#so hopefully i'll start drawing regularly again

[gamebunny-advance]

NSR + OCs Doodle Dumps

Some bad sketches from before *that* happened.

Notes under the cut.

Puella Mayday: Mayday dressed as Madoka Kaname + Kliffby. Just a silly doodle. Don't expect anymore characters in the crossover.

UPA B2J: The pose is based on some official keyart (I think it's the boxart). I wanted to finish this, but I'm just not feeling it anymore.

E.G. Sketch: I couldn't remember what he looked like, so I tried to draw him again. It looks off.

Young Kliff: Another idea for a younger Kliff. It's a lot different from my earliest interpretations of that prompt. This version is based more on some early concept sketches of him. I imagine young!Kliff as someone who was drawn to rock because he found belonging in the subculture, so he took it pretty badly when his "home" essentially crumbled around him the same way his "real" home did.

System & White: System is a "character" in Desynchronized that I've alluded to several times (especially in the Headcanons series), but has never made a proper appearance. In short, System (aka Orca) is the literal system which controls the 1010s thought process without being filtered through their individual personality cores. As such, it doesn't technically have its own body and exists in every 1010. If I ever needed to show it visually, it would manifest as a black haired version of whichever 1010 it was currently possessing.

DDMC Redraw: I started a sketch of a redraw of my Doki Doki Mermaid Club title screen. I lost interest in it at some point. I think the composition could be a lot more interesting.

[The original piece]

Kun3h0's Eye: Originally for that poll about Kun3h0's eye, I was just going to use a base and draw all the different answers before I eventually decided to do a unique drawing for each. Some unused sketches included a tentacle, a glitch, an invert colored eye, and an alternate design for the bunny eye patch.

Kun3h0's Things: I was trying to fill the page with various things that are important to Kun3h0, but I never quite finished it. There are more things I could have added, but these are the things I drew:

The GAB Nano: Kun3h0's transformation trinket, storage device, and remote to contact GAB. It's capable of producing various things including power-ups, snacks, toys, etc., granted that Kun3h0 has enough "credits" to purchase them.

Various Keychains (GAB, UFO, Octopus, Strawberry, and Bead Chain): Rather than save her credits for more useful things, Kun3h0 has a habit of cashing in her credits for various trinkets and keychains. The sailor octopus is of course a reference to E.G. while the rest are either in-universe references or based on real keychains I own.

Alien Mascot: The mascot of Kun3h0's favorite discontinued soda brand: Cosmic Caffeinators

White Rabbit Batteries: Kun3h0's preferred brand of batteries. They're modeled after white rabbit milk candies, a childhood favorite of mine.

Cosmic Caffeinators (Raspberry flavor): A soda so unfit for human consumption that it works better as coolant fluid. This is the pink stuff that colors Kun3h0's ears. Despite supposedly being discontinued, this stuff is available in abundance at the arcade Kun3h0 works for.

Detective Floats: Revisiting an old concept for a soda themed OC. He used to run a soda fountain, but I've tried reimagining him as a private investigator from a Strawberry Shortcake-esque world who teams up with a demon slaying bounty hunter from a Doom-esque world. He's cute, but I'm not totally sold on this design. I've got too many string-bean characters (and he is in fact my proto-string bean, but he's since been displaced by the likes of Kun3h0 and The Prince Formerly Known as Frog), so I may experiment with his body type a little more down the line.

[genericpuff]

Hey puff you have a day job right? How do you keep the motivation/discipline to create comics regularly and be an active blogger?

I've mentioned this a few times before and generally try to be as transparent as possible as I can when it comes to my real life circumstances and how they affect - and allow - my comic production schedule, because when it comes right down to it, I'm in a very privileged position that allows me certain luxuries that other comic creators simply don't have. And I don't really like the idea of someone seeing what I do and like... thinking that's a bar they have to meet because it often comes with a complete misinterpretation of what circumstances I'm in that may vary extremely from their own. Y'all are seeing a tip of a very large iceberg, y'know?

I do have a day job, I work as a tattoo artist, however my schedule is very much my own to control and while that comes with a lot of pressure to find my own work, it also allows for me to have flexibility with my other projects. That said, I'm only able to be that flexible because when I'm making money, I'm making really decent money (and with far less hours than I would need to make my living if I was working in retail still) and when I'm not, I've got a partner who makes a more consistent living that may have a much smaller hourly than what I get hourly for tattooing, but is still a decent hourly compared to minimum wage that he's able to handle bills while I get back on my feet (and there have been tons of times where our situations have been reversed, where I've been making good money and he's been needing extra help; it's honestly kind of some cosmic prank, the two of us can never seem to be doing financially well at the same time lmao)

Right now, we're just starting to come out of a slow winter season, so I've had more time than ever to sink into my personal projects. It does get stressful at times having such inconsistent payouts through the ebbs and flows of tattooing, but I try to be at peace with those slow seasons because it allows me to work on my passion projects. Especially when I've got not one, not two, but three separate tattoo expos (so far) to do this summer, which is gonna be (hopefully) three separate 30 hour weekends of straight tattooing haha And while I say hopefully (because yay good money and good publicity!) it's also gonna be extremely stressful and exhausting so I'm trying not to take the slower season for granted, because I know I'll be wishing for it again when I'm in the midst of it. And that's not even including all the other events I have booked this year that are purely for vendoring (so unrelated to tattooing) that are also gonna be crazy.

That said, the past couple years have felt particularly hard, but I know it's because we're unfortunately in the midst of a massive economic recession that has seen people spending less on luxury things - and that includes tattoos. But my comics and other personal projects give me a great outlet for my ideas and thoughts, and while projects like Rekindled are unfortunately not something I feel comfortable monetizing, they are ultimately projects that bring me a lot of joy and I think that's the best I can ask for nowadays while I wait in the hopes that things get better soon in the real world.

As for getting that motivation/discipline, I don't really have one solid answer. The reality is just that I've been doing this for a long, long time, so not drawing comics feels like not doing any other established good habit. What you may feel wondering how I manage to work so long on a single comic project with such hefty updates is undoubtedly pretty close to what I feel wondering how the fuck people manage to go to the gym LOL It's taken a lot of routine building and repetition and it's as natural as breathing to me at this point, I just feel gross when I've gone a day without drawing comics in some form. That routine has helped me get better and faster at creating as well. When I started my first long-form comic series, I started out just drawing a page a day - often taking 3-4 weeks to complete a chapter - and by the time it was done 7 years later, I was putting out a chapter a week. And then that turned into 60-90 panels of full color art a week... nah, I don't recommend anyone do that on their own like I did, I can't even do that anymore and looking back I'm in shock how I was able to pull that off, and not in an amazed "why can't I do that anymore, I used to be so awesome!" way, but more in a "oh god why did I do that to myself, no wonder I'm burnt out" way.

And honestly that's kind of the reality of it, while I'm putting out consistent updates of Rekindled that are in full color and are - in my opinion - some of the best work I've put out in the last few years, I'm also struggling to rebuild habits with my original project because I've simply fallen out of practice. I'm one person responsible for all the work I've put out, and yet when it comes to looking at the projects I still have sitting on the backburner, I still feel a sort of internalized version of Person A looking at Person B and asking "how the hell do you do it???" just like you're asking me now lol I'm working on it though and trying to get back to it little by little, day by day. On rare occasions I actually get something productive done and make progress LOL

That said, none of it has come without consequences. I've spent the majority of my artistic journey working on the same project which I feel has severely stunted my outreach and set me back in my growth; after all, we only ever see and judge the merit of webcomic projects based on the 1% of people who got lucky and achieved some semblance of fame and recognition out of it, you never see the people who have spent years still picking away at the same project from the bottom with little to show for it besides the work that's going unseen. I've also already got way more back and hip pain than one should have by their late 20's and that's definitely a consequence of spending so many hours every single day working on comics. As much as I've built some great habits that have made my comics and art better, I've also ended up with some very bad ones that a lot of people don't see because all they see is the results from the good ones. So that's something that I hope I can at least warn people about, even as a reminder to stand up and stretch every now and then and get their proper amount of sleep LMAO

And then when it comes to the blogging... I'm an AuDHD person with a lot to say and I can type at 137/wpm. So that's all there is to that ♡( ◡‿◡ )

[mistressroxielove]

Heeeeeeeey guys

Sorry for the no posting for a few days, I wanted to give you guys an update of what I've been doing

So currently I'm kinda in the middle of moving, which is why I haven't had time to draw at the moment or post here for a minuet. But I should be fully moved in within a week or two so hopefully I'll be able to start posting here regularly again. Just to give you guys an idea of what I've been doing.

