#so getting into stuff on the screens while I Am home will actually remind me

[thoughtfulfangirling]

I've put 13 posts in my queue. Woo Maybe I'll accumulate some more. Trying to do the things that are supposed to keep the depression at bay woo 🙃

[gilverrwrites]

Michael/Reader, 1.6K words Established vee dynamic: Michael/Adam & Adam/Reader, which will evolve into a triad. [1/3] Four things you explain to Michael, and one thing he explains to you. [X][2][3]

Chapter 1: Buffy, Bussin', and Kiss-Cams.

It took a while to get there but telling the differences between Adam and Michael had been easier than expected. Like now for example. If Adam was manning their body he would have slouched beside you on the couch, helped himself to your snacks, and asked you about your day. Instead, Michael stood, looming in the doorway of the living room. His stance is like a soldier at attention, head high, shoulders straight, watching you with no expression. 

“Hello, Michael.” You greeted. “How are you today?” 

“I am well.” He approaches, situating himself between you and the TV screen. “What is this?” 

“I’m good too, thank you for asking.” Social queues will likely never be his thing. “This is a TV show.” 

“I am aware.” His shoulders sag briefly, unamused by your sarcasm. Whether he understood that you were teasing is a mystery, he likely thinks that you’re an idiot who thinks he’s an idiot, which is arguably funnier. “I meant, what television show is it?” 

“Buffy.” You answer. “It’s actually really good, it’s about a teenage girl who is the chosen one-“ 

“Chosen?” He interrupts, but you let it slide. You wonder if he’s thinking of how he was once ‘chosen’, and now he’s here, metaphorically sandwiched between his partner and his partner's partner in a tiny apartment in Minnesota. He could leave at any time, commandeer their body, or escape it entirely and take off, but he doesn’t, he hasn’t. Which really speaks to how much he cares for Adam. 

“Yeah, she’s the one true slayer, kind of. So, she has to juggle killing vampires and stuff with normal high school things, like homework and boys.” 

He’s looking at the screen, not at you, but you can see his eyes narrow. You think he might be scrutinising your choice in vapid human media, but his response surprises you. 

“Yes, I recall Adam used to watch this show with his mother.” His probing glance falls back to you now. Adam is there, they’re both always there, but it still feels like you’re discussing him behind his back, so you awkwardly attempt to move on from the subject. 

“Oh, well… Would you like to sit and watch it with me?” You shuffle over, making space for him beside you and patting the pillow. 

“No.” Michael is just a blunt person? Being? Angel. So, you don’t take the sting of his rejection to heart. 

But despite his rebuttal, he makes no attempt to move. Instead, standing stock still in the middle of the room. Occasionally asking questions as the time passes. 

“Who is that?” 

“That’s Angel. Buffy’s sort of on again off again boyfriend.”

“Angel?”

“Yeah, he’s not an angel, he’s a vampire.” 

“How paradoxical.”

-

“That one reminds me of you.” 

“Who? Cordelia?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“She talks too much.” 

-

“Why does Willow simply not confront this Xander boy about her, albeit inadvisable feelings for him?”

“Teenagers are stupid.”

“Humans are stupid.” 

“Thanks.”

Four episodes later he remains unmoved, you’d tried not to speak to him unless spoken too, afraid you might scare, or more likely annoy him away, but your stomach is starting to grumble. 

“I’m gonna order takeout, do you want anything?” It’s not addressed to Michael, and he knows that. 

Their posture falters as Adam takes over. Adam also moves with confidence, but his is far more relaxed, comfortable in his own body. The couch pillows dip under his weight as he sits beside you, arm casually draping over your shoulders. He greets you with a familiar boyish grin that makes your heart flutter. “Pizza?”

Something is wrong. That much is evident by Michael’s uncharacteristically expressive face. He’d been silent when he’d returned home from the store, a chore he and Adam had taken up since their return from the cage, a familiar, easy task that helped to ease them into modern society. 

You could tell it was Michael because he’d been ignoring your presence since he returned home, quietly, and strategically putting away the shopping bar a solitary; “Hello.” 

Now he was eyeing a single can of Monster Energy Drink that sat alone on the kitchen counter. The intensity of his stare had you worried it might explode. You certainly would not be cleaning that up. 

“Something on your mind?” You ask, keeping your tone calm, and pleasant. Not letting on to your amusement at his one-sided staring contest. 

He spares you a scornful glance, before looking back at the can. Then he seems to have a light bulb moment, body perking up as he turns to you once more. He might actually think you’re useful for something other than Adams's enjoyment. 

“Yes. What is ‘bussing’?” The word sounds so comical coming from his lips, and you suppress a laugh, not wanting to patronise him or dampen his curiosity. 

“Bussin’?” You repeat, ensuring you heard him right. 

“Yes. ‘Bussing’. We heard a boy at the store use the word to refer to this. Adam nor I have heard the term used in this context before.”

Adam had filled Michael in on a lot of modern and pop culture things, but having been locked in a cage for the last decade meant that he was a little behind the times. You made a mental note to ask him later if not understanding the latest slang terms made him feel old. 

“It just means something is really good.” You explain, and his face drops.

He picks up the can, swaying it back and forth as he examines the label. It hisses as he eventually cracks it open, and his face scrunches when he gives it a sniff. 

Adam only eats and drinks to maintain a feeling of normalcy, Michael’s grace dissolving any actual need for human bodily functions. Michael never eats or drinks, so the prospect of his first taste of human food being a sip of Monster excites you greatly. What a terrible introduction. 

He must sense your anticipation because he turns, body shifting completely to face you. His face remains stoic, excluding his eyes which watch you hopefully as he extends the drink to you. “Would you like a taste?” 

“Uh, sure.” You take the can from him and allow yourself a mouthful before handing it back to him. It’s sugary, and sour, and abhorrently fizzy, just as you’d expected, but you try not to let your face give anything away. “It’s fine. Your turn.” 

“Fine.” He repeats under his breath, hesitating as he brings it to his lips. He takes a quick sip before slamming the can forcibly back onto the table, gritting his teeth, clearly repulsed by whatever is going on in his mouth right now. “That is not bussing.” 

Michael hadn’t exactly taken to human pastimes like a fish in water, preferring to take a back seat and let Adam enjoy himself. He had, however, found a great appreciation for war films, books about astronomy, and sports. Particularly, sports that had a strategy aspect to them. Which is how you’d found yourself in the bleachers of an ice hockey match beside him. 

Adam liked sports too, but not to the same degree. Michael sat, hunched over, weight on his knees as he watched the players glide across the ice, batting the puck this way and that. The match was tense, and the atmosphere lively, so you didn’t really mind his silence. You knew he wasn’t ignoring you, just focusing on the game. Even the quarterly breaks were filled with music, the big screen displaying funny accidents and lookalikes, which kept you entertained. 

All in all, you were having a good time, and when the kiss-cam popped up, you watched, amused as the camera crew zoomed in on different couples. You watched an array of different kisses, some cute, some awkward, some a little R-rated. It was all fun and games until you recognised yourself on the screen. 

Panic rushed through your body as you turned to look at Michael. You’d come around to the fact that Michael was always there. Always. Even for the intimate moments. But there was a massive difference between Michael being there during a kiss, and kissing Michael. 

You’re not sure if your sudden nervousness or the cheering crowd watching him from every angle clued him in, but Micheal takes notice, looking up at his own face on the display and asking; “Why are we on the screen?” 

“It’s a kiss-cam. They want us to kiss.” You hope that filling him in will bring Adam front and centre, but to no avail. Adam doesn’t want to play right now it seems. Probably revenge for implying he was old. “I’ll wave them away.” 

“Don’t.” He instructs, and before you can process what’s happening his lips are on yours. 

He tastes like Adam, like sugary cereal and cheap cola. He feels like Adam, clean-shaven and soft lips. But he does not kiss you like Adam. 

Adam kisses you like he might never see you again. Like it’s been a thousand years since he’s last laid his lips on you and he wants to commit every micro-movement of your body, every inch of your mouth to memory. His kisses are intense and passionate.

Micheal is the opposite, surprisingly. This might be the gentlest he’s ever been, he presses his lips to your delicately, like he might break you if he uses too much pressure. A hand cups the side of your face with the tenderness one would show a wounded animal. He kisses you like you’re made of glass and must be cherished. 

When he pulls away you feel completely flushed and unsure how to proceed. The kiss-cam is gone, and the screen counts down the seconds until the game continues. Micheal, in preparation, has resumed his watching position, leaving you to stew in your own emotions, likely oblivious to the many, many thoughts flooding your mind. 

Please remember: Being sensitive is not a weakness.

[crystallizsch]

hello i am once again thinking about grim, and by extension the heartslabyul duo because if there’s anything else that lives in my head rent-free it’s how the main four are as close as friends as they are throughout the entire game so far.

(help this ramble became longer than i intended)

-> i know it's a pattern that the previous dorms help out in the next book which means once book 7 ends, we’re assuming book 8 would be about ramshackle(?). which means it’s diasomnia’s turn to have a big role in the following dorm. -> but it got me thinking. throughout the books, heartslabyul (specifically adeuce) is always present somehow. no matter how much screen time they actually have and how relevant they are to the conflict at that time. (actually i think something similar could be said with diasomnia but i want to focus mainly on adeuce) -> throughout the books, we're just set up with how good of friends the four are. the prologue, books 1 and 2 start to develop the four's chemistry together, and by book 3 we get one of the first signs that yuu cares about these three to the point they're willing to risk it because their dumbasses decided to sign a deal with azul. -> in book 4, while adeuce didn't have much involvement, i believe twst JUST hammers home that all four of them are friends friends. we are shown how ace and deuce went through all the trouble of transportation DURING THE HOLIDAYS because they thought yuu and grim were in trouble. like they could've easily just went "hey it must have been nothing" but they were worried enough to go check on them, not even thinking that someone else could've had handled it already.

