#the blue tier should be 'two or more' my bad

[trashcanwithsprinkles]

debate

(topic: how many and what configuration of kids do they give off vibes of having (either at present or in the future)(partner is irrelevant in most cases, some could be single parents for all i care))

[cabeswaterdrowned]

remembering on my circa 2017 booklr I used to tell people to read Gemma Doyle by describing it as trc but with an all girls boarding school / all girl group in a historical setting… I was trying to do the lord’s work she deserved tumblr fame

[crying-fantasies]

Wet and messy

Masterlist

Featuring G1! Bluestreak, smut/fluff/humor, CW: Bluestreak is a goofball and a fluffball, slight dubcon (he’s drunk), heavy petting, licking (gotta keep that mouth busy), oral, lube consumption.

It was just another good night cycle on the Autobot city, it was so nice to just lay down with a good old-fashioned book in hand, a cup ready to go the moment you a sip, low lights, and cozy warmth, nothing could ruin the relaxed atmosphere.

It is for that very same reason that you can hear the distant sound, it’s a voice, a very distant one that is soon approaching, very said voice is saying something along the lines of earth's minerals and whatnot, you would recognize that pretty deep tone laced with that gentle baritone, talking so highly of some piece of carbon.

That's your Bluey, alright.

And it gives you a sense of “I was right” when Smokey knocks on the door before opening and revealing a smiley Blue perched on the right shoulder armor of the other praxian, “Could you please shut up your chatterbox?”, smiling you only pat at your side in the berth, Bluestreak chants “my sweetspark!” with long and stretched vocalization.

“Did he…?”

“Consume high grade? Worse, someone gave him nightmare fuel by mistake, and he hasn't stopped talking since then, well, more than usual”, he gives a pat somewhere in the center of Bluestreak's door wings, which rise for a moment before he lays out cold on the mattress, “there we go, all nice and set for a full night cycle of recharge, sorry for the interruption”, Smokescreen leaves shortly after, leaving a now mumbling Blue next to you, he is still moving, trying to cuddle still with closed optics, among all his gibberish you can recognize your name, promptly sighing, leaving the book and cup at the nightstand, soon taking a seat at his open servo, it seems like the sensation is enough to make him open his optics.

“Dearest”, his words are still dragging over the edge of recharge and consciousness, optics barely active as he snuggles the mattress over the berth, he exhales some over the pillow.

It should be criminal, how pretty he is.

But no amount of pretty boy propaganda will allow his digits to trespass the waistband of your pajamas, “wow, no”, his chevron pushes against the soft pillow, looking at the nightstand, pleading with big blue eyes, “No, no, you're wasted, and it's messy enough when we-”

His digits took your chin in between them with such ease, so gently, his faceplate is angled just right to give you no more puppy eyes but half-lidded optics, burning eyes brighter by the way his faceplate darkened by the position.

Damn, cursed praxians for their pretty chevrons, condemn them for their pretty almond-shaped blue optics, curse them for being so good at negotiation, “Okay, okay!”, his digits let you go, a happy and innocent smile that shouldn't have anything to do with the current situation is shown, “I swear, since we went to Hedonia you can't stop to do such things”.

Hedonia, oh Hedonia, such a pretty place, a nice planet to have some vacations.

The problem was that Hedonia didn't have such limits, and you pushed those limits to a place where no one would care for who you were or from where you came. Bluestreak only got caught in the middle of your limitless taste of indecency before returning to Earth. You found new things about yourself, and he did, too.

Of the few things you both bought from Hedonia a pretty pink bottle with consumable gel was present, personal order, sticky, sweet with a tint of acid lemon, lime-based but with energon flavor, the alien owner looked at you both funny, who seemed to be a common couple of young organics asking for a very detailed order after coming out of the lube salon, and just charged you the price while shrugging his two pairs of shoulders, “it can be dissolved in water, no contaminants, animal friendly, still, I recommend you to try it now to assure you don't have a bad reaction, but I doubt it, our products are top tier”, he was telling the truth, satisfied when it didn't do any damage at your skin, but snickering good-naturedly when Bluestreak couldn't stop and gave a long lick over the pink stripe over your palm, his holoform’s earings clicking against his headphones when he just went for it, “you two youngsters go have fun already! Remember to be safe!”

It was a nice vacation, and it was painful to get back to Earth where your habsuit was the only place safe to keep on the newfound kink of your boyfriend, the same boyfriend urging you to get the gel back from the nightstand, “alright I got it, just give me a minute to take my clothes off”

“Why though?”, his digit is drawing nonsense on the fabric over your belly, just shy of touching your chest, “you will look pretty anyways”.

This guy…

“You know what? Fine!”, the bottle opens with a pop, and realization down on you as the slime-like plaster comes out with some chunky pieces in between over your pajamas, “agh! I didn't shake it, is this expired? Does this expire?”

Bluestreak, by any means, seems happier by the added textures of the chunks when his glossa and digits go over your now tainted clothes, “I don't mind”, his voice rumbles, drunk sneaky bot directing the flow of his words into his derma and glossa, resonating into you before he settles for a moment to kiss you, it takes a lot of will power to stop him and escape his hungry mouth, “Wait! We must put the sealant in your joints before we keep on!”, he whimpers, saying how unfair it is, but you only have to remind him the last time you two did it raw and he had to go with Ratchet to get out to last bits of slime.

Ratchet didn't ask many questions, but the mortification was enough to keep Bluestreak quiet for a whole cycle.

You try your damn best to apply the spray sealant over his most difficult-to-clean points, hearing him whimper and even catching on the way his hips rutted over the mattress, telling you to “hurry up” with a “pretty please” at the end, he keeps groping and finally catching one of your legs when his left hand is ready to go moving his whole frame without interrupting you, next thing you know there is a little something doing pressure over your sex from behind, making you stumble over and almost dropping the spray.

“Blue”, he isn't mass-displaced, meaning his glossa is as big as your torso, but the tip of it is big enough to press just right over your clothes and the slime, his pushes gain more urgency, catching into the best place to earn a nervous response, arching your back due to the sudden gasp leaving you, holding onto his chevron in time to not fall over, bad decision, he just takes the opportunity to keep on, “Blue, wait-”

“But you look so good”, his optics are still half open, and he has the perfect view of his glossa pressing your pants in the middle, all your ass messed up with the lube, clenching over your frail body, so wet, so hot, “so pretty”.

“Just work with me, please”, you still hold to his chevron for dear life, putting the spray over his last digit, but he makes it so hard.

I'm so sorry Ratch, “Okay! Done!”

Your words are the last coherent words to be said before he finally drags you down and over his spike, the sensation of the wet clothes makes him moan shamelessly, he says something in his mother tongue, it shouldn't turn you on as much as it does but you only go with it, “oh yeah?” your fingers grab all the lube you can before they smear it over the head of his spike, Blue moans again, this time more timidly as he catches you looking at his faceplate, trying to hide in the pillow, still with an open optic as you start to rock your body against his spike from the underside, just in the part of the pretty latex-like components of his pretty spike, plush enough to let you press your body with less resistance than the rest of his body, “my Blue likes this?”, one leg holds onto his spike, the other is busy trying to reach his anterior node.

Once you do brush it with a finger he calls out your name again, timid like the first time, tasting it and the sensations as his optics shine, his servos still massaging you against his spike, helping you roll in constant pumping, pulsing with every move, condensation shining over his armor and plating, it's so unfair to not be able to kiss him and let him try to quiet down his moans and groan I to your mouth.

It would have to wait, there is always a next time, especially in the way he is so lost in the sensation of the lube, showing a more open Bluestreak, one you love equally as any part of him.

You love these reactions, the raw feelings he gets out of it, how undone he ends, strangling his vocalizer to let you know that he loves it all even when his reactions are probed enough with his physical reactions, there is transfluid coming over the tip of his spike, but you still haven't had your fill, pouring more lube over your chest as he catches on, not able to stop the whimper to finally scoop you up to his derma and kiss you in an absolute mess.

You're only kissing, and maybe it's the fact you accept him and love his kinks as much as he does or the fact that was already ready to go over the edge, it doesn't matter, you feel as pretty as he always says you're when he comes undone with that last kiss, holding onto you with care only a lover could have.

.

Wet and messy was a real challenge, every time I tried to make it work I thought “But it would get inside his joints, or it could be bad for their health or the human's health”, it made me think and I could finally get the job done! God bless Hedonia! The only place you can find anything related to pleasure! And of course, there is Swindle but I can't see Blue asking him for something without blowing a gasket.

@tf-kinktober2024

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Hollywood is the single best example of mature labor power in America

This afternoon (May 6), I’ll be in Berkeley at the Bay Area Bookfest for a 3:30PM event with Glynn Washington for my book Red Team Blues; tomorrow (May 7), it’s an 11AM event with Wendy Liu for my book Chokepoint Capitalism.

Weds (May 10), I’m in Vancouver for a keynote at the Open Source Summit and a book event at Heritage Hall and Thu (May 11), I’m in Calgary for Wordfest.

The Writers Guild is on strike. Hollywood is closed for business. The union’s bargaining documents reveal a cartel of studios that refused to negotiate on a single position. This could go on for a long-ass time:

https://www.wga.org/uploadedfiles/members/member_info/contract-2023/WGA_proposals.pdf

If you’d like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here’s a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/05/06/people-are-not-disposable/#union-strong

The writers are up for it. A lot of people are saying this is the first writers’ strike since 2007/8, but that’s not quite right. That was the last time the writers went on strike against the studios, but in 2019, the writers struck against their own talent agents — within the space of a week, all 7,000 writers in Hollywood fired their agents. They struck against the agencies for 22 months.

https://deadline.com/2023/04/hollywood-strike-writers-guild-studios-talent-agencies-1235333516/

The agencies had consolidated down to four major firms, two backed by private equity who loaded them up with debt that could only be repaid if the agencies figured out how to vastly increase their profits. They did so, by unilaterally switching the way they did business with their clients. Instead of taking a 10% commission on the creative wages they bargained for, the agencies started to take “packaging fees” from the studios for putting together a writer, director, stars, etc. These fees came out of the same budget that the talent got paid from, so the higher the fee was, the less the talent made. Soon, some showrunners were discovering that they were getting 10% and their agents were getting 90%!

The agencies weren’t done, either: they were building their own studios, and planning to negotiate with themselves on behalf of their clients. The writers said fuck this shit. They issued a code of conduct ordering the agencies to knock all that shit off. The agencies swore they’d never do it. Why should they? Every job these writers had ever done came through an agency, and the agencies were staffed with the toughest, most obnoxious negotiators on the planet.

They were sure the writers would cave. After all, the top tier of writers had been handled with kid gloves by the agencies and not ripped off to the same extent as their jobbing, workaday peers. They’d break solidarity and the union would collapse, right?

Wrong. Twenty-two months later, every one of the agencies caved on every single point. Bam. Union strong.

(Want to learn more? Check out Chokepoint Capitalism, Rebecca Giblin’s and my book about creative labor markets:)

http://chokepointcapitalism.com

Now the writers are back on strike and it’s triggered a predictable torrent of anti-worker nonsense (“striking writers will lead to public indifference to torture!) (no, really) (ugh):

https://www.readtpa.com/p/on-the-tv-writers-strike-dont-fall

One common theme in these bad takes is that writers aren’t real workers, like, you know, coal miners or Starbucks baristas. They’re coddled intellectuals, and haven’t the intelligentsia been indifferent to proletarian struggle since, you know, time immemorial?

