#so that'll probably be dropping at some point soon :))

[scribbling-dragon]

and i am free!! all my exams have finished and I'm so so glad that they're done!!

[sims3fiend]

Some dumb sims 3 updates/stuf

Or, how to develop severe brain damage in 10 easy steps.

Sooo… This is going to be more of a blog post than anything of any real substance, more of a whinge with maybe a few teasers for some stuff I may or may not release (probably not). Feel free to skip if you're after hot tips or coherent writing.

Stutter "fixer"

Sooooo…. The sims 3 has some stutter issueeesss… Incredible discovery, I know! I started looking at remedying them with settings, found some hidden settings that help reduce some of the issues but that can only do so much when the game was made in 2009 for 2009 computers.

So I had a looky at some things I thought could be causing it, mainly WinAPI functions because that's the easier route (h-haha…), and started to try to "optimize" some of the more common ones:

ReadFile: Was the first, and looking at the sheer volume of like 12783972198 calls a milisecond every time you move the camera, I thought surely I can speed it up a little r-right. Not really. I tried all sorts of… interesting things, file caching in memory, implementing the overlapped flag (took ages), etc. Oh and the performance increase? Literally nothing. It's called weirdly from wherever it's called and so we must suffer.

Threads: So, I had a look at other areas that were potential targets for speedup, ran an actual profile and it showed a problem areas namely threads and some other stuff I don't remember. ZwWaitForMultipleObjects and WaitForSingleObject take up a lot of time, so I very poorly attempted to optimize them, adding some timeout optimizations (and a bunch of other failed attempts). Despite being the most insane, this actually worked, and I got like a 40% speed increase in a very very niche metric that did not noticeably effect the game one single bit. I plan to combine all my failures into a single script eventually, maybe once combined they'll do something…

Actual insanity - Memory IPC: Then I had an idea, everyone hates e12, why don't we shove the games memory into another process and that'll fix it. No brain moment. No clue what past me was thinking, for some reason I thought you could like, access another processes memory if it was spawned from it, but uhh.. no, that's not how things work… I tried a few other things in a similar vein but it just crashed and crashed, so for now I'm just gunna work on:

Alloc/free mee - Current insanity: Currently, I'm still working on VirtualAlloc and VirtualFree (which is what I was redirecting to another process), but more from an optimizing memory usage standpoint than a… whatever the IPC thing was. There's a lot of things to try, and I've had some luck in some areas and some abysmal failures in others. There's a few promising functions calling VirtualAlloc/Free that seem to be potentially pointing towards memory leaks (004e54d0), but I'm too dumb to investigate that. At the moment, I'm going mostly just gathering more logs which takes forever and hurts my brain real bad.. On testing there's like 180 allocs that we could probably yeet no problem, which is like 750mb saved… Maybe idk.

I have plenty of ideas for deduplication, memory pool implementations to reduce churn/fragmentation, shoving things aggressively into pagefiles if they're not being used, etc. etc. Basically, there's a lot of avenues to explore, and I feel like there's potential… though I've definitely said that before and been dead wrong so…

Anyway, rambling over. I plan to release a dumb little renderer settings mod maybe-soon-ish that'll let you do dumb stuff that might be useful for reshade like turn shadows/drop shadows off and post processing off and on. I guess I could add max lots and other settings eventually too since they're static values.... Might also do a mythbusting post for some performance "tweak" stuff I see thrown around that isn't super accurate but I also don't want people to be angry at me so maybe not.

Sorry to whoever read all this, but also thanks :)

[torakowalski]

Apols for the delay but Swimmer Steve is back and pretty much exactly where we last left him.

(part one | part six)

"Fuck," says Steve. "Fuck." He hasn't said much of anything else since he came out of the changing rooms, still damp and kind of stunned-looking.

"Fuck," Eddie agrees.

Steve looks at him, a smile starting to spread across his face, going on and on like it might be endless.

God, he's handsome.

God, Eddie is stupid in love with him.

"Olympics, baby!" Eddie crows. They've already hugged; Steve got a hug from everyone, as soon as he emerged. Eddie wants to hug him again, but that would probably be too much.

"Fuck," says Steve and sits down on the floor between their two beds.

Eddie shrugs to himself and sits down with him.

They've only come back to the hotel so Steve can get showered and changed before the celebration dinner that the kids have planned. Or, actually, Steve has come back to the hotel for that; thinking about it, Eddie's not sure why he came with, except that it just felt natural.

Either way, looks like they're going to take longer than expected.

"All good?" Eddie asks, just in case.

"Jesus Christ," says Steve, which is a change from fuck and laughs. He lifts his hands up to cover his face and when he lowers them again, his eyes are wet. "The Olympics, Eddie."

Eddie nods, can't do anything but smile stupidly back at him. He doesn't think he's ever seen Steve this open and relaxed and delighted. "The Olympics, Steve."

Steve rubs at his eyes with his fingertips, mostly just making his eyelashes damper and darker from his happy tears. "You know when you've wanted something your whole damn life, but you never really thought you'd get it? It feels fucking wild to get it."

Eddie thinks about his guitar, his band, how badly he wants to stand on a stage looking out at thousands of people who all want to hear what he has to sing. Then he reminds himself that this is Steve's moment.

"I bet," he says. "Congrats. You've worked damn hard and you absolutely deserve it."

Steve leans over and bumps their shoulders together. "You're coming with me, right?"

Eddie blinks. "Where?"

"... the Olympics," says Steve, like it should be obvious.

Eddie blinks some more. "Steve. Sweetheart. Steve. The Olympics are in Korea."

"Mm," Steve agrees, "but the war's over, it's totally safe there now."

Eddie loves and hates that Steve thinks that might be the only thing putting Eddie off.

Eddie stretches his legs out so they disappear under Steve's bed and hopes there's nothing really gross under there that'll stick to his jeans. "Look, the literal only reason I've been able to afford rocking up and down the country with you is government hush money and the fact you keep buying all my meals. There's no way I can stretch to plane tickets, and I'd need my own hotel room, right? 'cause you'll be living in the athletes village?"

He could have kept going, obviously he could have kept going, but he stops there because Steve is waving a hand at him.

"What? Don't say you'll pay. There's no way you have that much extra cash, either."

"Nah," Steve says, "but my dad does. And I will be fully, fully back on the credit card, after he finds out about this."

Eddie makes a face. "But we hate your dad?"

"We really do," Steve agrees, smile not even dimming. "But we love spending his money on shit he'll hate." He drops a hand to Eddie's knee, giving it a squeeze and a shake. "You'll come, right?"

"... You should take Robin," Eddie tries, one last attempt to be a good person. "Or the kids. God, the kids would shit."

Steve leaves his hand on Eddie's knee, like that's just a place where it goes now. "I'd take them all, if I could... Plus like, all their parents to keep an eye on them, but they'll all be back in school by the time the Olympics start. None of them can take like, three weeks out."

"I bet Erica could wrangle it," Eddie points out.

Steve makes a guilty face. "Love Erica, but I don't think we have the kind of relationship where we hop over to Asia, just the two of us. You know?"

Eddie wants to ask, And we do? But they do. He knows they do.

"I don't know," he says. It's a big fucking deal. He's never left the country before and he'd love to, but he really does hate Steve's dad and all he chooses to be. The idea of being beholden to him for that big a favour sits wrong in his gut, even if Mr Harrington never actually knows about it.

"Eddie," Steve says, like he's prepared to wheedle for what he wants. Then he stops, takes a breath, shakes his head. "I know it's a big ask and obviously you don't have to, if you really don't want to. I kind of just, I can't, I can't imagine doing this without you."

Eddie claps a hand to his chest. "Right in the flattery gland, Harrington."

Steve slides his hand up Eddie's leg and squeezes his thigh. Is this going to be a thing? Is Eddie going to have to get Robin to have a word with him about this soon?

"You're the whole reason I've got this far," Steve tells him, all close and sincere. "If you don't want to come, that'll suck, but it's okay. I just wanna make sure that you know I appreciate everything you've done."

Eddie knows every mole on Steve's face, but Steve's close enough now to reveal a few previously unknown freckles.

Eddie chuckles weakly. "Personal space?" he suggests.

"Overrated," Steve says and then.

And then.

And then he presses his lips carefully against Eddie's.

"What?" Eddie croaks. He can feel his breath dance off Steve's mouth.

"Thank you," Steve says and kisses him again, a little firmer, a little damper this time.

"I..." Eddie is a goddamn fucking hero because he makes himself lean back. "Don't. You can't. Don't kiss me to say thank you. That's not... Don't. Please."

He's expecting Steve to sit back, blush and apologise and explain he had to best of intentions. Instead, Steve lifts the hand not on Eddie's thigh and touches his cheek. "Can I kiss you 'cause I can't imagine not kissing you?"

The centre of Eddie's chest throbs. Even he doesn't know what that means. "You don't want to kiss me," he manages.

"Kinda really do," Steve says. "So? Can I?"