-> since the pattern was that the previous dorm helps the next dorm, why does it seem like in book 5 it seems that heartslabyul, or at least, adeuce has as much of a big role as scarabia? the scarabia duo was there to notice the signs with vil but it was deuce who dealt the last blow to him. (honestly i don't remember much but i don't know how much help scarabia even helped pomefiore other than being in vdc hhh) -> so then it made me think, huh. it's like twst is setting up that these two will be more important than we think and will definitely not be going away soon. -> and then THE END OF BOOK 6. ouughh the end of book 6. their reunion just solidified for me how much they all care about each other. adeuce were not prompted by a direct "we're in trouble, help us" text this time. they just found out yuu and grim were somewhere in danger and it agonized them that they could do nothing about it but wait and hope they're safe. -> book 7 finally we're back to finding out ways to help yuu get home. and since they're all admittedly close friends (dare i say found family) at this point without explicitly stating it, i get the vibes of "we'll help you get home because we care about you but we're not going to think about the depressing possibility we might never see each other ever again".

-> so very abrupt transition;;; this led me to thinking about the overall “alice in wonderland” theme throughout twst. -> is that why adeuce has been with us this entire time? to remind us of that theme? we are in twisted wonderland after all. (I'm not really sure about the thought of yuu being alice but it's an interesting one to consider too) -> to tie in more with the alice in wonderland theme, i'm briefly going to go back to diasomnia. in book 7, there's like a theme of dreams. in fact, throughout the game it was all about dreams and visions and stuff. and in book 7 we're just diving into it. -> and in the story of alice in wonderland, there seems to be the implication that everything that happened in wonderland was just based on a crazy dream that alice had. like we don't know if anything was ever real. (i'm not really a fan of the "it's all a dream" twist but the connections got the gears in my brain turning) (also mickey must be relevant too but i have no thoughts about the implications of his existence at the moment 💀) -> i know we're not done with diasomnia's book but it seems to be set up as a catalyst for something bigger along the line (thinking about the possibility that there is even something bigger than a malleus overblot is very wild to say the least)

-> SO ANOTHER abrupt transition but still related, i thought about the parallel between the "overblot grim" in the beginning of the game and the "jabberwock(y)" in alice in wonderland. they're both chimera-like creatures that are like the final bosses or something. -> and what if a way for yuu to "go home" is to "slay" the jabberwocky (or in this case the overblot grim) just like in the story of alice in wonderland / through the looking glass. -> there's theories i believe that ace is set up to be some kind of "trump card" based on his name and the fact his unique magic isn't revealed yet. but also i want to add deuce in there too remembering how he held a big role in stopping vil in book 4 like some kind of foreshadowing. -> maybe the main role diasomnia will have is only about all these dream shenanigans. and i'd like to think instead that at the end of the day, this conflict with an overblotted grim is ultimately between our main four. some representations based off alice in wonderland. -> going full circle, is this why we have been shown so much of the friendship between all four of them? to establish this possible eventual conflict? and to make it harder for us to choose about "going home"? do we even get the choice?

do we "slay" the jabberwocky or will we decide to stay in this seemingly dreamlike fantasy wonderland instead?

[biisexualemma]

happier (pt.6). rafe cameron

word count: 3.8k

warnings: unwanted passes, bit of angst, mostly fluff

requested: i guess soo

plot: you and rafe are figuring out this dating thing

a/n: it has literally been 6 months since i last updated series… whoops… i have some much written for this series but it’s all in bits and pieces and i’m trying to rewrite bits / put stuff together and it’s taking a minute lol but anyway enjoy the 2 people who will read this lol

part 1 / part 2 / part 3 / part 4 / part 5 / masterlist

texting

bold = rafe

italics = y/n

hey

very ominous first text rafe

all i said was hey

exactly

and it's you so

what else am i supposed to say?

idk

'hey y/n'

'hi how are you?'

''sup what you up to?'

you'd rather me start the conversation with 'sup'

it's less serial killer-y so maybe

alright next topic please

YOU texted me rafe

yeah and you said i sounded like a serial killer so excuse me if i'm a little wounded

didn't think that was even possible mr big-shot kook prince

please never call me that again

because it's too on the nose?

you always this annoying?

nah i just like making things difficult for you

cuz your life is too easy as it is

you think you're so funny

i know you do too :)

you're still hanging around sooo

your eyes dragged away from your phone screen, and away from where rafe was currently typing out his response, when you heard a honk from outside your house. you peeped out the window and saw the twinkie pulled up outside, lights still on and engine running as they waited for you.

you grabbed your shoes and jacket, still holding onto your phone when another message popped up as you were making your way out of your house to meet your friends.

yeah yeah

just tell me what you're not doing tonight so i can come pick you up

you rolled your eyes at his presumptuousness, a small smile on your lips as you grabbed your keys and closed the door behind you. you texted back as you walked to the twinkie, hardly looking where you were going.

believe it or not i have plans

i don't sit around waiting for you to text me you know

i don't sit around waiting for you to text me you know

> why not? >:(

you let out a snort, shaking your head as you typed out a response just as you approached the beat up van where sarah and john b were waiting for you. you clumsily climbed into the back, sarah watching you fumble as your fingers and eyes remained glued to your phone screen.

my life does not revolve around you rafe cameron

as much as i'm sure you want it to

yeah i do actually

guess we don't always get what we want

this is a valuable lesson that you're long overdue to learn little trust fund baby

wow

you're actually so mean and for what

yeah i'm not very good at this flirting thing tbh

yeah i got that

yeah? did the serial killer comment tip you off?

amongst other things

ok well maybe i'll just remind you that i think about you more than i care to elaborate on right now

that was better...

you're learning

thank you

i'm trying my best

we'll circle back to that comment at some point though

don't think i'll forget that one

yeah you think about that while you're home alone tonight

wow

wait not like that

don't take it back now that was good

it's not what i meant!!

"what is she grinning about?" sarah quirked an eyebrow, muttering to john b as she watched you trying to buckle up with one hand while you texted with the other.

john b watched you in the rearview mirror, his eyebrows furrowed together slightly. neither of them could recall a time they'd seen you look so giddy, you were always misplacing your phone and now you couldn't tear your eyes away.

sarah gasped softly and john b's eyes quickly darted over to his girlfriend, wide and wondering what she suddenly knew that he didn't.

sarah grabbed john b's arm and shook it a little, all giddy herself now but john b still looked just as confused. "what? what? tell me!" he whined.

"she asked me and kie for advice the other night," she clarified, lowering her voice a little, though you were entirely consumed in your own conversation. john b's eyes were still full of confusion. he didn't understand girls at the best of times but this was beyond his comprehension all together. sarah rolled her eyes playfully. "about a boy."

john b glanced at you for a second before moving back to his girlfriend, shaking his head. "i didn't think y/n was even interested in guys."

"oh just because she didn't fall at your feet john b doesn't mean she doesn't like guys," sarah scoffed, hitting his chest lightly. john b went to defend himself but quickly stopped because he thought she might be onto something.

you suddenly grew aware of your surroundings, realising the twinkie was still stationary. your eyes lifted up from your phone for a second to see sarah biting back a grin and john b staring you out in the rearview mirror.

"uh," you looked around like something was wrong. "are we waiting for something or what? why are we still sitting here?"

"nope," sarah narrowed her eyes at you and you frowned at her, mouth opening slightly in confusion. she looked like she knew things. "c'mon get going, john b."

weird you thought, shaking your head when another message appeared on your phone.

i know what you meant don't worry ;)

no you don't

you'll know what i mean when i actually mean it

tease

shut up

i gotta go rick

who tf is rick

you

i'm rick?

yeah you're rick

i don’t understand

that's your name from now on

at least via text

so if anyone sees these messages they don't get suspicious

that's crazy

i lose my phone a lot it's not that crazy

that's not the crazy part

just play along please?

i'm not ready for people to find out about this yet

whatever this is

what is this again?

that's a question for another time

see you around

- rick

:)

-

you fell back against the blanket you'd laid out on the grass, eyes immediately falling upon the stars above you. you sighed contentedly, oblivious to the curious eyes that were watching you from beside you.

"you seem happy," jj spoke up from where he was sitting next to you. "what's that about?"

you snorted, your head rolling to the side so you could glance up at him. "what? i can't just be happy?"

he made a face at you, his hand nudging your arm. "you know what i mean," he shook his head. "you've been so tired and grumpy lately, no offence," he said the last part quickly when he saw your face contort into one that looked offended. "you just seemed like normal today. it was nice."

you propped yourself up on your elbows, watching the rest of the gang who'd gone for a quick swim. kie had launched herself onto pope, dunking him under the water and laughing hysterically when he came back up for air looking bewildered. sarah was floating on her back, eyes up at the stars while john b held his hands underneath her so she wouldn't sink down. you didn't feel like swimming after the amount of food you'd eaten so jj decided to sit with you and keep you company.

you shrugged. "i don't know," you could feel jj's eyes watching you. "i just feel more like myself i guess. i don't know why."

it was a bit of a lie. with everything out of the open between you and rafe, you felt a weight lift off your shoulders. you thought it'd be hard to lie to your friends about it, but none of them really asked you outright so you didn't find yourself having to lie at all. everything just seemed to be going better for now.

"well i'm glad anyway," he gave you a soft smile. jj was a good friend, and most of the time he played into the reputation he had, but every now and again he would show the other side of him. he was loyal to his core and just wanted to see his friends happy. "you feel like swimming yet?" his lips stretched into a wide grin, nudging your shoulder as he tried to encourage you.

you couldn't help but smile back, he was infectious. you let your head roll back before sitting yourself upright. "fine, c'mon," you lifted your shirt over your head, throwing it at his face. "race you," you quickly jumped up, undoing your shorts as you ran towards the water, only stopping when you got to the edge to pull your shorts off the rest of the way.

jj was racing behind you, not bothering to remove anything other than his shirt as he whizzed past you and threw himself into the water, shoes and all. "cannon ball!" he screamed and pope, kie, john b and sarah all tried to clear out as quickly as they could but he didn't give them much notice before a crashing wave of water soaked them all even more. a chorus of angry jj's followed but you couldn't help but laugh before throwing yourself in after him.

—

texting

you awake pretty girl?

hey

y/n

rafe it's late

you asleep?

fast asleep yeah

that's why i'm txting you right now

come to the party

rafe it's 1 am i'm with my friends

still?

haven't they had enough of you

rude

i mean they're hogging you

how old are you?

ditch em c'mon

i'm more fun anyway

i'm gonna bet you're drunk

or high

and?

doesn't change anything

still wanna see you

you always this clingy with girls?

mmm funny

you know it's just you

you think i'd be texting you at this party if it wasn't just you

maybe no ones caught your eye yet

yeah you have

so get your ass over here or i'm coming to get you

relentless

you love it

hmmm

just come and get me

everyone will be asleep by the time you get here

on my way

can you drive?