This is wrong in every conceivable way. For starters, it’s ahistorical. Lord Byron and innumerable other toffs and poets and such were right there with the Luddites, demanding labor justice during the Industrial Revolution, as Brian Merchant writes in his outstanding, forthcoming history of the Luddites, Blood in the Machine:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/03/20/love-the-machine/#hate-the-factory

But you don’t have to look back to the stocking frame to find this kind of solidarity. As Hamilton Nolan writes in his newsletter, “Hollywood is the single best example of mature labor power in America”:

https://www.hamiltonnolan.com/p/the-coral-reef-of-humanity-encircling

The entire Hollywood workforce, from grips to carpenters, costumers to plumbers, teamsters to medics, is unionized. That includes writers and actors (I’m a member of IATSE Local 839, AKA The Animation Guild). I live in Burbank, the entertainment industry’s company town (fun fact! The “Hollywood” studios are largely over the city line, in Burbank). Walk down Burbank Boulevard, Magnolia Boulevard, or any of the other major roads, and you’ll pass many union halls.

Burbank is a prosperous place. That’s thanks, in part, to the studios, whose entertainment products are very profitable. But working in a profitable industry is not, in and of itself, a guarantee that you will get a share of those profits. Some of the most profitable industries in the world — e-commerce, fast food, logistics — have the lowest paid workforces.

Burbank is prosperous because the unions made sure that everyone — the grips, the costumers, the animators, the actors, the writers, the teamsters and the pipefitters — gets a decent wage, decent health care and a decent retirement. My pal the set-dresser who worked crazy hours shlepping furniture around sitcom sets for decades? All that work did bad stuff to his joints, which meant that he needed a hip replacement in his forties — which was 100% covered, including his sick leave while he recovered. He was able to take early retirement in his late fifties, with a solid pension, with his health in excellent shape and many years of happiness with his partner stretching before him.

That’s what unions get you: a good job that might be hard at times, and the costs of your work are borne by the employer who profits from your labor. As Nolan writes, the point of unions is to “make sure that people! Are! Not! Disposable!”

Unions deliver the American dream. As Pete Seeger sang in “Talking Union Blues”:

Now, if you want higher wages let me tell you what to do You got to talk to the workers in the shop with you You got to build you a union, got to make it strong But if you all stick together, boys, it won’t be long You get shorter hours, better working conditions Vacations with pay. Take your kids to the seashore

http://www.protestsonglyrics.net/Labor_Union_Songs/Talking-Union.phtml

We tend to focus on wages in union discussions, but unions aren’t merely about getting better pay, it’s about making better jobs. When LA teachers went out on strike in 2019, wages weren’t at the top of their list — they bargained for greenspace for every school, replacing rotting portables with permanent buildings, ending ICE entrapment of parents at the school gates, social workers and counselors for schools…and wages.

I really like how Nolan puts this. The way that the studios make money has changed: streaming is clobbering ad-supported TV and movie theater tickets. The studios are adapting. The workers want to adapt, too. The studios would rather “treat[] their work force as a disposable natural resource to be mined, used up, and then abandoned, as business dictates.”

A union gives workers “the same ability to adapt to changing industries that companies already have.” The studios want to leave workers behind. Unions give workers the collective power to say, “No. You’re taking us with you.”

Union workers are wealthier than their non-union counterparts, but that’s not just because of higher wages. As Nolan writes, “Unions make sure that the people get to adapt to changing industries, and not just the investors and the business owners.”

[Union workers] have a far greater ability to build coherent, long-term careers, as opposed to a constant treadmill of unstable short-term gigs. In non-union industries, businesses can just act like ships cutting through a desperate sea of workers, scooping up whoever they want and then tossing them overboard as soon as it’s convenient. In a union industry, though, the companies are forced to deal with the labor force as an equal. The workers have their own damn boat.

Advocates for market capitalism insist that market forces increase prosperity for everyone. They say that, in the end, having corporations serve their shareholders results in corporations serving everyone.

But a comparison of unionized and nonunionized industries reveals the hollowness of that prospect. Hollywood is wildly profitable and it pays every kind of worker well. That’s because workers have solidarity across sectors and trades. Striking writers like jonrog1 are calling on supporters to donate to the Entertainment Community Fund:

https://twitter.com/jonrog1/status/1654168529728307204

The Entertainment Community Fund supports everyone else who is affected by the work-stoppage, all the other creative and craft trades whose work has been halted by the writers’ struggle. If you want to support these workers, make sure you select “Film and TV” from the drop-down menu when you donate (we gave $100):

https://entertainmentcommunity.org/

Because all the workers are in this together. As Adam Conover explains in this amazing CNN clip, David Zazlav, the head of CNN parent-company Warner-Discovery, made a quarter of a billion dollars last year, enough to pay all the demands of all the writers:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aL-YwKO81go

And Carol Lombardini, spokesvillain for the studio cartel AMPTP, told the press that “”Writers are lucky to have term employment.” As John Rogers says, she “wiped out the doubt of every writer who wasn’t sure this negotiation really IS so important, that it actually IS about turning us into gig workers.”

https://twitter.com/jonrog1/status/1654506611086606336

The stakes in this strike are the same as the stakes in every strike: will workers get a fair share of the value their labor creates, or will that value be piled up in the vaults of $250,000,000/year CEOs? It’s not like the studios especially hate writers — like all corporations, they hate all their workers. The same tactics that they’re using to make it so writers can’t pay the rent today will be turned on every other kind of Hollywood worker tomorrow — and when the writers win this one, they’ll support those workers, too.

There’s a lot of concern about AI displacing creative labor, but the only entity that can take away a writer’s wage is a human being, an executive at a studio. As has been the case since the time of the Luddites, the issue isn’t what the machine does, it’s who it does it for and who it does it to.

After all, as Charlie Stross points out, a corporation is just a “Slow AI,” remorselessly paperclip-maximizing its way through the lives and joy of the flesh-and-blood people who constitute its inconvenient gut-flora:

https://media.ccc.de/v/34c3-9270-dude_you_broke_the_future#video&t=3478

Catch me on tour with Red Team Blues in Berkeley, Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, DC, Gaithersburg, Oxford, Hay, Manchester, Nottingham, London, and Berlin!

[Image ID: Animators walk the picket-line during the Disney Animator's Strike in 1941.]

Image: LA Times https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Screen_Cartoonist%27s_Guild_strike_at_Disney.jpg

CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en

[kakujis]

love meter test - keisuke!;

synopsis: u test out the love meter filter on tiktok. it does not give u the answer u want.

warnings: swearing, gn!reader, semi-whiny!reader, not proofread! thats about it.

a/n: this is the dumbest thing i've ever written but i could NOT get the love meter test to give me and baji a good score so u know what?? i wrote about it! this is also all @fuyuluvr's fault. but also u should def read their blue lock ver: here.

baji keisuke is immediately up the second he hears the front door slam open, followed by your wails reverberating through the shared apartment. he jumps up from his desk chair, abandoning whatever vet textbook he was studying, running straight to the living room.  he spots you, hiccuping and sobbing, “kei! kei! come here! please!”

you wipe at your tears, streaming down your face freely as your boyfriend comes to grab your shoulders. “hey! hey! baby what happened, what’s wrong?” his adrenaline is pumping, as he scans your body, looking for any bodily injuries. there’s tons of questions running through his head like: did you get hurt? did someone threaten you? 

you’re clear of any physical injuries, instead throwing your phone out towards him, “this piece of shit! this piece of shit app!” you wail, and baji tilts his head. 

“huh?” he says as he grabs the device. “what am i looking at?” baji stares quizzically at himself in the camera, above him being a bright pink “test your love!” box. 

you sniffle, “it keeps giving us awful scores. like shit tier, bottom of the barrel, the absolute worst.”  you say, quickly moving to your drafts to show the low scores the two of you kept getting. but baji barks a laugh at the way your face deflates in each video, a measly “12%....yeaaaaa” is the last one, in which your tears well-up uncontrollably. “s’not funny!” 

“gimme that,” he says, swiping it from you and you don’t even protest. “let me try.”

you keep sniffling, “it doesn’t matter, keisuke, we’re not soulmates, we’re not twin-flames, we’re not even besties.” and you start to sob, again, but baji pulls you in, one arm looped around your shoulder. 

“no, you just don’t have the magic touch is all.” he grins, flashing you his fangs, as he begins typing in your names. 

“yeah and you clearly do.” you roll your eyes, before grabbing his arm, eyes wide, “....you spelled my name wrong!” you blubber, and keisuke raises a brow. 

“what? no, i didn’t.” he says, squinting at the letters on the screen. 

“yes you did!” you rip the phone from his hands, backspacing and typing both your names in, to make sure he doesn’t mess that up too.

“huh, i did.” he mutters, “my bad.”

“this is why we aren’t soulmates!” you yell, “the app was right!” 

“stop whining and watch.” he says, an air of confidence surrounds him as he presses record, “see! we’re going up!” 

“it just started. you gotta wait,” your tears have subsided at this point, as the both of you stare intently at the screen. 

the grin on baji’s face starts to fall as the number continues to lower until it reaches a measly 54% - besties. “see i told you-” but baji clears the video and tries it again, face scrunched up in frustration. but the more he does, the more it lowers, the next is 24%, then 12%, until it reaches a depressing 6%.

it’s quiet as you pout, blinking your red rimmed eyes. you start to reach for your phone, but baji doesn’t let you. his face is unreadable as he swiftly turns and walks towards the window, before he chucks the device out. 

you rush over, gasping, “keisuke, why the fuck did you just do that?!” you say, arriving just in time to watch it fall to the ground before it shatters into pieces on the street below. 

“your phone was hacked or fucking rigged or something!” he grumbles, pulling you close. “we’re literally soulmates. twin flares or whatever you’re always saying.” 

“��� it’s twin flames.” you correct, and he mutters out a “whatever.” 

“but, my phone…” you continue, sadly staring at it below. 

“i’ll just get you a new one,” he snorts, besides no stupid app was gonna have his soulmate crying and this way he made sure of it. “how much was it?” 

“i dunno, like 1k or something, my parents got it for me as a gift.” you shrug and baji nearly chokes. you blink up at him, fluttering your now dried lashes. “you’re gonna get me a new phone, right?” 

“y-yeah…” he nods fervently, starting to sweat a little as he starts thinking that maybe he shouldn’t be so impulsive. fuck. he’s gonna have to ask chifuyu for extra shifts. 

[moltensmusings]

Wanting to ramble a bit about them so figured I'd give my late take on some of the concept art from rwby remnant archives that people have shared online.

Starting with the dresses:

There's a high chance due to budget and restrictions of the animation program these designs got replaced with what we had in the end. But these are infinitely better than the ones we did get. The ruby hair and clear rose dress, the Weiss look being simple but also very expensive in appearance as her fits should be. Blake with the longer version of her dress that fits her so well at this point in canon. And yang dress is just, top tier. I've always disliked her actual dress from the show because it just didn't fit her as a character. Yang has a loud personality and the dress should be eyecatching.

Penny concepts:

I adore these penny designs and I think in a more traditional Pinocchio story they'd fit, but it does make sense that they opted to use what ended up as her canon design. The ones I like the most are the blue and white, the bottom right green dress, and the two top green and purple dresses.