Basically I've been thinking more about my AU and thinking about the story and characters. And have realized the original designs I made don't really reflect the story I have in mind. So here's the finished outline of Hazel, Dev in both his usual attire and what he would look like if he could dress as he wants.

I've finished the design/sketches of Cosmo and Wanda (Human and Fairy form) and the new sketch of Peri and a brand new character~ Both fairy and human form. Once I finished drawing/coloring the design I'll start to tell more of the idea of my story and how my AU works.

Hopefully this will give you guys an idea of what's going on, sorry again for the no post but thank you all for being patient.

Have a lovely day~

Previous -

[annawayne]

Hi Anna!!!!! For the writer’s game: 25, 24, 12!

Hopefully nobody already asked these😭 have a wonderful day!!!

Hi Gaia!

Thank you a lot for asking all of it, and don't worry, even if I've already answered all of these questions, I would answer anyway!

12 a trope you’re really into right now

I've answered it here, but I can add also another thing: I'm not sure if it's a trope or not, but I'm really into the "healing together" plotline, where two (or more) characters go through emotional (and sometimes even physical) turmoil as a consequence of something traumatic happening in there life, and through all the hardships, the catheasis comes later - for their mutual work, for their belief and support of each other. I don't know if there's a special trope that describes it, but I really love such stories (and I try to write one with this "trope"...)

24 how do you recharge when you’re not feeling creative?

Its a really good question, and I think that one of the best thing that anyone could do in such situation when there's no creative spirit - is just to leave yourself alone and not bugging yourself. If I'm already in the state where I need rest and even if I'll push myself into writing (or drawing) nothing would work, and I would be only disappointed in myself and dissatisfied with the result - or the lack of it - and instead of just giving yourself so much needed rest, I would give myself even more negative emotions. So, it's still difficult for me not to feel the guilt, but I'm trying to step away and let myself rest. I usually just try to read something and go for a walk, or simply doing anything else - just not writing and drawing. After that needed "break", when I return, it's always more productive and more joyful.

25 besides writing, what are your other hobbies?

Oh, thank you for asking this! I guess, I can count here drawing as well, so beside these two essential parts in my life, it's also sport (I think we can count it?), precisely jogging. I'm really obsessed with comparative literature studies, and, let's say, studying in general - it's not really a "hobby" but it brings me a lot of joy, I focus primarily on literature, art, philosophy, history, and ethnic studies (there's more but let's stop on these ones :D).

I also really love baking, and here's some photos from the past (no new photos, but I think I should start taking photos again)

I'm also very into embroidery, but I have zero skills, but I already bought the hoops and threads, so I hope to start learning it too. I have a lo-o-o-ot of ideas and plans for it.

Well, this is what came to my mind firstly, and what I do regularly, so let's stop here :D

Thank you a lot for asking, and it was really nice to answer all of it! Wish you all the best and have a great day :3

writer's ask game in question

[azurityarts]

uhh hi again

update (and text wall) below

Hiya! It's been a bit ^^;; (wow i've completely forgotten how to do this sdhnfhndshnf)

So for those wondering where I've gone, I'm still here! There's just been a lot of stuff going on, ranging from personal health to familial issues to academic bullshit, and I guess I just decided to take a break from drawing? ><; Those issues have been present and stockpiling for a while now, as early as winter of last year (you can honestly see the visible drop in doodle quality); there was just a lot on my plate. The Daily Doodles really took a toll on my sleep and arm, and while I don't think either have gotten much better (not me typing this in the dead of night), I think I can do more now that exams are over! I doubt I'll be able to put out stuff at the same frequency like 2022 though.

For those wondering what's next, I'll still be here! o7 I've got plenty of stuff I'd like to start, get back to, and finish, but that barely does it justice. I've got a big problem with starting projects and abandoning them, but there's quite a few I'll be trying to get back to with what time I have (yes I still remember the Dusknoir post). Most direly though, would probably be the raffles? Yeah... those sorta went on pause as a result of what else I had going on, and I am. Seven overdue now?? shit man wtf where did you all come from o-o

In regards to the raffles though, I probably won't be able to organize seven of them things at the moment lol- I have another plan though! Which will hopefully be easier on everyone? Maybe. Idk about me LOL - it'll be reblogged from this post shortly!

oh yeah I also finished PSMD and no I was not and am not okay

TL;DR: It has been a Large Amount of Time since I've properly gotten back here as an active blog, and even longer since I've regularly drawn, but with finals over, hopefully I'll be more active?

[inventors-fair]

Limited Experiences, Archetypes, and How a Little Madness will Get You Nowhere or Everywhere

Folks, I don't play Arena and I don't have a MODO account. I've drawn tokens and borrowed dice. My experiences in MTG have been weird to say the least and I've been playing since before I needed to shave regularly. Which I still don't.

But part of Magic's versatility is the ability to go hog wild with the card that you pick as long as you're doing something fun. I draft a lot with my students when we can, and I get to see the kinds of decks that they play as well. Back in Shadows over Innistrad, I was fascinated with a student's Jeskai Aggro build; he's still playing at the LGS whenever he can, with a real job and everything. When we drafted Streets of New Capenna, one student played BW Elspeth and another swung Temur, of all things. You don't have to be normal about anything.

I'm far from normal in my constructed designs, so I'll admit to being caught by the bug; my competitive Pioneer decks are a homebrew Mono-White Weenies deck that still runs Brimaz, and a Mono-Red Skredless Skred Karnfires pile of nonsense that baffles the Spikes right before they beat me (or get Glorybringer'd). And yet, when I draft, normalcy abounds. The big cards are big, and the other cards are... Well, sometimes control works. Sometimes.

I'm going to go through the four most recent standard sets and talk about their archetypes, my experiences, and whether or not weirdness is permitted. Hopefully this will encourage you to go back and find a bit of weirdness yourself. Or not. But whatever you make for this week, it has to capture something that'll make us feel again. Don't let me down���but how can you? You're an Inventor.

Let's start most recently...

MARCH OF THE MACHINE

As many folks have heard me crow about already, I won our LGS's March of the Machine store championship. The deck was greedy, swingy, and the legends really tore the deck apart with their power level. Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite was and is a very powerful card. The limited archetypes were:

WU Knights

UB Instants/Sorceries/Recursion

BR Sacrifice

RG Battles

GW +1/+1 Counters

WB Incubate/Phyrexians

BG Incubate/Phyrexians

GU DFCs

UR Convoke

RW Backup

An abundance of mana-fixing ensured that the three/four/five-color decks could have fun on their own, and the wedge legends encouraged that as well if you could pick them up. The inclusion of Yarok and Atraxa were rare, but also pushed for a little bit of green-oriented power there.

As you can see, two archetypes (Battles & Backup) pushed for the newest set mechanics. Personally? I never tried them. Backup was best used wherever the aggro happened on its own, and Battles were better in the grindier colors and/or as bombs for other archetypes when necessary.

Grinding out fliers was usually the way to go. I don't have many fond memories of drafting this set, not in the same way I do with other sets. The mechanics were great, and Battles were surprisingly fun, but coming out on top felt less about who was the better player and more who could draw into the uninteractive over-the-top synergy first.