'course i can

ok but are you sober enough?

don't worry about it

rafe

i'm good i promise

swear?

swear

half an hour later and you'd sneaked out of john b's house unnoticed and were sitting in the passenger seat of rafe's car. last time you were in this seat he was driving you home from a party, and now you were going to a party... with him.

"hey," he mumbled as you secured your seatbelt, his eyes raking over you, smile on his lips.

"hey yourself," you chirped, still pretty awake considering the late hour, you were used to running off no sleep most of the time. you noticed him staring at you instead of starting the car and driving. "what?"

"you look really pretty right now."

you glanced away from him, feeling your cheeks grow warm from the compliment. "shut up and drive, rafe," you mumbled, meeting his eyes quickly as he shook his head and breathed out a laugh.

"yes ma'am," he did as you said, driving you to the other side of town, to a house you didn't recognise but was probably four times bigger than your own. you felt a wave of anxiety all of a sudden when rafe parked the car and got out. he appeared again on the passengers side where you still sat, seatbelt on.

he opened the door, leaning on the frame of the car and ducking down to see you sat still. "c'mon," he urged but you quickly shook your head.

"this is a bad idea," you blurted out, eyes shifting to meet rafes. "i don't think i should go in there— definitely not with you."

rafe, for a split second, looked wounded but he quickly played it off. "you're overthinking it."

"rafe, your friends hate me," your lip involuntarily slipped into a small pout, your eyes not moving from his. "i can't just go to a kook party, when i hate kooks and they hate me."

your eyes moved down to your thigh where rafe had moved his hand to sit against your skin. you gulped. "i'm a kook and i don't hate you," he reassured, giving your thigh a squeeze before shifting his hand. "if anyone has a problem with you being here they can take it up with me."

"rafe," your voice came out smaller than you had intended. your mind was pretty focused on his hand and where it was moving, until you heard a click and your seatbelt was retracting. "i don't want you messing things up with your friends over me."

he shook his head, his hand latching onto yours and tugging you out of the passenger seat. he closed the car door and guided you towards the house. "'told you they're not my friends."

"still— won't it make things awkward—"

"oh my god," he turned around, smile on his lips when he came to halt, you nearly bumping into his chest. "i told you i don't care what people think, and i really don't care what my friends think."

he let go of your hand, moving his hands to either side of your face. your breath caught in your throat when he moved his face directly in front of yours. he squished your cheeks together, his stomach churning when you looked up at him with your big, nervous eyes.

"c'mon," he urged again. "you'll be fine s'long as you're with me," he offered you a reassuring smile, hands slipping from your face, his arm moving to sit on your shoulders, pulling you close into him. "you're good, ok?"

you took his word for it, trusting him in that moment that everything would be fine as long as you stayed with rafe.

—

"do you want another drink?" rafe hummed the question to you, his fingertips grazing the skin of your arm, before moving back down to sit snug on your waist. his eyes were looking up at you from where you sat on his lap.

you had relaxed somewhat since you got here, making yourself comfortable on rafes lap after he insisted that no one was watching, nor cared. you took his word for it and he wasn't wrong, the people at this party were too high or drunk to care who's lap you were sitting on.

you shrugged, glancing at your empty cup. you hadn't drank much, it was already late and you didn't feel like having a hangover tomorrow so you didn't push it. "i could do a water."

"water? sure, i got you," he nodded, repositioning you so you sat back on the sofa while he went on the hunt for water.

you propped your head up with your hand, resting your elbow on the arm of the sofa. you peered out the corner of your eye when you felt someone sit next to you.

"hey you're y/n, right?" you turned to face the guy that had sat himself beside you, he wore a small smile on his face, his eyebrows slightly furrowed. you recognised him from around town but not enough to know his name.

"uh, yeah," you gave him a polite, albeit uncomfortable smile before turning away from him, hoping to discourage him continuing to talk to you.

"i think i've seen you around the club," he carried on, not picking up on anything. you nodded, pursing your lips. "i'm alex."

he held out his hand for you to shake, you looked down at it in almost disbelief but shook it still to be polite. "cool," you said with a twinge of sarcasm.

"sorry if this is forward— i just think you're really pretty— i've been watching you for a while—"

"you've been watching me?" you repeated his words, your brows furrowing slightly.

he let out an awkward laugh. "not in a stalker-y way— i just noticed you is what i meant."

"sure," you nodded. "i'm kinda here with someone else though. sorry," you tried to let him down easy, with another small smile despite your discomfort.

"ok well you're sitting here alone," he breathed out a laugh, as if he'd caught you in a lie.

your smile drooped a little. "he's getting me a drink. not that i need to explain myself."

he huffed, seeming to grow agitated with you. "you could just say you're not interested instead of coming up with a lame excuse."

your mouth hung open slightly. "the truth actually— not that i even owe you that but sure whatever."

"last time i try talking to a fucking pogue," he muttered under his breath before picking himself up and walking away. "not even that pretty," he muttered under his breath.

you sat for a couple minutes in silent disbelief, blinking a few times before pushing yourself up off the sofa and beginning your search for rafe. you'd had enough of this party and he was your ride home.

you finally found him in the kitchen on the other side of this humongous house, filling up a cup with some water. you approached from behind him, feeling his body stiffen when he felt your hands snake around his torso.

"hey," you felt him relax slightly when you spoke, realising it was you holding onto him. he turned to face you, your hands gripping the shirt he was wearing as he looked down at you.

"oh hey," he mumbled, you were standing pretty close but your eyes shifted about the room. "what's up? i was just coming to bring you—"

"can we go now, please?" you cut him off quickly, eyes moving back to his pleadingly. his brows furrowed a little when he saw your anxiety-ridden expression again.

"you're good here," he spoke in a hushed voice, setting aside the cup in his hand so he could move his hands to your waist. "we're good."

he tried to reassure you but it wasn't enough, you wanted to go home, you didn't want to see another self-entitled kook tonight (excluding the one in front of you).

you shook your head, adamant, "no— rafe— i want to leave."

his grip on you tightened a little. "did something happen?" his brows knitted together slightly, standing up a little straighter.

"no," you shook your head quickly. "i just want to go— rafe— please—"

"ok, ok," he rooted for his car keys in his pocket, his free hand grabbing yours and pulling you out of the kitchen. "we'll go, c'mon."

you followed him out of the party, trailing behind him, he helped you into the passenger seat, even trying to buckle you in until you insisted that you got it and that you were fine.

"i'm sorry," you mumbled after a while of sitting in silence, reflecting on your actions. rafe driving on the quiet roads, not saying a word or looking in your direction. "i didn't mean to ruin your night."

"you didn't," he spoke quietly.

you eyed him up, his hands tight on the steering wheel, eyes locked on the road, lips pulled into a tight line. "i feel like you're mad at me."

"now you wanna talk?"

"you're mad at me."

"i'm not mad at you."

"rafe—"

"i'm not mad at you," he repeated, a little shorter than before. "i just want you to talk to me."

"i am talking to you—"

"you know what i mean," he cut you off again. "i can't help if you don't talk to me."

you were quiet for a second before speaking again. "this guy was rude to me at the party, that's all," you felt his eyes move over to you for a split second. "i felt out of place and wanted to leave."

he thought on it for a minute. "rude to you how?"

you chewed on your bottom lip, not wanting to answer him, partly because you were still mad but mainly because you were kind of embarrassed.

you huffed. "he was trying to hit on me and when i told him no he got all hurt and mean."

rafe was quiet for a minute, he was picking his words and his tone carefully, trying not to let his imagination run wild. "he was mean to you?"

"it's just guys, they get like that— bruised egos you know, kooks are the worst for it," you shrugged. "i didn't want to tell you back then because i didn't want to make it into a big thing or cause a scene. i just wanted to leave, with you."

"ok, but you're fine? did he try anything?" his knuckles were turning white at this point, you found it hard to look away.

you shook your head, but when he looked over at you for a second for confirmation you spoke, "i'm fine. it was just weird and awkward."

he nodded and you were both quiet for a while after that.

you knew rafe was a hot head, you knew he didn't always think before he acted, and maybe you should've just told him what happened straight away but part of you was glad you didn't.

"where am i dropping you off?"

"john b's is fine."

"won't your dad wonder where you are?"

your eyes focused on the road ahead still but you could feel him stealing glances at you. "i already told him i'd be at john b's tonight."

"you sure?" you nodded and so he dropped you back off at the house he'd picked you up from a few hours ago. the sun was just starting to rise, creating just enough light so that you could see his face. he still looked pissed.

you were looking at him with big, tired, bloodshot eyes when he turned his head towards you. your eyelids drooping slightly the longer you focused on him.

"y'promise you're good?" he mumbled.

you nodded. "do you promise you're not angry at me?"

he rolled his eyes, glancing away for a second, the corner of his lip curling upwards softly. "could never be angry at you when you look like that."

"like what? exhausted?"

he hissed softly, shaking his head. he reached his hand out, gripping your chin between his thumb and forefinger, guiding you closer to him. "you're always so fucking pretty," his eyes raked over your face one last time, kissing your forehead before immediately shoving your face away with the palm of his hand. "now get outta' my sight, you're turning me on looking like that."

you snorted, ignoring the way your stomach fluttered at his actions. "you're such a boy," you joked before saying goodnight and hopping out of his car.

you walked up to the house with a small smile on your face, despite the bump in the night, you felt good about where this was going with rafe. you felt positive, giddy and your head was kinda foggy thinking about him.

"y/n?" you stopped in your tracks when you heard your name from his mouth. "was that rafe's car?"

shit.

taglist:

@lail1010

@julielightwood

@dudenhaaa27

@swiftsgirlfriend

@mad-die45

@mk15x

@spicykimchiiii

@777flora

@hey-sunrisee

[kyleraynermybeloved]

Video Calls Away

Pairing: Mickey 'Fanboy' Garcia x NavySEAL!Reader Summary: Videos calls are the only things that make the distance bearable. Warnings: Tiniest bit of angst if you squint, fluff Word Count: 921 A/N: Another drabble to the TWAHF collection! Also I am VERY sorry for literally dissapearing for half a year, I'm currently working on more stuff and should be posting a little more frequently now that I'm back! TWAHF Masterlist

Being apart from Mickey when either one of you were away was one of the hardest parts of your relationship. The one thing that made the trips away bearable were the frequent phone calls.

