid it like her own, but she can also make great hairstyles for your hair, and she loves the challenge.

Big fan of roller-skating and happily goes to the rink with you.

She still has many admires, so you two will make lots of heads turn.

She loves seeing you in her clothes and comments how amazing you look in every style imaginable.

Lizzy:

If anyone dares to make a mean comment about you, they better prepare for lots of insults from Lizzy.

She is your biggest supporter and openly gushes about how much she loves you and your confidence.

Roller-skating isn’t her things. She will try really hard since you like it, but she just can’t keep up with an expert like you.

Like Wendy she will offer her whole wardrobe to you, but only if she can borrow your things too.

Tammy:

Like Kenny she is rather poor, so she can’t afford fancy clothes like yours but should you lend her any, she will take super good care of it.

She likes your style, but also encourages you to try some of her clothes, since she thinks you would rock anything.

Your hair? She likes it. She is fine with however you wear it but would like to get matching highlights.

You teach her roller-skating, she never tried it before.

She gets the hang rather quickly and really likes skating with you.

It becomes a nice hobby for you two and she loves discovering new things with you by her side.

[melzula]

A New Battle Begins

pairing: Zuko x Princess!reader

notes: requested by anon

summary: Now that the war is over, Zuko and the Princess can finally live a life of peace together. Or so they think...

~ part of the fire lilies series ~

“Careful now, you don’t want to hurt yourself,” you chide gently as you help guide Zuko’s arms through the sleeves of his robe before neatly tying the sash around his waist. His wound is still tender from Azula’s lightning strike and limits most of his movements, so he’s grateful for your help in his preparation for the coronation. You work precisely and gracefully with no error and no faltering despite the hindrance of your freshly bandaged hands, and though the room is quiet a sense of calm and peacefulness washes over Zuko at your mere comforting presence. Today he will be crowned Fire Lord, and you will be right by his side just like you have been since you were children— Zuko couldn’t ask for anything more than that.

“Thank you for your help,” he says with a grateful smile. “I can’t imagine doing this without you.”

“We’ve come a long way,” you note thoughtfully, “and there’s no place I’d rather be than right here with you in this very moment.”

With the final piece of his wardrobe secured to his body, Zuko takes it upon himself to tie his top knot— you still haven’t quite mastered the hairstyle yet— and complete his Fire Lord ensemble. You smile fondly at the sight of him, leaning forward to grace his lips with a sweet kiss.

“You make a handsome Fire Lord.”

“And one day you’ll make a beautiful Fire Lady,” Zuko counters with a small smirk, one that sends you into an embarrassed fit of giggles.

“Don’t get ahead of yourself, mister,” you say with a laugh. “I’m going to join the others out in the courtyard. I’ll see you shortly.”

You bid your love goodbye with a chaste kiss to the cheek before excusing yourself from his presence and making your way back outside. The palace is empty other than the few guards that line the hallways, and you have to remind yourself that they aren’t your enemies any longer. With Zuko on the throne and your status as his girlfriend no one will lay a single finger on you while you are here, especially not with your title as Princess of the Southern Water Tribe. It will take some time to break your habit of immediately going on the defensive in the presence of Fire Nation soldiers, but you have faith that Zuko and Aang will be able to restore balance to the world.

Your path to the outside is suddenly blocked by a woman who stands at the very end of the hall and gazes thoughtfully out the grand window before her. Her hair is graying but the lines that worry her face are kind and familiar. Seemingly sensing your presence, she turns to you with a tired smile, one you recognize immediately despite the many years you’ve spent away from home.

“Mother,” you murmur quietly, eyes welling with tears and breath catching in your throat at the sight of her.

“You’ve grown so much I almost didn’t recognize you,” she replies with a teasing tone. Her arms open to you then, warm and inviting, and with a small sob you gather the skirt of your dress before sprinting towards her.

“Mother!” You cry, melting into her bone crushing embrace as you weep into the fabric of her coat. “I can’t believe it’s you! How- What are you doing here?”

“The Fire Prince sent a messenger hawk to tell me of your bravery and requested my presence in the Fire Nation immediately,” she explains before carefully taking your hands in her own and assessing the bandages wrapped neatly around your wrists and extending all the way to your fingertips. It’s only one layer and it’s mostly just for protection, but it’s obvious that extensive damage has been done to your skin. “Does it hurt?”

“No. The healing took away the pain, but the scars will stay forever.”

“My brave girl,” your mother coos with a tearful smile, hand resting upon your cheek and cupping your face. “Your father would be so proud.”