Penny has always felt very refined and put together in her design. A perfect robot visually. I think she really does look like something someone from atlas would design and that's fantastic. All in all no bad designs here but some just made more sense.

Neo concepts:

Controversial take maybe, I'm glad they didn't make her a faunus. I've never made it a secret that their faunus lore/handling of the faunus characters is bad and I think her final look is just perfect. She's a design where her inspiration isn't immediately clear but it's such an intelligently done one that when you hear her design inspiration it clicks.

Faunus Neo is cool in theory but doesn't work to me.

Sun concepts:

I love these designs but I do understand why they shifted things. I do wish they'd reused them in volume 4, though, when Sun's traveling around. A big disappointment of rwby is how much team SSSN gets disregarded by the writers. Maybe we'll see portions of this reincorporated in Vacuo if we get volume 10.

I could stare at this concept for hours, I really love it.

Those are the ones I've been thinking about since I saw them. Hopefully I can see more character concepts later.

[two-reflections]

WIP Wednesday ✨

Minis ✨

Managed to mess around for a couple of hours during the Imperium Maledictum game today.

Those space marines still aren't done because I've been procrastinating/too ill, but I've started basing them. Need to get more PVA glue, I'm not convinced what I used is going to hold this dirt in place.

My little blue guy is almost done. I think his face needs more highlights, but I'll probably varnish him after that. I varnished the blue lady today too, but she basically looks the same so I didn't take a picture.

Imperium Maledictum and other updates below

Imperium Maledictum ✨

This week, we met the Inquisitor and received our mission: pretend to be an Admech group writing a report on a particular planet's tech status since the Noctis Aeterna while actually writing a very different report for the Ordo Hereticus and delivering a secret letter.

We also rolled for connections and worked more on our characters. My Magos Biologos heretek overheard our Space Landsknechte ex-guardsman describe having seen something he thought was a kroot that was almost certainty a tzaangor. Two other characters overheard my lil guy make an offhand comment about how parts of xenos could be medically useful in a pinch. Lots of incriminating stuff!

Writing ✨

Kinktober is carrying on. I'm finding writing classic drabbles (100 words exactly) weirdly hard, but it's also good to practice being consice at times, y'know?

It has also given me a chance to try new things, like writing necrons and other characters I feel I don't know well enough to write a longer fic about. So, that's been cool!

I meant to hammer out the rest of Of Steel and Flesh for Finish What You Started 2024, but I've been too ill this month to really get into it. I'm still hoping I manage to finish an ancient Kingdom Hearts fic I've left undone since 2018 and my entries for the Salamanders Discord Server's Halloween Competition. Got a deadline for the latter tonight, actually... I'm not good at writing horror, but I will try to do something for it.

EDIT - Urgh. Writing nurgly things while having a nasty cold does not feel great. This story isn't even that gross, but my stomach is jumping now. But I met my deadline, so... Worth it?

Misc ✨

My 40-week kitbashing/fleshcrafting project continues. I know this isn't really the place to talk about it, but I'm finding the process rather difficult. While the experts I have consulted on the matter have largely been wonderful, one person I talked to last week was so condescending and uninformed about the unusual complexities of my project that she had me questioning the whole thing. I was given advice on the tier of "Well, maybe you should chuck out your wet palette and use one thick coat", and then was actually scolded for explaining that a wet palette is a helpful adaptation for my needs and that using one thick coat of paint hasn't worked for people like me in the past and is no longer recommended as best practice anyway. Bleh.

However, questioning isn't a bad thing. We learn by asking questions, don't we? I'm still not sure what I'm learning from this one because I'm so pissed off, but there must be something there. Maybe how to make an official complaint to the NHS. If I was treated that way, I can't imagine how that person treats patients with rarer or more serious conditions.

[niallsgoldhoop]

Chapter Five

Wren

Thank god for weekends.

Laying in my bed surrounded by pillows, I was hoping that once I woke up everything from the night before would be nothing but a bad dream.

But that would be too easy— Wouldn't it?

The sound of a notification draws my attention away from my thoughts, a text from Jenna telling, not asking, to meet her for an early dinner on Sunday.

Just what I wanted.

How did she know?

Groaning, I rub my eyes before throwing the duvet off my body and heading into the kitchen. Popping a bagel into the toaster and pulling out some cream cheese and an energy drink, my eyes fall to the window over the sink and out into the backyard.

It was still early, but the golden beams of sunshine stretched across the blooms like a perfect hello. At some point today I would make it out there with a book, hopefully curl up in the comfy chair that I splurged on and forget about everything.

Reading has always done that for me.

When times were hard, there was always a character or two willing to help me pick up the pieces and carry on.

But now I wasn’t even sure if that would work.

In the span of the last twenty four hours I found out that my ex-boyfriend cheated on me for our entire relationship, that my sister not only was dating him at the same time but now they were engaged, and to top it all off they were having a baby.

Together.

Oh, and let’s not forget the fact that now I was dating my boss.

Well, fake dating my boss anyway.

I can't believe he saw me sobbing my eyes out in that closet and didn’t turn around and run the other way.

Instead, Niall Horan came to the rescue in a way that nobody had ever done for me before. It was like he didn’t even think twice about wrapping an arm around me and lying to everyone about the two of us.

Him and those stupid ass blue eyes were going to have to be by my side until the end of this godforsaken wedding and I’ve yet to determine exactly how I feel about that.

One thing was for sure, we needed rules.

Lots of rules.

Standing up from the barstool and grabbing a notebook from the desk in the living room, I sit it on the counter just in time for my bagel to pop up.

Putting an ungodly amount of cream cheese on the top and grabbing a paper towel, I sit back down ready to make a list of rules that the two of us would follow religiously.

Opening the notebook and grabbing the pen tucked inside, I write out the first rule as I take a bite from my breakfast.

When the wedding is over, this is over.

Making a list feels like I have some semblance of control over my life even though it feels like the exact opposite.

That must be why I find myself coming back to the open notebook to add more and more to the list.

One rule after another.

Anything to keep a grip on reality.

________

“Are you even listening?”

Gripping the pen in my hand even harder, Inlook across the table as my sister raises her eyebrows in my direction.

“Yes, Jenna— I’m listening.” The irritation is clear in my tone as I look down at the wedding notebook in front of me. “You said that you wanted a four tier cake with a different flavor for each layer.”

“You could at least act like you’re interested in what I’m talking about.” Crossing her arms over her chest, I can’t help but look at the diamond on her finger as it catches the light.

My own taps against the paper at the same time I take a deep breath. “I am, Jenna. I’m just trying to make sure I have everything written down.”

“Whatever. Should we start with the wedding party?” Looking at her nails for a second, she looks at me with disdain. “I’ve already asked Ashley to be my maid of honor.”

“What?” Shaking my head, I meet her gaze. “You asked Ashley?”

A crease forms between her brows as she looks at me as if I’ve grown three more arms and at least two extra heads. “Yeah? Why wouldn’t I?”

Swallowing down the emotion in my throat, I look out of the windows and towards the luscious grass that leads out to the golf course here at Willow Lake.

It’s only been a couple of days since the party and here I am with her at four in the afternoon on a Monday, a time when I would normally be headed to either the grocery store or the spin class that’s helped keep me sane.

Instead, I sit across from my one and only sister as she tells me who she picked for her maid of honor.

Someone that’s not me.

I would never expect for her to pick me, no.

After everything that we’ve been through I doubt that it would have ever crossed her mine.

Yet I’m the one who she turns to for anything she’s needed, anything she’s ever wanted planned, and in the end the one who always ends up in the wrong.

Every single time.

It doesn’t matter what the circumstances are— for Jenna, I’ve never been a good enough sister to her.

No matter how hard I’ve tried to show her that I am.

“Anyway—“ Taking a drink from the lemon water in front of her, she looks out of the window. “We haven’t really talked about a venue but Lucas said that you should be able to think of a good place. He mentioned something about Indigo Gardens?”

Just the name of the most beautiful place I’d ever seen makes my stomach churn. “Yeah, uh… Yeah. I can reach out to them. Their grounds are stunning.”

I fake a smile as I press the pen too hard into the paper, knowing the indent will be on the next page.

Lucas and I went there for one of our first dates and also where he took me for one of our anniversaries— the one where he held me in his arms and mentioned how perfect of a place it would be to get married.

He just didn’t mean to me.

“Did you see the link in the groupchat about the dresses?” Thumbing through her phone, Jenna doesn’t even look up from it. “You never replied.”

Holding back a laugh, I shake my head. “Jenna, you didn’t put me in a group chat.”

“Yes, I did.” Her words are clipped as she flares at me. “Whatever, here.”

Shoving her phone across the table, I ignore the added sting of being left out of yet another part of her wedding— even if it is just a simple group chat.

“This is pretty—“

“Yeah, I know that’s why I picked it.” A fake laugh falls from her lips. “Now, I know that you work out some, but you’re really going to need to put in some extra effort because I don’t want to be put out by having to schedule someone to tailor your dress.”

Her words dig into a part of my mind that had been closed for so long.

A part that I kept locked up tight so that even I couldn’t get into them.

“Hello? Wren?” A snapping sound draws me back to the moment as Jenna’s hand draws away from my face. “God, you literally never pay attention.”

“What else do you want, Jenna?!” My voice is sharp. “I’m sitting here with you after I’ve spent my entire day in meetings to help you plan your wedding to— To— Lucas. I’m tired and I’m hungry, okay? God.”

Running her hand over her barely there belly, Jenna lifts her other hand to the corner of her eye. “You don’t have to yell at me, Wren. Planning a wedding is stressful and I’m trying to stay healthy for our baby. Don’t you think you could be nicer?”

Nicer?

Jesus fucking Christ help me.

“Let’s just call it a day, okay?” I smile as I close the binder and tug it towards me. “You need to get some rest and I just need to grab some dinner.”

She nods as she stands from the table and grabs her purse, barely even giving me a wave much less a ‘thank you’ as she walks away.

I let my eyes close as I make a promise to myself not to cry, counting to ten and taking deep breaths.

Gathering my things and heading to my office, I look out of the window at the perfect clouds that still linger in the horizon and in that moment I know exactly what I need.

Reaching into my bag and pulling out my latest read, I head down the hallway and across the perfect stone walkway smiling at people as they head back inside the clubhouse.

Once the garage comes into view, I wave at Jeremy as he tosses me a set of keys, letting me settle behind the wheel of the golf cart before sweating out for my favorite place on the property.

If there’s one thing I know, it’s that one thing can always make me feel better.

A sunset.

________

There has always been something so soothing about a sunset.

Ever since I was kid it was one of my favorite ways to feel like I had managed to escape.

Whether it be from a fight with my sister or a bad grade— watching the sun go down felt like a promise that things would be okay even when it felt like they wouldn’t be.

It was my place.

Somewhere where someone couldn’t cheat on me.

Somewhere where I felt happy.

Somewhere where I couldn’t get my heart broken.

My book sits in the seat next to me unopened as I wrap my arms around my knees, resting my chin on top of them.

I’m sure I look like a crazy woman with the amount of tears that I’ve shed since I’ve been sitting out here, although they seem to have dried up by now and the puffy eye look doesn’t really work for me.