Through the phone screen Mickey had propped up so you could see the items he was holding up were two shirts to choose for his attire to a team party he was currently running late to. A situation he wouldn’t be in if he had listened to you days ago. Instead, he had put it off at the last minute wanting to have your input when you were next available.

“You know… I think the blue shirt would look better. The brown one clashes too much with the pants, you’ll look like a bigger dork than you already do now.”

His furrowed brows gave off the only indicator he was put off by your comment. You so badly wanted to reach through the phone screen and smooth it out with your thumb. Instead, you opted with a smile and a little laugh.

“Yeah okay, blue it is. It’ll match Reuben’s outfit, we’ll be the best matching couple there. Who knows, maybe we’ll get a prize.” He shrugged off his sweater and put the shirt on, doing a few turns for you.

“Remind me again why you’re not married to him?” Your eyes were focused on his form, missing the feeling of having him in your arms. Just three more days until you arrive home.

Mickey shot you a flat look, “I believe it’s because we’re madly in love.”

“Yes, I know you two are. Which is why I don’t understand how I got stuck with you.”

“It’s times like these where I wonder the same thing,” he sighed then grabbed the phone and brought it closer to him. “Do you know how much longer you’ll be? I’m actually starting to miss my snarky wife.”

There was a commotion down the hall that caught your attention and someone had called out your name.

“Not for too much longer, my love. I have to go now, tell Reuben I miss him and give his wife my love. I love you Mr. Garcia.”

“I love you more Mrs. Garcia, I’ll see you soon.” He blew you a kiss that you caught and pressed to your heart before hanging up.

*****

You had landed not long ago, asking a friend to drop you off home so you could surprise your husband. Once you arrived in the driveway of your shared home with your things set on the ground, you pulled out your phone and called Mickey.

The rush of excitement filled you, making it nearly impossible to keep the screen focused on you so none of your surroundings showed. You just wanted to see him again and here you were with a door being the only thing that separated you two.

He picked up on the fourth ring with a huge smile, “Hello my love! I wasn’t expecting you to call so soon, are you alright?”

You couldn’t contain the giggle that escaped you. He looked like he just woken up from a nap. The pillow marks visible on his face and his hair was tousled in a curly mess. “Good morning, love! I'm faring well, still tired but you know how that is. Anyways, I forgot I had ordered a gift for your mom and since I'm in service I got notified it was delivered. Can you do me a big favor and grab it for me?”

He shook his head at your antics, of course you'd wait until the last minute to inform him on important news. “Yeah, sure of course. Do you wanna be on call when I grab it or can we chat some more before I go?”

“No, I want to be on call. I have to make sure the right gift was delivered. Last time I ordered something when you were aware they sent me an entirely different package.” You thought of a lie before he could think of another reason to not do it.

“Alright, alright. Just bare with me for a moment while I make my way down.” From your view you could see him walking through your house towards the front door. The excitement was making you giddy and you tried to keep on your best neutral expression. “Okay, here we are. You ready to see whatever it is you got?”

“Ready as I'll ever be.” You wiggled your eyebrows, Mickey chuckled and you could hear it through the front door. He was so close to your reach now. If only he could just hurry up so the sun would stop burning you.

As soon as he opened the door you yelled, “Surprise, love!” You quickly hung up the call and ran to him, jumping into his arms as he spun you around. Neither of you could contain the excited giggles.

Mickey set you down only to pepper your face in kisses. Neither of you cared if any of your nosy neighbors witnessed the happy moment, you both were happy to be back in each other’s arms. Mickey gave you one last kiss and stared in your eyes, “I was going crazy without you. You don’t know how happy I am that you’re finally home.”

“I think I can take a guess,” you pulled away from him and leaned down to grab your things, handing him the larger bag. “Now, let’s head inside so you can fix me something to eat, I’m hungry.”

[britt-kageryuu]

The stream starts with Raph sitting on a big beanbag chair in what looks like his train car, with some modifications. His model is wearing sblack/red shirts, wrist wraps, his mask, and teddy bear slippers.

"Hey guys, I got a new game that Mandarin told me about. Little Kitty Big City. It looks very cute. You get to play as a cute kitty, and I can't wait." As he talks his tail is wagging up a storm.

He starts from the Home Screen, and selects the game, and selects Save Slot 1.

"Oh! Is that the Kitty we play as listen to those purrs. Oh, Streeeech. Woah! They FELL!" Raph watches the cutscene, and then to actual control of the cat. "So we're trying to get home, but we're also gonna explore. Oh an inventory... are those hats? We get to put hats on the Kitty! Oh Cat-chievments. Sounds like Blues kind of pun. Okay how do I control this cat."

A good minute of messing with the controls and Raph starts wandering around. "Okay avoid the water. The jump is still weird though. I probably have to find some food, or something first."

"Oh, so it's just B, but holding it gets you ready to pounce. Swipe... knock over the pots~ Oh shiny spot! Jump! Shoot missed."

The stream watches as Raph wanders around, trying to get to Shiny spots, and figure out where to go. While saying 'jump', 'pounce' 'smack' and 'oh I can pick this up!' "Oh Zoomies!"

Raph had to pause real quick, "Okay, so I need to collect this stuff to give to the Tanuki, and Raven, to give me what I need to finish the game. At least it's not very hard."

A couple minutes later and he's struggling to catch a bird to get the feathers, so he switches to looking for cans to get shinies.

Though the audience is very entertained by the expressions on Raphs model, and how his tail is basically a blur right now, because he keeps finding the animations very adorable.

He eventually figured out how to catch the birds, but it was still tricky without bread.

"I got the feathers, now to find the Tanuki."

"He opened a portal thingy? Oh boy. I'm in the trash can ain't I?... Yup, and I didn't give the crow the shinies yet either." Raph lets out a sigh, "Well, I knew there would be more explorin to do, so let's figure out what to do next."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Raph finally got back to the crow, and got his first fish, and climbed the wall.

"So now I gotta find some ducklings, well at least this map also tells me were to find more fish."

"This crow is telling me it's not selling hats, just that it'll spin the Gotcha to give me random hats... I now get why I need to get lots of shinies..."

+A few minutes later+

"So helping that 'Mayor' cat only got me a emote, but I guess I have to go through that door to find the last duckling. According to the map he's here." Then he get through the door.

....."I have to climb this! To find the last duck!"

"That wasn't the last duckling? Well at least it's close to where the Dad is, and not like near the beginning of the game."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Raph wasn't sure what to feel at the moment. "A beetle, runs a famous cats social media, and I have to steal a new phone for it... Red feels very confused by this game. Wait how do I steal a phone again?"

After reading chat for the first time for a reminder (he didn't want spoilers). "I have to trip one of the humans holding a phone. Gotcha! How do I trip them? Run into their legs? That's kinda mean. But then again I'm playing as a cat."

"And my reward is a an in game camera. Not what I expected, but okay. Next thing, let's just get some of these Cat-chievements done. Since I think I need a few more fish, and we can do this stuff while looking for the last fish."

The chat was spamming cat emotes the entire time, as Raph just messed around for the rest of the stream. He kinda forgot to actually finish the game.

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

Masterpost

I just bought the game myself, and this is my thoughts on the first bit of the game. I don't know how far into the game I am, but I also want to complete everything before I climb the building to get home anyway.

[hazbean-hotel-imagines]

Hi! I’m here for a matchup!

I’m a bi girl who loves science, art, music, antiques, and animals! I am very outgoing and like to express my love through both actions and words, and I like partners that take romance slow. I like people who are both smart and caring, and I want someone who likes parallel play and spending time together doing even the most mundane chores. I’m a pretty patient person and I want someone who will appreciate me! And of course, I like cuddles and walks together, I like sappy romantic stuff 😅 Thank you and happy holidays!

Matchup

I pair you with…

~ Hope you have a happy holidays as well! Stay safe and warm!! :)

~ Okay! So Alastor is the definition of slow burn. I feel like putting a name on the type of relationships he has is low priority. Once he begins to gain feelings, it's slow and gradual, and even once he recognizes them he doesn't define them with words. He'll continue with whatever dynamic you two have and develop, completely content without ever actually explicitly stating it's romantic. It's the type of relationship that's obviously romantic, but he doesn't feel the need to label it, so he leaves that to you if it's something important to you and is welcome to accept whatever label you see fit.

~ Shares your interest in art, music, and antiques. Would love sharing things that are central to his time period when alive.

~ A favourite date of Alastor's would definitely be seeing musicals or live theatres. Would love seeing movies, but prefers seeing things live as opposed to on a screen.

~ Since Alastor died in the 1930s, he has a different approach to dating. Not much PDA, and affection is more often received in private.

~ Alastor's very big on expressing his love through actions as opposed to words or explicit acts or romance. Love language is definitely acts of service. Alastor remembers things you've told him only once, makes efforts to understand things you like, and will get things for you that you've mentioned or just remind him or you.

~ Overall, he's slow, old school, and a sappy romantic.

I pair you with…

~ Vaggie is someone who is very slow trusting. She would be the ultimate slow burn, but once she’s fallen for someone it’s kinda the trope person a fell first but person b fell harder? Totally feeling that here.

~ I can see Vaggie as someone who's really happy about the mundane. Doing chores, cooking side by side, even getting groceries. She's just content to be spending time with them, and doesn't mind what it is.

~ On that note, definitely a big fan of parallel play. Vaggie is big on peaceful coexistence, love language is a mix of quality time and words of affirmation.

~ I feel like your patience would be super compatible with her. Vaggie pairs well with someone who keeps a level head because of her short temper. She's often reactive and defensive, but I'd imagine you keep her grounded.

~ Sappy when it comes to romantic gestures. Loves cuddles and walks, and especially really intimate or mundane dates. Dates at home are her favourite. Would definitely surprise you with a candle lit home made dinner after a long day.

I pair you with…

~ Side note: I was going to include Stolas in this lineup, I feel like you’re really compatible, but I chose to slide him into the additional pairing instead of Husk because you preferred Hazbin. If you’d like me to pick up your matchup again and write you a pairing for Stolas as well I’d be more than happy once matchups are reopened! :)

~ I’m a sucker for introvert and extrovert tropes. You being outgoing and really open about your love for him is a really cool contrast with his laid back, often introverted approach to things.

~ It’s also kind of like the sunshine and grump trope?