“Thank you, mom,” you reply. A single tear slides down your cheek but you’re quick to brush it away before it can ruin your ceremonial makeup. “But if I’m being honest, I thought you’d be angry with me... I was afraid when I came back home you’d want nothing to do with me.”

“I was heartbroken when you left,” she admits thoughtfully, “you were my only child and I feared for your safety. I thought of you every day, and when I heard the news of your father’s death I worried that one day I might get the same news about you.”

You look closely at your mother as she explains, appreciating the details of her face and the change of her features. She wasn’t very old, but your absence and your father’s passing weighed heavily upon her through the lines on her skin. She was strong, but she’d also been through a lot these last couple of years, managing her grief while trying to run an entire tribe on her own. You could only hope to be as great of a leader as she was.

“But instead I received news of your bravery, your compassion, and your courage. I couldn’t be more proud to call you my daughter, y/n, and I can’t wait to see what you do next.”

She pulls you into yet another embrace before joining you out in the courtyard to meet your friends, and for the first time in a long time all is right in the world.

~~~

Zuko’s coronation goes off without a hitch, and after successfully establishing the plans for the Harmony Restoration Movement with King Kuei you and your friends decide to visit the Jasmine Dragon to celebrate before the announcement. It’s your last night away from home, and though you’re reluctant to say goodbye to Zuko and your friends you know you’re needed back in the south. You’ve been away for too long, and the Southern Water Tribe is in desperate need of a ruler. With your father gone and your mother growing older it will only be a matter of time before the tribe is left in your hands, so there’s no better time than now to start leaning how to lead.

“Your tsungi horn playing is beautiful as always, Uncle,” you compliment Iroh as Zuko sets your tea before you. He gifts you a chaste kiss to the cheek in passing, an act that has you shyly hiding your smile behind your cup and taking a drink of the jasmine taste you’ve missed so dearly. The last time you’d been in Ba Sing Se you were living under a false identity, settling down into your new life with a reluctant Zuko and trying to start anew. There had been obstacles of course, from the encounters with your midnight stranger to Zuko’s inevitable betrayal down in the crystal caves, but you don’t wish to take any of it back for a second. Because otherwise you wouldn’t be here now, surrounded by your friends as you critique Sokka’s drawing.

“You know the burns are only on my hands and not the rest of me, right?” You ask, pointing out the scars that weave around your arms like vines in the drawing.

“Yeah, but this makes you look cooler!” Sokka defends.

“Well I think you all look perfect,” Toph compliments enthusiastically, and you can’t help but laugh at yet another one of her blind jokes. You’ll miss those once you get back home.

The celebration will be starting soon, and so you join your friends on the back of Appa to fly through the skies and enjoy your time together before the night can end. You sit in the back with Suki who carefully adjusts the flowers in your hair and distracts you from the serious conversation Zuko holds with Aang.

“Are you excited to go back home?”

“Very, but I am going to miss you guys. I’ve spent a whole year with you all, it’ll be so strange being without you.”

“I’m sure we can visit you,” Suki suggests. “And don’t you have that tunnel thing with Zuko?”

“Yeah, we have a tunnel thing,” you nod, a faint smile playing upon your lips. A part of you is excited to see the tunnel again just because it’s been so long, and really it was probably the pivotal force on which your journey began. “I hope my people will be happy to see me.”

“They will. You are the Princess, after all.”

You don’t get to talk any further about the subject before brilliant bursts of fireworks begin to explode in the sky. They’re breathtaking, and by the looks of the crowd down below the Earth King has just announced the harmony restoration movement. Huddling close to Suki, you stare up at the display in awe and with a bittersweet sense of joy. Someone clears their throat from beside you, and both you and Suki turn to see Zuko smiling sheepishly at your pair.

“Mind if I steal my girlfriend away from you for a bit?”

“Not at all,” Suki smiles knowingly before scooting over and allowing you and Zuko some space to yourselves. His arm easily wraps around your frame and pulls you into his side, and already you can feel his warmth beginning to encompass you as you rest your head upon his shoulder.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” You murmur in quiet appreciation for the fireworks.

“It is,” Zuko agrees with a faint smile. You’re too engrossed to notice the uneasiness in his tone, but he doesn’t want you to anyway. If you were to find out about the promise Aang had sworn to you’d surely delay your return home just to try and talk him out of it, and Zuko couldn’t have the Princess of the Southern Water Tribe missing on his behalf.

(At least not again.)

Besides, he’d made up his mind and he didn’t plan on changing it any time soon.

He hopes it’ll never come down to that, so for now Zuko is simply content with holding you close and enjoying your last peaceful night together in Ba Sing Se.

Spirits know it will be quite some time before you ever share a night like this again.