When things got good, things got GREAT. I stared down an amazing five-color Alara pile once that blew me out of the water, and knights had a heck of a time. But sealed... Sealed was amazing. Even the prerelease (which I missed winning by a hair) had amazing moments. The decks could pack all their iconic characteristics into one mashup and it felt like assembly of a monument, less haphazard and more genuinely epic. What does it say that a set feels more cohesive the less control you have over what you pick from it?

At least the Incubate mechanics were awesome all around. It synergized with Phyrexian typal, +1/+1 counters, and the transformation theme. I'd put Incubate as my favorite mechanic and archetype.

WEIRDNESS CONCLUSION: You had to get weird with this format, but even the weirdness didn't feel good because the biggest cards like Ghalta and Chandra performed regardless of their archetype. It was both cluttered and samey at the same time. Weirdness failed to find the good-feeling spot.

Best you could do was the five-color pile, and that relied on bomb support—not that you really had to ask for it.

PHYREXIA: ALL WILL BE ONE

This set was baller. It was fast. It was fun. It was interactive on the battlefield. Combat mattered immensely and topdecks felt radically tense. I had so much fun with this set. The archetypes were:

WU Artifacts Matter

UB Proliferate

BR Oil Sacrifice

RG Oil Aggro

GW Toxic Midrange

WB Mites/Tokens

BG Toxic Aggro

GU Proliferate

UR Noncreatures

RW Equipment

Out of all of these, the only archetype I saw eschewed was GW. My favorite deck I made was a four-color pile with Atraxa (hnnng, yet 2-1 overall) but I saw mono-red go undefeated one night as well. Two proliferate and two toxic archetypes meant there was a fair amount of love to be spread, yeah? But speed mattered a lot. Usually.

There was a night where I had the fastest BG deck possible, and only dropped a game where I missed four land drops in a row. But I won the match because the proliferation mattered when the toxic couldn't connect, and there was no way out. Battles were furious. People say that RB was the best archetype—or was it RG?—but just about everything could be done well. WU wasn't the most popular, and neither was UB, but both of them performed well.

Oil counters being the newest addition as do-nothing-but-synergize felt a little off at first, but when they worked, they worked immensely well, and they suited the environment in a way that I really didn't expect. You wanted to get them, use them, board them, and burn them. And don't get me started on the awesomeness of For Mirrodin! As a piece of noncreature-ish tech, the equipment archetype was more powerful than I had thought possible.

WEIRDNESS CONCLUSION: If you could do it right, you could do it well. 3-5 color decks had odd synergies but had stiff competition. This set didn't feel like it had quite the wiggle room for competitive oddities, but it felt good to perform with them all the same. Cunning mattered more.

Best you could do would probably be a control curve. A lack of sweepers meant true control was next to impossible, but you could eke it out.

THE BROTHER'S WAR

Out of all the disappointments, BRO was one of the most frustrating to contend with. Big stuff on top of big stuff only mattered when you could cheat it out or go fast enough that it hardly made a difference when you killed someone. Forgone conclusions were just that. The archetypes were:

WU Soldiers

UB "Draw Two"

BR Sacrifice

RG Powerstone Aggro

GW Artifact ETB

WB Small Soldiers

BG Self-Mill

GU Big Robots

UR Noncreatures

RW Aggro

Go fast or go home. When games got grindy, everyone went to time, and then everyone who drafted red got to sit around and watch them before winning the event. There were, on occasion, odd decks that managed to eke out victories, but the archetypes felt more or less directionless.

Soldiers had to be committed to so early that, if you didn't draw a bomb P1P1, you were done for. Powerstones felt good and versatile all around, but they were primarily sacrifice fodder and on occasion used in combat for tricks that would get lethal anyway. People would hate out the RB deck for that alone, and then whoever got the red bombs or the ramp would come out on top. Removal felt decent. Blue was a strange fiend where practically none of the archetypes felt supported, but WU worked if you just went for straight midrange. Urza's rare card in particular was stellar.

Drafting a curve was useless unless you built specifically to go against the decks that were going faster than you. The bonus sheet as well was...interesting. Quicksilver Amulet was particularly strong if you could find it. But even Wurmcoil Engine was slow. Sometimes you got to go nuts with Bone Saw. Most often, they slotted in, but didn't change much unless they hit the other singularly good card in your deck.

WEIRDNESS CONCLUSION: I watched my Students play with this one. One of them assembled the Workers in his deck and only lost one match. But RG aggro got there because the kids drafting RB weren't quite ready to go nuts. I was surprised at some of the expertise and not at all surprised at the others. With the LGS, nobody particularly liked the set because of the imbalance.

Best you could do probably WOULD be the Workers deck, unless you had some kind of combo. To get true jank, you'd have to board specifically against the best decks.

DOMINARIA UNITED

This is how you can make weirdness work. You know how in Khans of Tarkir, the lifegain lands made all the difference? But in March of the Machine, they muddled the waters? Well... Anyway, here are the archetypes:

WU Instants/Sorcery Midrange

UB Instant/Sorcery Control

BR Death/Sacrifice Aggro

RG Domain Beats

GW Tokens

WB Aristocrats

BG Graveyard Matters

GU Domain Ramp

UR Instant/Sorcery Aggro

RW Enlist Aggro

Fast and furious? It would seem so, but there was enough countermagic, removal, and interruption in this set to give it a strong back-and-forth. Even lifegain mattered immensely! My favorite deck I made was an incredible Sultai control build, but I got blown out on other nights with other fantastic decks, and in general? We had so much fun trying to be weird. That Sultai deck was splashing for the Domain lands, and that's where the fun happened.

The aggro was often offset by the other colors having big durdly butts and toughness that could match it, plus draw power on the side. Splashing was vital unless your game plan was tuned precisely. Equipment mattered, and every draw got you closer. Searching was fun and made for difficult choices. Domain was always relevant, always.

In every color combination, you could make something relevant, and if things went wrong, that was okay. Off-color kicker still felt great to build a powerful deck around. Removal felt like it had to be used at the right time, and it could turn the tide of battle with effort yet. Sometimes white felt a little weak, until it flew through the air and smacked the crap out of you. And if someone got a solid defenders deck, they were on cloud nine.

The format allowed for decks to slow down the field enough for interaction to happen, and the fast decks got their day in the sun all the time. Balance and options without too many cards and without a push towards bombastic setpieces meant that synergy could prosper. Yes, even with Sheoldred in the set.

WEIRDNESS FACTOR: If you could dream it, you could do it. The set punished spreading yourself too thin without support, but the support that it gave allowed for weird stuff to manifest quite well.

There's no limit to the best you could do: Abzan sacrifice, five-color goodstuff, Legendary typal, Jeskai spellslinging (that happened a fair amount actually), Bant control... It was awesome.

But these were just my experiences and my observations. On Arena, the same draft rules hardly apply. On MODO, the player base is much different. And of course, every LGS has its player base who plays differently.

What were your best limited experiences? What's the set where you felt the most powerful weirdness, and how do you want to bring that to your card this week?

With love, @abelzumi

[recurring-polynya]

Writing/Art Update 1/24/2023

Well, I had my break. Mostly, what I did was download a new phone game where you run a restaurant, and wasted an enormous amount of time on that. No regrets.

I said last week was my break, but it's not really a break because I'm trying hard to only do stuff when I feel like it. I did start a new art piece which is going...slowly. It's going slowly because I'm taking my time, though, and I spent a million years on hands.

I would like to write, and I have two different things I am enthusiastic about working on, but unfortunately, if I sit down and try to write, my head just goes completely empty. This happens sometimes. Hopefully it will pass. It usually does. I've been trying to take care of other chores in the meantime, so that if my inspiration eventually returns, I'll be able to take advantage of it.