~ I spoke about it in this post a long time back, but his canon dialogue style makes me go back and forth with the grump trope for Husk. Can totally see it, but he uses every dialogue to express an emotion. While he’s a grump, I can see him in a relationship being sappy and genuinely saying loving things to his partner, even if he’s a man of few words.

~ Seems like Husk is the grump to your sunshine to outsiders, but you see him more as a friendly giant.

~ On that note, Husk’s love language is words of affirmation and acts of service.

~ Husk is similar to Alastor in the sense that he doesn’t need labels to be comfortable with you. Husk would accept whatever label you’d like, but he understands his feelings, and that’s enough. He loves you and everyone knows it, so he wouldn’t rush to put a label on anything himself because he’s already comfortable with your dynamic. However, if you were to label it, he would be open to it.

Additional pairing…

Stolas

[rhineposting]

I trust you on everything rhine-related more than Hoyo themselves. There is so much build up on this character, what do you think is the best/ easiest way the folks at Hoyo could introduce rhine to the main story/ archon quest? I am asking as most of the lore is sadly from limited events, so there is this clear disconnect from what the canon traveler knows and what players ( that have not been through every event ) knows. Thanks!

OH MY GOD THANK YOU!!! I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR A RHINEDOTTIR RELATED ASK FOR SO LONG, YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW HAPPY I AM - AND HEARING THAT SOMEONE TRUSTS ME MORE ON RHINE THAN HER CREATORS THEMSELVES???? I'm gonna combust, I think!! BUT! TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION...!

Before we even get into the writing of that possible scene, the most important thing is that she serves cunt. We're speaking astronomical, gagging levels of serving cunt. If it's not the most out of fucks to give, yet simultanously the most theatrical entrance of all time, then what's the point? None. Absolutely. Zero. You know how Signora was first introduced? Yeah, that, but serving even HARDER. There needs to be a soundtrack with the hardest beat drop known to man. Choirs. Synths. Bass. Everything. Big introductory caption all over the screen. A camera zoom on her eyes. You KNOW exactly what I mean. It needs to look like straight out of a movie and a TikTok edit to Megan Thee Stallion or phonk music at the same time. If she's not the star, the queen of her own big entrance after almost three years, then I'm quitting the game. She's a girlboss and she deserves a girlboss introduction. End of story. Okay, as for the actual lore, writing and stuff... I think it'd be a nice idea to introduce her during a Dainsleif quest, possibly branching off from the player investigating the Rifthounds around Wolvendom and meeting up with Dainsleif once he comes back from his nap in his cardboard box home. As the quest continues, we get more and more insight into the nature of the Cataclysm and how crucial Khemia was to Khaenri'ah. Eventually as the quest goes into a mandatory dungeon sequence with tons of notes dropped around everywhere, at the end of the dungeon we meet... Her.

She recognizes Dainsleif and Dainsleif recognizes her. The two exchange words. Preferably with Rhinedottir taunting Dainsleif, who in turn reminds her of what she had done. The player is forced to remember Paimon exists as she repeats what was said for the last five minutes and says something that's supposed to be funny. Eventually after an incredible cutscene, Rhinedottir makes her girlboss exit and leaves Rifthounds behind that we have to fight off or something. Maybe a boss-fight. Then we talk to Dainsleif, who explains even more again. He says something about going to investigate her to see if she isn't working with the Abyss Order by any chance. That of course results in Dainsleif disappearing for another year, leaving us with even more questions and girlboss vs manfail footage. Fin. That way, the player knows what they're dealing with regarding Rhinedottir, with the events being extra flavorings to that, so older players know she's extra messed up while the new ones can still appreciate her as a villain. However... Considering that tomorrow HoYoverse might release a Chapter Interlude trailer that likely features the Hexenzirkel, we might get her introduced Winter Night's Lazzo style. Which is just as good. Incredible, even. But yeah, that's about it!!! Thank you for asking and for your kind words!!!!

[winderlylandchime]

1/2 Finally 4x01!!! The new intro started playing and he got up so fucking fast as if he was watching a game ‘WAIT WHAT?! THIS IS DIFFERENT! OH MY GOD THIS IS COOL AS FUCK! I like this more!! *tries to sing along while not knowing the song* ..cue…BEGIN…pulse..YEAH i fuck with this. And of course the intro ends on Brian walking away. He is the moment!’ ‘Ohhhh Drag Queen moment! I fuck with this. Hi BRIAN! Look at them just hanging out in THEIR loft, damn he is broke as fuck, huh? *said in an affectionate aww type of voice* THEY ARE PARTNERS! He really hates accepting any type of help, huh? Brian maybe you should listen to your own advice from two seasons ago about a man knowing when to accept help. Wait shit, i just remembered the nothing noble about being poor thing. Well fuck Brian’ It briefly showed Mel and Linds and he was so disappointed until Britin popped up again ‘this is what I want every episode, Brian and Justin. And that’s it’ ‘I am genuinely surprised that Hunter and Mike haven’t killed each other. Proud of them’ ‘Brian having lunch with Ben and Linds AND mel? Is he okay? Aw Brian and Justin being sarcastic is one of my favorite things in the world. (Deb says Mikey and her talk 3x a day) Okay, three times a day is…yeah. I mean even I don’t..actually never mind. OH HE IS GONNA KILL EVERYONE IF THEY DONT STOP PITYING HIM. But Bri Bri you are broke as a jok- HA he is gonna steal Bald dudes clients’ ‘i like this drag queen singing in between moments. Its been a while since I went to a drag show. I wonder if they miss me back home..i mean i did tell them I was leaving but still, i hope they miss me- oh ted. I was trying to forget that horrible party-BLAKEY! I’m so happy that he’s good now. EMMETT! Im glad he came to visit but I rea- Ted what the hell is wrong with you? He didn’t do shit wrong to you, why are you being bitchy? No Emy no, blakey didnt do anything wrong. But damn it i get Emy is hurt but fucking hell this isnt it. GIVE ME BRIAN BACK’ brian shows up on screen with Vance ‘HA WHAT DID I SAY? I CAN FEEL WHEN MY BOY IS UP! Wait that..sounds..weird. Of course he looks great, he always does. Oh so now you love him, fuck you baldy, Brian youre better than this. I like his hair. *does jazz hands* spikey. Oh baldy knows that Brian could destroy him if he pulls a Justin Timberlake and goes solo. DO IT BRI BRI! I didnt plan on him having his own company but DO IT!!!!’ ‘How did Mike already lose Hunte- HES HUSTLING AGAIN? *randomly starts laughing* It’s really funny hearing Mike call him little asshole when they’re the same height.’ Ted and Blake are on right now where he’s cleaning the floor ‘ohhhh i think this is gonna be bad. I hope im wrong because i like Blakey but this is looking like you know that thing where you get a crush on your savior or your therapist or something like that? I know my shit..i think’ ‘OH MY GOD WHAT DID THEY DO TO BRIANS CAR? Id rip their head off? I mean the car sucks but damn. Wait i forgot to focus on the important stuff: Brian looks good as fuck! CAN HE STOP KISSING HIM?’ ‘ITS BRIAN AGAIN!(Brian says ‘because no ones close friendship means more to me than yours’) aww Bri Bri, i feel the same way. Im glad you can agree that we have a deep connectio- OH HE IS GONNA GO SOLO! HES PULLING A BEYONCÉ! YOU GO GIRL! I really like the drag queen moments.. i miss my girls back home, i gotta call them.’ ‘AW JUSTIN CAME UP WITH THE COMPANY NAME!! KINNETIK! I fuck with that. I think i need a new shirt (i said No at this point) *looks at me and does jazz hands* merch. Of course Blondie is the one to help him come up with the name. LOOK AT THEM ALL HAPPY AND IN LOVE! Aw they wanna hang out with Emy! I NEEDED THIS TRIO! Make them hang out like when they danced together. The new dream team!’

The new intro! It really reminds me of the OG intro to the OG Beverly Hills 90210 (not to date myself).

It is so hard to watch Emmett and Ted during this arc.

Brian looks sooooooo good in S4.

OH HE IS GONNA GO SOLO! HES PULLING A BEYONCÉ! Truly, I looked it up and she went solo in 2003 right as this was being filmed (if I've got my timelines correct).

AND YES JUSTIN CAME UP WITH KINNETIK. He's named both Gus and Kinnetik (swoon).

The new dream team - I wish!

[mariska]

last post i just reblogged reminded me i never remembered to post these silly lil photos i took on here...ever since i had to quickly get a new phone from my other one's (rip iphone 6s and my beautiful beloved Standard Analog Headphone Plug....we had a good run old friend...........) screen literally bubbling up like it was going to actually explode from internal heating if i kept using it i now have a super cool high quality camera lens situation that i hope to be able to use for my various diy art projects and stuff but its still been less than a month since i've has this model phone and its the first like. modern within two years or so high tech camera i have ever owned in my life and i grew up in the pre-phone camera era of handheld digital cameras for broke aspiring photographers so its been very exciting for me to test things out and look at settings (i can allegedly take photos & videos in literal 4k HD with this camera lens system according to the quality options in the system settings which is. absolutely mind boggling to me in a good way i cant believe i have a camera in any format that has the potential to capture things to that extent!!!)

anyways all of that to say that i'm obviously very out of touch with how any of this modern high tech high resolution works as of now, but i picked this version of this phone model specifically because it gives me a lot of opportunities to hopefully have more personal, accessible control over visual photo/video art and editing and filming etc etc but since i haven't had a chance to really learn how to utilize everything the way i want to yet, i've been having fun taking 'portrait mode' photos in the meantime just to try and get the hang of one feature at a time, and a week or two ago when i had my Weekly Day Outside Of My Home For Therapy Appointment, one of my moms and i decided to take a drive just for the heck of it to get some air and see the world.

all of this. again. to say. here are some portraits i took of my beloved soft fluffy chicken bag (his name is Lestat de Poultrycourt 😌) while sitting in the passenger seat and cracking up with one of my moms over how hard i was trying to pose him in a way that did not show my hands like a muppet operator. i am 99% sure at least one of these pics will end up being used by me as an album cover for a song at some point in the future so look forward to that. fjshdhsgshsgshsvsh