~~~

It’s strange being back home. Everything is so... different. Your tribe had dwindled significantly in number what with the casualties of the war, and the smaller villages that resided outside of the palace walls had been reduced to practically nothing. You could feel everyone’s eyes on you as you walked off the ship alongside your mother, could hear their gossiping whispers about how much you’d changed and if you were back for good this time, and it made you anxious. You reach for a hand that isn’t there and have to remind yourself that you’re on your own now. Sokka, Zuko, and Suki are no longer around to provide you comfort, so you’ll have to rely on your own inner strength to make it through the day.

“Princess,” a snide voice you’re all too familiar with calls from front steps of the palace. “It is so wonderful to have you home again.”

“Thank you, Advisor Koa,” you reply calmly, bowing in respect to the man but never once pulling your gaze from him. The smirk that plays upon his lips has you fuming but you keep your emotions at bay and remain cordial.

Koa was your father’s most trusted advisor, but you yourself never found him to be very trust worthy. His eyes were always shifty and there was something in the way he carried himself that made it seem as if he had a big secret to hide. The way he talked to your father always came off aggressive and scheming, yet the chief said nothing. As unbearable as Koa could be, he had a bright mind and skillful war tactics, so he stayed in his position of power beneath the royal family. You were meant to marry his son Kai but had ran off with Zuko before the marriage could take place, and you were sure Koa must be bitter about the fact that he hadn’t managed to marry his way into your family.

“Did you enjoy your time galavanting with the Fire Prince while the rest of your tribe was left to fend for themselves in the result of your absence?”

“I helped the Avatar bring balance to the world which is more than you can say, Koa. Need I remind you you were the only man who chose to say behind during the war?” You snap back harshly, holding back a triumphant smirk at the man’s obvious annoyance with your insult. Two can play at that game.

“Always a joy,” he mutters with an insincere grin.

“Now if you’ll excuse me I have a tribe to run,” you say, but before you can even take a step towards the palace Koa is blocking your path.

“Oh, I wouldn’t worry about that. You see, the Southern Water Tribe already has a leader: me.”

“What nonsense are you talking about?” You retort harshly, features falling at the guilty look that forms on your mother’s face. “What is he talking about?”

“I couldn’t run an entire tribe by myself,” she admits desperately, pleading for you to understand. “With you and your father gone I had no choice but to accept Koa’s offer to stand in as Chief until one of you returned.”

“Well I have returned, and as the rightful heir of this tribe I am ordering you to step down!” You demand pointedly, blood boiling at the laugh that leaves Koa in response.

“You’re absolutely adorable,” he coos condescendingly, pinching your cheek before you harshly yank yourself away from his grasp. “Do you really think a little girl is capable of ruling?”

“I’m a water bending master and I helped the Avatar defeat the Fire Lord and end the war! I am not a little girl!”

“You were selfish and ran away from your duties. You left your people in their time of need. You’re lucky you were even allowed back here considering the treachery you’ve partaken in against the Southern Water Tribe.”

“Koa,” your mother interrupts timidly. “I may have put you in charge but I will not allow you to speak to my daughter that way.”

“My apologies, your highness,” Koa utters respectfully before returning his attention to you. A snide smile rests upon his lips. “It really was so lovely to see you again, Princess y/n.”

“Mother, you can’t-“

“Not now,” she consoles quietly, watching his triumphantly retreating form disappear behind the palace doors before glancing around at the small crowd that had gathered to observe the dispute. “If you want to get the throne back you can’t act irrationally.”

Your once hardened features slowly soften as you let out a defeated sigh, collapsing into the comforting embrace of your mother.

Restoring balance to the world hadn’t been enough to save face with your people, and now you found yourself entangled in a whole new fight. With your friends gone and your father unable to help you win the crown what were you to do?

So much for home sweet home...

| tags: @rainteslerrrr @oddment-niwit-blubber-tweak @thebluelcdy @royahllty @the-firebender-girl @coldlilheart @ilovespideyyy @yiyibetch @eridanuswave @lammello @a-monsters-love @knaite-solo @zukh03s @taeeemin @titaniafire @dekahg @emberislandplayers @kikaninchen-2 @lozzybowe @izzieserra @melacholy @music-geek19 @thia-aep @thyunnamed @haylaansmi @nataliahaslosthershit @idkdude776 @aangsupremacy @thirstyforsometea @ihaveaproblem98 @brown-eyed-thang @djskfkdkkf @xapham @yeetletzgetitjae @misnmatchedsox @chewymoustachio @that-bucket-hat-gal |

[tomorrowsdrama]

So the costumes in rebel princess are obviously beautiful and incredibly detailed.  But I love that the costuming also informs us about a character’s social standing and for some characters, their state of mind as well.  Or in Song Huaien’s case, how far into the dark side he’s gone.  He’s really the inspiration for this post.  As I was re-watching some of the early episodes while waiting for the new subs (shhh, I know I’m unhealthily obsessed with this drama), I noticed not only how drastically his costuming/hair has changed, but also that he’s pretty much a mirror of whoever he chooses to follow at the moment.  Cheng’s very own Single White Female without the obsessive craziness, if you will.  Delusional?  Sure.  But not quite crazy.