Birds sing in the trees as the sun paints the sky with golden yellows and rich fuschias, the clouds like neon signs pointing me in the direction of happier days.

Happier thoughts.

That must be why I don’t hear the sound of another golf cart along the gravel path, the sight of it coming to a stop next to me is enough to make me jump and clutch my chest as if I’ll drop dead of a heart attack if I don’t.

“Jesus, Niall!” With my hand still over my heart, I push the strands of hair out of my face to look at him. “What the fuck are you doing?!”

Sitting behind the wheel, he bites down on his full bottom lip as if to keep himself from laughing. “Do you talk to all your bosses like that?”

“You could have given me a heart attack!” I shoot back at him.

“But I didn’t.” Raising his eyebrow, those sapphire blue eyes find mine. “Did I?”

I roll my eyes as I turn away from him, focusing back on the last bits of my sunset. “That doesn’t answer why you are out here.”

“Well considering that I own the property maybe I don’t have to tell you.” Catching my gaze again, his eyes are full of mischief. “What are you doing out here, Wren Jacobs?”

Chewing on the inside of my lip, my arms hug even tighter around my legs. “Just felt like watching the sunset.”

“Is that all?” Niall looks at me in a way that I feel like I haven’t been looked at before— Like he sees me, a feeling that is so foreign that I can’t even place how it makes me feel. “I saw you… In the dining area with your sister.”

Nodding, I turn to face him, letting my cheek rest against my leg without saying anything.

He truly is a stunning person.

Those dark waves are tousled in a way that looks effortless and the stubble across his jaw looks like he hasn’t bothered to shave in a week or two. Even the white polo sticking out from the collar of the Adidas three-quarter zip pullover shows off the Adam’s apple that moves as he swallows.

“Do you want to talk about it?” He turns towards me, his tongue darting out across his bottom lip.

Shaking my head, I turn away and let the last rays from the sun warm my face as much as they can, a reminder of better days.

Silence settles between us for just a moment before the sound of a rustling plastic bag breaks through. “I figured as much. Here, I figured you might want this.”

Niall holds out the bag and I let my legs down and reach across the bench seat to take it, peering inside to see a deli sandwich marked with my favorite things along with my favorite drink.

“Niall—“

“Don’t.” He gives me a smile as he reaches for the sandwich next to him, unwrapping the paper and taking a bite. “Really, Wren. Don’t overthink it. I’m just doing what a good boyfriend would do.”

With a wink, he sits back and props his feet up along the dash area, cracking open his own drink and taking a long sip.

A small smile tugs at the corner of my lips as I sit back and bite into my own food, the flavors exploding across my tongue and almost making a noise that doesn’t need to be heard out.

The two of us sit like that in silence, eating our food and watching as the sun finally slips below the horizon.

When I came out here I may have felt alone.

But now?

Now I feel like maybe, maybe everything will be alright.

Maybe it won’t be so bad after all.

_________

i LOVE this story truly

-alex 🍀

[danpuff-ao3]

Rare Pair Tag Game

Rules: List the top rarepairs that you like outside of your OTP, and why you ship it! (Criteria for what makes a rarepair is up to your own discretion.).

Thanks for the tag @writcraft!!

Tagging: @perverse-idyll, @lizzy0305, @fleetingdesires, @cindle-writes, @serenaew, @tackytigerfic, @sweet-s0rr0w, @broomsticks, @lumosatnight, @indigo-scarf, @the-paper-monkey, @maesterchill, @snapesnailtape, @kellychambliss, @givereadersahug, @coconutice22, @likelightinglass, @crazybutgood, @sugareey-makes-stuff, @anaxandria-writes, @greenmegsnoham, @siriusly-sapphic, @thistlecatfics, @vdoshuand anyone else who wants to play! But no pressure to anyone I tagged, either! 💛

Now....onto the ships!

OTP is Snarry of course! And most of my rare pair loves, or other ships in general, feature DRACO my beloved!

Draco/Sirius: top tier for me because of that juicy, juicy age gap. And a hint of incest for extra flavor, but also isn't too close for comfort. There's the Harry connection (Sirius as the godfather and Draco as the rival), and the war connection (Sirius in the Order and Draco as a teenage Death Eater.) Lots of room for tension. But they're both also very bright and gifted. Sirius is rebellious enough to catch Draco's eye (very "bad boy" of him) and Draco is sassy enough and quick enough to keep Sirius entertained. Plus I see them both as being a bit vain and will both especially love how good they look together. 😉 Basically: lots to explore and lots of potential that I am DYING to play with, and to see played with more! (Really need to do a rec list for them soon....)

Draco/Remus: also really up there for me. Again: the age gap. But also! More to play with. There's again that Harry connection and the war connection we see with Sirius, but the whole dynamic changes with Remus. The pureblood boy raised in pureblood culture and Remus, who is not only a half-blood but a werewolf! Also: poor. Everything about Remus should be "wrong" but I think they could complement each other well. Remus is very smart and has lots of experience with troublesome Marauders....Draco's not going to give him any problems! Remus is patient and experienced and while he is capable of temper, and capable of mischief, he also has quite a stable and reliable presence to him that I think would appeal to Draco. Remus feels like a "safe" choice on a personal, one-on-one level, though their relationship itself would get all sorts of heat from all sides. Remus will find Draco to be endearing, even with all his sass and drama, and in Remus Draco will find love and acceptance he's never truly had before.

Draco/Ron: ah yes my enemies to lovers + opposites attract loves!! Both purebloods, but raised on opposite ends of the spectrum, Draco with the blood supremacy and in high society, with the Weasleys as "blood traitors" and poorer. Draco is the spoiled only child, Ron the sixth of seven children. The Gryffindor & the Slytherin, the Order vs the Death Eaters, and so on and so forth. Both very smart, both pretty temperamental, both pretty competitive. A lot of tension and a lot of fun. It's all SPARKS between them and I can see them both realizing how attracted (if not connected) they are waaaaay too late and being horrified by it which is hilarious. There's a lot of humor potential here, too, with two quick witted men! Also the aesthetic! Red hair and blond hair, blue eyes and gray eyes! 😍 (Listen, I can't lie, the aesthetic is just too good!)

Draco/Charlie: this is a fun one! A lil baby age gap. Plus Draco being the dragon, and Charlie being the dragon keeper. It's obvious but oh so delicious. There's the idea of some initial tension due to their families' history, but one easily moved past since they don't have personal history between them. Plus I see Charlie as very like Remus in being a sorta patient and stolid presence, and someone who can put up with all Draco gives and provides a safe place for him to be himself and be accepted and cared for. Also all the fun potential of postwar Draco escaping England and going to the dragon reserve and training as a healer there!!!! I'm a sucker for those stories, not gonna lie. Charlie is so fun and adventurous and I think he can really brighten Draco's life and help Draco find more of who he is in a safe and non-judgemental place.

Draco/Albus Severus: age gap galore! Dating the son of your childhood nemesis who looks like a mini him?? Too much fun I can't lie. (Also and this is very specific to me, but c'mon....Snarry + Dralbus???? Harry being horrified but also his son is just in the position he was in many moons ago!!!!) (I'm writing a fic like that right now, it's just slow going, but one day!!!! One day it will exist in the world.)

Neville/Percy: This one is hard to explain but like....the awkward romance vibes! Uptight Percy and chill but shy Neville. Neville can respect Percy's rules and standards I think, while Percy can appreciate Neville's strength and skill. Both are people whose contributions are often overlooked or belittled so them appreciating each other and finding that support and respect in each other would do them both a world of good I think!!

Neville/Remus: Age gap! Soft sweet bois. There's not enough of these two out there I swear, and they're both characters I have so much love for!! They're strong and decent and they've both overcome so much in life, and I think they'd have a nice steady and comfortable relationship once they got together.

Hermione/Ginny: It's so hard for me to find fics of these 2 that work for me but I still have so many feelings. They're such competent ladies. Very individual and independent and confident. I love the idea of Hermione being the brains and Ginny being the brawn haha! The bookworm and the athlete!! 😍 All the awkwardness of dating a friend and extra awkwardness if we keep Harry/Ginny and Ron/Hermione as temporary relationships (until everyone realizes they're gay, of course.) Ugh. There's just so much potential here and I need it!!!!

Ginny/Gwenog: mega rarepair but oh god I love them. 2 athletic ladies!! Plus age gap, at least some sorta age gap. I also love to headcanon Gwenog as a Slytherin and a bit arrogant and playing the story of "don't meet your heroes" with Ginny hero-worshipping Gwenog until they meet and get off on the wrong foot!! But then obviously fall together!!!! I need it I swear. I need to write more of them, maybe in the same universe as Red All Over...🤔

Fleur/Hermione: god I love them. Like with Hermione/Ginny it's putting two very skilled and competent ladies together. Brave and strong and sure in who they are and also their values. Fleur is also pretty dang badass. She was a champion!! I especially adore the idea of Fleur being a good role model for femininity and how it's okay to be fashionable and get dolled up for oneself, but also how women can still be capable while being attractive, and even if she's a little vain there's more to her than just that. And Hermione having to face her own prejudices against more "girly" things. And maybe Fleur having some disdain for Hermione's "know it all" attitude, and them working through bad first impressions and finding someone they can really connect with and have as a teammate in life. I really love the idea of them bonding over activism and Fleur being impressed with Hermione's passion, and sharing her own struggles as being part-Veela and the struggles her Veela family members have dealt with.

Severus/Filch: Age gap! Also: caretaker/student? Yes please. Something about this pair does it for me. Not as a forever love kinda thing, but definitely a special connection for two men who are starved for connection. Think about it: Filch is a Squib working in a magical school! No wonder he's so bitter. And the students don't treat him much better than he treats them, really. Then we have Severus, who is so skilled and so intelligent and so under-appreciated by practically everyone around him. By his peers. By his teachers. Even at home (whether or not Filch knows this), between Tobias not liking magic much, the abuse at least between Eileen and Tobias, but also I like to see Severus as being too bright as a kid and his parents not really knowing what to do with him in general. And then Severus being bullied at school for not being handsome enough or charming enough or having the right connections or having money, etc. And Filch sorta seeing something he relates to, not being appreciated, and himself learning to appreciate how sharp Severus is and how independent and capable he is. And Severus having someone who looks out for him, and who sees him, and having a safe place to be.

(Originally this was numbered but Tumblr tells me I exceeded the character per block limit 😒) (Anyway this next one is number 12 which is a good number to round off on.)

Harry/Scorpius: I've said it before and I'll say it again: Snarry is my husband and Scarry is the hot pool boy I fantasize about. I legitimately feel like I'm cheating on my OTP when they're in other ships but something about Harry/Scorpius draws me in! Part of it is, much like the reason I ship Snarry, I love both Harry and Scorpius so much. And this is Cursed Child Scorpius, the Cinnamon Roll, who is beyond precious and I adore him. Plus you know: age gap + "child of my school nemesis who looks just like him" and you know....+ son's best friend. It's so wrong and awkward and fun!! Especially when it's Scorpius having a massive crush on Harry from basically childhood and Harry eventually seeing him in a new light. PLUS with Snarry being forever in my head and heart, it's the idea of having another love so different from his first, which is softer and sweeter and both are really good but in different ways. And maybe Severus and Scorpius can each hold their own special, unique place in his heart (though I don't dare think long on why Severus might not be in the picture anymore...) Anyway idk Scarry just does it for me and I'm obsessed, but please don't tell my husband (Snarry.)