I've been trying to re-read some of the older parts of Heart is a Muscle, in preparation for writing a new part. I used to really like re-reading my writing, but I haven't been feeling it, to be honest. In art, there's a thing where your eye improves at a different rate than your hand, so sometimes, all of sudden, everything you draw looks like shit, but it's because you've leveled up in the ability to perceive art, not because you've gotten worse. I don't really ever think about myself as getting better at writing. I am a lazy writer and I do what I want, and I do not strive to improve my craft. I think I maybe have improved (or maybe just changed?) over the last three years, though, which is why my old writing feels so crusty. It's also possible that I'm just sick of my own voice. Kinda surprising it took that long to happen, tbh.

In other news, my aluminum plant cuttings have been growing roots! I'm so proud of them! I might repot them soon, and try to take some cuttings from my fittonia, and possibly my daughter's peperomia (because I want one). She's going on this houseplant journey with me, plus her room has some of the best light in the house. She took one of the pups her paddle plant made to school and gave it to her teacher. 😭😭😭 You have to understand that this is possibly the first time either of my children has had any interest in the things I care about. It's nice.

I made a sourdough bread today that was significantly better than last week's sourdough. I did make the mistake of proofing it in the oven, because the house was cold. I guess it was still a little too hot (I had heated it up to as low as it could go, and then turned it off again), or I should have spritzed my loaf with oil instead of water, or maybe just re-spritzed it every ten minutes or so, but the dough dried out a little and formed a skin, which meant that it couldn't rise and caramelize properly when I baked it. It was pretty ugly, but it tasted good and was very soft and squishy on the inside. The children, apparently, really like the dense, gluey rock I baked last week; they said both loaves were equally good. Whatever, my tasteless children.

I have been trying to keep my sourdough starter fed more regularly, so I've been looking for more things to do with discard (I already do pizza, pretzels, waffles, English muffins, and bagels). This week was sourdough morning glory muffins, which were very good, as morning glory muffins go (Mr. P loves morning glory muffins). It looks like that blog has lots of good discard recipes, so I may try out some more of them.

I guess that about covers it for this week. Will I do anything next week? We'll see!

[cryptidtumbleweed]

Just a general update because I am ✨️struggling✨️ with Tumblr these days.

I had a talk with a friend and have decided that although I have oc blogs that are... dead lmao, I'm probably going to start posting more oc content here. I just haven't been able to make fandom art for a while now without it being at least somehow oc-related and atm I just don't have the motivation for fandom art. I'll obviously post it if I make something I like enough, but for now that's just not working. I've been a lot more oc focused with my art for months now and I think it's better to just... go with it than try to force fanart out of myself.

I know this blog's been built on fandom related stuff so I totally get people not wanting to follow my oc stuff. For now it's just for my own good to focus on what I line drawing instead of trying to squeeze a Jedtavius or Lumity art piece out of myself (trust me, I've tried.)

So yeah nothing drastic going on just changing stuff around a bit! Hopefully I'll start posting art soon again regularly, I might drop a few older drawings to show process/introduce characters first!

For any mutuals still sticking around, feel free to DM, I'd love to catch up with y'all! Sorry for basically disappearing off the app and ghosting y'all... my bad :')

[algolagnicalchemist]

Hi there!

I just wanna start by saying since you mentioned you've made jars before, i recognize some of what I suggest or explain may be known to you already - I just have a tendency to be thorough so others starting with less experience and info can learn when searching tags later.

This is kind of my process in deciding how to put jars etc. together, and hopefully it helps folks get an idea of what to try, or figure out how they could begin researching their practice to see what they want to do instead! For me this helps me decide more easily than just looking at lists of things associated with the holiday.

Since Ostara marks the Spring Equinox, a time of fertility, growth, and new beginnings, a lot of the associations we still see today make sense, and you can feel free to utilize them if you choose. i swear these few history paragraphs have a purpose in my suggestions that come next! 😂

Hares and rabbits have been considered symbols of fertility, abundance, and prosperity quite widely across cultures, including Celtic, Chinese, Greek, and Egyptian spiritual or cultural practices.

In the same vein, consider the egg: Roman worship to Ceres, the Goddess of agriculture, is one of the reasons eggs are a sacred symbol around the equinox across religions. Decoration of eggs have traditionally been used for equinox celeebrations from the pysanka of Ukraine to the Nowruz decorations in Ancient Persia.

Not that you should let one rot in the jar - instead, consider anything symbolically similar to an egg for you, something that's appropriate for how you'll dispose of the jar at the end of the holiday, the length of this cycle, or something else that feels right.

If you're a history nerd like me, I like to consider these things when I'm creating items for my practice, like a spell jar or a decoration. Personally I approach Ostara as a religious polytheist, so I love to delve into the roots of sabbats like this to consider who, what, and where the energies/spirits we're worshipping this time of the year come from. I often choose the most appropriate iteration/syncretization that resonates with me and isn't closed to my culture when i consider the beings I wish to revere, and I make sure to think about how I want this symbolic time to apply in *my* life, too.

Now here's how I use these factors to decide what I want in my jar:

Bringing even a little doodle of a rabbit into my jar is my way of helping me appease whatever powers I wish to hail - I'll be doing a lot of hard work this year, which makes me more inclined to invoke the hare of Artemis rather than the rabbit (whose association to Aphrodite could be perceived as more about love and marriage, which is what I absolutely CAN'T spend time focusing on this year!) Ergo, I know I'd like my rabbit drawing to portray a hare to reach out to Artemis. In my line of worship, she is often the youngest aspect of Hekate/the Triple Goddess, and I'm being led by Hekate quite regularly these days, so it's important to me to take the time to revere the spirit of this youthful experience I'm about to have.

i've been nonbinary for ages but my tmasc and egg just cracked, so my portrayal of the egg in my altar/jar will be a clean, broken eggshell. Maybe I'll put my little hare doodle so it looks like it's emerging from the egg and some dirt at the top of my jar.

Our agricultural ancestors were preparing and planting their harvest at this time. It's a time of new birth - I'll put the first bloom of spring on my altar to celebrate, and perhaps pick some smaller blossoms to put into the jar.

Since new beginnings are an emphasis of Ostara and perfect for where I am in life now too, that's also what i'll focus on with my crystals for this: aquamarine, moonstone, green adventurine, amazonite, malachite, pyrite, calcite, tigerseye, and a golden healer quartz. My choices here are, again, based on being into rocks, lol - I want the protection and direction and courage of tigerseye, the labradorite to transform my old energy and help me persevere and stay open. Malachite to bond me with my intentions and nurture my heart as I manifest abundant beginnings, amazonite to help me find the courage to surrender, and green adventurine to make me aware of the things I've outgrown now. The Spring Equinox is a perfect time to connect with what many of us refer to as the "Divine Feminine," and that's what moonstone does for me, connecting me to Artemis and the goals I set this Ostara to the moon, (which I use to track my goals and to-dos anyway)

I have an array of SMART goals for my new journey and upcoming year - I'll write these on slips of paper or something biodegradable and add them to my jar.

Since Artemis is a protector of the downtrodden, women, and children, I want to evoke these things too. If I weren't currently digging out of debt I'd donate a sum to a related charity, especially those for IPV (a cause I'm personally passionate about and linked with) and even add the receipt to the jar. I'll certainly be expressing my gratitude for her protection in my own adventures past in prayer, even if I don't have a receipt to show it.

Since she's a Goddess of Light and the moon, I'll likely seal this jar and burn a white candle on top of it while I reflect on my gratitudes, prayers, and intentions for the coming cycle.

For a floral, herbal, and aromatic components inside my jar, I'll seek out things like honeysuckle, lemon verbena, jasmine, bay laurel, thyme, and yarrow for their herbal, seasonal, and deity correspondences.

if you really wanna go the extra mile with this jar, consider making the jar a self-sustaining terrarium you set up to watch it grow with your intentions, or perhaps even put some more enduring things like crystals and natural items at the bottom of the jar beneath a thick layer of soil that will support a plant's rooting. (I wouldn't put any crystals that can't handle water in this, though.)

There's no more literal tracking of setting intentions, planting the seeds, nurturing, and watching them grow than caring for a plant yourself.