But first, let’s talk about the clothing of the noble class.  I’m sorry for this thesis that I’m going to inflict on everyone that no one asked for.  I’ve joked about the long trains on Awu/the nobles’ clothing before, but it’s clear that they are a sign of high status and wealth.  The higher ranked/wealthier you are, the longer your train is it seems.  Also, just in general, the nobles’ outfits usually include an abundance/overflowing of luxe silky and billowy material.  See:

And the nobles can afford to have such styles of clothing not just monetarily, but also lifestyle wise.  To put it bluntly, the nobles don’t have to do shit in their lives so they can afford to drag long trains of expensive fabric back and forth in their huge manors/the palace.  These clothes aren’t for functionality, but for beauty/showing off your wealth (whether intentionally or not).  If they need to go anywhere, they have comfy carriages to travel in instead of walking long distances.  If they need something?  That’s what servants are for.  I mean, just imagine how cumbersome it is to move around with such huge billowy sleeves and six feet of cloth dragging behind your ass.  You don’t have to imagine, just look at this scene where Daddy Wang visits Prime Minister Wen in prison (oh, how I regret taking this time for granted and condemning Daddy Wang for imprisoning that old fool):

Look at how his train drags over the threshold of the prison door.  Daddy Wang literally has to lift his train and throw it over a bench in order to sit down.  

The higher your status, the less physical activity you have to partake in a.k.a. the more useless you are, so it should come as no surprise that the longest train I’ve seen so far in the drama belongs to none other than our Useless Mopey Teenager Zitan:

The clothing choices are pretty deliberate, because whenever a character needs to do something more than just sit around enjoying tea (or wine if you’re Awu), they are given clothes that are more practical for moving around. Like the outfit Awu wore when she chased after her dad:

It’s much shorter than her usual garb and she’s wearing simple black pants underneath which makes horse riding and chasing after a traitorous father much more manageable.

What’s interesting is seeing the opposite happen with Hu Yao.  Hu Yao is usually in very practical and simple clothing since unlike the rest of the nobles in the capital, she has to fight against invaders and protect Cheng.  But when she goes to meet our Emo Emperor Zitan, of course she has to be dressed up in a big frou frou dress that makes it hard to walk:

It highlights just how impractical this type of extravagant clothing is for any kind of life other than a noble’s.  Hu Yao can barely walk without tripping over her own dress, let alone fight.  Also what the hell is that giant bow?

Now let’s talk about Daddy Wang’s clothes.  So before he gets exiled for attempting a coup, Daddy Wang was arguably the most powerful man in court.  He was the head of the Wangs, the most influential noble family in Cheng.  The past 10 empresses of the empire were daughters of the Wang clan, and his sister, the current empress, listened to whatever he said (for the most part).  Also his nephew wass the crown prince and easily manipulated.  He’s also wealthy AF so his status and wealth was apparent in his clothing.

Look at the sheen on that fabric and all that intricate embroidery work!  But then of course, he gets exiled and understandably has to put on some more humble clothing:

Simple, unembellished clothing made of coarse fabric that can withstand moving through the fields and rough terrain while you covertly make your way towards your disappointment of a son.  What really sticks out to me though, is his wardrobe choice after he reunites with the turnip.  Instead of going back to the lavish and ornate clothing he used to wear, he opts for an understated gray and black outfit with no long train in sight:

Turnip obviously can afford to put his dad in fancier clothing.  I mean look at the gaudy over-embroidered monstrosity that he’s wearing.  But it makes sense that Daddy Wang has now opted for something a bit more subdued and modest.  He’s been defeated once and is no longer the powerful prime minister he used to be.  Also, the Wangs do not hold as much clout as they used to because 1) empress has gone mad; 2) potato emperor is dead; and 3) the official head of the Wangs is now...Turnip.  

But make no mistake, his clothes may be simpler than before, but they’re still made out of very nice materials. He is after all, still Daddy Wang.  And Wang will rise again if he can help it! 