.....if you made it all the way through this, 10 points to your Hogwarts house.

[celestiall0tus]

Court of Miracles - Chapter 5 - Something New, Something Bold

Beginning || Previous || Next

            Juleka and Sass walked down a long hallway. She looked around at the walls of the portraits lined along the hall. The people depicted in them were a mix of young and old with one of them being Luka.

            “What are these?” Juleka asked.

            “All the current heirs. They figured having these leading into the courtroom would be beneficial, or something like that,” Sass answered.

            “They all don’t look like much.”

            “I’d agree but watch out for the black cat heir. Though, perhaps you should watch out for the ladybug one more.”

            “Why’s that?”

            “While there are others above the Paradise set, none are quite like that pair. Try not to get on their bad side.”

            Juleka snorted. “They’ll be lucky if that’s all I do.”

            Sass hummed. They walked in silence before they stopped before another large set of doors.

            “Ready?” Sass asked.

            “Let’s get this over with.”

            Juleka stepped into a large room with an assembly of people. She glanced over the small crowd that had gathered when her eyes fell on a table further up. It was tiered that rose up with a selection of individuals. Amongst them she eyed Luka and the blonde man from the news a few days ago. Her eyes darted between the two when she felt Sass’s hand on her shoulder.

            “Pay them no mind. They’re more set dressing for this meeting,” Sass whispered.

            “Oh. No problem then,” Juleka remarked.

            Juleka trotted forward and stood before the assembly of individuals. She looked over them once more before her attention was brought to a lanky man with black hair and bright green eyes.

            “You’re Juleka Couffaine, correct?”

            Juleka raised her brow and placed a hand on her hip. “Who wants to know?”

            The man shrank back but cleared his thought. “May I present myself. I am Marc Anciel, head of the Court of Miracles. Uh, we heard of the recent discovery of your powers as a shifter and have brought you to be presented before us.”

            “Right. Can we get to the part where I need to care?”

            Marc let out a squeak in an attempt to speak.

            Juleka tsked when light caught her eye. She turned away from the assembly to a pair of lights that circled around her. She watched as a red and purple orb stopped in front of her and morphed into a pair of small creatures with tiny bodies and large heads. The red one had three black spots on its head with purple eyes and the purple one looked like a butterfly.

            “My, what a spitfire. It’s about time we got more like you in this drab court,” the red bug said.

            “Agreed. It’s quite the refreshing change of pace,” the butterfly said.

            “Well, aren’t you interesting creatures. What’re your names?”

            “Oh, you’ll find out in time, young one. For now, there’s someone else you’ll need to meet,” the butterfly said.

            “Then where are they?”

            The creatures smiled. They reverted to orbs of light as more joined them. They converged above the council into a larger version of the creature with a pure white body, three sets of platinum horns, and a flowing, magnificent prismatic mane and tail. It opened all three sets of eyes and a seventh on its forehead. It peered down at her with its seven black eyes with thin white irises that faded to black.

            Juleka’s eyes widened and trotted forward. The creature opened its mouth to speak, but she cut it off.

            “You! Eldritch creature, come here.”

            The creature tilted its head as its mane and tail shifted between shades of gray to white. It flew down and hovered in front of Juleka. She grinned as she reached out and cupped its face. Its face scrunched in bewilderment as its mane and tail erupted in a color show of purples, blues, reds, and black. She caught glances between its flowy mane at the council behind him. She smirked at their shocked and scared expressions as they all exchanged worried glances.

            “Oh, oh my gosh. You change colors depending on your mood don’t you?”

            “I-.:

            Juleka pulled the creature in for a bear hug. She pressed her face against its and nuzzled it. She cooed over how adorable it was while she ignored the terrified buzzing of the room around her. It looked at her with wide eyes before it relaxed and nuzzled her back. She smiled and held it up.

            “What’s your name?” Juleka asked.

            “Velze. Pleasure to meet you, Juleka.”

            Juleka’s eyes lit up as she nuzzled Velze again. “Oh, you’re so cute, Velze. Yes, you are. Yes, you are.”

            Velze smiled. Its mane and tail shifted between every light shade of orange and yellow. Juleka grinned as she took it and held it in her arms like a large stuffed animal. It purred as it relaxed, its mane and tail shifting between different shades of light blues.

            “Say, Velze, you wanna ditch these guys?” Juleka asked.

            Gasps rippled through the area as it erupted in loud chatter.

            “B-b-b-but, you can’t! Velze-!” Marc started.

            “I’d love that. Let’s depart. I know the perfect place.”

            “Hell yeah. Just point me in the right direction.”

            The Court cried out as Juleka turned and ran out of the courtroom. She took a moment at the door, flipped them off, and ran off. She snickered and ran in the direction that Velze directed. She headed towards one of the large doors and slipped through. She gawked as she stepped out onto the balcony.

            Juleka breathed in the clean, refreshing air that carried along intoxicating foreign scents. Above her was a spectacular sky of pastel pink, purple, blue, and yellow. Far down below was a sprawling large village divided into several sections like a city. Beyond that was a massive forest with multicolored leaves and a misty aura surrounding it. Deep in the forest was a massive glass structure that poked out through the leafy canopy.

            “We go to the building in the forest. Step on the teleportation pad,” Velze instructed.

            Juleka looked to her left as a glowing pad appeared. She leapt onto it and was teleported into the greenhouse. She gasped at the colorful flora and fauna that filled the space. Her mind raced as she looked at the various alien plants as she recollected knowledge of them that she never had before.

            “This is incredible!” Juleka exclaimed.

            “Isn’t it? It’s where we keep the Paradise herbs. These are the ones that are imbued with true magic.”

            “True magic? So, could I say, brew them into potions and other remedies? Or even poisons?”

            “Absolutely. Typically, it falls on the Snake to oversee the greenhouse and manage the supplies of medicines. Your twin has done an applicable job but was lacking in his care of the plants. Our Dragon had to take over as he was busy being the therapist.”

            Juleka scoffed, then paused. “Wait, then what of me? After I turned into a snake creature, does this mean I’m part of your Court?”

            “No, not yet. I like you more than Luka, even the rest of the Court, but that is because you are different. However, that difference is dangerous when your heart is still wounded, and the wounds run very deep.”

            Juleka bristled. “It’s not my fault! I-.”

            “I know. You are paying for other people’s mistakes. You have been beaten down again and again. Hurt by those that were supposed to love and guide you. Hurt by those that have failed you. It’s these wounds that must heal.”

            “Yeah, well, easier said than done.”

            Velze chuckled. “It always is. However, now things will change. Your life will never be the same again and you have opportunities you hadn’t before. What you do with them is all up to you now. I both fear and look forward to what you do to this Court. You’re someone both my children and the elders have been looking for a long time.”

            “What do you mean?”

            Velze didn’t respond but smiled. Its body enveloped into light before it broke apart into countless orbs. Juleka watched them all fly away save for one. She watched the turquoise orb shift into Sass.

            “So, what now?” Juleka asked.

            “Now, we can hide away from the Court, at least until they decide to come for you. You’ll have sparked some interest amongst the heirs, so expect some visitors before long.”

            Juleka groaned. “Wonderful.”

            Sass chuckled. “Oh, don’t worry, I feel that sentiment. However, let’s take this time to familiarize yourself with the greenhouse. This will be yours now, thank goodness. Luka may not have had a black thumb, but it certainly wasn’t a green thumb.”

            Juleka snickered. “Do my ears deceive me? The golden child isn’t perfect at everything? Say it ain’t so.”

            “Oh, it’s so. Had to chase him out a few times before he eventually just stopped coming. Thankfully, the Dragon was able to pick up on the slack, until you. So, let’s see how well you fare, yes?”

            “Yeah! Let’s do this.”

[sourcreammachine]

us state flag tierlist by how urgent the need to change them is

(not necessarily by objective quality, although they are ordered by my own personal preference within the tiers)

yeah everyone and their cunt’s done a tierlist of how good the us state flags are, but here’s one that’s more useful imo - how much they need to change. ie, how far up the statehouse’s agenda changing the shitass flag should be

the ‘perfect’ flags shouldn’t ever change. yeah, alabama’s good, i said it - it’s iconic and recognisable. and yeah colorado might be cheesy but it’s american cheese, it’s an icon. and arizona is the best flag do not @ me

‘ain’t broke don’t fix it’ means you can start nitpicking the flag, but honestly, nobody cares and there’s no point in changing. alaska and indiana are here because their mute colours hold back their excellent designs. california’s here because the bear should probably be bigger and have a different face. utah and mrs sippy’s new flags are both here because they’ve got the same problem - they’ve both chosen really horrible dark blues, honestly so bad that they should be in lower tiers, but they changed them too recently so they should stick for a while, until people get used to the, yeah, iconic and recognisable new designs. a placeholder for minnesota is here too, based offa the six finalist designs released on tuesday, because any of them would probably end up in that spot - imperfect but relatively good

‘minor tweaks maybe’ is where the nitpicks start becoming flaws and the good designs could be made perfect very easily. hawai’i doesn’t need the british canton, it just doesn’t. wyoming doesn’t need that seal inside the buffalo. and rhode island? well idk but it’s a bold design held back by, something. stew on it for a while

the final three tiers are the ones i believe should change. the first (non urgent) is for bad flags that remain somewhat distinct, and so are still managing to do their job - but could be had so much better. NC is ripping off texas. iowa and missouri are both overcomplicated and dull. and arkansas, ignoring the word ‘arkansas’ i’m definitely getting slavers’ rebellion vibes from it

the bottom two tiers unambiguously must change. ‘fairly urgent’ are the flags where there’s maybe one redeeming quality that sets the flag apart, and could be carried forward to the new one. LA’s pelican and OK’s osage shield are iconic, but they’re still a something-on-blue and need upgrading. florida is just alabama but with a seal, honestly pathetic and one of the list’s biggest tragedies. washington, yep, there he is, but it’s still just something on a plain background. i hesitated between putting delaware here or the tier below, but its boon is its recognisability with that yellowy diamond. then there’s georgia, probably the most controversial placement on the list. but yeah. that’s the fucking CSA flag. and the iconic state deserves so much better than just an undistinct crest on the slaver flag

and yeah the last category are where all the truly pathetic failures sit. the opening few have curious motifs that could be used for the new flag, like connecticut’s grapes, michigan’s elk and oregon’s 🅱️eaver. but they still suck utter pisswank, the distinguishing thing about them only becoming clear when you stop to look at it. the latter flags of the tier are fucking irredeemable trash. tell me you know which states those final four are when the picture’s zoomed out. it’s a fucking tragedy that new york the state is amongst the union’s worst, when the city’s iconic blue-and-orange could lend it so much inspiration (same could be said for IL being outshone by chicago). or if new york wants to make it distinct from the city, it could always look to old york shire’s iconic white rose. combine it with a tulip for old amsterdam and bam we’ve got a brilliant motif. i am honestly happy to call the vermontese flag the worst in the us, for a state with such history, with such a pronounced identity and spirit, how can it let itself have such horseshit. especially when the green mountain boys’ flag is such stupid, dumb brilliance. yeah, vermont is the worst because they should just change to the green flag end of story

BOUNS ROUND: provinces of canadada

perfect: la quebec

ain’t broke: sass, newfie & lab

tweak: nova scotia, new brunswick

non urgent: BC, PEI (both controversial picks ino, but they’re fuck ugly d@m)

change now: ontario, manitoba, albert

[partially-controlled-chaos]

Thank you @beardedladyqueen for the tag!