(continued here)

[yanxidarlings]

what's this? for once i am listening to a poll and not getting distracted by something entirely different?

fair warning this is probably my darkest yandere hp writing, reader goes through some shit (said shit being the slytherins shit) it's mostly just angst and misery with a hint of fluff (if you squint) honestly not that crazy about this, but i hereby present

YANDERE SLYTHERIN BOYS: NOT SLYTHERIN, AYE?

"remember, m/n, you have to do everything to be put into slytherin, no matter how it is the sorting works" draco levelled with m/n l/n, holding an uncomfortable amount of eye contact.

breaking away from the blond's gaze, m/n let out a snicker "i don't know what you're so worried about, draco, i'm the most slytherin person i know!" internally, everyone who wasn't m/n sighed. it was no secret m/n wasn't exactly.. slytherin material. but neither was enzo, or goyle and crabbe for that matter. but they'd all end up in slytherin together anyway, right?.

swinging an arm over the other male's shoulder, enzo pulled m/n in close "we just have to act as slytherin as possible, it'll be a lap around the quidditch pitch getting sorted if we just think things like.. how wicked snakes are- especially green ones! and.." the brunet furrowed his brows as he paused to think. "and just say mudblood over and over again as well! that'll convince them for sure"

m/n laughed, wiggling out of enzo's grip. if only he had actually taken the advice, maybe he wouldn't be where he was now.

"ravenclaw" "hufflepuff" "gryffindor"

what did the hat even yell out? all m/n knows is that it wasn't slytherin. he sat motionless on the stool, gripping the edges, waiting to hear 'slytherin' yelled out.

"mr l/n, please make your way to the ravenclaw table" a stern voice spoke.

he looked up to see professor mcgonagall staring at him, indicating towards the ravenclaw table. "what, why?" he gave the old woman a confuddled look "that's you're house, mr l/n" the look of confuddlement had turned into pure shock "the.. over there?" when mcgonagall quickly confirmed yes his mouth went agape "are you sure? i.." he pointed towards the slytherin table, where the rest of his childhood friends had been sorted "whilst i'm not entirely convinced, the sorting hat is, move along child" ushering him off the stool and towards the ravenclaw table, mcgonagall quickly went to call out the next name as soon as he was down the steps.

taking a seat at the very edge of the table, m/n ignored the greeting from the boy sat next to him to stare over at the slytherin table. only lorenzo was looking over at him, the rest avoided his gaze.

the boy pinched his forearm, leaving a red mark. but he didn't wake up in his bed nor the slytherin dormitory.

looking down, he saw his robes had taken on the blue and bronze colours associated with the eagle house. his stomach dropped, the reality of the situation coming crashing down. m/n l/n's life was effectively over

• the next day at herbology, the ravenclaw first class that day with the slytherins, none of them acknowledged him. it stung. sure, the reader had heard of purebloods not getting sorted into slytherin and being alienated from their family and circle, but it was never supposed to happen to him!

• the invisible treatment, alongside the howler he received from his guardian was enough to make him cry in the owlery after curfew. where else was there to cry? his new dormmates were mudbloods out for his magic! and the prefects patrolled the halls at night. imagine the humiliation if weaslebee or whatever the ravenclaw prefect's name was saw him balling his eyes out?

• lorenzo spoke to him, for a little while. but he knew the boy's parents would nip that behaviour in the bud eventually. the prestigious heir of the berkshire family? associating with a blood traitor? m/n knew none of them wanted to be dragged down with him.

• for a little while, he thought they just needed time to adjust to him being in a different house. it was just a house? the day after ravenclaw beat the slytherin team in first year, all hopes of that came crashing down.

"draco!" m/n smiled as he came past malfoy in the halls, "can you believe wattle stole the snitch? she must have knocked it out of higgs hands, i swear he had it" quidditch was safe, right? m/n had never given a hoot about quidditch in the past, but if it meant getting back in draco and his gang's good books, call him a connoiseur.

malfoy shot m/n a glare "let's see you do any better then" he spat. crabbe and goyle had their arms folded, as if they were the blond's bodyguards.

the ravenclaw went agape before puffing his cheeks out, trying to think of something to say "i- i was just chatting" he folded his arms, not in the intimidating way crabbe and goyle were, as if to make himself smaller.

"you're pathetic, l/n, you think i'd want to be friends with a disgusting blood traitor. know what? i'm glad you got sorted into ravenclaw so i didn't have to find out the hard way, you would have taken us all down with you, wouldn't you?" draco sneered out, eyes narrowing.

m/n looked down, his face painted with shock "draco.. i swear i'm not a blood traitor, the hat got it all wrong!" there was no reasoning with someone like draco, who had been raised with the strict pureblood beliefs shoved down his throat.

oi!, a voice rang out from behind him, turning halfway, m/n saw a boy in slytherin robes that he had never met before "who's this" "who are you" m/n said in near unison with the stranger "he's no one, riddle, nothing but a worthless blood traitor"

with that, malfoy, crabbe and goyle pushed past m/n, and began chatting with the other boy- riddle.

• to say the first few years at hogwarts are hell for m/n is an understatement. it wouldn't be a surprise if he developed anxiety, depression and paranoia from the constant ridicule and bullying. every corner he turned, one of them was there, calling him foul names, telling him he's a disgrace to his family name.

• who would want to stick around and become a victim as well? no one. that's who m/n had, no one. they brought anyone who he spent time with the same hell. it wasn't even just insults, it was physical, from getting into petty fights with mattheo, to theodore using the levicorpus charm to give him a concussion.

• if he so much as looks one of the greengrass girls way, elio would pour one of snape's potions over m/n's head and then tell the professor that m/n had stolen the potion. if he got the best grade in any class, enzo would accuse the reader of stealing his work, although tom always seemed to be the mastermind behind it.

• there was this one time when a girl a year below him, luna lovegood, began hanging around him, declaring that they were now friends. but m/n knew better than to get used to it, and he was right. within a few weeks of the friendship, a rumour started spreading that m/n was sleeping with rita skeeter and shit talking the quibbler. lovegood never looked at him the same.

• not to mention, the situation at home only got worse. the house was no longer a home, if it ever was. everything he apparently 'did' at hogwarts got reported back to his parents, who disowned him in fifth year.

• m/n didn't return to hogwarts after the winter break when his name was burnt off the family tree.

the great hall was bustling with students, catching up with friends after the yuletide season. the 'best spot' on the slytherin table (where the roasted turkeys were) was dominated by what was best known as the 'slytherin gang'.

blaise was quiet, but when wasn't he? he only spoke when something needed to be said. eyeing the ravenclaw table for his favourite person to lovingly stare (glare) at, he saw no familiar face.

darting his eyes back and forth between the entry and the table, a solemn look crossed his dark features. "what's got you so pissed, mate?" theo leaned over, following zabini's gaze. blaise briefly made eye contact with theo before taking a bite of roasted potato

"i don't see him either" riddle, tom, to be exact, remarked. theo made an 'o' face, the name didn't have to be said for everyone to know who they were talking about. they spent their days thinking of ways to torment him, who else would they notice the absence of?

• nobody explicitly said they missed the reader, but actions speak louder than words.

• tom was the first to notice something was amiss. you couldn't waterboard the information out of him, but he couldn't stand not to know where l/n was. he honestly thought the bullying was a bit ridiculous, but as long as he was isolating the reader, he didn't care how it was done.

• he takes action the quickest, stalking the long halls, trying to determine whether or not m/n was just avoiding them.

• it became something of a group mission find out where m/n is. before, they were just possessive, but now, now they were becoming obsessed.

• when the darling finally returned to hogwarts after weeks of being MIA, all the torment, all the bullying, it just stopped. they were being nice which only scared m/n even more. five, even four years ago he would have eaten this up. but he knew better than to trust people now- no, he was straight up paranoid.

BLAISE ZABINI

• blaise was one of the only ones who truly believed m/n was a blood traitor. but he never gave up on him. in blaise's mind, the years of 'torment' was him helping show the reader the importance of blood purity and status.

• blaise won't apologise for what he did, not sincerely. it'll be more of a 'i'm sorry it took you this long to understand the point'. he truly thinks he was just molding the reader into the perfect future spouse for him.

• the reader has simply traded one hell for another with blaise. refuse to agree to the arranged marriage? won't spend time with him? then the reader truly must be a blood traitor.

• blaise has his softer moments with the reader, where he'll reassure them that he never actually hated them, that he didn't mean any of what he would say to them. but the damage is done.

• when it's his night with m/n, sometimes he'll be awoken at 2am to the sound of m/n getting ready for the next day. when he tried to open the door to the bathroom, he had never heard such a panicked "don't!" when he asked m/n why, "i'm not presentable yet" it broke his heart.

DRACO MALFOY

• draco had been encouraged by his parents- no, by his father, to put m/n in his place. now that he looks back at it, it had nothing to do with m/n, it was about making sure draco never even considered betraying his blood status.