Could anyone give me ideas for Ostara or spring-related spell jar ingredients? I haven’t made a jar in a long time and I could use some encouragement ☘️

[rhysintherain]

Saints and Zealots Bleed the Same: Kinda Sorta Official Launch

Ellie’s world is full of darkness, and all that stands between unaware mortals and the monsters that feed on them is the Congregation of the Body and the Blood of Christ. Since her 18th birthday, Ellie has been fighting these monsters, killing the immortal creatures known as “deathless” to protect humanity and free the trapped souls of the corrupted. Unfortunately, as the end times draw near and secular society falls further from God, the forces of the Congregation are stretched thinner, making their job more dangerous.

Sent on a solo mission to take down a cult of immortal heretics, Ellie accepts help from a risky source: a coalition of local deathless, looking to rid their community of the cult and their leader once and for all. With few options and dangerous odds, Ellie is left with no choice but to team up with Avery Jones, a self-proclaimed killer of Congregation soldiers with an all-consuming hatred for the cult’s leader.

But as she works more closely with Avery, Ellie starts to wonder if everything she has been told about the deathless is true. In spite of her disdain for the Congregation, Avery is far more human than Ellie was led to believe. As the true motives of both the Children of Dawn and the Congregation of the Body and the Blood come into focus, Ellie is forced to reckon with the tactics her own church and an insidious cult share, and realise she may have more in common with a soulless killer than she would like to admit.

Where is the line between faith and fanaticism? What is it that really makes monsters? How can we tell if the people we follow have our best interests at heart, or if we're just pawns in their own self-serving plans? Asking these questions puts Ellie in a dangerous position, but it might be her only way forward.

Coming soon and TOTALLY FREE!

Chapters will be released as they pass muster, but I'll aim for at least one a month, ideally one a week.

For the moment I'm using Wattpad, but if anybody has a better recommendation let me know. Link to story will show up shortly.

So check it out if you're looking for a new take on vampire stories, featuring actual adult protagonists, most of them queer, and a lot of (hopefully) new interpretations of classic themes in the genre.

I made a cover so it feels more real, and motivates me to work on it regularly. And because it looks cool.

Content warnings under the cut, for those interested but not sure what to watch for.

Content Warnings

Blood. It’s a vampire story, there is SO much blood.

Religious abuse. It’s also a story about cults.

Physical abuse. Mostly approached from survivors’ perspectives.

Emotional/psychological abuse. Ditto.

Gaslighting.

Violence. They’re hunting vampires, guys.

Needles.

Misogyny, mostly of the fundamentalist religious variety.

Homophobia, also of the fundamentalist religious variety.

Drug use, but not really until book two. Heads up.

Kidnapping. Any more detail would be a spoiler, but just know it’s there

Abusive relationships involving minors, but not until book two.

Death. Discussion of it more than "on-screen" character deaths, but again, this is a vampire story. It's there.

Lots of kinda triggering christianese, so if you came out of one of this type of cults, be aware it’s there, and pretty prevalent in the first book.

Things you can trust WON'T be there:

Sexual assault

Animal abuse

Overt racism (although there is some mention of growing up as a racial minority in a very white community)

Glorification of any kind of abuse. This story is about recovering from trauma, not causing it.

Transphobia. This isn't a story with a lot of trans content, but we're still here for it.

[tangerinegod]

Hello! I am sorry to bother you but I am a senior getting ready for college this year. I am in the US and I wanted to major in the same thing you did, do you have any possible tips for me? I still haven't even looked for colleges that would be best for animation majors so I figured if you were up to giving out any tips/saying any basic ideas if you wanted to/if you had the time to then maybe I'll have a better idea! I apologise for if I sound weird! I'm tried to word it correctly but I can't 😿

hi!! i’m totally down to share my experiences! someone else also had some questions so i’m going to put them all together in this post haha, hopefully this helps! it’ll get pretty long so apologies ahead of time but art school is a lot to think about so i wanna be as helpful as i can around it, its a lot of time and money. I’m gonna put it all under a read more cus it is really really long!

i wanna start off with the fact that I had the privilege of attending school in a financially stable environment, my parents were/are really supportive so w merit scholarship i only came out with around 20-30k in debt and i also had housing support my entire time in school. they were ok with me focusing on academics so i didn’t hold a retail job unless i was out of school like summer/winter break. Ofc though i regularly take commissions/do merch/cons to try and pay for all bills that arent rent cus i did want to be financially independent where it was possible. I also did try and work during the semester but everytime i did my body would deff start to breakdown from the fact that i didnt wanna compromise schoolwork with jobs.. so just read ahead know this experience is from a student who was able to attend focusing only on school work for most of the time!

the biggest thing is knowing art school is not required to become a professional in either freelancing or industry! there are a huuuge amount of online tools and classes these days that provide the exact same education and for cheaper too. i think it depends on what experience you prefer/can handle/want but it’s definitely possible to make art/animation art your living without higher education. the thing that college will for sure give you though is the ability to meet deadlines, work even when you dont want to, and connections with peers+teachers. i think the connections part is invaluable because you’re basically coming out with a network of people you already know and who know you! 

also its good to know if you want to attend/can handle art school! it’s a lot of time and energy and students get burned out really fast. the best piece of advice i got before going was ‘if you draw every single day, even if its for only like 5-10 minutes or a doodle for a whole year you should be fine’ consistency is super key because you’re attending school to draw, and you’ll have to create work for stuff you aren’t excited for at some point or another. burnout is extremely real and the only reason i didn’t experience it was probably because i got super into drawing naruto fanart again inbetween sophomore and junior year! it helped give me something to draw seperated from school which is the only thing i was drawing for since i had entered rip. a heads up id also consider myself a workaholic so i fit in ok with the ‘art school’ environment but it is suuper unhealthy. if you are fantastic at managing your schedule then it’s definitely possible to take care of yourself! freshman year i got 8 hours a sleep a night and only pulled all nighters for some second semester finals at the end. sophomore year + up though i ended up prioritizing hw over sleep and like for sure, definitely shortened my life span. there’s another q down below where i’ll go more into detail but ya, be careful w ur work balance!

another tip especially for animation is knowing for a fact what type of animation you’re looking to go into, and what the school is offering. I didn’t think i’d get into art school at the time so i only applied to two places + decided if i didnt get into either id attend community to get credits out of the way while building portfolio. honestly? i did not do a lot of research LOL but like i did end up having the chance to tour and stuff! just know that each school will have a very different curriculum. The main differences are schools that prioritize 3D (cg animation, cg modeling, ect) and 2D/traditional (hand drawn, ‘oldschool’, digital or traditional based) this is a huge difference so make sure you do research for it! in most cases a 2D/traditional program will also offer 3D since it’s at the forefront of the industry animation wise rn. My school taught 2D but like hand drawn on physical paper 2D, frame by frame. while it was a good experience it’s super outdated because digital tools make it way faster + easier! i’d recommend looking for a program that is digital 2D over traditional 2D. 

if after your senior year covid is still affecting campuses in the US to keep them shut down i’d recommend attending a community college to get credits and then transferring into school. one of the negatives is paying money for gened classes when ur not there for them; if you can get them out of the way sooner and cheaper there is absolutely no negative + you could graduate earlier or use the extra time for better work or to work a job! 

these are all the general tips i think i’d give on like a broad basis of attending or not to think about? let me know if u have more q’s! someone asked q’s im answering below that go more into personal experiences + work culture so heres those:

- how many hours a week do u spend studying, in class, otherwise making art? like how much of ur life does it consume?

I was basically working on art.... 24/7! since i wasnt working a job at the same time i crammed as many credits as possible into my schedule so on avg i did 18 credit semesters (around 6 classes) art classes go for 6 hours and non art go for 3, so i’d spent around 30-35 hours in class a week! hw wise it varied on the class but combined it would be around 35-50 hours a week... im guessing? on average studio classes would have 8-10 hours of hw, maybe 5 for a light week, and gened classes 5 hours w them all combined. or this was probably how things were before junior year? junior+senior year i had thesis + everything else ontop.. i’d spend around 30-40 hours on thesis a week with other classes ontop of that bc my film was super long cus im a dummy! 