Do you make your bed: Nah, not usually. I get up at 4am for work most days and I don’t have the will power to fight with that early in the morning. I will make it when I’m off work though.

Favorite number: 13. It’s the number that gets all the hate for being unlucky and just generally “bad”. So I love it. Spookier the better 👻

What’s your job: Retail “manager” but I don’t have the pay or actual title. I have all the responsibilities of one though. Sooooo much fun.

If you could go back to school, would you: Absolutely. I graduated college a few years ago and wanted to go to law school, but shit hit the fan my senior year so I had to put it on the back burner. So if I could go back and not worry money? Oh hell yeah.

But if you mean like a point in time in school, then first year of college. It was a good year where I could discover who I was before everything got stressful.

Can you parallel park: ✨Nope✨ I failed that part of the driving test and I’ve never learned how to do it correctly.

A job you had that would surprise people: I don’t think so? Pretty standard job selections in my life.

Do you think aliens are real: Yes and if you’d like to talk about it with me we absolutely should 👽 I also just believe in the paranaormal/abnormal as a whole.

Can you drive a manual car: ✨Nope✨

Guilty pleasure: Okay so like mild trauma dump so feel free to skip over. I had to grow up very, very quickly. I lived in an abusive, addiction filled household so I was left to fend for myself probably 90% of the time. If I wanted food, had to figure it out myself. Clean clothes? Do it myself. Keep my dogs fed and happy? Figure it out. Had to make sure I was up on time for school and woke my parent up so I could get there on time. One parent was not in my life and the other was under the influence almost all the time. So because of that, I missed out on a lot of things that most kids and teens get to do because I was focused on survival.

So now that I’m an adult, I do those things I missed out on and it feels so nice. It seems mundane or really just simple, but if I want to go to the theater and see a movie I will. If I want to stop by and get a treat after work, I will. If I want to go browsing the mall and window shop, I’ll happily do it. I collect funko pops and build legos and play video games all without shame. So to some people it can look almost childish so I’m careful with who I tell in my personal life, so I guess it’s a guilty pleasure, although it’s enjoyed unashamed.

Tattoos: No because I am horribly indecisive and I’d be unsure of where I wanted to put one, but I’d love some.

Favorite color: Sage and forest green, but I also like a good sky blue. Very calming and makes the brain happy.

Favorite type of music: 2000-2010’s goth/alternative and heavy metal with a splash of classical to spice it up.

Do you like puzzles: YES YES I DO. Give me a 5,000 piece puzzle on a rainy day off work and I’ll have that bad boy done in two days. Love puzzles. I also love puzzle games or like mind puzzles. Played the hell out of the old PC Nancy Drew games (Ghost Dogs of Moon Lake is top tier) so I love those types of situational puzzles also.

Any Phobias: I’m not sure if it’s a phobia but I don’t like heights. Started to get over it because I’m constantly on a ladder at work, but I’m still don’t fond of it. I hate crowded places with strangers but I think that’s more of an anxiety thing than an actual fear.

Favorite childhood sport: Oh I didn’t play them. I was on academic team, not a sports team and not even remotely athletic. I still don’t really like sports, but I have a soft spot for baseball because it was my grandpas favorite and he’d teach me about it and it generally made tough days better.

Do you talk to yourself: All the time and I’m usually complaining about something I’ve procrastinated doing. Consequences of my own actions.

Favorite movie(s): The 1999 cinematic masterpiece The Mummy starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz. Comfort movie. Will watch it 10 times in a row and then want to discuss it, but we don’t talk about the third one.

Really enjoy most Marvel movies, some of the new ones are a tad questionable, but for the most part I enjoy them.

Coffee or tea: Coffeeeeee. Hot fruity teas or milk teas are also good, but coffee is my go-to.

First thing you wanted to be growing up: Paleontologist. Even now if I could have a dream job without worrying about how much it pays I’d go for it. Paleontology and anthropology in general are so interesting.

[ansbobcar]

EP 21 - From hell with pettiness

WORD COUNT. 2618

Link to overview

_ _ _ _ _

There’s this repetition for the next 2 nights, petty nuisances, regarding her room, dress and meals. Regardless of how many times she encountered them, she seemed to burn through them with ease. Almost naturally.

“Didn’t you know?” She uttered, kicking her feet impatiently from the desk. “I saw her take it with a smile—a smile!”

He watched her take a sip of the red wine with ease, noticing the patience of his parents growing increasingly thin through the atmosphere of the hall. Yet she only coughed mildly.

“It’s sweet,” she mused. “Do you prefer white wine, madame?”

The guise of their discrimination seemed so trivial to her. Even though hours later, when he woke up to the sound of her vomiting out her insides, her voice heaved with confident conviction, “It’s merely a simple poison. I—can handle it.”

“Poison?” He uttered in repetition. Furrowing his brows. Nobody should let their body naturally handle poison, especially if it’s without an antidote. She snapped her head towards him. “You… you do know you could jail them for assassination right?” The incandescent sheen from his wand traced her sullied dress like a ghost.

“Then why haven’t you?”

His heart plummeted at these words, as she slowly stood up. Each step across the cold tiles she took increased the heaviness of his lungs and wrung his airway as he planted his feet just a lunge away from the door. Why didn’t he? It wasn’t like he saw any of them—no. He saw him do it once. “Look away Orter,” as the man collapsed and morphed into a measly puddle. Why didn’t he call out to his father? 

“You’re hesitating,” bright yellow eyes, stared right at him. An unnatural vigour lit within as if they had solved him.

“You’ve always hesitated, haven’t you?”

That night was particularly cold to sleep through as he replayed the stressful conversation over dinner.

“Are you perhaps considering a future with him?” His mother wondered, as she placed another cut of the roasted duck in her mouth. He forgot about this problem as he only continued to cut through his meal. ‘No,’ wishing he could clutch onto some fabric; ‘It would be bad if they caught onto the lie.’ He could only assume that Rinka Ontarin, dressed in periwinkle blue, would do what was best. Watching as she stopped her sizzling cuts to look directly at the older woman.

“And what if I did?”

“What did your family say?” 

“My mother doesn’t oppose the idea,” of which he couldn’t verify himself. He’d just have to trust her.

“What about your father?” She added, as she simply took a brief moment to reply.

“What father?” 

Unable to contain it any further, his mother’s face contorted with vile displeasure. “Don’t you know you are putting yourselves in a precarious situation by being together?” 

“No shit,” he finally spoke up much to her anger. “We’re Divine Visionaries.” 

“Don’t talk back at your mother--" A hand stopped her from continuing onwards. His father had intervened.

“What she’s trying to say is to address a key concern we have to your… girlfriend,” he reiterated before facing towards Rinka. “I presume you don’t remember since it’s been years,” a concerning sense of familiarity pervaded his words, “but… aren’t you still in mourning?”

“It’s been more than a decade since,” picking up her knife again. As if she hadn’t been offended by his statement. “My only obligation is towards the Bureau and my own mother.”

“If you want to kill me to set up your son again. You’ll have to bet higher,” she snickered at the old man.

If he had to bet his life in a quiz about how well he knew this woman, he might as well have died with the dread that accompanied him the following night. 

_ _ _

Rinka had a ghostly appearance, with her makeup of faint rosy cheeks and dull pink lips heightening her pale complexion as she wore a bright white dress which hugged her torso before fluttering into two tiers of ruffled skirts and slowly turning a murky brown. This was restored just moments ago as they entered the carriage.

“Are you cold?” It was already six and yet the sun was slowly dying itself earlier than expected during their journey. She simply shook her head, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her dress as she stared out the window. “Is there anything you’re worried about?” He tried again.

“Probably… ruining this dress,” she sheepishly remarked before the similar distant gaze fell onto her face. “Additionally, did you have a plan for the rest of the evening?”

“... no not really. I’m sorry about that.”

“Because, I know… aristocrats don’t particular enjoy my presence. So I’m intrigued at how committed you are.”

“Why wouldn’t I commit?” Uneasy from her words from the night. “There’s more to lose if we get separated. After all, you’re too kind for your own good.”

“Even if I’m mean sometimes?”

“You only do that when necessary.”

“What about how I treat certain people?”

“Kaldo deserves it.”

She chuckled at his response, while noticing his shivering. ‘Is that why he asked me?’ She told herself. “Would you let me hold you in the meantime?” She asked him for permission. And he let’s her cup his face. Her fingertips are oddly warm, and… he relished at the touch.

A hushed whisper only for her ears, he had asked once more, “Are you really not the sun?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Your attitude at work is bright and inviting compared to everyone else, your hair shines like stardust in the hallways, and you’re always warm to the touch…”

“Would you kill the current sun if I were the sun?” Her thumb caresses his cheek.

He chuckled at her trivial question. “I meant it metaphorically.”

By the time they had arrived at the ball, it had already started. For an hour perhaps. He lent out his hand towards her as she descended down before linking arms together. Their presence struck (respect) in those around them. Murmurs wash over the crowd as they entered the wide hall.

That is…  until a guard showed up. “Your wands, please,” gloved hands stretched out towards them. And with little resistance, they handed the wands over. “It’s for the safety of our guests,” they were explained by them.

‘The removal of magical tools should be a good thing. As many methods of espionage involve the use of magic. However, it wasn’t like there was anyone who could nullify the effects of magic phenomena to be present…’

“Do you enjoy the attention?” She muttered under her breath as his arm’s position stiffened considerably.

“Not particularly.”

They walked over towards the buffet first and sat down at a table to dine. Unfortunately, they were constantly interrupted by greetings and conversations, which caused him to lose his appetite, sliding over the food towards Rinka without another thought. The others seemed to swarm him with pleasantries and familiar registers. And only him.

‘What if she’s right?’ He wondered as the others finally left them. “You alright?” Looking up to see her scarfing down another spoonful of potato salad. Her face screamed a singular mission as she pivoted her attention towards him. “You’ve barely talked…”

“The food is spectacular,” she covered her mouth, eyes lit up in delight. “Do you remember which family is hosting the event?” 

“I’m not sure,” he replied. ‘Is she seriously only focusing on the food?’

“Why else do you think I agreed to attend beyond meeting your parents?” She leaned towards him. “It’s for the food!” Hiding her snicker, as a humoured smile etched itself on his face. 

“Not for me?” It’s weirdly embarrassing. His parents arrived slightly earlier for unspecified reasons. They were probably trying to treat her as poorly as before to little success. Not that he needed to care about them.

“Well, you’re a great companion to dine with,” she commented, finishing her meal. The sound of the magical orchestra’s melodic tunes reverberated through out the large room. She immediately stood up. “I’m getting more food. You should follow.”

“Alright.”

However, as they walked over to the buffet, another woman had tripped with wine. Staining her white dress. The woman spiralled into an apologetic mess. “It’s fine,” Rinka held onto her hands, simultaneously casting a restoration spell for the glass and a calming spell for her. “It’s only a dress.”

In tandem, Orter had already began to mutter a cleaning spell to make it spotless again. The sight amazed spectators nearby. After all, casting magic without tools requires skills. ‘They lived up to their title as Divine Visionaries.’

“Thank you, Orter.”