• he engulfed the reader in a hug when he finally saw him on the way to class. whispering apologies, holding back tears. "i thought- i thought you had done something stup-" but he was quickly shoved off, m/n even mocked him for the tears.

• for the first time in his life, he understood what it felt like to be in the readers position. merlin, he was a git, wasn't he? he'll spend his entire life trying to make up for it if he has to.

• what he couldn't handle was m/n rejecting his attempts at friendship. gosh fucking damn it just love him already, draco makes it clear that the bullying might be over, and he's really sorry it ever happened, but the reader is never allowed a life outside of the slytherins.

• people who interact with the reader are still targeted, leaving him as isolated as ever. at some point he might accept draco's offer of friendship, but he'd never be stupid enough to actually buy into that bollocks.

LORENZO BERKSHIRE

• lorenzo was kind of like the readers guardian angel throughout his years of torment. he might have been a bystander, but he never directly took part in foul 'pranks' they'd pull on him. it hurt his heart to see m/n so misrable, but he had a reputation to uphold and parents to keep happy.

• whenever the chance would present itself, enzo would try and make m/n's day a bit better. he sent anonymous chocolates from hogsmede for a good while, until pollux and draco started calling m/n a pig when he'd eat them at dinner.

• but it was the thought that counts! and that's what enzo tries to tell m/n in fifth year. he got punched. m/n told him to get lost in the forbidden forest and to take the rest of them with him.

• time heals all wounds, enzo probably has one of the best chances of developing an actual friendship with the reader. but they all want more, especially enzo. who believes he has some sort of precedence over the others for being 'so good' to the reader when everyone else wasn't.

• he thought he was being slick, discussing the possibility of an arranged marriage with his parents. but blaise has made plans a while back, and tom had taken the dark mark with the promise that his father would oneday have m/n marry him.

MATTHEO RIDDLE

• mattheo is by far, by a long mile, the worst of them all. he used to cruciatus curse on more than once on m/n whenever he was in a particularly jealous or bad mood. objectified him based on his looks "i'd bash your face in but then i'd ruin the only thing you have going for you."

• he didn't even know the reader before hogwarts, he just saw the way draco treated m/n, felt a funny warm feeling, and decided that meant he hated the reader.

• but god forbid anybody else does what he does, mattheo sometimes even tells off the other slytherins, the ones he doesn't like (draco lmao) to back off. maybe if he took his own advice m/n wouldn't be as traumatised as he is.

• lost his shit when m/n didn't return in fifth year. felt like he was dying, it was then he realised that maybe m/n is more important to him than he thought.

• babies the shit out of m/n when he comes back- he tries to at least. offers to carry his bags, trys to sleep in his bed with him, patches up even a small paper cut. it's a startling contrast, m/n probably feels like he has to go along with it, or risk becoming mattheo's target again.

THEODORE NOTT

• theo wouldn't have gotten in on the bullying if it weren't for his father and the others encouraging him. he didn't do nearly as much as draco or mattheo, but was still considerably worse than blaise or enzo.

• he would always hover around m/n, using his robes, sometimes skin as an ashtray. always making some sort of sarcastic or witty remark. and he always had a glare that would sink though m/n's skull, leaving him constantly on the edge.

• even during the earlier years of hogwarts, theo would have moments of softness, where he dropped the hateful act. which is why he was the one m/n trusted the least when the torment finally stopped.

• m/n keeping his distance, emotionally at least, is what drives theo over the edge. instead of saying something demeaning when he gets like that, theo now has outbursts where he demands closeness: mattheo will often have to drag him out of the room.

• there's always an over the top apology, only for it to go horribly wrong when the reader doesn't eat it up. he drowns in self hatred and anger, wouldn't it be great it time turners could go back years and none of this happened?

TOM RIDDLE

• tom honestly thought the reader deserved the treatment they got at first. to be born with pure blood and to throw away the privileges that came with it so easily? absolutely disgusting.

• he used to mastermind the bigger plans, until he came to respect m/n's intelligence and strength. anybody else would have ended themselves by now, and he had never met anyone as intelligent as himself. of course at first he developed his own hatred towards the ravenclaw whenever he'd get the same or a higher score on a test than him.

• his attraction to m/n causes him to pull out of partaking in the bullying by around third year. he's got better things to do, like being the top of the class over the likes of an ungrateful blood traitor.

• his main motivation in helping his father resurrect was the power it would give him over m/n. once he became a loyal death eater, he would be rewarded with m/n. the readers feelings be damned, tom wasn't above the imperius curse, amortentia or the cruciatus curse.

[kiankiwi]

Husband Jacob comforting hormonal pregnant reader 🩷

You had no ideas why you were crying. You just were. There was often no point to your tears at this point in your pregnancy so you often just had to feel your feelings until you calmed down and were able to go about your day.

Jacob was up and on set before you even got up so you were used to waking up alone. Because he didn't get to see you in the morning, he would facetime you to say good morning and have a little chat because he had missed out on his morning with you.

He just so happened to call when you were mid sob. "Baby? What's the matta?" (his R's sound like a/aw to me lol) He asked, his eyes filling with concern. "You just--" You continued to sob and Jacob put his hand up, "Breathe baby, you're okay, breathe with me." He helped guide you through a few deep breaths so you weren't choking and coughing as you cried anymore.

"Just give it a second and then tell me what's up okay? Do I need to come home?" You shook your head in silence as you put your sleeve over your hand and wiped your face. "Take a deep breath." He took a breath with you to calm you even more so you didn't feel as silly.

"It's stupid..." You chuckled, laying back down in bed. "No, no baby, your feelings are never stupid okay. Can you talk to me, tell me why you're so sad?" That made you chuckle again because you felt so silly. "I'm not even sad! I just... you didn't wake me up when you left so I didn't get a goodbye kiss and then when I went downstairs to make a bagel, we're out of cream cheese and I'm too tired to go to the store and the store feels too public anyway, I feel like everyone's gonna be staring at me with this huge bump and I just.... argh!" You screamed out your frustration into Jacob's pillow which of course smelled like him and that sent you into a new wave of crying.

"What baby, what?" "Argh, your pillow smells like you!" You yelled, frustrated still. Jacob couldn't help but smile at that.

"Here bub, I see your water bottle is behind you on the nightstand can you take a drink please?" You nodded, guiding the straw into your mouth and taking a long pull. "Good, good job, keep doing that today okay?" You nodded.

Jacob got closer to the camera of his phone, so close that you could only see his mouth and facial hair. You laughed. "You wanna know a secret?" He asked, looking off somewhere on set so now you could only see one of his eyes. You grabbed Jacob's pillow and cuddled it. "What?" "I did give you a kiss goodbye, I tried to wake you but I knew you were probably gonna be sick as soon as you woke up so I left you be. I still gave you a forehead kiss though, I promise." You nodded. He was right, you did puke as soon as you got up for the day. "Thank you. I was really tired, I was up late reading again." Jacob smiled. "Is the book good?" You nodded, grabbing the 800 page monstrosity off your nightstand and showed it to him where you had left off.

"Damn baby, you can kill someone with that thing?" You quirked your eyebrow. "Don't piss the pregnant lady off." Jacob nodded. "Here how about I send an uber eats out for the cream cheese and maybe some chocolate too and they'll drop it off so you don't have to go anywhere?" You nodded, wiping at your eyes again. The nice gesture caused your eyes to well up again. "I'd really like that, thank you."

"I'm happy to help baby, is there anything else you want?" "Nutella... and maybe some cheetos? The jalepeno ones..." Jacob expected some weird items to be added to his shopping list. "Got it bub. I gotta get back now but by the time I get home, I want you to have drank that whole water bottle okay?" You nodded and just to make him smile took another long drink from your straw.

"Thank you, I'll see you in a few hours okay? Go and get my Rugby sweater if that'll help too?" Your eyes lit up at the mention of his old sweater. He blew you a kiss "Love you baby! Give the bean my love."

"We love you too!"

***

I meant for this to be a ficlet but then I got inspiration and it was quite fun! I hope you liked this

@eee-lordy @mooodyblue

[blackcoffeemania]

~ Random Wilson observations ~

He probably came from an upper middle class family (He mentions having a nanny with Mumsy and he managed to get to university despite being kinda crummy at science.)

He probably has no family ties anymore (He's designed to be an immigrant and a university dropout. He probably wasn't that close to his parents either since he needed a nanny and never really mentions them.)

His family probably doesn't mind that he's gone (Again, his family seemed to be at least upper middle class with both parents probably working since he needed a nanny. I don't imagine two decently successful people would be proud to have a son who dropped out. He also never mentions them.)