- is it hard going to art school n realising that altho u were probably quite talented… so is everyone else? Like. all of a sudden. ur not special and everyone seems as good as u, you know? More generally, how do u deal with comparison?

kinda?? i think instead of the idea of like you vs others it feels more of like a competition at first to be the best. this varies hugely on school culture though; my animation year was really friendly with each other and get along extremely well, so my answer to this is v different than some others who attended different schools. i think that the idea of ‘comparison’ only lasts a portion of the first year because at some point you realize that it’s not a who’s better as much as its a ‘these are my coworkers’ type thing? like healthy competition 100% because we’re all working to improve but i think most of us learned pretty early on that viewing each other as peers going into the same workforce helped a lot. also at some point everyone develops their own style/starts to develop their artistic preferences so there isn’t a way to compare whos 'better’ anymore? i dont think there ever is tbh because style is appealing based off of an individuals preferences. If anything realizing everyone else is also amazing makes you wanna work harder ig? or thats how i felt! it’s inspiring to be surrounded by so many people who create such amazing work. 

- is there a lot of workaholic culture? all nighter culture?

100000% there can be a workaholic and all nighter culture. i know people who avoided it and thats honestly fantastic because i fall super easily into that pit. sometimes i’ll pull all nighters on a personal project just because i really want to finish it... i am definitely considered a workaholic all the way through and its not healthy rip... i’d estimate at the worst i was pulling 2-3 all nighters a week and only 4-5 hours of sleep on the nights i didn’t? that was only for one year tho, after that i was like yeah ok this is really bad for my health in the long run LOL so i tried to cut it down to one all nighter a week and around 5-6 hours of sleep the rest of the week! by senior year my decision to cram in full semesters paid off and i was able to consistently get around 7 hours of sleep a night + no all nighters minus finals since my schedule was lighter despite thesis 😭 while there is that culture i don’t think people view it as like a badge of honor or something to be proud of anymore which is good, we mostly view it as a flaw of the art school system and something that needs to be fixed!!

- are you glad u did it? how did u know it was what u wanted?

i am glad i did it! i’m definitely in a limbo right now of if it was worth both my time, money, and my parents money rip but i think with what i got out of it i definitely wouldn’t be as far skill wise or knowledge wise when it comes to the art industry. i would say it was only worth it for be because i had so much support going in though so i was able to focus so much on improving. if i had only been able to put in part of the effort and not make full use of the resources provided i would honestly have a different answer.. 

i knew it was what i wanted when i realized i really couldn’t see myself pursuing a different profession happily! despite all the bumps and stuff im fully in love with drawing still and feel honored that it’s a field that can provide a living. my second profession choice was to go into culinary school? and third option i think going was into music cus i was also a band kid hehe.  

- how do u cope with ur hobby becoming ur job? how do u deal with art going from something u do for fun to something u do on command constantly?

i think seperating work art from personal art is important! in my case im doubling naruto into being personal work so i have something to fall back onto that isn’t work related. its been a hyperfixation for 12+ years? so drawing it at this point is just like personal art imo. some people have hobbies outside of art and only draw for their job! i think after attending classes for so long the idea of hobby turning into job feels extremely natural? also i enjoy doing it so thats a huge plus! 

sorry this is SO long but i hope i answered your guys’ questions! if you have more just lmk!

[mamascauldron]

Waking Witchblr: Maker's Monday

@wakingwitchblr

It has been a long while since I've arted regularly...like. A decade. I was going to post some of my mini paintings (I might, still, later) but decided instead to share my current project: my Book of Wisdom inside cover page.

I managed to start the inking process for my Book of Wisdom (grimoire/book of shadows) while the baby slept in her stroller outside for a little bit. I'm hoping this continues...nicer weather and her napping outside. I'll be able to draw more/again. Here are some progress pics:

As much as I enjoy inking an illustration, I love coloring more. I'm thinking the safest bet is to use color pencils and/or ink pens, maybe with a pop of acrylic paint. I'm not so sure my pen wouldn't blur with watercolors.

Anyway, everything in the design as a very intentional meaning to me, my philosophy, and my practice.

Hopefully, you all can recognize the plants in the cauldron!

Thanks for letting me share this with you. ❤ I haven't called myself an artist in a long time and it's a bit embarrssing.

[three-lionesses]

SBC - USA 🇺🇸 Vs England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 : Pre Match Analysis

New year, new England right? That definitely seems to be the plan but as it's England we are talking about - who knows?

Since the teams last met, the USA have won the World Cup, the CONCAF Cup, their last 11 matches and qualified for the Olympics. England on the other hand , welllll 😬 it hasn't exactly been plain sailing winning just 2 of their last 7 matches since facing the Americans. However, there's no need to start blasting star spangled banner just yet.

The FAWSL has been in full swing with the majority of Lionesses players getting regular game time compared to their US counterparts who have been in pre season and their only real main action was Concaf with teams that seemed to barely trouble the US.

Parris and Greenwood have been playing regularly for Lyon and we can only hope that they have been positively influenced by their worlc class teammates. Parris has been decent infront of goal netting a total of three goals.

However, the real person to look to for goals will be Bethany England. She is the joint top scorer in the FAWSL with 14 goals to her name and has recorded 4 assists meaning she trails Miedema by 4. England has proved to be a big game player delivering superb goals against top teams like Man City in crucial moments. Her ability to have excellent long ranged shots will be invaluable against teams like the US being able to test Naeher from range.

The introduction of the young players like Patten, McIver, Fisk and Co will hopefully create a new atmosphere around camp and be a good learning opportunity for both young and old with Euro 2021 in the back of everyone's mind. Personally, the most exciting new player is Chloe Kelly who currently has 9 goals and 1 assist who will definitely add a new edge to the England attack.

Obviously, two major names are missing from the squad. Bronze and Mead. Two very influential players who are very important in the attacking build-up. Mead provided a vital link between attack and defence and strengthened the left wing whereas Bronze dominated the field and her ability to charge down the right will be missed (for now, she's only injured guys they'll both be back soon ahaha). This leads me to question whether the style of play will be changed from England's normal use of the wings as two of their vital buildup players on either side of the pitch are missing and I don't believe anyone has the capability to fill the hole they've left so MAYBE tactics have been altered but then again it's Neville so 🤷‍♀️.

It's hard to predict a starting lineup.

Potentially it will be :

GK: Telford - Neville loves experience even though I'd prefer Roebuck as she's been getting decent game time however has just recovered from a recent injury

DEF: Daly, Houghton, Bright and Greenwood - So obviously no Bronze so I'd imagine Daly will be RB. Neville will unfortunately go for experience so that means a Bright/Houghton CB pairing. I'd prefer a Williamson/Bright pairing but Neville will stick with our captain and hopefully Bright will play to the standards she's been performing to at Chelsea. Not going to get started on Houghton l, I'll give her the benefit of the doubt for now as she was okay in the Chelsea game. I think Greenwood potentially at LB.

MID - Nobbs, Walsh, Scott - Once again, experience 🤷‍♀️ Players like Hemp, Stanway or Staniforth could be a sub later on in the match. Nobbs will provide a good linkup between attack and defence. Walsh will be more of a defensive mid whilst Jill, bless her hasn't got the edge she used to in international games so let's hope she steps up abit.

ATT- Parris, White, Duggan - I would love to see Beth England start however it'll most likely be White. Duggan and Parris on the wings to enable the use of the wide areas however I think it'd be better to go 4-4-2 and play England and White together up top.

So the result. I think it'll be a draw or narrow US win. However in last SBC, the USA were not in top form and didn't play as well as they could so who knows what could happen 🤷‍♀️

(A/N: So I'm back with another one of these - waheyy 😎👉👉. Hope(not hoeo🤦‍♀️) you all thought my ramblings weren't a complete mess. Let me know your thoughts! Hope you all enjoy the game 😁)

[shipersanonymous]

One Hit West

Chapter 2/?

