#the fandom will come to you and support you through that special bonding experience

[slaaverin]

https://x.com/miniekookphoria/status/1866860575533539751

It really hit me today, they chose each other.

This is so loud, and so profound, but it’s not a moment for us as fans, it’s a moment for them. This meant/means something to them. They applied for a system that for once could kind of work in their favour. They had to enlist, there was no choice, but there was a choice for them to apply for a route that would allow them to be together in this, and the fates aligned and they got in. How poetic is that! They have each other, side by side, it’s been a year, with another 6 months to go. There for each other.

I know as jikookers we feel incredibly at peace knowing they have each other in there, I know the rest of the fandom and hateful solos turn a blind eye, but just imagine how they feel. How they felt knowing they had the other with them for this difficult time in their lives. This is the kind of thing that changes you, I don’t think they will come out unaffected by their experience, it’ll make them stronger characters, and resilient I’ve no doubt. They chose each other, not as members of BTS, not as colleagues who had supposedly grown apart in the eyes of the fandom in chapter 2, not as so called just friends, or a ‘complex’ ‘not traditional’ relationship you cannot define, but as Jimin and Jungkook from Busan. Two young men who have grown up with each other and couldn’t be apart for 18 months. Yes only they know their reasons but to me it’s so so profound and beautiful. They chose this for themselves, at an extremely vulnerable moment in their lives, knowing they would have the other there with them. To want to be together like that, in intense and difficult circumstances, them saying they weren’t worried about them fighting, do people realise what that actually says. It says a lot. The first idols to ever do this. In their position, This is not just friends enlisting for fun, I know people use the buddy system with friends, it ain’t for romance in there, but I think them saying that, saying about waking up to the other, that’s the comfort. They knew they would stand out for this, the negativity that came straight after the announcement, them walking through that airport with their heads held high’ . No matter what that’s what mattered to them, having each other. That’s all that matters in this.

I’ve never known anything like it.

Someone said that the songs ‘birds of a feather’ and ‘die with a smile’ are Jikook coded, and given their circumstances they truly are. The fact what the system means is they are each others support, they wear their dog tags in case of death. They literally committed to go to the front lines, a dangerous area, to be together. That’s profound. In fact that’s love.

Such love, and their beautiful bond should be revered.

What wonderfully articulated thoughts anon 🫂 I couldn't agree more! Thank you 💜

One year since they left.

How worried we were before knowing they used the buddy system to be together.

Their country is in shamble right now, and I cannot imagine what kind of challenges they have to face in there.

Thankfully we feel a little bit better knowing they can rely on each other.

I think you are correct, they can't come out from this unscathed. This puts them in a situation they've never been in before, in a different environement with different rules, and they need to adapt to it no matter what is asked of them, even if they disagree, even if they don't want to do it.

Do you know how hard it is to do things you don't want to do? It could be anything. But the mental pressure must be huge.

I think they knew that before entering. They knew how hard it would be.

So the fact that they chose to be with each other, to be the person that would ease their mind, who would soften the blow - it's huge.

It could have been anyone, any other member, but no. It had to be them.

How can people still deny that their relationship is special amongst all others?

You bet that that's love.

I would even consider it devotion.

If we keep it real, since the very beginning, they always chose each other. In actions, in words, in the way they gave attention to each other, in how glued they are, in sublte or not so subtle ways, it's always been obvious.

I think they made their choice a long time ago.

And we knew that.

But it's always something else to have it confirmed over and over, right?

Ahhh this is making me very emotional.

You know, everything we saw from them, it's still just a glimpse, just a bleed through of their true feelings.

I believe the true depth of their feelings goes even deeper than what we know - in private, in quiet times, when they are alone, not Jungkook and Jimin from BTS, but two men from Busan as you beautifully said.

They are soulmates. If it's true that they knew each other in past lives, then their love transcends space and time. It's not a little thing, you know?

So of course they would enlist with each other.

It was the only thing that made any sense.

Us jikookers, we're so cute, because we're always trying to remain level headed, and the reasonable ones. It comes from a good sentiment, we don't want to sound like other questionable parts of the fandom.

But honestly we don't really have to anymore.

I don't think the things we're perceiving with our heart and soul are deceiving us.

I can't be anything but love - a pure one, that would lead them to such a decision.

Enlistment was a statement. AYS was a statement too. A little bit of that devotion.

Yet I agree with you that this is not for anyone else at the same time. I believe their decision to be in MS together was a very personal one. We just happen to know about it.