Crappy puns help distract him from the horrors in The Constant (It's a lot of his dialogue, even when his corpse is being reanimated by a hostile mob he makes a joke)

He never participated in PE or had a job involving physical labor (When he carries something he says 'lift with your back' and he complains about hurting his back with Wolfgang's gym equipment. This implies he doesn't know basic lifting techniques. He also dislikes sports and claims to have never been outdoorsy)

He actively chose a house in the middle of nowhere. (He seems introverted, awkward, and maybe even shy/socially anxious occasionally, which makes it harder to have friends. His eccentricity also probably drove people away. He also seems to have a bit of an ego in the original game)

The Constant humbled him and maybe even more anxious (In the original game he says stuff like "that'll teach him", "That really showed him who's boss" and "take that nature" which is not really seen in DST. He also visibly cowers away from things, like in the CoTL collab trailer)

The Constant also made him more compassionate, empathetic, and maybe even open (He grabs onto Wartox in the Terraria collab trailer when he's in fear. He also leaps into Wanda's arms in one of the animated shorts. He also actively defends the other survivors despite being visibly anxious, unathletic, and even when working on science with Wagstaff.)

He may have studied medicine at some point (Look at his Victorian skin, the fact he can help heal others during The Gorge, he also mentions being able to amputate a limb)

He's definitely one of the only survivors who try to keep things neat and tidy. (He complains about his hair being wet/getting hat head/being poofy when he's in the middle of the wilderness with only a few people. He also throws shade at Maxwell with the chess statues saying he just leaves them everywhere)

He sometimes does things just for the vibe (He says that he likes dust because it feels scholarly with the feather duster)

The biggest reason he's still hostile to Maxwell is because he used him to free himself (He canonically gets Maxwell off the throne. The stage plays implies it was an accident. He's probably aware that he could've ended up like Maxwell if left on the throne for too long and that Maxwell intentionally led him there. It's also implied by the stage plays that the survivors were made to suffer just for Maxwell's own amusement. He also tries to throw hands as soon as he sees Maxwell again.)

He has an accent he's learned to hide (He's supposed to be some sort of European immigrant and even the ones that speak English don't have the same accent as Americans. Even though he's been voice acted twice, both possibly not canon, neither have accents. Immigrants aren't really treated well in America, even back then, so he also has a reason to hide it. Also, Maxwell is canonically British and even he doesn't have an accent in Inevitable)

He likes breakfast food in general (It's easy/cheap to make and he sucks at cooking. Also his favorite food is eggs and bacon in game)

All of these are kinda obvious now that I think about it

[justanothergoldfish]

Greg Lestrade x reader

Handsome stranger

pt. 1 pt.2 pt. 3

warnings: mentions of alcohol/drinking

word count: 950

A/N: this plays during the events of the episode 'Hounds of Baskerville'.

---

It was a rather slow afternoon, all the guests had settled in this morning. You checked the guest book and there were no more reservations booked for today. Since most guests were currently out with Fletcher, the guide for the Hound of Baskerville Tour, it was finally calming down in the “Cross Keys” hotel and bar. There was finally time to refill the ale and the fridge for the sodas. 

This entire story about this monster had brought in a lot of customers in the last month, which is why you were helping Gary, the owner and a family friend, out. He'd asked you to work for him part time so he had more time for management and the paperwork.

Billy stuck his head out from the kitchen and gave you an exhausted look. “You alright up front? We're busy prepping dinner back here, but if you need help just call, okay?” the ginger haired boy panted, wiping his hands on a towel. You just chuckled and nodded along, it was adorable how the staff was still treating you like a raw egg. 

“I'm fine, don't worry. Not my first time being a waitress” you smiled, patting his shoulder before he looked up to the bar. “Ah, customer.” he said, quickly nudging to the door as he retreated to the kitchen. 

You turned around to see a middle aged man with ashy gray hair and a beige, loose jacket. He wore a black button shirt and anthracite pants, on his face a black pair of sunglasses. 

Yeah, definitely a foreigner. 

You tightened your apron as you walked up to the bar, supporting yourself on the edge of the surface with both hands. 

“Hi, welcome to the Cross Keys.” you smiled as he looked around, hands buried in his pockets. 

“Mmh, nice cozy place, innit?” 

Ah, so he's from London. 

“Most definitely, Sir. Away from all the city trouble, it's pure heaven.” You smiled at him and he took off his shades, letting his eyes get used to the light in the room. 

Once they had adapted, he looked directly at you. Big mistake. His eyes were a gorgeous shade of chocolate brown, practically making you melt away at first sight.

No, get it out of your head. He's way too old and probably married.

“You don't happen to have any single rooms available for tonight, do you?” He asked, putting his hands back into his pockets. 

Or maybe not married. 

You pretended to check the bookings, chewing on your lip as you tried your best to look very focused in order not to smile. Despite his age, he was definitely a sight for sore eyes. 

As soon as you had yourself back together, you nodded and looked back up at the man. 

“Actually, we do. That'll be 120£, breakfast is already included and served in the dining room from 7.30 to 9.30 in the morning.” 

The man nodded and pulled out his wallet, “Sounds good. I'll take it.” he says, his voice dropping lower than before. It distracted you to the point you almost gave him the key without having him pay, hadn't he already reached out the money to you. 

“Oh, and your ID please.” you added, taking the money and putting it into the cash register. 

“Sure, one second.” He pulled out the card and placed it on the counter, shoving it over to you. As you took it, you quickly read through his information, calculating in your head. 

So he's 49, damn, from London. 1,80m tall… Gregory Lestrade… handsome man, handsome name. 

Gregory Lestrade. 

You pulled yourself out of your thoughts and cleared your throat, writing down his personal information into the guest book and handing the card back to him. 

“The rooms are upstairs, around the corner on the left.” you said, taking some of the already polished glasses and one by one wiping them down again, just to look busy and to have an excuse to stay up front for a while longer.

“Came to see the creature?” you grinned, and Lestrade seemed to be in thought for a moment. He took the key with the room number and his ID from the counter. 

“Sort of…” he grins to himself, leaning against the bar, hoping to catch a glimpse into the guest book. 

“I'm actually looking for.. uhm, a friend.”

You raised an eyebrow, wiping down another glass. “Oh, a woman?”

Lestrade can't help but huff. He shakes his head as he wets his lips, “Tall man with dark curly hair, probably wore a dark coat, collar turned up for the dramatic effect. Occasionally acts like a drama queen though.” 

Yeah, that rang a bell. 

“With his shorter boyfriend?”

Lestrade took a seat on a barstool, snorting at your confident words. He tries his best not to grin and laugh out loud. 

“Yeah, his, er… boyfriend.” He mumbles in amusement. “So they are here, good. Listen, I'll bring my bag to my room and I'll be right back for a drink. I'll probably need it.”

You put the glass down and tucked the cloth back into the belt of your apron. 

“Great idea. I've just opened a brand new keg of Guinness if you're interested? I'll be here if you need anything else, Mr. Lestrade.” you smile sweetly, taking his appearance in once again. 

Lestrade turned his head back to you as he walked to the door with an amused grin. “Guinness sounds wonderful, and you can just call me Greg, love.” 

Watching him go, you just stood there behind the bar, staring and smiling in awe like a dork. 

Greg Lestrade.

What a handsome stranger...

[thatfreshi]

"Tough Crowd" (Uni AU P. 1)

Really embracing the catty queerness of these fuckers LMAO. Anyways, here's our little intro to Ravenguard Univeristy and Tav's living situation :)

Tw - mention of alcohol

@justporo (If you want me to tag you in part two, leave a comment!)

It's finally move-in day. After getting your Associate's degree at some small-town community college, you finally transferred to Ravenguard University, probably through sheer luck. Perhaps someone dropped out of the waitlist, but you're here now, moving into the place that'll be your home for the upcoming semesters. Soon enough you're asked for your name, and given the key to your room, quickly being ushered to the elevators. The volunteering students are clearly stressed by all the newcomers, so you don't exactly blame them for seeming impersonal.

You read your key, which has deemed you to be in room 717. Sneaking your way over to the floor buttons, you lightly tap 7, and place yourself in one of the empty corners of the elevator. After dropping off a few strangers on lower floors, you finally get to your destination, and find your dorm room shortly after. When you unlock the door, you immediately hear arguing.

"I need the room with the desk! I have far too many exams to study for. Besides, you don't seem like the studying type anyways."

Two women are yelling at each other, one with jet-black hair and the other with piercing eyes and an intimidating demeanor.

"We're all here to study fool."

"Well, as far as I know, you don't want to be a doctor. Besides, aren't you just here as an athlete? Or, my bad, were here as an athlete?"

At this point the ginger is fuming, fists clenched, but simply takes the room they were arguing over and slams the door, locking it immediately. The med student slams her fist on the door.

"Just wait til I tell the RA about this Lae'zel!"

She sighs, clearly still trying to let go of her anger. When she turns from the closed door, she finally realizes you're standing there.

"Sorry about that. Roommate problems, am I right?"

The pale woman nervously chuckles. Dressed in all black, she looks ready for a funeral, well if funerals were comfy and full of college students.

"Uh, yeah. Please don't tell me you're going to be arguing like this every night."