Note:

Apologies for the delay. I'm trying to develop different works simultaneously and things slip from my grasp at times but I'm working on a schedule so hopefully I'll be able to update more regularly from now on.

This is a very subtle chapter (emotion wise) cause I'm planing on packing quite a bit of information into the next one. Hope we're all fans of dramatic irony cause this fic is about to have you hating me. 😂💜

Enjoy 😍

XOXO

****** Cliffhanger Warning ******

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

[Barry]

“Mind if I join you Mr. Allen?”

Her breath caresses his ear and Barry freezes mid twiddle. The chip he had been playing with slips from his grasp and clatters onto the table just as the ball bounces into its final destination on the wheel. The crowd around cheers, celebrating yet another of his victories but Barry is much too shocked to react.

“What luck,” She mewls, settling down on the chair beside him. The ghostly voice of affairs past sends shivers down his spine and he suddenly loses track of where he is. As he looks over at the lean legs crossed beside him he swallows down the knot forming in his throat, a distant memory fluttering to the surface.

Those same legs wrapped around his naked body as he looked up into brown cesspool eyes that burned with a lust filled glow. His surroundings grow hot as his body comes to life with the memory of the silk smoothness of her skin. The gentle teasing of her touch. The searing hunger of her kiss.

Barry tries, to no avail, to find the courage to look up at her face as a subtle pang begins to prick at his heart. It burns from a distance hurting more and more the closer it gets. Just before it breaks through and consumes him completely, she rests her dainty hand over his heart and the burn seems to die out, replaced with a fire of a different kind. Somehow it doesn’t come as a surprise that after all this time his body still has this strong a reaction to her. He’s been faithful to her despite the fact that they are no longer an item. He can’t bring himself to find love in another woman’s arms. To lose himself in eyes that aren’t hers. To explore the secrets of a body that doesn’t belong to her. Heartache or not, he loves her and the distance has only made his heart (and other body parts) grow fonder.

“Wanna get out of here?” she whispers into his ear and his heart nearly leaps out of his chest. The sound of her voice drips like water on his deserted body, reviving a part of him that died in his youth. He thought he’d never hear her voice again and now he doesn’t want it to go away. It’s all he can do to close his eyes and nod. His nose recognises the scent of her perfume, further reactivating a part of him that has been dormant for almost six years. A kiss lands on his cheek, the feel of her soft lips on his skin resembling the feeling of returning home.

“Iris,” her name rolls off his tongue for the first time in six years. It feels like singing to an old song he used to love.

“Come with me – Barry,” She whispers and a chill runs through him at the sound of his name on her voice. He nods, unable to speak but just before he stands he feels a sharp pain on his cheek. His hand flies to his face instinctively and his fingers come back bloody.

“Shit,” Iris curses under her breath before slipping off her heels and grabbing onto his hand.

“We need to go! Now!”

Before Barry can register what’s happening her arm is interlocked with his and she’s pulling him up from his seat.

“Wha-wha. What’s going on?” he stutters as she holds him tightly and leans in to him.

“Get ready to run,” She whispers but before he can ask her why she unearths a pistol from her clutch bag and fires one warning shot into the air. A stampede ensues and she yells:

“Run!”

Her hand finds his in the scuffle and they take off, heading for the exits.

“West!” A familiar voice behind them yells but Iris barely flinches as she leads them through the hysteric crowd. They make it into the parking lot and she looks around frantic then announces:

“I think we lost them.” She zips her head towards him and demands:

“Where’s your car?”

“Iris, what’s going on?” he asks between breaths. His emotions are running from nervous to happy to scared shitless, all within the same space of time.

“Barry we have no time for this right now. Where is your car?!” She insists with urgency and he takes out his keys and presses one of the three buttons on the remote. The sound of a car alarm being deactivated rings out through the space and seconds later a red Audi in mint condition breaks in front of them. She eye’s the vehicle in shock and a prideful grin spreads over Barry’s lips as he opens the passenger’s side door for her and says:

“After you.”

The shock melts from her features and the rigid determination takes over so naturally that he finds it almost disconcerting. Quick as a humming bird, she snatches the keys from him and walks around to the other side declaring:

“I’m driving.”

This time it’s Barry’s eyes that widen, though less in shock and more in fear.

“I – I’m not sure that’s s-such a good idea.” He advises but she gets in anyway and starts adjusting the seat.

“Iris, I really think you should let me…”

“Iris!” the same voice from before cuts his statement short and this time he recognises it all too well.

“Joe?” he asks dumbfounded, turning around to make sure his ears aren’t deceiving him. Low and behold Joe West is running towards them with a gun aimed straight at Barry’s head.

“Get in!” Iris yells as she starts the car and Barry obeys without hesitation. As soon as he slams his door shut she puts the car into drive and steps on the gas. She manoeuvres her way around the parking lot with the ease of a professional racer and Barry has to close his eyes to concentrate on not letting his heart jump out of his mouth. As soon as they reach the road she increases her velocity, meandering through the late night city traffic without breaking a sweat, the only sign of her effort being the crease of concentration on her brow.

Iris drives on like a speed demon till they turn off into the highway where she slows it down an insignificant notch.

“You can open your eyes now,” She says but Barry shakes his head in refusal.

“I’m not ready to look death in the eyes just yet.” He breathes out tremulously and she chuckles, almost disdainfully. Despite the stand-offish nature of the sound, it seems soft on his ears and excites him enough that he opens his eyes and stares at her, his fear completely forgotten.

“Hate to break it to yah Allen, but you just did.” She points out with an unconvincing smile.

“Um, yeah come to think of it… Why was your dad trying to kill me?” he asks, confusion making his voice climb a few octaves.

“I don’t know.” She responds curtly, the tension noticeable in her posture.

“But you knew that he was coming to kill me?” he asks the obvious.

“Yes.” Is her cold reply.

“Then how do you not know why?” he presses.

“I just don’t.” She responds, her tone still even.

“So…” he swallows, afraid of what he has to ask next.

“Why did you save me?”

Silence.

“I mean not that I’m not grateful or anything. But what if he had a motive? What if I were like a really bad guy and put a lot of people in danger?” he hurries to fill the sound gap, tripping over his words that sound unconvincing even to his own ears. Still, she doesn’t answer.

Iris keeps her eyes trained on the road ahead, her lips pressed into a thin line almost as if she’s containing herself. Trying to keep a restless secret in. Barry’s heart sinks. Hopeless as it may be, he still held on to a sliver of hope that a reunion was underway. That she would pull up someplace in the middle of no where and tell him that she made a mistake six years ago.

That she still loves him.

It might seem pathetic but he’d hold her then. He’d take her into his arms and kiss her so deeply he’d take away every thought and memory of time having passed. It would be like she never left, like she’d always been right there. Because truth be told she never did.

She haunted his head and weighed down his heart every second of every day since she said goodbye. Every moment he had to himself was spent turning over the leaves of their relationship, searching (in vain) for some clue to explain her sudden and rash action. It still doesn’t make sense, and now here she is, an arm’s stretch away from him. Every answer he’s been searching for all this time imprisoned behind her sealed red lips.

He wants to push but he fears that might make her even more guarded than she already is so he simply sighs and leans back into his seat.

“Can you at least tell me where you’re taking me?” he asks dully.

“Freeland.” She answers, short but not so sweet.

“Wait what? That’s, that’s like a three hour drive away. Why so far? Why not Star City? Or, or Keystone?” he asks worried.

“None of those cities include a place I can keep you safe in and I can’t have you bunking with people you know,” She answers, her tone matter-of-fact.

“Why the hell not?” he asks confused.

“Because at the moment your life is in danger and the people in your life are probably the reason why.” She answers her tone still steady.