Military is a personal challenge. A challenge that all the other members chose to face alone. But not Jimin & Jungkook.

My true intuition and feeling tells me that this was absolutely essential for them both.

Their hearts are too intertwined to even entertain the possibility of having to be alone in a trial such as this one. It's very logical when you think about it.

MS isn't for romance but it doesn't need to be, the simple thing of having the person you love next to you, even if as just a comforting presence, it's priceless, it's invaluable.

What they share is so very precious and beautiful. And they are such wonderful humans? (Now I'm typing through the tears)

Of course it needs to be cherished so very much 🥲

How great would that be if everyone had a relationship such as theirs. I sincerely wish it for all of us, in this life or the next.

Ahhh everything is extremely poetic. When you think of all the growth they had to go through, of their crazy lives, of all the challenges they faced, they still get to have a pocket that is just for them, of safety, comfort, true reliance, support, love and tenderness.

If this is some kind of reward for all the good they have done, I think they truly deserve it.

This is making me a little unhinged to think that MS will surely deepen their bond even more 😂😂😂 *nervous laugh*

They will keep choosing each other, I think for as long as they breathe at this rate.

So who knows what might happen in the future? Only 6 month left to find out. It makes my heart very happy. I can't wait to follow their journey into the next phase of their lives.

Their future can only be brighter even.

I also can't wait to share the joy of everything with everybody, the fun and beautiful jikookers 💜

I will have my tissues ready for 2025 lmao

To "celebrate" this 1 year mark I'm preparing a little edit. A very simple one but I hope it will uplift you a bit. The song I chose makes me cry for real lol I hope I will be able to convey my feelings to you. It should come out by the weekend.

Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful thoughts anon (you should have a blog for yourself 😌) and let's keep celebrating their special bond 💜 take care

[sitp-recs]

Happy birthday darling @nv-md! I can’t think of anyone more present, cheerful or supportive than Ali. She’s always so kind, so positive and genuinely encouraging to everyone around her, and also super enthusiastic about all fandom related things. Her passion for Drarry and rare pairs is absolutely infectious, and I feel like we are especially connected through our sordid rare pairs interests 👯‍♀️ not to mention her wit and sense of humor - Ali is such a fun person to be around and that translates into her fics, too. It’s impossible not to smile or laugh out loud with the hilarious shenanigans she comes up with - or drool over her sexy & scorching hot smut 🔥

Ali is a fandom champion and embodies what this experience is supposed to be about imo - finding joy in creating and engaging. She’s a writer, beta, cheerleader and still finds time to carefully read, comment and reblog everything else. Whenever I’m leaving a comment on a fic I find out that Ali’s already been there spreading gentle encouragement. Her presence is truly inspiring and reminds me of what it means to be part of something bigger, and to be there for your friends. So much of what she does goes unnoticed behind the scenes and I wanted to highlight those contributions as well. Now, on to my favourite Ali treats (lol I almost wrote “threats” which they might be! Killing us with softness 😔). As I said, she’s equally passionate about Drarry and rare pairs - from tooth rotting fluff to unapologetic filthy porn, she’s written some of my favourite tropes for my favourite ships, and I’m so happy that I get to feast on her works for free. Happy birthday my friend, I hope you have a day as sweet and fun as you are! Thank you for being you 💗

Drarry

Have I Told You About My Vampire Boyfriend? (M, 1.1k)

Harry fucking loves being a vampire, especially since he gets to be a vampire with Draco.

Bonds, Besties, and Boners: Draco Malfoy’s Guide to Getting a Boyfriend (E, 4k)

Draco and Harry are accidentally bonded while at work. Harry's thrilled, Draco's annoyed, and Pansy's doing everything she can to cause trouble. Can these two idiots figure their messy relationship out?

Your Kiss, and I Will Surrender (E, 5k)

Draco's on the run and Harry hasn't seen him in months. All hell breaks loose when Harry catches him in Knockturn Alley, but there's more to their relationship, and Draco's disappearance, than meets the eye.

Ali's Candy Hearts - A Month of Drarry Fluff (E, 14k)

A collection of unrelated Drarry fics: let's get fluffy in February.

On Hope & Healing (E, 14k)

Harry and Draco haven't seen each other in seven years, since Draco left the Aurors—and Harry—behind. So Harry can't help but be surprised when he starts working as a Healer at St Mungo's and runs into Draco.