[fullmetal-the-last-alchemist]

hi ruth!!! :] for that ask game, i have many so i'm just going to rapidfire them at you!!! a little tf2 heavyweapons guy indulgence is necessary every once in a while <3 🍄🥰

funky orange, forest green, the purple christ ALIVE the purple!!! ocean blue (a slight spoiler hehe) & cherry blossom since we met irl in the spring! :] green screen, always! 🏋🏻‍♀️🏋🏻‍♀️🏋🏻‍♀️ void black + ice blue, esp in the madness and mania right now... and... ofc... to finish it all off... lilac bites u bites u bites you bites yuo bites y-

SARAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!! 💖💖💖💖💖💖💥💥💥💥

funky orange: you are very fun, your blog is a joy <3 RIGHT BACK ATCHA!!!!!!!! 🥹🥹🥰😘💕 no but fr whenever i see your icon or url i get warm fuzzies... like that's sarah!!! sarah thee bröth-lovied!!!!! you never fail to bring me joy 💝💝💝

forest green: let's elope <3 ANYTIME BELOVIED,,, not just for tax benefits.,, but also for love 💞💞💞💞💘💘

jrwi purple: you are so right about your blorbos WEEE THANK YOUUU 🥰🥰 since our interests don't entirely overlap i love the idea that u support me in my blorbomania even when u might know NOTHING abt the blorbo in question,... that is true love + support right there 🥰💘 but like i also get it bc i feel the same way abt u, i KNOW in my heart that ur correct abt everything re: your blorbos who only hold blorbo-in-law status for me... i don't know vergil but you are correct about EVERYTHING with him 💖💖

ocean blue: uhh... seashells for you? !!!!!!! a slight spoiler!!!??!!! 👀👀 AHHH NOW I'M EVEN MORE EXCITED HEHEHEHEHE 🥳🥳💃🕺💃🕺

cherry blossom: you remind me of spring awww, i really like that, that's so sweet!!! 🥰🥰🌺🌻🌼 i cannae lie, in that particular regard, i'm not sure i feel the same,, because for me, i flew back home to 20 degree F weather like three days later MKDGHFDDF not very springlike unfortunately 😅😅 for me, you remind me of summer+fall, cause we started talking in the fall and bc you live in The State Of Eternal Summer (florida 🫡)

green screen: you can do anything, I'm proud of you !!!!! wahhhhhhh SARAAHHhhh ;___; thank u,.... and the same to you of course!!!! all the stuff you've been doing lately, with the substitute job and the house cleaning and the evil peepaw situation... u are so strong adn i'm so proud and i wish i could spirit u away to a pocket dimension to give u the 1000 hour nap u deserve 🤧🤧💝💝💝

void black: you are too hard on yourself! learn to take it easy :c 🥺🥺🥺 ookay. okay. yeah., thats fair. i'll try 💞 but also,, 🪞🪞🪞 U TOO!!!!! u are one of the most kind and giving and patient and generally amazing people i have ever known... if i could reflect the love i have for u back into your own soul u would never feel another negative thing about yourself again....THATS CHEESY BUT ITS TRUE AND IM STANDING BY IT 🙈😤😤💗💗

ice blue: wrapping you in a blanket rn omg,, i would love that bc im actually cold rn... and the closest blanket to me rn is my favoritest blanket in the whole world... it has kitties on it and it's soft and fleece and it's the best.. i am wrappng you in here with me.... i love u 💓💓

lilac: biting yuo NO U!!! >:3 bites yuo bites yuo bites yuo bites yuo bites yuo bites yuo bites y

[the-prophesied-disco-gay]

Some jobs I've worked, with my favorite parts and why I can no longer do them:

Legal Assistant:

✅️ I will sort and file and organize with such focused joy that I must be reminded by an outside source to take breaks and eat and go home at the end of the day. There were case files piled everywhere, including the floor, when I started. By week 2 everything was organized and put away. By week 5 it was all databased in the computer system too. Give me something to organize and leave me alone and I will create order like it's my religion.

✅️ I loved the flexibility and variety. Sometimes I was taking documents to the courthouse to be filed and could grab lunch at one of the little places downtown. I got to try a lot I never otherwise would have. Sometimes there was a meeting and I got to play host and make my bosses look good while having a marvelous time. I'm very good at picking up on small things and using them to great advantage, like catching a note in one case file that the client had rescheduled a deposition because of a Celiac flare up, so when they came in I made sure gluten free cookies and cupcakes had been added to the bakery order. They were shocked and thrilled to have options for them available and commented on it not only to the attorneys, but also to their friends and family. I was so happy I'd been able to make them happy. My boss responded by getting me a gift certificate to a medical massage place. My spinal problems had prevented me ever getting a massage before and he knew that, so he told me to take a day to treat myself. Not only did they appreciate that sort of consideration, they practiced it.

✅️ this one is a twofer: the paralegal working there when I started was doing some things she ought not have. Things like messing with people's food if she was mad at them or "losing" stuff out of case files if the attorney had pissed her off, despite many of these cases being life or death and the clients not being at fault at all for whatever slight she had imagined. I told on her. I caught her adding pomegranate juice to the brownie batter for the brownies being made for an office party, knowing full well the junior associate was dangerously allergic to pomegranate, because she had been reprimanded for neglecting filing deadlines on one of his cases. He didn't even do the reprimanding. Even if he had, I wasn't gonna watch him potentially die over it. Fucks sake! I warned him about the brownies and when questioned she said she "didn't believe in allergies and maybe he would learn not to mess with her." She was fired on the spot. And so I got to learn how to be a paralegal! They taught me so much, and I got to try everything that didn't legally require a degree or licensing. I got to see that they actually care about the well-being of their employees, don't tolerate ableism, and are willing to teach emoloyees and help them expand their skills and knowledge.

So why am I not still there? I would be. Even as disabled as I am, I would be. But I left for college and years later when I looked into going back into that line of work, the practice had closed with the retirement of the main 2 attorneys and job listings for everyone in the industry:

❌️ must be able to lift 50lbs?? What? Apparently "sometimes the legal assistant has to refill the printer, and what if you can't lift a box of printer paper?" I dunno, maybe store the boxes at waist level or lower so individual packs can be gotten?!? But no, this shit is literally just there to screen out disabled applicants

❌️ must own a vehicle to be able to transport files to the courts and other attorneys and the post office, as needed. Understandable, our public transport sucks. No stipend for gas or vehicle maintenance or wear and tear. ....Excuse me?

❌️ 3 sick days per year and other time off must be requested 3 months in advance. Y'all seriously cannot accomodate a legal assistant giving "only" 2 weeks warning for taking a half day for an MRI? You're so disorganized and understaffed that you can't work around 4 hours with 2 weeks notice for an employee that doesn't even appear in court? Really? No, it's more ableism.

Pre-K Teacher:

✅️ curriculum. Oh my gods curriculum my love. I've never loved any part of any job more, ever. They would say "okay next month's unit is The Savanah (or the rainforest, or space, or black history, or poetry, or or or) and I would get to plan a whole month around the theme. Art projects that would provide opportunities to teach out both the topic and art techniques. Sight word lists based around the theme. Relevant books for story time. Songs and little plays. Adding stuff to the science and reading and art and sensory stations. Incorporating learning into play and allowing exploratory play to encourage organic learning. It was so much fun and I took pictures of the room at the end of every unit, with all their decorations and projects.

✅️ I got to change kids lives. The monthly units I described above? Oh better believe I used those to help raise these kids too.

"What did we learn about lions? Who does the hunting?"

"GIRLS!"

"That's right! And how about elephants, who are the leaders?"

"GIRLS!"

"Yes! What about birds? Who's prettier?"

"BOYS!"

"They are! Do y'all remember platypuses? Which one has the vennooommm?"

"BOYS!"

"Which seahorse carries the babies?"

"THE DAD!"

"How many genders do bees have?"

"THREE!"

"Y'all are so good at this! So, sometimes girls are strong and fast, sometimes boys are pretty, sometimes girls are the bosses, sometimes boys take care of the babies, and a lot of times gender doesn't matter at all! So it seems kinda silly to make fun of someone for being "girly" or "acting like a yucky boy" doesn't it? That's not very nice and it's silly anyway. So no more of that in this classroom okay? If you see someone doing something and you think about making fun of them, remember the bees and the lions!"

And it works. Reader lemme tell ya, it truly works. I have watched a 4 year old tell a 5 year old "you're black so you should do math like the NASA ladies so you can do space stuff! I'm bad at math but I can help with snacks!" I have watched a little girl struggling with writing sitting with a nonverbal autistic girl, absolutely enthralled with the magic she is being shown as the autistic girl shows her how to make letters with individual shapes. I bought flat shape blocks for one of the activity tables and these girls were making letters out of them. She drew shapes and connected them to make letters the rest of the year. There was so much room for differences with young kids. They were so willing and eager to learn, so open to new ideas and ways of doing things.

❌️ the director was a horrible person. Harpy, shrew, Karen, that sort of woman. Worst boss I've ever had. Treated the staff like garbage and encouraged infighting.

❌️ *constantly* understaffed. Every call-in was an emergency. Staff ratios are legally mandated, so lean staffing practices are especially impactful, but that sure as shit didn't stop management from doing it.

❌️ never enough supplies and every supply request was an interrogation and a battle. I spent hundreds of my own money to make sure units could be completed for these kids

❌️ parents. Oh lawd the parents. Most of them were neutral, dropped their kids off, picked them up, listened to the brief accounting of their day and info they needed to know, left. Some were a delight, helped in the classroom, asked questions and wanted to know more about their kid's day, kept track of who their kid was friends with and what struggles they were having and which subjects they were excited about. But some parents? Some parents were a nightmare. Think a restaurant Karen dialed up to 11. Demanding special treatment for their kids, exceptions to the rules, the whole nine. One woman demanded we punish the kid her child has bitten and punched, for irritating her child enough to "force" them to get violent (by not giving up their snack at snacktime so Precious Perfect Angel Baby could have 2 snacks). These people were unbelievable.

❌️ seven dollars and fifty cents an hour. With kids lives in our hands. These people were charging each and every one of these parents hundreds per week, per child. There were 10 total teachers. Each making $7.50 an hour. They were bringing in tens of thousands per month and paying about 3k per week on the ones keeping it all going and doing all the work, at a rate of about $300 weekly pay each. And then expecting us to pay out pocket for supplies.

Housecleaning:

✅️ got to make things clean *vibrates*

✅️ got to work without interruption

✅️ got to force my OCD to make me money instead of just wrecking my life

✅️ again, things that were not clean became clean because of me. I cannot explain the rush of happy chemicals I get from making something clean. If that emotion could be bottled directly from my brain we could solve world peace.