"Well, her and I don't particularly get along. I'm surprised housing even let us be in the same room after how many issues we've had. Though I'm sure I'll learn to tolerate her better in our living situation."

The woman ponders the thought for a moment, and then her eyes light up.

"I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Shadowheart, and yes my parents are hippies. Most people call me Shadow since it's less cringe."

"Well, nice to meet you. Please tell me there's a room I can snag that you aren't fighting about."

"Oh, go down the hall and to the right. That one has a bigger wardrobe, but Lae and I both really wanted the desk."

Your phone vibrates, with a notification from some online magazine.

'Szarr: The Seven Models Behind the Magic'

"Why has this man been doing so many interviews?"

Shadowheart's ears perk up.

"You know Szarr, that fashion guy right? He's been all over the news, I cannot escape it."

"Oh. You may want to be careful how you talk about him. One of his precious prodigies goes here. Kind of a bitch honestly."

She makes a fake throw-up noise, rolling her eyes.

"Wait. One of his models goes here? I assumed they were all full-time."

"He's full-time alright. I've never seen Astarion pause for anything other than himself. Anyways, I suppose I need to unpack my things IN THE ROOM WITHOUT A DESK."

Shadowheart yells the last part loud enough for Lae'zel to hear, which coerces a groan from her behind the locked door. And just like that, she's locked away in her own room, leaving you with the room at the end of the hall. At least it has the nice wardrobe? You put on some music and start to unpack all your bags, soaking in the space. It leaves some to be desired, but you're excited nonetheless. You're woken from the trance however when there's a very loud knock at your dorm door. You wait for a moment, hoping one of the other two will get it, but the knocking simply continues obnoxiously. Making your way to the front door with a scowl on your face, you throw it open.

"Floor meeting in thirty minutes. If you or any of your roommates are late, I'll kill you."

You're met with the topic of your previous conversation: Astarion. While you aren't necessarily into fashion, you've seen so much about this guy as of recent, mostly from people thirsting on Twitter. You almost laugh, knowing Shadowheart will be pissed when she hears that he's the RA for their floor. He doesn't wait for you to respond and simply walks down to the next room. After closing the door, you call for your new gossipy friend.

"Oh Shadow, I have wonderful news!"

She opens her door and leans in the frame.

"Please tell me I heard that voice wrong."

"Nope. I guess if you want to complain about Lae'zel, you'll have to see your favorite person!"

She lets out a heavy sigh.

"Fine. I guess I'll just deal with her. Better the devil you know than the devil you don't."

You knock on Lae'zel's door to tell her about the meeting, but you're simply met with a yell of 'I know!'

"Geez, tough crowd."

"She's the toughest crowd you'll meet. Don't ever try to impress her, you'll die trying."

Shadowheart gives you this slice of advice while putting her hair in a black claw clip.

The next thirty minutes pass by quickly as you decorate the walls of your room. Posters, little pieces of art, pictures of friends from home. When you leave the room to go to the floor meeting, you're met with the overlapping voices of everyone from floor seven, clearly annoyed that they have to be here. You and Shadowheart sit on a couch in the common area, and Lae'zel stands off to the side.

"Okay, I'm going to make this quick."

The room gets quiet quickly as Astarion speaks up, pushing his shades down his nose slightly so he can make intense eye contact with anyone who interrupts him.

"I'm your RA for the year. No, I will not answer your calls. If I'm sleeping, you better not wake me up. I do not care if you have an air fryer in your room, but if you burn down the university I will be pissed. To make it entirely clear, I'm only doing this to make a little extra cash, so do not expect me to be, how do you say... present."

The room is silent, both pleased that he doesn't seem to care and entirely annoyed by his attitude.

"Any questions?"

Once again, no one speaks.

"Great! If you truly need something, I would suggest you go to the RA on floor eight, my wonderful friend Gale, as he actually cares about the well-being of strangers. Good day!"

The large group mutters as they all make their way back to their rooms. Shadowheart turns to whisper to you.

"Oh Gale fucking hates him, and I guarantee you he didn't sign off on being the RA of two floors. Can't wait to see that catfight."

You laugh at her comment, not noticing the white-haired man approaching the two of you.

"Shadowheart."

"Astarion."

"Who's your new friend?"

She then realizes she never actually asked your name.

"Tav. It's Tav."

Astarion makes a noise that lies somewhere between a laugh and a scoff.

"Fascinating. Well Tav, how would you like to be my plus-one to a party tonight? I would ask our emo queen here, but I'm sure she has some sulking and studying to do already."

"And I thought you'd be selling out on another Instagram post, but I guess you just really love bothering people. Have fun though, if you even know how to do that."

And with that comment. Shadowheart is back off to her room, most likely to sulk and study like Astarion said.

"Ugh, don't mind her. She just doesn't understand the hustle. Anyways, Tav was it? You seem like just the kind of person I'd love to silently drink champagne with."

You're silent for a moment, unsure if he really is as bad as Shadowheart makes him out to be.

"The champagne is free by the way."

What better way to sell a broke college student on a night out?

"Alright, guess I'm in."

[project-sekai-facts]

What are your predictions for the lineups of the next event(s)? Cause at first we were thinking tsukasa5 lim but then VBS got it,and now we have the Toya mixed event with a Toya, Kanade, and An 4 stars as the event starting tomorrow , when a lot of people were expecting kamiyama2 with Mizuki, so now what do you think?

yeah sorry i didn't do an event prediction post this month. i already made predictions for a lim mixed event and my though process was "i'll read lead to shine more and then do a prediction post in the morning". and then it was the morning and mmj hakolim 4 existed. anyway.

the lim event for this month is. kinda hard to predict despite the lack of options. obviously we have to consider the 4th anniversary banner at this point in time, which has six rateups and takes a lot of options out for this month's event.

so i'll start with my 4th anniversary predictions

emu banner. unless she's august, it's her. it can't be rui or tsukasa, and she's gone longer without a lim than nene. while that doesn't really mean anything, the fact she's getting incredibly close to 4 years without a mixed event it makes sense and lines up pretty well for this to be emu mix 2

haruka 3*. the only mmj characters eligible for the banner are haruka and airi. ideal idol just happened and capped haruka at 7 lims and while airi isn't capped, haruka's gone longest in the game without a 3* card.

the rateups i'm less sure about. i think the vbs rateup will be toya, if only because he has less lims than an. niigo will most likely be ena. mizuki5 is likely gonna be either 1 or 2 events away from this so. yeah. leoneed i'm less sure about. there's a leoneed event in september definitely, but i'm not sure who it will be. i initially predicted ichika but considering something shiho said in leoneed wle i wouldn't be surprised if it was her. if it's a shiho event, saki's on 4th anni. if it's an ichika or honami event, shiho is on 4th anni (probably unless they make saki reward card AGAIN).

yeah so emu/toya/ena/saki or shiho 4* + haruka 3*

oh yeah rin is almost definitely fes that'll be explained in like 2 seconds (watch me be wrong)

anyway now that that's out the way

rui basically controls everything here. he has to get a lim this month or he's fes. unless clpl decides to keep him waiting even longer than the gap between kanade fes 1 and spojoy. i've seen some spec over rui/honami/mafuyu but imo...nah. actually this is less for it being darkfes again and more for the mafuyu/rui kizuna that just dropped.

not sure how many people have picked up on this, but the game tends to hold off on giving kizuna until they're "done" with a pair. it explains why groups like the rainbow canvas trio got kizuna immediately but groups like thrilling white day trio took ages to get kizuna. the latter 3 attend the same school and interact quite a lot, so they held off so they had more fleshed out dynamics to pick title names from, but ena doesn't really have a huge window of opportunity for further interaction with emu and honami, so they're about as fleshed out as those dynamics will get after one event.

obviously the stories are only written so far ahead, so things do change, like shizuku and tsukasa interacting again in pandemonium ages after their kizuna title released (though their titles probably would be the same had the kizuna released later). this would also explain the delay on emu + bad dogs kizuna and the mafuyu/rui one, maybe they planned something more but the opportunity never came so they gave in. like seriously if mafuyu and rui are gonna have an event together soon why would they add their kizuna just before it? like maybe hypothetical honami/mafuyu/rui event provides nothing for their dynamic but i dunno it feels like an odd choice.