Operation Dragon's Shenanigans (E, 14k)

Harry's in love with Draco, but it's complicated. Even more complicated than 'I'm in love with my ex-archnemesis and I get dizzy every time I see him smile'.

Draco Malfoy Absolutely Does Not Need to Be Loved by Harry Bloody Potter (E, 18k)

It’s not easy to be bonded to your childhood rival, turned fuckbuddy, who you also have extremely uncomfortable but repressed feelings for—just ask Draco Malfoy.

Rare pairs

Savage Altruism (T, 428 words) - Harry/Hermione

A cursed statue is determined to keep Harry and Hermione from love.

Let Me Take You Home (M, 1k) - Ginny/Pansy

After the war, everything and everyone was broken. Ginny and Pansy find a home in each other.

Can't I Have Both? (E, 1.8k) - Omegaverse Harry/Draco/Blaise

Werewolves usually only have one mate, but of course, Draco has to be special and have two Alphas chasing after him. And he makes sure they always want him...especially when he can drag them into the loo of a club.

True Love Blooms (E, 7k) - Harry/Theo

The flower tattoos on Theo's back paint the story of his and Harry's relationship: two boys falling in love and making their relationship work, no matter what.

Overexposed (E, 10k) - Harry/Teddy/Draco

Teddy never expected to become a model for Nimbus, and he definitely didn't expect any of the adverts to catch Harry and Draco's attention. But now that it's happened, Teddy can't deny he gets a thrill every time he catches Harry and Draco staring, and he's going to do everything he can to keep their eyes on him.

[thequimmqueen]

also, hey...hope ur okay. i love your lighthearted fluffy hc's for Quimm--I think the fandom needs that, there's so much angst hahhah. I dont mind the jokes abt them but--I know what you mean. you have inspired me to draw them being affectionate more though, so, hehe >:) will tag you in it

And I would LOVE to see it!!

As for the other thing... well I can't say I've been perfectly fine. This fandom still overwhelms me, and real life has been hectic, but at least the pain has grown smaller. just a little bit, but what can you do...

although, I'm glad I can provide sweeter content for these two! they still mean a lot to me and even when I try to deny it, they're still at the back of my mind, along with so many cute Ideas I have for them post-reconciliation.

I feel like, as one of the more recurrent fans of the ship, often when I discuss ideas for them it all revolves around the split-up, which is one of the major events in their stories as we all know. But sometimes, it becomes so often when I rely on this for the basis of their romance that I forget that that's not all that they shared.

For one, I love to think of how they were when they met. How troubled Timm might have been due to being pushed into studying law, and how lonely Quinn must have also been due to her naturally stoic personality. (we've seen fans assume the worst of her only by her angry expression, so imagine the people in her world)

I often find myself daydreaming about Timm being one of the few that was kind to her, and liked to have her around. Including her, in things that she never thought she would experience, and also how she might have been the only one who supported him through and through each semester, each exam, and each work, instead of insulting him for not understanding a subject he wasn't passionate about. (cough cough like his dad cough cough)

The idea of them forming such a wonderful friendship, a bond that made them a power duo, a dream team... and how even after all, there is still something left of that natural chemistry they've had, even when they are so different.

I am a sucker for friends to lovers, but also for the separated couple who still misses their other half, so when it comes to these two it's not all about angst and pain but also the yearning. The trope of the cold and calculative woman having her heart melted by a dorky guy, not once but twice, even after a long time separated. The relief they feel once everything is cleared and there's no reason for them not to try to be together. this time not as just partners, but lovers.

...Ah shit I started rambling. But you get my point!

There is so much potential, not only in the reconciliation process but also in how that rekindled friendship slowly grows into a romance, and they love each other so much they can't tell if it's just the respect and admiration they've had for the other since so long ago or something entirely new. I just!!! it makes me so so happy!

So to be able to present that aspect of it, and put some sugar in a normally bitter drink... to be the one that can write them in such a special way is an honor. even more when people start to like and enjoy it thanks to said work I have done. it's a great feeling.

[kpop-lover143]

A Deep Dive into ATEEZ Official Merch

Ateez is a South Korean boy band formed by KQ Entertainment. The group consists of eight members: Hongjoong, Seonghwa, Yunho, Yeosang, San, Mingi, Wooyoung and Jongho. They debuted on October 24, 2018, with the extended play (EP) Treasure

ATEEZ isn’t just a K-pop group; it’s a movement, a phenomenon that has captured the hearts of millions worldwide.