✅️ got to set my own schedule and work at my own pace and got to keep every red cent of my pay, which I also got to choose by setting my own rates

❌️ every time the economy dips, people stop paying for stuff like housecleaning first. They tighten their belts by cleaning their own home, maintaining their own yard, and cooking their own meals. Without UBI, those industries experience a collapse every time, with severity dependant on severity of the economic downturn. I couldn't survive the lean times of that cycle and had to move on, as many do

If we had true disability protection/accomodations and UBI, not only would I work, I couldn't be stopped from doing so. I live in a disabled household and every single one of us still works and creates and does stuff, despite not working "real" jobs. People will work. People have always worked. We survived just fine for tens of thousands of years before money was even a factor in this equation. We know that. The history is right there. We know humans will survive and thrive without financial motivation. We like teaching and experimenting and making things clean and nice and easier and more fun. We like learning and creating and the satisfaction of a job well done. People love to work. People hate being forced to do anything, including by threat of starvation. Remove the compelling force and see what we can and will do.

The reason people don’t want to work is that it’s just normal for them to be in bad work environments.

My issue with working at Walmart wasn’t the work itself I was doing. It was the circumstances around it. The concrete floor, lack of places to sit, having to put up with asshole customers, not getting time off for injuries, and bad pay.

If I had been given shock pads to stand on or a few chairs to rest on sometimes, if they paid me a livable amount of money and I was allowed to yell back at asshole customers, if they had given me any amount of training, I would happily work part time folding clothes all day and telling people where the swimsuit section is.

I’m a creative type. I’m a writer. I’m pretty smart, even. But if I could make a living folding shirts and listening to podcasts in one ear and helping people find the scented candles for 30 hours a week? I would. Leaves some mental space free for me to brainstorm. Lets me catch up on my reading with audiobooks.

But instead I was treated so badly by upper management and customers that I’m like legitimately a little frightened whenever I step into a Walmart now. And I only worked there for three months a few years ago.

I’m a good lower level worker. When I’m treated well. I like finishing tasks. I like being helpful. I like having some time to talk to coworkers and some time alone with my thoughts. I’m a frickin team player. And that’s how I was at my first job. I was treated well by my supervisor. I was trained. They were patient with me. I was so good at being low on the totem pole at that job because I was valued and felt like I was being listened to. I was able to sit still when there was nothing left to do which made it feel less bad when we were on a time crunch. I didn’t mind working hard at that job because it was fun even though I was doing all the low level stuff that the supervisors didn’t want do.

But at Walmart I was like that for all of two days. Then I figured out that nobody appreciated my work and if I worked in my normal people pleasing manner I’d kill myself because their standards were high and the rewards for meeting them were low.

So I slowed down. I started avoiding customers. I started taking a lot longer to get to my breaks and to come back from them. I became worse at my job because no matter how good I was at it there would be no reward, no appreciation, and I’d just be pushed further beyond my limits.

My only level of happiness from that job came from the people who were working with me. The old ladies and my department manager who made sure I wasn’t overextending myself. The one other young man working in the clothing department who always got sent with me to unload the heavy stuff and commiserated with me about the shoulder injuries, the hurting feet we were too young to have.

But none of that was enough to make me stay. We were constantly understaffed. I was constantly abused by customers and not able to do a thing about it. I was not paid much at all. So as soon as I had enough saved up for what I was trying to do and my last semester of college was about to start I handed in my two weeks.

I would have found a way to stay if I liked that job. If I liked that job I would’ve pushed myself to my mental limits to finish college and keep that job at the same time. Heck that job could’ve been a rest from college. A place to get away from it. But I hate that job so I got out as soon as I could.

I want to work. I want enough money to live sort of comfortably. I want to have some tasks to do to give my creativity a rest. I want to be a part of something. But the way that modern corporate run work environments are set up does not give me any of the things I actually want out of a job. And I think that’s the same for millions of people right now. A lot of people would happily spend their lives as a waitress or an Uber driver or a warehouse worker or a farmhand or any other “low skill” job you can possibly think of. But with the way the world works right now those jobs are absolutely miserable. It doesn’t have to be that way. I know because I’ve had a fulfilling part time minimum wage job that I looked forward to going to every week. A job where I was listened to and allowed to sit when I needed to. I miss that job. Especially now since I’ve realized that’s not the standard. It should be. People should look forward to going to work or at the very least not get mild ptsd whenever they set foot into a Walmart.

[sl33py-g4m3r]

~~ Island transfer tool and 2 nintendo accounts ~~

found a reason to have more than one switch account connected to a nintendo account~~

its stupid that it doesn't just transfer over like other regular save data, especially if you only have one switch account per switch... thus one person per island....

why did they make transferring an island such a pain? I had to link my oled switch to another nintendo account to use the island transfer tool if I want to go back to the oled and not lose any save data.

it took me forever to find some stuff this morning before I went to bed, and I couldn't dream of restarting now, as far as I am currently...

minor rant; but seriously game why? I ran around my rivers and stuff looking for a banded dragonfly, find one finally, switch to fish and what do I find while trying to do the same thing with the guppy? 3 banded dragonflies just zooming by~~~

game??? why????

but ye~~~ now I just need to hope that nothing happens, and I can transfer accounts between switches an endless amount of times~~ cause I waffle back and forth a lot (and need to stop tbh~~~)

may as well just stick with the oled model now~~~ I've used it for a long time anyway~~~ it's heavier than the lite, but not unwieldy, it's screen is bigger, sound quality is better, battery life is better....

but why do they have to make transferring an animal crossing new horizons island a pain in the butt??? all the hell I went through to catch stuff before bed this morning, and the big farm and all the work I've done so far~~~ I don't want to lose it~~~

and a benefit of another nintendo account is that I can actually trade w games if I'm playing brilliant diamond digitally, I could use the physical copy of shining pearl to trade starters if I didn't have pokemon home~~ and other shenanigans~~~

reminds me of trading w myself in the DS era of pokemon~~~

so I guess there is a benefit to having 2 separate nintendo accounts on 2 separate switch profiles...

but darn is it a pain.....

yes this post is about transferring new horizons data to a different switch~~~ am doing that instead of restarting at this point cause all the work I've done on my current one that I don't want to lose~~~

hope stuff goes ok tbh~~~~

update: everything went fine~~~ transfer one user to the other, set up a test user beforehand, transfer the other user, connect to the eshop to download the transfer tool, then launch it and do the whole song and dance again~~~

pain in the butt and not worth constantly transferring my user data and island back and forth constantly~~~

and I loaded into the game and ran into Celeste~~~ who gave me the star wand DIY~~~ time to wish on some stars when I get back to the game~~~ I decided to do this instead of get food, lol...

[castlebyersafterdark]

i've started watching two reactor videos to all of ST starting from 1x01. theyre both so different, one being an aussie couple who are chill but super nerds, and the other a woman from the uk (essex i think lol, very close to home for me and strange because most people in fandom here are from the US or abroad).

its wonderful to watch through the eyes of people who are new but aren't necessarily casual fans because theyre SO into the show and you can see them getting super invested in real time. i suppose they would still be called GA as they're not 'bylers' (although it's too early to say if they will be yet), but theyre definitely super attentive and into the show. the woman especially is already picking up on things like electricity powers, will and el being connected like twins, etc. and it reminded me how... yeah, these things HAVE been easy to spot since the start.

its only since byler fandom started reallyyyyyyy trying to figure out the whole plot before s5 drops that we started to doubt things. looking too closely, needing too much evidence, becoming biased through desperation for byler. when i watch the show itself (or these reactors), i become a totally different person to who i am when engaging in this fandom. i'm more chill, more mature, more clear-headed, and, oddly, able to enjoy the whole story and every character much more - especially el's arc. even though i don't actively hate el while in byler fandom, she is unavoidably painted as an obstacle to byler by many people and becomes subconsciously a rival. but when watching the show itself and just enjoying my gut reactions to what i see in an ensemble way, i barely even feel the need for more than two or three basic pieces of 'evidence' for byler to feel confident about where it's all headed.

I think you're very right about all the doubt and circular thoughts and doom spiraling and the roller coaster of we're so on/we're so off ad nauseam. Echo chambers and caring too much what non-Byler fans are posting on social media. Sometimes thinking too hard and analyzing too much can honestly be a negative, like you're looking for gaps to fill and you're never going to actually 100 percent prove anything until the literal show either gets leaked in full or is premiering on our tv screens. As much as we desperately want what we want to happen - none of us really have that decision or power so what's the best we can do? Watch the show! Find some undiscovered fun little corner of the fandom! Focus on the parts that are honestly much simpler. What happened in the show? How did we get here to loving this pairing? Ahhh, there's my proof. On my screen.

And you're definitely right about El. I've said before, she's not a bad character and her arc is actually really interesting. She's not in the way of anything, she does have a story as well to take. She's an important part of the journey. I think the fatigue, at least for me, stems from just maybe a bit more screentime than necessary because watching the show, some stuff does feel a bit repetitive. A little too much El and a little too much Hopper. more Will more Will!! 🤞Season 5 do us gooooood please!!

[forabeatofadrum]

Ljubili se (8/21)

Notes: Guess who's back? Me!

It's been a while. I hit a writers block after last chapter and then I spent all my time on another fic that I am currently publishing (if you read Snowbaz fic, come over!), but I definitely want to finish Ljubili se.

So here I am again! It's time for Kurt to start actually planning his plan. Just a reminder: I am actually winging it when it comes to Kurt's studies (and Blaine's career), so I have no clue if this is accurate. Enjoy.

AO3 | S&C

--

SAIL

Now that Kurt’s roommates know about Blaine, there’s no need for secrecy or planning around them whatsoever. This means that Kurt can go all out with showing Blaine around. A week is short, so Kurt wants to make the best out of it.

On Blaine’s second day, they go to Kurt’s favourite local restaurant. The owner always recognises Kurt, so when Kurt introduces Blaine as his partner, they get some extra bread on the side.

On the third day together, they manage to get discounted rush tickets for a Broadway show. It was a bit unplanned, and they even have another show they are going to see later down the week, but it is a welcome change of plans.

On the fourth day, they go out for breakfast at Tiffany’s. It’s one of the first things Kurt did when he moved here from Ohio and it meant something to him back then. It was a sign that he could chase his dreams. He loves to share it with Blaine.