They ended up watching the ballroom dance area, and he noticed her intense gaze at its dancers. Right, he forgot. “Do you dance?” He asked her. She turned towards him. “I can.”

Holding out his hand towards her, he continued, “Would you like to?”

There’s a sense of earnestness in his eyes and gesture, she could tell as the strings heightened their sound. She grabbed onto his hand, “I’ll accept your lead then,” it would be a waste not to, as she was guided forward. Hands held together in one side, and for her other hand it was on his shoulder and his rested right above her hip.

Their feet were gliding across the floor with ease, weaving through the other dancers with barely any errors. Their motions, wide yet precise completely enraptured onlookers to watch them as the music continued. Yet, there is something odd. Perhaps it’s the way he’s constantly switching styles and paces. ‘Stick with one will you?’ As she quickened the pace to the percussion’s rhythm. “How about quick step?”

“You’ve learnt it?”

“When I was younger.”

The routine is revised, with another bet slipped into their dance. Who could last the longest? Unfortunately, after nearly an hour of amateur competitive dancing, Orter who took back the lead, ended the session amidst a sea of applause.

‘I forgot she stayed awake for the whole trip up here.’

“Not bad,” she complimented him. “I haven’t danced in ages. That was fun.”

Adrenaline continued to circulate as they tried to head back towards their seats to instill his punishment. “You’re not going to kill me right?” Of course she wouldn’t, walking in tandem with him. Until a deep gruff voice called out to him.

"Greetings, Desert Cane,”  and the light from her eyes were snuffed out as. “It's a pleasure to meet you in person. You're all grown up from the last time I saw you.” She gripped onto his hand even tighter. "That was a wonderful performance you put with your partner I presume,” his dark eyes took a glance towards her before looking back at him.

"Thank you for the praise but I haven't practised in ages."

Her grip loosened from it’s intensity, she leaves him with a simple bow. 'I'm taking a breather,' she messages to him with magic, her face frozen in calmness. He held onto her fingers a bit longer before letting go.

Orter can't shake the feeling that something is terribly terribly wrong. But he can't particularly ignore a person he just began conversing with, especially if it’s a man known as Sears Onoji. Who was biologically Rinka’s father and his own father’s sworn enemy.

Their conversation is trivial as he picked up a glass of wine to drink with the patriarch. Until a light chuckle erupts from the man. “I find it amusing.”

“Indeed, standing here with nothing but a single glass for the past hour is somehow a miracle.”

He smiled quietly at his words, before he added. “I thought you would have known something as simple as her birthday.”

Did he just forget the day? 

His blood ran cold at her father’s words.

“I hope she enjoys her birthday gift.”

_ _ _

Rinka's not easy to budge from her calm facade but that... that wasn't fear. It was absolute obedience. A lack of self. A lack of decision making. No wonder she rarely talked about them. No wonder her mother reacted like that. No wonder she didn't seem to do anything and seemed to not recognise her cousins.

His feet dragged him outside, as he retrieved back their wands. ‘Did she get humiliated?’ Unable to see through the dark until he uttered a simple light spell. Footprints were seen in the snow. Deeper grooves were found and he followed them. The darkness enveloping his small field of vision. 

He can’t. He musn’t. There has to be hope. His chest became elated as he heard a grunt in the distance. Just…

Clad in a pinstriped maroon suit with hair akin to the snow, he held onto the blade piercing his flesh. The subject of his worries had an equally stained torso which seemed to deepen it’s blossoming hues of red camellias. A blank expression haunted her face, like a doll.

“Kaldo, get away from her!” He uttered only to hear him calmly reply as she staggered back, out of her daze.

“The likelihood of me losing to her physically is low. Even… with a wound like this,” noticing her eyes widen at the situation.

Quietly, she muttered, “Were you with…”

“It was the request of your mother. Don’t worry, you handled it well,” he patted her shoulder. “The Gehenna name isn’t as easily tainted after all.”

“But…”

“It’s alright. I wore red for a reason.”

With little time to take back her surroundings, she was pulled into a tight embrace by the youngest. "What happened to you? You were gone for an hour."

"I... I don't remember the specifics but I remember casting a wide range protective spell,” she recounted. “Beyond that, it’s unclear. Maybe I was trying to cool down?"

The flames flickered as a voice called out to her within the shelves. “What are you looking for?”

She had turned her heads towards the owner with her hand held tight onto the ladder.With little time to think, she immediately responded, “Protective spells.” Knowing her, it was odd. Wouldn’t it be better to just amplify one’s physicality? “To prevent physical injuries, I would agree but I’m searching for the ones that counter mental interference. My family specialises in them after all…”

“Protecting others from harm is the least I could do.”

"What's up with you and the Onojis?" Kaldo had filled him in on the details, her near involvement with the very near death of another person.

"I don't think this is the place to discuss such a matter,” she curtly replied. “But if it helps, I’m just holding up my end of the deal.” No. ‘She should be explaining to me what actually happened.’ Not shrugging it off. The atmosphere growing even more tense as he tried to question her.

“The night is ending, I shall notify my family about your stay in our family home,” Kaldo interjected.

“You don’t have to,” Orter politely declined. 

“I doubt you want to encounter either of your families. After all, I saw them discussing earlier,” he emphasised. “So what do you want to do?” Looking over at the two.

“Rinka,” the brunette tried to get her to reply.

“Let’s just stay over at the Gehenna’s for now. We can cover it as a meeting regarding the logistics behind the Divine Visionary Candidates or something. It’s not like they can tear down either of your reputations.” Honestly, Orter thought she would reject the idea but it’s true. “If we move as a group, it’ll make them more cautious to act out like earlier. After all, I’m the biggest liability here.”

“Why?”

With a grim look, she closed her eyes. “That I cannot disclose.”

_ _ _

Lol lol. Longest chapter by far in this fic TwT. Kill me y'all. I hope it was fun. The scene changes were probably a bit too abrupt. Ooh but I did finish EP 24 so we're all set to begin writing for my other mashle fic!

[darkmetaknightspussy]

i don't believe i need to elaborate on why You are a bigender icon (you are bigender and also cool), but. zohar silhouettemirage requires explanation, being from an obscure sega saturn slash ps1 game that has a cool concept, mid-tier execution.

so. basically the entire lore of silhouete mirage is that every living being is either Silhouette (blue) or Mirage (red). you literally cannot naturally be both at once because silhouette and mirage powers repel each other to the point that you will not survive trying to harness both at once.

zohar (along with the player character, Shyna, and every other boss in the game) was part of an experiment to create a person who can harness both the powers of silhouette and mirage. as a result, zohar has two different forms (with different names, at that) that they can switch between at will: zohar metatron, their silhouette form, and zohar sandalphon, their mirage form. zohar is extremely powerful and proud of it, and because of this they are the rival of the player character, shyna.

now here’s the part where it gets bigender: their two forms have slightly different personalities and gender expression. metatron is more straight-up aggressive and masculine (and uses a sword), and sandalphon is more passive-aggressive and feminine (and uses a gun). (in general, they are kind-of an asshole but i love them for it they are so blorbo to me.)

in the japanese manuals and guidebooks, they aren’t referred to with pronouns (because that how standard japanese is) but in the game, every instance they are referred to with a pronoun or noun is gender-neutral—except for right after their introduction where shyna refers to them as something along the lines of “that man-and-woman” when “that person” would’ve worked just fine. in the english localisation, however, zohar is referred to with it/its in the manual and he/him in the like one instance they are ever referred to by a pronoun in the localisation. despite being referred to a he/him, they are referred to with gendered nouns based on their current form; metatron is “son”, and sandalphon is “daughter”.

too bad uh. the horrors happen to them. *opens my fix-it fic doc and adds another sentence*

also, the japanese-exclusive silhouette mirage guidebook has some funny little 1-panel comics. in one panel, shyna asks zohar how it is being both a man and a woman, and they’re like “meh, it’s alright” except they say it twice whilst switching between their forms—once in a more masculine way, and once in a more feminine way. in another panel, zohar is at a bathhouse, just standing there with a bucket and no idea if they should go in the men’s side or the women’s side.

other than that despite being obviously gender-non-conforming in whatever way their gender is never played or laughs or treated as anything weird or whatever. even the funny comic things in the guidebook are relatable. it’s so based.

i hope this fits in the askbox that's a lot of words

!!!!!!!!!

[crystalelemental]

It's that time once again, lads.

EX & 20/20 Current 5* powerups: 255 Current spirits: 890 5* powerups available: 49 (20 lodge, 5 event, 4 CS, 20 exchange) Spirits available: 340 (85x4 CS) Total powerups: 304 Total spirits: 1230

We can afford a decent amount at this point.  I've realized I can spend powerups down to 150, to match the 500 spirits for 10 EX in a pinch.  So let's call it 9 available.

This month's acquisitions will include...Penny and Valerie. Sylveon Supremacy.  I am not sold on anyone else.  I've talked myself out of Roxie and Ryuki, I don't care about Piers or Elaine at present.  I may go for the Eevee tier scout.  Two guaranteed Eevesi along the way is nice, and if I roll one of Selene or Elio, I'll get the other at pity.  I don't know if I'll EX them, it really depends on how I'm feeling about it.  Since Valerie is already 20/20, we can get up to 8 others.

Rei - Really strong Fighting damage, Hisui bias, etc.

SS Silver - My Ice roster is basically "Irida."  I should aim to boost that, and I like Silver and Sneasel well enough.

SS N - Frankly a terrible idea, I don't really respect him, but he is fun when I break him out. That said, meta shift, 15k Master Mode may not play so nice with him.

Ethan - If I decide to go hard on the Fire High Score event. Which I'm already backing out of.

Eevee Lucas - Same as Ethan, but also, Eevesi. He is the Only Good Flareon, so tempted.

Lodge Calem - Fennekin is baby. Also Fire High Score I guess, but mostly the baby thing.

Classic Blue - I use him semi-regularly thanks to the Roxanne/Lodge Steven comp. But as an off-type, that one is in Major Danger with the meta shift, so I'm not exactly sold on it.

Alder - Bug game is weak, I think it'd be nice to have a stronger Bug Man around, and I like Volcarona well enough.

Anni Steven - Maybe one day.  I legitimately do want to do this one day.

Relevant Support Roundup:

Lana - Still not really feeling it.

BP Morty - Kinda unnecessary.

BP Surge - Helps his Gauntlet survival but I hate using him.

Lodge Blue - Don't really use him outside of Gauntlet.

Lodge Elesa - Don't really use her outside of Gauntlet

Lodge Raihan - Really don't respect it.

Nita (20/20) - I'm considering just because I've been F2P focused, but I don't like Nita or Lando, so...

Lodge Morty - Actually does see use, there's an argument to be made here.

Lodge Acerola - Less frequently used than Morty, but still sees play.

Lodge Adaman - Not actually good, but Eeveelution and Hisui.

Lodge Leaf - I've found more opportunities to try with her, but also I feel like Penny just walked in and knocked her teeth out.

The 20/20 I have a few pairs that are sitting at 20/20, and would just cost spirits.  Given that I have enough powerups for 9 EX but enough spirits for 14, this may be worth looking at.

NC Marnie - Intensely unnecessary but kinda funny. Compresses Fiery Wrath.

SS Ethan - Also super unnecessary given he's 1/5, and Aeroblast doesn't even compress.