ANYWAY maybe i'm wrong. for some other possible lineups, there's ichika/honami/rui who all have some level of interest in gardening, ichika/nene who aren't on first-name basis even after that one 4koma where they accidentally slipped up, mafuyu and nene have no proper interactions yet so that's an interesting dynamic you could explore, or you could do an an/ichika broadcasting club event (this is the least likely option). i mean maybe they will just eliminate almost everyone who's still on 5 lims in one fair sweep by doing honami/rui/mafuyu august event into saki/toya/emu/ena anni + honami/rin fes, but seriously when has the game been that nice with distribution meta, especially with whatever is going on right now.

oh yeah for normal september events it'll be leoneed and niigo. saki basically has to be rateup whatever way you do it. maybe ichika/saki/honami or ichika/saki/vsinger. mizuki5 is where things get interesting because although people have speculated mizuki/ena/meiko, there's the possibility of this backing onto the anniversary event where one of them has to be limited. you could always do n25->ln->anniv tho and that solves the problem. or mizuki5 could be mizuki/mafuyu/meiko if the game decides it hates the concept of plot relevant 4*s.

i think i've contradicted myself like 5 times now. here's a rough mockup of some of my thoughts (ignore where it says EN name i just write my notes in the ensekai column)

[cometapollo]

Hi! Do you have any Headcanons about Fox, maybe specifically about how he is with his partner on a daily basis, or in public? I'd love to see your take on it, only if you're okay with so of course! 🫶🫶

The way I ran so fast to my notes app only to realize its all in my brain KDBDJB

General HC;

I like to think he wears nice clothes outside the home, but when he's just chilling at home he's slip into a hoodie (yes the ahegao hoodie is a go-to) and sweatpants. It's comfy time

He and his bodyguards are pretty close friends. He likes them cus they're big and strong and lowkey kinda hot. He likes to sit and listen to their banter between streams- it's entertaining

He's ALSO really close friends with Celia; she's among the first people he'll contact in an emergency (aside from the obvious) or if he's bored. They have a spa day once a month

He's a bit of a parent friend, but he's the kind that'll laugh at you before helping

If he accidentally cuts himself while making dinner he'll just stare at the wound for a second like "oh" before patching it up

He babysat Derek for a bit while he was getting his business up and running so he basically watched the guy grow up. That's probably the closest thing he'd ever want to a kid (He hates kids cus of Derek kdbdjd that kid was TERRIBLE). He's got a bit of a fatherly attachment to him nonetheless

Relationship HC;

He would absolutely SPOIL his partner. Something in a store window catches your eye? As soon as you arent looking he'll buy you three

He's EXTREMELY physically affectionate. There's hardly any point where he isn't cuddling or touching you in some way, and if you're out in public he's got his hand in yours or around your waist, or his tail is brushing the backs of your legs

If he's comfortable enough with a person, he'll slowly drop the flirty businessman persona and allow himself to feel safe in private. Once his guard is down, he'll be more like his younger self in terms of how he acts around you at home. He just seems a lot more comfortable and happy, so the shift doesn't bother his partner much

Lowkey wants to buy matching collars but is also So Iffy about it. He annoys himself with it

He takes you to parties and formal events (if you want go, at least) and when he does, god forbid you leave his line of sight for more than 3 minutes. He'll only allow this if you have to use the bathroom and will stand next to the door to make sure you come out okay. Otherwise he'll tear down the place looking for you

[whentommymetalfie]

How quickly after they got together did Luca get Tommy to stop working? Did Tommy ever ask Luca to pay for him to continue his education? What's going to happen to Dangerous when Tommy leaves Luca? Surely he'll lose his horse and that'll break his heart! Is Tommy's job when he finally does leave Luca going to be to work with horses?

Thank you for dropping by with these questions!❤️ Here’s how I sort of plotted it out in my mind, though it’s quite unpolished so bear with me:

Tommy ’willingly’ stops working soon after Luca proposes to him, six months into their relationship, and buys him Dangerous as a gift. He doesn’t particularly enjoy his job at the bar, but does sort of like the way it gives him ’something to do’. Although at the time he doesn’t fully understand the fact that, while he might not have any actual friends at work, it at least provides him with a connection to the outside world. But he’s very young, and in love with someone he views as the absolutely perfect man, so when Luca proposes and buys him Dangerous (which is quite literally a dream come true for him) he rather quickly buys into all of Luca’s promises, that he can spend his entire days at the stables with Dangerous if he’d like and his talk of ”isn’t that better than tending bar in some place where he has to deal with annoying patrons?” (and in Luca’s mind, a bunch of men salivating over him). Luca makes more than enough money for the both of them, and he can see that Tommy is ’utterly miserable at that job, you deserve so much better, sweetheart, just let me take care of you.’  And though Tommy has sworn to himself that he’d never become reliant on another person, he’s had to work incredibly hard for years in various dingy pubs, barely making ends meet, and deep down he’s longing for someone to take care of him, for once. And Luca can be incredibly persuasive. So he agrees. 

Tommy might’ve considered getting an education early in life, but has no examples of anyone in his family going to university (although Ada later does). And at the time when he would’ve been looking into getting some kind of higher education, his home life back in Birmingham becomes bad enough that he needed to leave. I also imagine that his difficult situation at home with their father has made his early education suffer, so he doesn’t view himself as particularly smart, or possibly even capable of getting a higher education. How he’d afford it is a different question entirely. And he would’ve been happy with just finding a job where he got to work with horses, but then he’s forced to just get away from home as quickly as possible, gets to London and somehow has to somehow make ends meet. Which isn’t entirely easy when you’re just 17.  So he’d probably never dream of asking Luca to pay for an education, particularly at this point, when his self confidence is at an all time low. 

As for what would happen to Dangerous if Tommy were to leave Luca, well, that’s one of the reasons why it would be so difficult to do that, you’re absolutely right. While technically, Dangerous was a gift, Luca still owns him on paper and pays for everything, so there would be no way for Tommy to keep him… 

What Tommy would work with if he were to leave Luca is something I’ll leave up to future chapters 👀 But as for what Tommy himself would want, he's too caught up in his current situation to even imagine himself in a life without Luca in it.

Thank you again for your questions! ❤️I love getting to ramble about a bit of backstory, you know, the kind of things I need to know when writing the story, but which might not always make it into the actual fic as fully fleshed out text (although some of them of course will in some form, later down the line) 

[mossterunderthebed]

Ever since I saw this comic I always somehow manage to write Yuuji and Ieri as friends.

Not necessarily super close or anything but like... sit in silence together, reminisce about the good times, swallow your sorrow and choke on silence buddies. Unwilling, tortured survivors.

They were there for each other when nobody else was. Because everyone was gone.

I don't know why but their relationship is Very Important to me.

"Please drink some water, Ieri-san," Ijichi says, offering a bottle of water with a deep crease between his brows. Always awkward, that one. Shoko doesn't know why he even tries. She should probably be grateful that someone in this hellscape does.

Utahime crouches beside her, reaching out to warm a patch of her arm. Good old Utahime. Soft hands, soft heart, soft voice. "Shoko, we need to move somewhere safe. Can you walk?"

She stays still long enough that they leave her alone, hunched on the floor. Alone alone alone. Hollow puppets, walking along; march in time. One by one, two by two. Cut strings left and right.

Who's gonna cut her strings? She's ready. Why's it just her? Picking up messes and dealing with the fallout, it's been this way since high school. She should've known. Bastards. Bastard.

She can't even cry.

Bastard.

"We're leaving now, Ieri-san," a voice says, youthful and bright-edged. Hoarse. She'd recognize those dulcet tones anywhere, even colored with so much grief. Itadori. "I'll carry you. Please tell me if you're uncomfortable."

She's lifted by strong arms, stronger than a teenager has any right to be. The day he ended up in her morgue, Satoru grinning with glass teeth as he contemplated mass murder, she'd thought he was another kid gone too soon. Haibara two point oh. Now she realizes she was wrong.

Try Satoru the second. She should have known.

What a legacy. What a damn- ahh, fuck. She doesn't have the energy to philosophize. Doesn't have the energy for anything, so she doesn't bother to fight as he carries her away, moving yet again, trying to find some safe haven that no longer exists, some hopeful ending that'll never come, no matter how many curses go down.

Heal, succeed; heal, fail; heal, sleep; heal, smoke; again again again. Never-ending. She can't figure out the point anymore.

Her best friends are dead.

She turns her head, tucking her face into Itadori's shoulder as he carries her, silent and solemn, like a wake. A witness to her own funeral, how perfect. The reverse curse user; she was always going to be the last to go. Maybe it was her destiny to witness the falling of a dynasty. Which god does she curse for this?

"We're all alone, huh, Itadori-kun?" She murmurs into the worn flesh of his uniform.

He doesn't reply.

It's not like she blames him. What the hell is there to say? But after a moment, his hands shift to grip her a little tighter, a little more secure, and by some miracle, when she drops off to sleep, she doesn't dream.

[touch-of-diamond]

Intro post!!

Salut tout le monde, je suis Montague LeBlanc.

Ah, I should be speaking in english, shouldn't I? Either way, you all probably know me one way or another, and I'm not entirely sure if I like that fact, but I'm here now, even if I'm late to this 'party'

Considering well, everything, I'm not sure how active I'll be, but I'll try to make time for this blog, use it as a way to distract myself, or something.

I'll probably just post about things my husband does, or updates on the hotel, answering questions, as I already have so many.