Of course, between all these bigger activities, they also have enough downtime. They love sleeping in, next to each other, just like in Ljubljana. They love making dinner together. They even love chilling with Santana at the very few moments she’s at the apartment.

And on the fifth day, Kurt wakes up to an e-mail from his advisor. It’s still breaktime for the students, but some staff members have started working for some reason, including this student advisor Ms. Joling. She asks if Kurt can meet today. She apologises for it being so last minute, but Kurt doesn’t mind, because he’s the one who sent her the e-mail during summer break after all. He really was that excited. He had hoped that she would see it the moment she went back to work, and it worked!

The thing is that today, Kurt and Blaine are going on a shopping spree. Blaine wants to buy something nice for Quinn and Denise, and also for himself, of course, to remember the trip. Kurt and Blaine both hope they’ll see each other more often, but for now, it’s nice to have something to remember their time here.

“Alright,” Blaine walks into the kitchen, “I am ready to hit the town!”

“Hit the town?”

“Go around the block? Make this city mine? See the sights? What else can I say?” Blaine says and his eagerness and enthusiasm makes Kurt’s heart melt.

Which means it’s better to just rip off the band-aid and tell Blaine about the small change in plans.

“I kind of need to tell you something,” Kurt starts. He really hopes Blaine won’t mind that he’s willing trading in their time together for school stuff.

“Yeah?”

“Don’t be mad, but I have a last minute appointment with my student advisor,” Kurt says.

To Kurt’s surprise, Blaine starts laughing.

“Funnily enough, I was trying to figure out how to tell you that I have a meeting at the New York office,” Blaine says through his laughter.

“Oh my God.”

“Looks like my bad humour as an icebreaker wasn’t needed,” Blaine pretends to lament.

“I still appreciated it, darling.”

“Besides, it’s important to talk to your advisor,” Blaine says.

Oh, if only Blaine knew.

--

Blaine’s off to the New York office and Kurt’s sat at home. His appointment with the student advisor is online, which is fine by Kurt.

He fixes his hair and waits for the call to start.

“Hello Kurt,” Ms. Joling says when she appears on screen.

“Hi. Hello.”

After exchanging some pleasantries, they get right down to business.

“Alright, so we’re here about your internship, is that right?”

Kurt nods.

“And you are looking into options in Los Angeles.”

Kurt nods again.

“In your e-mail you said that you want to learn more about theatre outside of New York, since, as we all know, the New York theatre scene is a lot in different ways, but why are you specifically interested in Los Angeles?”

Because my boyfriend lives there, Kurt mentally answers, but he is pretty sure his advisor isn’t ready to hear that.

Good thing Kurt’s an actor, because he starts talking convincing nonsense.

Okay, that might be a bit much. Kurt does like the idea of LA. Even if he hadn’t met Blaine, he would’ve loved to visit it. It is literally on the other side of the country, and being there is so different from what he knows. But he never thought about studying there, or even moving there.

But there’s also no denying that Blaine is the main reason.

Ms. Joling makes notes and also looks at some things on her screen.

“Alright, I see you are majoring in musical theatre,” she says, “But you are also following electives on directing and scriptwriting.”

“That is true.”

“Now, we encourage our students to have a variety of skills, so as you may know, it is possible to use your internship for your major, but with approval from the examination committee it is also possible to work on something else that will fit within your overall education. Have you thought about that?”

Kurt has. He’s not completely unprepared! If he wants to go to LA for Blaine, he needs at least a good reason. He’s once directed a production at a nursing home, which was cool. Maybe he can do something like that, albeit it more professionally. He loves the big theatre world, but the idea of bringing theatre to smaller audiences excites him.

And he loves to be on stage, but he also loves the idea to write for the stage. He has stories to tell. He believes that there should be more room for different ideas on the stage and he’d love to contribute to that.

He’s already looked up some possible internships in LA in all kinds of different categories.

So yes, he’s definitely passionate, but he can do those things in New York as well.

And that is the thing his advisor points out after Kurt finishes his small speech.

“Hm. I believe you want to go to Los Angeles,” she says, “I mean, otherwise you wouldn’t seek out advice during your summer break.”

“True,” Kurt laughs, aiming for casualness.

“But when I hear your arguments for what you can contribute to the threatre world compared to your arguments about why you specifically want to go to the other side of the country, it’s obvious that the latter is… How do I say it?”

Not well thought-out? Kurt thinks, Bullshit, career-wise?

“Forced,” Ms. Joling eventually says, which is true as well, “Your passion to go out into the theatre world is clearly there, Kurt, so I don’t want to discourage you. If this truly is what you want, I will do my best to help you, but I do want to know for sure.”

“I’m sure,” Kurt answers quickly. He’s sure because of Blaine.

“Okay,” Ms. Joling adds more notes, “Then here’s the plan, Kurt. You send me the internships you’ve found, and I will look at whether or not it’s possible to do something with it. Meanwhile, you keep refining your arguments to go to Los Angeles, because these companies and other institutions will probably have questions about that too. Alright?”

“Yes,” Kurt says. He knows he hasn’t fully convinced her, but it’s a start.

The two of them discuss some more logistics, but then their time is up and they say goodbye. The moment the call ends, Kurt pushes his laptop away. This entire plan isn’t smooth sailing. In fact, there’s probably a dent in his sail.

He wants to go to LA, but his advisor picked up on some hesitation. It reminds Kurt of what his dad said. Even if it’s temporary, it’s a big decision to make, especially since Kurt’s planning on staying with Blaine. He and Blaine are solid, so Kurt isn’t afraid that they’ll break up while he’s in LA, but he does need to think this all out. As solid as they are, it’s still only been four months and Blaine still has all the things he needs to work out with Quinn.

Kurt sighs.

That’s all for later. Now he needs to wait for Blaine to come back and they need to enjoy spending their time together. Once Blaine’s on a plane to LA, it’s time for all of this.

[grad604-macytaylor]

Week 10: 50 words per object

Led vfx screens

These screens represent the start of my visual creative journey as I started helping out with technology at my church. This experience allowed me to gain lots of creative experience and have fun times with good mates and people who I admire. 

Hummingbird poster

This poster is one of many I have acquired which was a habit I picked ups hen I moved into Auckland CBD for university. At first it was for some free decor but it is also an inspiration for me and my own design.

Lord of the Rings box set

This box set was gifted to me by my grandparents and I chose it as an element as it represents the love of reading anything I can get my hands on. Lord of the Rings was a series I really loved as a kid and I still enjoy rereading the books on trips. 

Bookshelf

My bookshelf represents a lot of the books I have really loved for a long time. To represent it, I took a picture and illustrated it, but chose to leave the spines blank because I know as I grow in my walk different books will have more or less meaning to me. 

Poster wall

This poster wall is the summation of my favorite ‘borrowed’ posters from k road and the CBD. It ended up taking over 2 walls of my flat and made the space feel more fun. I think now part of my motivation as a designer is to make posters that some art kid is gonna tear down and take home and stick it up in their flat to their flatmates or parents chagrin. 

Blue wall

Although it is not in this illustration, the wall in my room of my childhood home is blue, and I would stick things I found interesting up on it. I didn’t realise until I got to uni and all the lecturers talked about collecting stuff that it was a sign of a creative to have the desire to keep everything you find cool. 

Wacom tablet

I brought this Wacom tablet in 2019 or so when I realise I really liked digital art and I wanted to pursue it. It was the cheapest thing I could find and while I should buy a better one, I can’t quite bring myself to spend a thousand dollars when this works.

Midi board

This APC40 mxii board is what I use to operate resolute arena and is the first piece of technology I got any good at using, which is significant to me because technology isn’t my forte!

MacBook Pro

This is the computer I use for uni, which was a hand-me-down from my mother. its the main tool I use for my creative process, from looking for inspiration to sending off a final draft.

Chapter one

This book is written by the founder of thank you, Daniel Flynn. It is one of my favorite books of all time and by far the most inspiring thing to not only my own interest in business but also one’s ability to do good in the world. My dream is to do graphic design for them one day. 

Plants 1

It wasn’t until I moved into my own apartment that I really started to get into taking cuttings and propagating plants, and how my houseplant collection is quite sizable. This isn’t nessecarily strictly related to my creative process, but is a nice way to calm down and nurture a nice space.

Headphones

My WH-100XM4 headphones, which were a gift from my parents in high school, get daily use as listening to music is something I really enjoy- especially when I am spending a lot of time commuting. As I have gotten older I have started to spend more time listening to audio books as well. 

Morgs letter

When I left high school, my beloved art teacher mrs. Morgan, who I would’ve spent the majority of my time with in school over the past three years, wrote me a note on the back of this print. The work ethic, technical skills, and concepts she instilled in me are still something I think about to this day, and I would not be in the place I am if not for her.

2004 Macintosh 

This computer was actually a gift from a friend quite recently, however it reminds me of my childhood spending an hour a day (but no more!) on my parent’s home office Mac. 

The Loyal Workshop bag

The significance of this bag lies in the brand that made it, the Loyal workshop. Their mission is to rescue women from the sex trade and train them with valuable skills and provide employment to them by selling these bags and other high quality leather goods.

‘Are we human’ design book

I recently purchased this book at the AGI conference because it caught my eye due to the beautifully simple binding, and interesting content. I have not had a chance to fully read it yet but look forward to stepping into another persons perspective on art and design.

Pens

Before I got into any form of digital art or design, I have always loved to draw.  It helps me when I can see and visualize things in a tangible way, which is why for this project I wanted to emulate the way I think by illustrating all my items and hung them up in a tangible 3D space. 

Paints

These are the paints I store in a shoebox to use every time I have a painting project. I collected them throughout my years doing paint in high school. They are close to my heart as part of my creativity.

Karangahape road perfume poster

The K road perfume is close to my heart because of it’s link to where I lived for the start of my university degree and it always reminds me of the fun times and also weirder and more dangerous times from K road. Also Sam Stutchbury and his work with and for Motion Sickness is inspiring to me

Plants 2

The first plant is the first plant I brought for myself, about half a year into my house plant collection. Others had been gifts of propagations and this one I paid for! (Shocking, I know)  My aunt runs a flower farm, and gave me the middle plant when I was in high school as a gift. The other rounder plant was a gift from my parents this year as they are finally fueling my plant obsession!