Victrier - I don't like Victor, but he's a free Field pair for Ghost, and I do like Spectrier. The recent Galar battle got me thinking about investing after all.

CANDY SITUATION Strike (4)

Petrel - 2.  I mean.  It's worth considering?

Rose - 2.  He gets a lot stronger with it.

SS Ethan - 2.  Full sync privileges, if that's a thing we care about now.

Honestly, just hold.

Tech (2)

SC Ingo - 2.  Bug nuke man with MPR.

BT Leon - 2.  I did EX him, and Dragapult has grown on me tremendously.

I'll likely do BT Leon, but at next datamine when I'm certain it's safe.

Support (2) None!  Amazing.  If I lucky pull H!Phoebe I'll consider it.  "What about Pen-" Penny will cooperate or so help me god.  I am done with it always being the support that goes bad.  Just one month without needing Support candy, Penny!  JUST ONE!

General (19)

Rei - 2.  He's really strong, so this is a fairly sane investment overall. And Hisui, so you know, regional bias.

The Eevi - Okay, this is a big one.  I hoard.  I hoard so bad I have 19 of these general candy sitting in my lap right now.  I have not used one...almost ever.  That's a problem.  I stockpile so I can avoid disaster, but at the point I can also just hand all five of them candy and probably still be over 10, we've reached the point I'm being ridiculous.  I am willing to candy them.  If I crack for Elio and Selene, I'm not going for the other Eevee scout and risking another disaster, I'm just using general candy.  This shit ends now.

Cake Situation I have a Tech and a Support. Exactly nothing with these effects interests me right now. Holding. As for the potential for another Strike cake from Penny, I don't feel like anyone needs it. Akari's sync isn't that great, she's had no problem with DPS, and I sure as hell am not giving it to Penny. Hold all cakes.

LEVEL 150

Nemona - I don't use Nemona all that often, but that's a failure on my part, not hers.

Drasna - I love Drasna, I feel like I need to. Maybe if I shower her with affection, she'll show up off-focus.

BT Leon - My recent ScarVi competitive streak got me really hooked on Dragapult. I love that funky Ghostie Dragon.

SS Diantha - A little hesitant, but it is Diancie.

NC Serena - Considering because Serena and this is her best outfit. Hesitating because Greninja.

Bede - Look. We all need to accept that I like Bede.

Anni Skyla - Tornadus Therian is one of the only good djinn forms, and I really like her 3/5 kit.

SS Serena - I feel like it just makes sense but it's hard to justify.

Kahili - I like never use Kahili anymore but she was a big focus for a while there. Maybe when she gets EX.

Shauntal - Shauntal did get EX and I really like her DPS sets so I'm kinda tempted here.

Kris - Kick you apart, now even harder.

Clair - Favoritism.

Iris - I like running things that are bad.

Penny - Sylveon is good, and I like it.

[starsandspicedpeaches]

Starsandspicedpeaches ao3 wrapped [writers edition]

Well guys, I told you I was going to do it! I wanted to make a brief summary of the content I’ve created this year based on this post (https://starsandspicedpeaches.tumblr.com/post/737795154739707904/floydsin-ao3-wrapped-writers-edition-how-many) and take a moment to appreciate what I managed to do, even if it wasn’t much. Below I’ve answered all the questions for the ao3 wrapped, and I made sure to link all my fics so if you see one that interests you, you can just click it and don’t have to hunt it down. I hope you all had a happy holiday and look forward to new content in the new year! 

How many words have you written this year?

Only 11,733, but for someone in college full-time that’s not too bad. 

How many works did you publish this year?

4 works, all Resident Evil. 

What work are you most proud of (regardless of kudos/hits)?

I think I’m proudest of The Blue Eyed Bunny and the Green Eyed Monster oddly enough. It was my least popular work but I experimented a lot with emotion, timing, and subjects I wasn’t used to. I think that story is where I put a lot of my growth. 

What work of yours has the most hits?

Alphas, Omegas, and Workplace Etiquette by a long shot. It is also one of the only s/muts I wrote this year though I think and so that may play into its popularity. 

What work of yours got more feedback than you expected?

Again, Alphas, Omegas, and Workplace Etiquette. I’m still not used to writing s/mut and I have never practiced A/B/O dynamics, I only did it for a prompt, so I was extremely surprised by how into it people seemed to be. It also features trans omega Wesker because that’s just what I personally like, so I thought by inserting my headcanons I was ensuring the story would be a flop. I was shocked and thrilled that so many people were willing to read content that not only may have gone outside their personal preferences but also features a trans character. It has definitely encouraged me to just write what I want how I want and work on making things for myself, not just others.

Favorite title you used

I liked the title The Blue Eyed Bunny and the Green Eyed Monster just because I feel like it was creative and was one of those titles that you aren’t exactly sure what it means until you read the story (or at least the description and tags I guess). 

If you use song lyrics, which artist’s songs did you pull from the most?

I don’t think I used any song lyrics this year. I generally don’t, just not my cup of tea. Maybe I should try it next year!

Pairing you wrote the most for this year?

Chrisker (Chris Redfield x Albert Wesker) was the only ship I wrote this year, lmao. 

Favorite pairing you wrote for this year?

Chrisker again, only thing I wrote, but I don’t regret it, it’s a top-tier ship. 

What work was the quickest to write?

No Questions, when I was writing it I still didn’t really have a community to work with so I did everything myself on my own time. I was able to get it out fast because I did all the writing and editing and didn’t have to wait on anyone, but that also meant I had no feedback before posting, and that probably lessened the quality. 

What work took you the longest to write?

Alphas, Omegas, and Workplace Etiquette. Not only was it my longest word count, but I had also never written A/B/O before so I really had to mess with it, edit it, and play with it a lot. Additionally, my biggest criticism with A/B/O is that it can often time feel really rape-y and I didn’t want to create a tone where it felt like Chris was taking advantage of Wesker, that’s not how I understood Chris’s character in this fic. I was really just taking a lot of time to reread and edit it into something where it felt in character and like something I could be proud of. 

How many WIP’s do you have in your docs for next year?

Right now I only have one WIP, but I have more than twenty ideas written down. Typically I never have more than one or two WIPs in progress at a time because if I start to do more I never get any projects done. 

What’s your longest work of the year?

Alphas, Omegas, and Workplace Etiquette with nearly 5,000 words.

What’s your shortest work of the year?

The Alternate Approach with less than 2,000. 

What WIP are you taking into next year with you?

Well don’t look ahead if you want to be surprised, but last year I started a little smut piece where Uroborous messes with Wesker while he’s still working on creating it. I started on it but then I found out about Chrisker week and made that my priority. I certainly don’t plan on abandoning that project though so hopefully you’ll see it before 2025. 

What’s your most common “Additional Tags” tag?

Lmfao it’s a tie between trans Albert Wesker, vaginal fingering, and vaginal sex. I don’t even know what to say. 

Your favorite character to write this year?

Honestly, she only shows up in one fic but probably Rebecca. I love her character and think she deserves all the love in the world. Plus, she’s just a good person trying to take care of others so it felt nice to write. 

The character that gave you the most trouble writing this year?

I think Chris was the hardest, which I think is funny since I wrote from his perspective so much. I think it’s easy to make Chris a little shallow and one note since he’s typically the protagonist in the games, and so he needs to be just a bit blank slate-y for the player to connect to the world through him. That means that as a writer I have more free reign to interpret his thoughts and motivations how I want, but that room for creativity is scary, especially when you know that there will be people who interpret him differently. 

What’s one pairing you want to explore next year?

I do want to play around with a little Albert x Sergei because 1. I love toxic yaoi and want those cunts to be nasty to each other, and 2. old man pretty. 

Which work of yours have you reread the most?

Once I publish my works I almost never reread them because I know that I’ll just hate everything and never stop thinking about how I should have done this or changed that. Taking that into consideration, most likely Alphas, Omegas, and Workplace Etiquette just because I edited it so much and kept going over it for flaws again and again.  

How many kudos in total did you get this year?

255 kudos, thank you all so much!

Which work has the most comments?

The Alternate Approach, I was certainly surprised by this but those who read it seemed to really like it. Thank you all for letting me know your thoughts!

Did you do any collaborative works this year?

Nope. I really have no clue where to start with collaborative works and I’ve never done it before. If I ever did one it would probably be just for fun, not super professional. 

Did you write any gifts this year?

No, I’m only just starting to find communities and friends to fit in with in fandom, and I tend to really struggle with socializing so making a friend in the first place has been tricky lol. That’s why I’m always telling you all to reach out, if you want me to be your friend just claim me, I’ll let you know if it’s ever too much. 

Did you receive any gifts this year?

No, most likely for the same reasons as above. 

What’s your most common category?

Not entirely sure what categories are on AO3 but Chris Redfield/Albert Wesker I think? 

What do you listen to while writing?

Usually nothing, I get super sucked into music so I can’t really listen to much. Sometimes I’ll play soundtracks if it’s a good attention day. If that’s the case I’ll listen to the soundtracks from Midsommar, Hereditary, Coraline, and Squid Game. 

Favorite work you wrote this year?

The Blue Eyed Bunny and the Green Eyed Monster, Wesker is just such a fucking cunt in this one and I loved getting to see him mind-game Chris into bad behavior too. Exploring the issues with their relationship while simultaneously seeing it prevail, especially as a prequel to the events of the first game where the reader knows just how much worse Wesker gets was so much fun. Plus, I got to write the STARS team who we don’t see a ton in the game, and bring them back to life for a little bit. See them be people with flaws, loves, and passions, not just cannon fodder for the monsters in the mansion. 

Favorite line/passage you wrote this year?

Probably this excerpt from The Blue Eyed Bunny and the Green Eyed Monster (spoilers ahead): 

“Are you upset about me showing up to Barry’s Party in this outfit?” He asked, pulling the jacket off the reveal that Chris had indeed been right, he still had the costume on.

“Yeah, I am upset, and I think you know that.”

“Hmm, and why does me showing up to a party with all your friends and coworkers dressed like this upset you, Chris?” Albert purred, slowly stepping closer.

“What do you want from me, Albert?” Chris blurted out, “Don’t you think I’ve dealt with enough bullshit tonight?”

Albert stepped forward and took Chris’s chin in his hand, pushing his head up to make eye contact. Chris didn’t know why but he let him.

“Just tell me. Chris, why did it upset you?”

“Because I’m jealous. I’m jealous I’ve every person who gets near you, every person who gets to touch you, everyone who gets to enjoy looking you up and down like that because I want it only to be me.”

I liked the push and pull in the moment, Wesker forcing information out of Chris and just playing him. It shows Wesker finding Chris’s flaws and forcing them out into the light for his own pleasure. 

Biggest surprise while writing this year?

I think I was surprised by the communities that formed around writing. Like I said, I tend to struggle with socializing and just understanding people in general so I wasn’t expecting myself to find people who consistently interacted within fanfic. There were readers who came back and commented on the works I make regularly, the Chrisker Week server has evolved into a new server where people still talk about the ship and work on content together, and I just kind of notice the same people milling about offering kind words and inspiration when most needed. It’s been really beautiful

Thank you all again so much for following me and interacting so kindly when I do put work out. This year has been a delight and an opportunity for a lot of growth in my writing which will hopefully go into making next year even better! Take care everyone and I'm sending you the best on this new adventure!