“The people in my life? Are we forgetting the part where your father is the one that wanted to splatter my brain matter on the casino parking lot floor?” he asks incredulous, growing frustrated with all the confusion. Without waiting for a response he adds:

“And, I know you. I mean, how do I know you’re not taking me straight to him? That you’re not driving me to my death right this second?” She whispers

He bites into the inside of his lip, drawing blood, as she suddenly comes to a halt in the middle of the road. To their luck, the highway is practically deserted. She turns on the hazard lights and shifts in her seat to face him, her glare murderous.

“Allen? Are you or are you not a genius?” She asks and he diverts his gaze as his cheeks heat up at the compliment hidden in her question.

“Well I wouldn’t say I’m a genius exactly…” he bashfully stumbles over his words and she cuts him off with a:

“Just answer the question!”

“Yes,” he answers wide eyed.

“So does your genius brain think that there is a rational explanation as to why I would waltz into a casino and cause a full on public panic to get you out of my dad’s range of fire just to drive you two towns away to him?” She asks, her attitude biting away at his ego.

“Well when you put it like that…” he hangs his head.

“Allen!”

“No, there is no rational explanation.”

“Now that, that’s out of the way let me tell you something about myself. I’m not an irrational person. I don’t have time to make irrational decisions. So please don’t ever question my actions again.” She instructs and he keeps his head down as a silent,

“I’m sorry,” escapes his lips.

Iris readjusts her seating position and puts the car back into drive, leaving Barry feeling like a little kid in the principals office. The barely there purr of the car’s engine is the only sound between them as they take on the open road. In an attempt to make small talk he asks:

“Why are you calling me Allen all of a sudden? I preferred it when you called me by my name.”

“That was just a strategy to get you out of there. I knew that, considering our history, if I approached you under the guise of friendship it would be easier to lure you to safety. But you’re aware of the danger you face now so theirs no need for me to be gentle or manipulative. Barry’s too personal and Bartholomew’s too long. So Allen it is.” She responds, once again shutting down his attempt at starting a conversation with her precise answers. All the while her face remains stern, not even a twitch to betray her inner most thoughts.

“Too personal?” he asks in disbelief and an incredulous scoff rattles his chest, only barely hiding the sting her alienating words have caused.

“Wow. Six years apart and suddenly we’re strangers, huh?” he asks.

“Six years is a long time. People change.” She responds, and he blinks unable to formulate words as the sting turns into a full blown stab in his heart. Suddenly, his greatest fear is confirmed.

*She doesn’t love me anymore.*

The thought hits him like a slap to the face, crashing him back into reality. In to the pain he felt six years ago as he watched her run away from him.

“Nothing’s changed for me,” he whispers under his breath wondering if she heard it but too heartbroken to make sure. Instead he leans back and rests his head on the head rest, turning it so as to look at the rapidly changing scenery through the window. Silence takes over once more and this time he makes no attempt to fill it.

With no adrenaline left in his body, and the weight of his heavy heart seeming like an anchor trying to pull him under, Barry gives in to the physical exhaustion that seeps into his bones and drifts off too sleep.

…

“Barry? Barry, honey wake up you’re home.” She shakes him gently and he opens one groggy eye, then closes it again, a sleepy smile crossing his lips. Iris chuckles. After the late practise he’s just had he really is that tired but hearing Iris laugh is a much better reason to pretend to sleep, in his book.

“Are you finally awake?” She asks playfully, poking his side and Barry tries to snuff out a ticklish giggle.

“No,” he responds instead.

“Oh really?” She asks, her tone changing to sound a little more dangerous. Barry hears the sound of his seat belt being unbuckled before he feels the strap return to its place by the door. A rustle follows that peaks his curiosity but he stubbornly keeps his eyes closed.

The warmth of her body envelopes him suddenly and he feels her straddle his lap.

“If you’re so asleep you won’t feel me doing this then,” She whispers then her lips close over his. Instinctively he plants his hands around her waist and is surprised when he’s met with bare skin.

“Ah, ah, ah. You’re asleep remember? You’re not supposed to react.” She says, pulling his hands from her waist and keeping them at his sides. Iris trails kisses down his jaw to his neck, teasing him in a devilish way only she knows how.

“Iris,” he hisses, when she grazes his sensitive skin with her teeth. In one swift motion he frees himself from her hold and wraps his arms around her, pressing her to him as he attacks her lips. She laughs against his lips, planting her hands on his chest and applying enough force to pull herself from his embrace.

“Look who’s awake?” She says breathlessly, a triumphant grin playing on her lips. Barry finally opens his eyes and takes in the sight in front of him (or rather on top of him). Iris is sitting on his lap, completely shirtless save for her bright yellow, lace bra that compliments the chocolate of her skin. For a while he simply looks at her, mesmerised by the brilliance of her smile and the way her long locks fall to the side as she tilts her head ever so slightly. The street lights bathe her skin in orange rays that stream in from the windshield behind her. It all seems like a dream.

“What’s on your mind?” She asks, bringing his focus back into the real world and he does his best to offer her, his most charming smile but can’t manoeuvre his facial muscles to express anything but awe.

“That I wish I could wake up to you everyday.” He answers and her smile broadens.

“Let’s get through high school first then maybe we can arrange that.” She suggests while leaning into him and kissing him, soft and lingering.

Barry closes his eyes, losing himself in the feeling of her on him…

“Hey, wake up. We’re here.” Iris wakes him suddenly, her voice familiar but her tone far colder. Yet, still under the fog of sleep Barry blinks his eyes open and finds her hovering above him. She’s standing by his door, leaning over him, half in the car half out. The slightly orange tint, courtesy of the lights take him back to his dream and still shrouded in a cloud of incoherence Barry places his hand around the back of her neck and pulls her down for a kiss.

[writerinsonora]

Aug, 21, 2004 pt 2

I am starting to wonder.....is this thing even read anymore? I DO like the comments people....

Anyway, I heard from Hair of Wonder that Jackass called her cell phone...hah....thats great...I'm getting the hell I expected from the letter I sent...how..........USUAL....*sigh*..he's gonna make me feel like shit about it...but hopefully my friends can guide me in the right direction...IDK...it seems like they're dead to this journal....I hardly ever see an update anymore...let alone comments in mine....Is it just because I need this so much? Oh well...Scales is over at my place now...she's still working on her drawing from before(WHICH IS COMING ALONG NICELY) and I have to start cleaning my house soon....ugh....

I also think I'm not going to be the one to initiate conversation anymore..I worried Claws over a usual behavior of mine....and....yeah, I think you get the picture when you worry someone then they find out that there was nothing to worry over...blah blah blah......IDK if I can expect anymore conversations though if I go by that....

Anyway........800............800 fucking e-mails in Hair of Wonder's e-mail account........thats just for a fucking month......the most I'VE ever had is 102 maybe! ahh! ALL OF THAT JUNK! HOLY HELL!!!!!

*sigh*......anyway...I'm flipflopping....again....I told Scales about how everytime I started praying regularly to the Gaian Goddesses...I was always filled with fear and dropped it.....Scales explained it too me.....It was Shadow trying to do just that.....but thanks to this guide that I have for Gaian...maybe I can get it right.....somewhat...IDK.....I'll try again.....and flip flop again once a little darkness scares me out of nowhere.....*shakes head*

[tremendousmiraclecherryblossom]

Next comic is on the way!

Still wanting to make sure I’m comfortable with Molly, Boss, Lucy, and Larry’s designs since they’ll take up the entire first scene. Don’t worry though, the stories will still be centered around the main Hazbin Hotel cast. But the wolves do drive a lot of the plot. Hopefully it will be out in the next two or three weeks! I’ll try to provide some bonus scribbles in the meantime though. ^w^

Molly, Vaggie, Charlie, Hilda, Husk, Alastor, Mimzy, Angel, (and the original design for the silhouette wolves before I revamped them into extras and side characters) and Hazbin Hotel as a whole all belong to @vivziepop! Go show her and her crew some support while they work on the legitimate series!