In this blog, we’ll explore the must-have ATEEZ merch and break down why each item is so special for fans. From the iconic lightstick to exclusive photo cards, every piece of ATEEZ official merchandise holds a unique place in the hearts of ATINYs.

Lightstick: A Symbol of Unity and Connection

The ATEEZ Lightstick isn’t just an accessory; it’s a symbol of the bond between the group and their fans. Every K-pop fan knows that the lightstick is an essential part of any concert experience, and ATEEZ’s lightstick stands out as one of the most eye-catching in the industry. Its sleek, futuristic design is a visual representation of ATEEZ’s bold and forward-thinking identity, while the customizable lighting options allow fans to feel connected to the group in a way that no other item can.

When you hold your ATEEZ lightstick, you’re not just holding a piece of merch — you’re holding a beacon that symbolizes the collective energy of thousands of ATINYs worldwide. It’s the ultimate way to show your support, whether you’re at a concert or enjoying a fan meet-up.

Official Albums: The Heartbeat of ATEEZ’s Music

An album is more than just a collection of songs — it’s an experience. ATEEZ’s official albums are packed with high-quality content that goes beyond just the music. Each album is carefully curated, with different versions that feature unique photobooks, photo cards, and posters. These collectibles give fans an exclusive glimpse into the world of ATEEZ and make the album experience feel personal.

What makes ATEEZ albums so special is the connection they foster. The photo cards, in particular, allow fans to get a closer look at their favorite members. Whether you’re collecting all the different versions or simply want a tangible reminder of ATEEZ’s music, their albums offer a sense of connection that digital streaming just can’t replicate.

Apparel: Showcasing Your ATINY Pride in Style

ATEEZ’s official apparel is where fandom and fashion meet. Whether you’re sporting a hoodie, a t-shirt, or a cap, these pieces are designed to help you express your love for ATEEZ in your day-to-day life. The designs are often sleek, minimalistic, and perfect for casual wear, meaning you can show off your ATINY pride while still keeping your style fresh.

What makes ATEEZ apparel special is the sense of belonging it creates. When you wear a piece of official ATEEZ clothing, it’s not just a fashion statement; it’s a way of connecting with other fans who share your love for the group. Every time you wear an ATEEZ hoodie or t-shirt, you’re not just representing the group — you’re representing a community of fans who are just as passionate as you are.

Photo Cards & Photobooks: A Personal Touch from the Members

Photo cards and photobooks are some of the most cherished items in any K-pop fan’s collection, and ATEEZ takes this to the next level. The photo cards that come with their albums are a fan favorite for good reason: each card features a member’s personal photo, sometimes with handwritten messages or even autographs. These small, intimate items give fans a unique and personal connection to the group, as if they’re receiving a direct message from their bias.

Photobooks are another special aspect of ATEEZ’s official merch, often released with albums or special events. These high-quality books offer a deeper dive into ATEEZ’s concepts, with behind-the-scenes photos and exclusive content that fans can’t find anywhere else. Whether you’re flipping through a photobook or collecting photo cards, these items hold a tangible sense of the group’s artistry and creativity.

Posters and Wall Art: Bring the Energy into Your Space

Nothing transforms a room like posters and wall art. ATEEZ’s official posters are vibrant, high-quality, and perfectly capture the essence of the group’s aesthetic. Hanging an ATEEZ poster on your wall doesn’t just add decor — it brings the energy and excitement of the group into your personal space. It’s like having a piece of the group right in your room.

The special thing about ATEEZ’s posters is the imagery. Whether it’s from a specific concept, a live performance, or an album shoot, each poster encapsulates a moment in time that fans can relive every time they look at it. It’s a constant reminder of the connection between you and the group.

Accessories: A Subtle Yet Powerful Way to Rep Your Fandom

When it comes to accessories like keychains, phone cases, and pins, these smaller items are powerful because they allow fans to incorporate their love for ATEEZ into their everyday lives in subtle yet meaningful ways. A keychain featuring your bias or the ATEEZ logo can be clipped to your bag, giving you a little piece of ATEEZ wherever you go. A phone case with ATEEZ’s design allows you to carry your fandom with you, without shouting it out loud.

The beauty of these accessories is their versatility. They allow fans to incorporate ATEEZ’s world into their daily routines, whether it’s a pin on your jacket or a phone case that’s always with you. These smaller items may seem simple, but they hold a lot of meaning as they keep you connected to the group throughout your day.