I however, will be using hashtags when posting, for example: Normal posting: #Diamond Dialogue OOC posting: #Medallion Mumbles

// OOC //

Hiya! Hello! It's me! your host!! (I go by He/They for future reference) Right off the bat, I'd like to keep asks SFW! I might occasionally make a slightly suggestive reference or mention, but those will be very low. I will be running this account based on my own lore/headcanons made for Montague! Fair warning right now, he's vastly different from a lot of other Montague's I've seen, so if you aren't here for a silly goober of a man, I hate to break it too you, this blogs not for you.

quick tw!! some of these headcanons are pretty heavy, so warning now that things like ab#se and neglect might and will be mentioned at certain points!!

So with that, Let's dig in! (sorry about random ahh order)

Montague is very much autistic! Having a special interest in geology, diamonds seem to be his favourite gem to talk about and associate himself with.

He came from wealth, though he would leave it due to neglect and abuse, running away from his home at the age of 16 and hiding out at the remains of a building that would eventually become the Grand Glacier.

French is Montague's first language, and he has a tendency to default to it. He might switch to it when struggling with a certain english word, or so on.

Montague is in fact married! I won't share who yet, but you will all find out with time.

He is absolutely riddled with anxiety over plenty of things, but he's most anxious about driving/being in cars, as his love for speed got him in an accident on the track, and a missing leg soon followed.

My Montague is also pretty quiet and soft spoken, disliking loud and repetive sounds. He's more than likely to break down if yelled at, or hands being raised at him.

Other than a missing leg, Montague has a long list of health issues, mental and physical, one of his biggest being the fact that his medallion is quite literally his heart and life force, on top of that, his connection to it being like the one ring.

One last thing! My personal headcanons of what he looks like! (Art by me, i post more at @noots-wears-blue-boots !!)

There's probably a lot more that'll be dropped later on, but until then, here you guys are!

[mckitterick]

Bots-B-Gone

(AKA How to Tumblr)

Hey, I get it. Xitter is xitting on its users, same for Reddit and Facebook and so many others, and you migrated here because it's not been so badly enshittified. Hooray! Welcome!

So that means those of us who've lived here in [tumblr] land have been getting lots of new followers lately, many of whom are just lurking until you've figured out how to use this place. That's cool.

~ however ~

If you recently started following me and you're legitimately a human being, take note:

I'll soon resume blocking (and, when appropriate, reporting) all followers who don't do the bare minimum of appearing human - that is, one or more of these:

create a user icon. pick some image you like and use it rather than the default icon. doesn't need to be fancy, just try not to look like a bot dumped into our social ecosystem to farm human creativity

like stuff. that's kinda the point of following people, right? because you like it? so let us know, which also shows us there's a human mind behind the blog

reblog stuff. you don't need to add anything, you don't even need to tag your reblogs. here's the heart of what makes [tumblr] original. it's also why this place is so much more fun than most social platforms

reblog with interesting or fun additions. got something to add that'll elevate a post? awesome! some folks put their thoughts into the tags instead of in the post (maybe they're shy, maybe they don't want their blog to get new followers, or whatever. it's fine, and fun for the original poster to see in their notes)

drop me a note or tag me on a post, or send me an ask or message. I check my activity pretty much every day, so I'll see if someone wants to interact. I love that stuff

make original posts of your own! got a cute cat? show us! enjoy taking photos of wildflowers? fabulous! like sharing quotes from books you're reading? we love that! doesn't need to be a big deal, just hint at the human mind behind the blog name

I hate blocking blogs, because what if that's a shy human I'm blocking? But gaining a few dozen new followers in the past week whose blogs are blank means it's time to cull again.

So if you want to keep following me (and probably the same for most other Tumblr users), please show me you're a real human some time in the next week (I'll start culling on August 24, 2023).

[suekreandtheidiots]

Abby in distress

Just putting the premise of the Abby arc here, so the few peeps who follow me have an idea what I'm talking about whenever I'm referring to these two in the future lol.

As I mentioned before, the overzealous Abigail Shaw and the infamous Lowell Foster will grow closer in the forseeable future!

(I'm still figuring out how I want to draw Abby, these are really just mood scribbles... and one to establish their height difference. 😂)

Also, I pretty much just started writing and figuring out this particular arc, so I can't tell everything just yet… and, to be quite honest, I don't really want to. At least not yet, as there are many mental images that I'd actually like to draw or write about than just randomly spill. 😅 I hope I can get to that!

Their story starts when Kip goes on his little after-school-trip to Australia, which will most likely happen some time in early 2027!

Kip will only be gone for a few months, maybe half a year or so, but despite keeping close contact to him ( see here 😂), it's a lot for his poor dad to handle! Lowell has been a single dad for the past fifteen-ish years at that point, Kip has been his priority for such a long time (even if it didn't always look that way). Seeing his own kid - the kid he never wanted when he was still so young! - grow up and explore the world; realising that he no longer actually needs him to survive… it's gonna fill Lowell with both pride and agony at the same time. It's something he has never experienced before. Let's face it, that poor man is gonna feel lost and lonely. For real. He won't tell anyone, but it's true, it'll move him deeply.

Abby Shaw won't miss Kip as much but to tell the truth - she has more pressing matters on her plate than thinking about her former students. The school's Music-and-Drama club has a musical contest (with a cash prize!) coming up, which wouldn't be a problem all by itself. What makes it a little tricky is that the school's old music teacher, Mister Guthrie, unexpectedly (more or less) passes away, only days into the preparations and rehearsal phase.

Well… oops.

That contest could bring in some good money. Even if it doesn't - it's a tradition everyone loves and appreciates, always good for lifting up the school's community spirit. Therefore, the club dropping out of the contest is not really an option. The school is already quite understaffed at the time, though, so there isn't really anyone who is willing to take the lead.

Abby, being the dutiful and devoted teacher she is, eventually jumps in, because "someone has to do it?!". It's a lot on top of her already busy schedule, she knows, but, well, how hard can it be? The club's members are all talented kids and very passionate about their thing, after all… all she'll have to do is supervise, probably?

Unfortunately, that's quite far from the truth.

Even the most talented kids need guidance and someone to motivate and push them. Abigail Shaw has many good traits and talents. Musical skill isn't among them. 💀 The task is too big for her as a completely inexperienced person in artistic matters, that'll become clear soon enough. Finding a new music teacher goes so much slower than expected, too, and time is running out.

Abby knows someone who would be perfect to help out. She hates the thought of even just asking him, she really does. With every fibre of her being.

However, she's desperate.

It's not like she never shared a single civil moment with Lowell Foster in the recent past. The day his son left school, she had a short and surprisingly nice talk with him; it wasn't hard to tell that he was incredibly proud of Kip, and also quite wistful about the prospect of letting him go to explore the other side of the world.

Still. They are so far from being on actually friendly terms. That man is a pest, that's just how it is. Sharing a few quick and friendly words on a graduation day is one thing (especially with the prospect of never having to see either of the Fosters again 😂). Spending several afternoons a week with him would be another.

Abby isn't crazy about the thought, not at all, and it will hurt to ask. It's for the kids, though. She has to take any option into consideration, everything else just wouldn't be right.

Setting that godawful man on the poor kids… oof. Well. We'll worry about that later. Abby thinks to herself as she calls the number with the very prominent numerical sequence somewhere in the middle - "666". There is an actual "666" in there. Figures.

(It kinda goes like this. 🤣)

(Yes, Lowell is actually four.)

Lowell won't be thrilled either. There are so many things in life he'd rather do than tutor a bunch of teenagers who may think they're musically gifted (let's face it, most of them aren't). Drink windscreen washer fluid, for example. Get a 9-5 job. Move to England. Shoot himself in the leg.

It's something about the way Abigail Shaw talks to him, though. She means it. He's fully aware of the fact that she can't stand him. Yet she asks him for such a huge favour.

Things start happening in Lowell's head. That poor woman is actually desperate. Oh, for fuck's sake. When exactly has he become this soft?! Must've happened somewhere between Kip's very first heartfelt "Love you, dad!" and their last equally heartfelt hug at the airport about a month ago. No matter what had caused his pitiful condition, though, a part of him just doesn't want to leave the woman hanging. He's good at what he does, after all, she couldn't get a more capable help than him. And it's just for a few weeks. He'll live.

And… well. Kip is a gazillion miles away from him. Being quite honest with himself for a second - he's painfully bored in his free time and the job may distract him from his Kip woes, too. Maybe, but only maaayyyybe, having a few teenagers around again won't be too bad after all…?! (He doesn't really want a dog named Kip anyway.)

Before Lowell fully realises what he's doing, he agrees to help out.

Some silly doodles:

(He's so cute lol.)

Some mild spoilers:

It isn't hubris on Lowell's side - he IS good, he knows his stuff, he can offer a much different perspective than the old-established Mister Guthrie who has done pretty much the same procedure for decades. And he'll like doing this a lot more than he could ever anticipate. It'll be fun. He may take a bit to warm up to the situation, but he's going to like the students, and they are going to like him in return, even though (or because???) he isn't exactly what a decent school teacher should be. It doesn't come without quarrels, but it'll happen.