Next we have the seagull.  Ugh, yuck, gross, I hate her.  Anyway, now that I’ve gotten the bad taste out of my mouth...So for the majority of the drama we see her in light pastel colored clothing with little to no make up as if to imply that she’s a sweet, innocent thing:

She’s also usually pretty covered up.  But then she becomes Concubine Su (ugh) and all of a sudden she’s in bold colors, wearing red lipstick, and most noticeably, gotten very breast-y

Man, did Seagull make a wrong turn and accidentally stumble onto the set of The Empress of China?  She’s definitely got the tackiness to fit in with them.  This drastic shift in styling is clearly to signal to the audience that Seagull is now a seductress ready to do whatever it takes to hold onto that magical flute and never let go.  Also, whereas before she was a snake hiding in the grass, now it’s all out in the open (at least to the Wangs) just like her bosom.

Look, she even gets her own long train to reflect just how useless she is.

And finally, we have Song Huaien, Cheng’s very own Single White Female who molds himself to whoever he happens to follow and takes on their personality and principals (or lack thereof).

In the beginning, he is stuck to Xiao Qi’s side like a shadow, dresses similar to him, and even wears his hair like him.  He’s like the kid brother who copies everything his cooler older brother does because he looks up to him. 

Notably, he’s the only one in the Ningshuo crew who wears his hair down with a half bun, just like Xiao Qi.  Hu Guanglie (RIP best bro) is XQ’s oldest friend and literally devoted his life to him, but he’s also his own man and did not need to copy XQ.  He never wanted to be him, he only wanted to serve him. 

If you didn’t pay attention, you wouldn’t be able to tell who’s who.

When you follow a brave, honorable general who’s sex on legs, you too will be a brave, honorable and sexy general.  Song Huaien never looked better than when he tried to emulate Xiao Qi.

Interestingly, when Song Huaien goes off with Awu and starts to fall for her, he also starts to incorporate some color into his previously all-black wardrobe.  I guess spring arrived in his heart even though it was the cold winter:

Hm, now I’m starting to wonder if a part of his crush on Awu wasn’t influenced by his desire to be like XQ a little bit.  And then, sigh, he starts to get tempted by the riches of the capital city and the internal shift in his character is materialized externally through how he wears his hair in his first appearance in court:

This is the first time we’ve seen him wear his hair in any style other than the usual loose half bun.  And of course, his top knot conforms and fits in with how the rest of the ministers wear their hair.  Now contrast that with Xiao Qi who only wore his hair in a top knot once:

and then promptly went back to his usual hair style:

Sure, he looked good with the top knot (when does he never look good), but it wasn’t him.  Unlike Song Huaien, XQ is secure in himself and knows who he is.  He is not easily swayed or corrupted.  That is why he is able to remain just like how he always has been, internally and externally.

The next change we see in Song’s appearance is his armor.  Now that he is Count Suyi, his armor is noticeably more ornate.  Unlike XQ’s armor, which remains pretty much the same barebones armor we’ve seen since the beginning, Song’s gets fancier and fancier as he gets more lured in by the nicer things in life.

At this point, his hair is still down like before.  But then the next time we see him after his wedding, his hair style is changed into a high ponytail:

Which is a very good look, don’t get me wrong, but it is again another physical representation of the change happening in Song internally.  It’s kind of a weird limbo he’s in because it’s not completely a top knot, but it’s definitely neater and closer to a top knot than his previous hairstyle.  At this stage, Song hasn’t completely crossed over to the dark side quite yet.  He’s still kind of wavering and going back and forth.  So a high ponytail that is a shift from his prior hairstyle but not quite the same as the nobles’ hairstyle makes sense.  He keeps this look for a while and even momentarily goes back to his less fancy self while dealing with the floods away from the capital.  That is, until he joins hands (or is it roots?) with Turnip and it’s all downhill from there, character-wise and also appearance-wise.

First, we have this very ill-advised mustache and goatee which mimics the same facial hair Turnip all of sudden started sporting:

Matching facial hair to commemorate their entry onto the shit list, perhaps?  Anyway, turns out facial hair isn’t for everyone, including Song Huaien.  But this isn’t even the worst of it.  As Song Huaien continues his descent into being a greedy, spineless, puppet for Turnip (HIM of all people! or should I say, of all root vegetables?), he gets uglier and uglier.  I mean:

He looks downright haggard and as if he aged 20 years overnight.  Notably though, he looks exactly like the rest of the useless ministers in court.  He has definitely lost the sheen, vigor, and hotness that he once had when he was following XQ.  It’s as if the ugly inside is reflected on the outside as well.

I guess when you follow a weaselly coward like Turnip, you too will turn into a weaselly coward.  Oh Song Huaien, Song Huaien.  What a disappointment you turned out to be, you dumb, greedy bastard.