Each piece of ATEEZ official merch is more than just an item — it’s a way to connect with the group, express your fandom, and celebrate the moments that make ATEEZ so special. Whether it’s the symbolic lightstick, the intimate photo cards, or the rare concert merch, every item has its own significance in the fan experience. ATEEZ’s merch line isn’t just about collecting — it’s about becoming a part of something bigger, something that unites fans around the world.

[elysiangroundsforall]

In the Course of It ...

"You're my only Bambi, Bambi"

Ch-9

The night before Regal’s debut arrived faster than any of us had anticipated. The entire team was buzzing with anticipation, energy, and a healthy dose of nerves. I could see it in each girl’s eyes—they were ready, but the reality of stepping onto the stage for the first time, of bearing the responsibility of their dreams and hard work, was setting in.

The final rehearsal ended late that evening. The girls ran through "Royal" one last time, every beat, step, and note crisp and powerful. Watching them, I felt that familiar swell of pride again. Regal was something special, and seeing them come together as a unit, thriving under the pressure, reminded me of EXO’s early days.

After they finished, Suho gathered everyone around in a circle, offering words of encouragement. "Tomorrow is a big day. But remember, you’ve already proven yourselves time and again. Now it’s time to go out there and show everyone what you’re made of."

Each of the EXO members added their own words of support, each of us speaking from experience and a shared understanding of what it took to stand under those blinding lights, to feel the weight of a fandom’s expectations and hopes. It was a unique bond, and I could tell the girls felt encouraged by the words.

Once everyone started to drift off, Y/N lingered behind in the practice room, quietly going over her part one more time. I walked up beside her, and she looked up, meeting my eyes with a soft smile.

“Nervous?” I asked gently.

“Very,” she admitted, laughing softly, though I could see the determination in her eyes. “But also… really excited. It’s everything I dreamed of, and more.”

I couldn’t help smiling. "You’re going to be incredible, Y/N. The world’s not ready for what you’re about to show them."

She blushed slightly, but her confidence shone through. “Thank you, Baekhyun. That means everything.”

Tomorrow came, and it was electric. The concert hall buzzed with excitement as fans filed in, filling every seat, holding banners and signs for Regal. This was their first performance, but the support was already overwhelming.

Backstage, the girls were dressed in their stage outfits, looking every bit the stars they’d worked so hard to become. As I stood there, watching them mentally prepare, I felt a rush of pride and anticipation. This was their moment, and I couldn’t wait for the world to see it.

Finally, the lights dimmed, and the introductory music for "Royal" began. As the girls took their positions on stage, the crowd erupted. They stood strong and confident, embodying everything they’d worked for, everything they represented.

From the very first beat, they commanded the stage. Every note, every move was powerful, every line hit with precision and strength. The crowd went wild as they transitioned into the rap section, with Hana and Nari delivering their lines with the confidence Chanyeol had instilled in them. The vocals were flawless, the harmonies resonating through the hall, and when Y/N hit her high note, the audience gasped.

It was everything we’d worked for, everything they’d dreamed of, unfolding right before us.

As the song ended, the applause was deafening. Regal stood on stage, catching their breath, but their eyes shone with exhilaration. They’d done it. They’d conquered their first stage, and it was clear to everyone watching that Regal was here to stay.

When they returned backstage, I was there, along with the other EXO members, waiting to congratulate them. As they came off stage, each one of us hugged them, offering words of praise.

“You killed it out there,” Sehun said, grinning as he high-fived each of them.

“Perfect stage presence,” Kai added, a look of pride on his face.

The night went on in a blur of celebration and hugs, with every member of the team coming together to celebrate Regal’s debut. It was a moment I knew they would remember forever, and seeing the happiness on Y/N’s face was enough to make it all worthwhile.

In the days that followed, Regal’s debut was all anyone could talk about. "Royal" soared to the top of the charts, and fans worldwide fell in love with the group. Their hard work had paid off, and it was only the beginning.

Through it all, I kept my promise to myself, keeping things between Y/N and me quiet and professional. But as I watched her smile under the stage lights, the reality was undeniable. There would be a time for us, someday. For now, I was content just being there, by her side, watching her shine.

As the weeks rolled by, Regal’s momentum only grew. The debut stage had set off a wildfire of interest, and the girls were booked for music shows, interviews, and fan events non-stop. They handled the intensity with an energy that was infectious, pushing through their grueling schedules with determination and grace.

Y/N, in particular, seemed to flourish under the spotlight. She was growing more comfortable on stage, her confidence radiating with each performance. Watching her evolve was captivating, and I found myself cheering them on in every way I could—both as a mentor and as…well, maybe something more.