Abby will appreciate what Fozzy does, and she will gain a whole new respect for the field of art and music. She has never taken creative matters super seriously so far, but seeing this particular guy being actually good at what he does will be something else. She may not like him as a person, but she will like the way he's passionate about his craft. Lowell, in turn, will get some insight into Abby's job and what she faces day by day. Something he has never come to appreciate before. He'll see that she's a passionate person in her very own way… and that he may have judged her a bit too harshly in the past.

They really DO have banter potential, though. That won't stop, even when they warm up to each other. That's where the fun is.

On another note… it's really not my goal to make these two actually end up together. I don't think Lowell has what it takes to have a successful, healthy relationship. Can't be 100% sure, of course, but I doubt it. Doesn't mean he can't catch the feels, though, and that's what I love about this whole arc. Abby (still engaged to her guy David* at the time) actually catches a feel or two as well, despite not wanting to, soooo… how exactly do they handle that? I'm dying to find out, I love their dynamic so much and I'm looking forward to see it unfold!

(* I drew a very simplified David, too. 😂 I didn't mean to make him look like one of my ex-boyfriends but here we go, I guess. Ugh. 😂)

Aaaaannnnd that is where we are going to start that particular arc. So much for now, but now you guys have at least an idea of what's going on when I talk about the Abby arc. 😂

[starynightcreator]

It's Not All Bad

Chapters: 5-8

Characters included: Eddie Munson, Nancy Wheeler, and Steve Harington

Word Count: 9,006

No use of Y/N

18+! May be triggering to some!

Contains: Fluff, Angst, Kissing, Shy/ Anxious Reader, Sweet/Protective Eddie, Jealousy, Cursing, Alcohol use, Yelling, Heartbreak, Betrayal, & Friends To Lovers.

Summary: After a betrayal from your best friend and boyfriend, you find comfort in the arms of eddie.

Please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments. This is my first story and I'm a little nervous.

!Must give credit when re-sharing/ sharing. Don't take credit please and thank you!

PART FIVE:

Just as Eddie turned his head to go and defend himself, he caught you smiling like some dummy. It was all because of him, so he decided to say something else instead. “We still got quite a drive.” “Yeah” “Do you want to do something?”“Like what?”“I ask you something and you gotta be 100% honest with me and then after you can ask me something the same rules apply. Are you down?” You took a minute to think “Yeah what the hell why not. Go ahead.”“Why are you dating a jerk like Steve?”“Oh, well at first he wasn’t like this. He was much kinder, sweeter, and just better. Then Nancy came back and he changed. I know they had history but they said it wouldn’t affect anything and well you see how that's going. He even came over uninvited this morning and when I had some attitude he said he had no idea why. Then asked what did he do wrong to deserve me being so sharp and snippy with him. Anyways I guess i’m just hoping he’ll go back to being that nice guy.””You’re kidding?!”“I wish.”“Star I’m sorry you deserve better than that and you’ve done nothing wrong.”“Maybe not but it feels like I have.” Hearing that broke Eddie's heart into a million pieces. You’ve done nothing wrong and don’t deserve to feel this way or to be treated this way. ”I know. I hope that'll change soon tho.”“Me too. Can I ask my question now? I kinda wanna drop this if that’s ok.”“Yeah it’s ok and yeah fire away.”“Why do you call me Star?”“Ummm.” Eddie had to think he had to be honest and he had to answer but this isn’t exactly how he planned on telling you why he called you that.”You don’t have to tell me. I get it” Eddie pulled into a empty parking lot as he wanted to be able to either look at you or move around anything but drive.“Edds?”“You wanna know and I'm gonna tell you what it honestly means.” “Ok.”“I call you Star because you are the brightest and most beautiful thing in my life. You are my happiness and you guide me through the darkness. You make literally everything better just by being involved. You shine so bright, so bright that most people just can’t handle it. Which is just unfortunate for them. I din’t wanna tell you and then scare you off or weird you out.”“Edds I-”“I get if yo-” Eddies words were then cut off as you quickly wrapped your arms around him and it didn’t take long for him to then do the same. You guys sat there hugging for a good minute or two. “We should probably get going, Edds.”“Yeahhhh but this is better.” As much as you wanted to agree you knew any longer you may have told him you loved him and you did. Steve hurt you and made you miserable. Eddie made you feel loved and special. Steve didn’t even make you feel that way in the beginning. At this point you asked yourself if you truly ever loved Steve. You did for a short time but you were never in love with him and there is a difference. Somehow you were able to escape Eddie's bar grip. “Yeah but um we should still go for a little.”“Fine. If we must.” “We must.” “Star?” “Yes?” “Can…” You can tell he’s getting nervous so you don’t tease. But you also notice his hand was out not like asking for yours just there, so you take it anyways and ask. “Were you gonna ask to do this?” “No!”“Oh okay then i’ll just take my hand back then.” “No Star wait…Yes it was what I was gonna ask for.” You still let go tho “Well then ask petty boy.” “Pretty?” “Yes among other things but yes pretty is one.” “Oh?” “Well you are!” Eddie turns red and although he’d love to tease he doesn't wanna miss the opportunity to hold your hand so he’ll put a pin on teasing you for now. “Thank you. Hey Star, can I hold your hand?” “Yes.” You take his hand again and you guys head off again.

Meanwhile Steve and Nancy were already at the party but you nor Eddie had any idea they would be there as they didn’t say anything about going. Steve kept going around the party saying how y’all broke up and that Nancy and him got back together. Nancy wasn’t a fan of being so open about this yet but she didn’t stop Steve either. She liked knowing Steve loved her more even if it was at the cost of your friendship. She did feel guilty but she also thought it was unfair she didn’t get a true chance with Steve. The whole time they were there they danced together, made out several times, got drunk, and just did lots of couple type crap. Steve was now so drunk he didn’t think his actions out before doing them or how it would affect his surroundings. So he dragged Nancy to the restroom for another makeout session but didn’t remember to lock the door behind them. You and Eddie finally arrived and as always Eddie ran to get the door for you. “Thank you Edds.”“You’re welcome Star.” You both enter the party and again you already wanna ditch the idea of going. But it’s too late now. So you both walk in and find a place to kinda sit and just talk. As time passes people must have finally connected the dots on who you were as you had a mix of people coming up to you saying you were an awful person or i’m sorry that happened to you. You were confused but Eddie was pissed which confused you more. You had no idea what the fuck was going on but Eddie had his suspsion. You just tried to shake it off and say whatever, besides you had to use the restroom Anyways. As you go to walk in you hear something and then… you walk in on your boyfriend and best friend making out. All anyone hears next is. “WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK! ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME RIGHT NOW!” Followed by a door slamming everyone including Eddie thought it was someone else (as again this isn’t something you’d normally do but) until you turned the corner and your face said it all and then it showed some fear as you couldn’t see Eddie but as soon as you saw Eddie you B-lind it to him. “Eddie please take me home.”“Star ar-” You cut him off and you felt awful for doing so but you couldn’t handle being there right now and explaining to Eddie here meant staying here “Not right now Eddie please just can we leave.” He could hear the crack in your voice and how broken you were. He hated seeing you like this but he’d be damned to ignore your cry for help. Steve suddenly runs to try and explain “BABE WAIT!” But you’ve had enough of his and Nancy’s shit. You whipped around so fast Eddie had to put his arms up so he wouldn’t slap you (his hands were at face level behind you). You spoke so angrily that your face turned so red from anger and burned hot to the touch, you were crying uncontrollably, you hated crying, your fists were so tight your nails left marks on your palms, and when you spoke you yelled. But your yell was so broken as you had a hard time keeping it together. Steve just broke your heart into a million pieces so did Nancy. Oh and they think it’s what no biggy? This was months of pent up shit and this was the last straw. “DON’T YOU FUCKING BABE ME YOU PIECE OF SHIT!” Of course Steve tried to play the civil card now that there was an audience watching the truth unfold. ”Wow there is no need for yelling let’s just go talk privately. Yah?”“GO FUCK YOURSELF! I’M DONE WAITING FOR YOU TO BE SOMEONE YOU'RE NOT ANYMORE AND I’M DONE WITH YOUR SHIT.”“What do you mean your done?”“GO GET A NEW DAMN BRAIN I’M DONE, LIKE OH I’M BREAKING UP WITH YOU, OH IT’S OVER, OR OH I DON’T EVER WANNA SEE YOU AGAIN! LIKE HOW ELSE DO I GOTTA SAY IT?!” “OH AND NANCY DON’T EVEN TRY AND SPEAK I WANT YOU OUTTA MY LIFE STARTING 5 MIN AGO. FUCKING NO GOOD BACK STABBING LYING PEICES OF SHIT, GET FUCKED I’M OUTTA HERE.” As you hear them rambling in the background you just keep looking forward and walk out.