After one of their performances, we gathered in the practice room for feedback. The EXO members had been making appearances whenever they could, showing the girls that they had our full support. This time, Chen, D.O., and Chanyeol joined me, each with notes ready to help the girls perfect their craft even more.

D.O. started with the vocals, giving each member of Regal personalized feedback. He was clear and concise, and the girls listened intently, absorbing his every word. With each session, they grew more confident in their vocal strengths, finding ways to make each song uniquely theirs.

Chanyeol turned to Hana and Nari with tips on their rap sections. He showed them how to add subtle changes to their delivery, making the lines feel fresh each time they performed them. It was like watching a master at work, and by the end, Hana and Nari were brimming with excitement, eager to incorporate his ideas.

After the feedback, we all gathered for a final pep talk before the next event. The girls were headed to their first fan meet in just a few days, and I could tell they were both nervous and excited. As they packed up, Y/N stayed back, her gaze catching mine as the others left the room. I felt a familiar warmth at the way her eyes sparkled.

“So…how are you holding up with everything?” I asked, leaning against the wall, trying to keep things casual.

She smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Honestly? It’s exhausting. But I love it. I mean, this is what we all dreamed of, you know?”

“I know exactly what you mean,” I replied, feeling a wave of nostalgia for EXO’s early days. “You’re handling it well, though. You all are. I’m proud of you, Y/N.”

She glanced down, her cheeks turning slightly pink, and I couldn’t help but smile at how endearing she looked. We stood there in a comfortable silence for a moment, just the two of us, sharing in the quiet victory of how far she’d come. It was in these moments that I felt the full weight of what she meant to me—a feeling that had been growing since day one but was now undeniable.

Our quiet moment was interrupted by the sound of Kai’s voice from the hall. “Baekhyun, are you ready to head out?”

I cleared my throat, quickly collecting myself. “Yeah, just wrapping up here.”

As I watched Y/N leave the room, a wave of anticipation washed over me. There would be other moments like this—moments where we could just be ourselves, without the pressures of the industry or the fear of what anyone else might think. For now, though, our focus was on making sure Regal’s journey continued to rise.

The fan meet was a massive success, with fans flocking to see the girls in person. Their warmth and genuine gratitude shone as they connected with the fans who had supported them from the start. Y/N seemed completely in her element, her smile lighting up the room as she interacted with everyone, effortlessly charming everyone she met. It was hard not to feel captivated just watching her, knowing the effort and heart she poured into every moment.

As Regal’s popularity continued to grow, I felt a surge of excitement for what was yet to come. The group had endless potential, and I knew that with each stage, each performance, they’d only get stronger. For now, my place was right here, guiding them, cheering them on, and—maybe someday—standing beside Y/N as something more.

But for now, that could wait.

Ch 10>>>

[demirose-colored-glasses]

My page looks better on desktop

➳ I'm Ro. I'm in my late 20s. Please don't gender me. I'm a queer enigma. They/Them works just fine.

➳ My page looks better on desktop and I can't follow back, this is a side blog. I will interact though.

➳ I'm Demiromantic, for me this means that I can't feel romantic attraction towards people unless I have a close emotional bond with them, for me that's friendship/a platonic bond. Hence the joke in my title. (This doesn't mean I am attracted to all my friends, just that I can't feel romantic attraction to people I'm not close with.)

➳ Current hyperfixations/special interests: (most active in bold) Psych (coming back from childhoood), Glee, Stardew Valley, The Summer I Turned Pretty (I love all these characters and they can be as petty and messy as they'd like.), Arrowverse, Harry Potter (I do not support JKR and I fully acknowledge that the goblins are antisemitic, nagini and cho chang are offensive, and that her treatment of indigenous cultures is unacceptable)

Buffy The Vampire Slayer (I'm late I'm sorry)

➳ Flag in banner/background is the demiromantic flag color picked from The Summer I Turned Pretty cover.

➶ I post Demiromantic and other aspec headcanons. Mostly focus on demiromantic/demisexual though. These may be hot takes, and are strictly through the lens of my own experience and you don't have to agree, in fact I vibe with canon or whatever headcanons you may have.

➶ Feel free to send asks and interact in any way possible.

➶ I'll also make icons or color picked flags at some point if people want them. There aren't very many demiromantic headcanons.

➶ reblogging an edit or a fic doesn't mean I ship the ship, I just support Fandom creators. So if you see me saying I don't ship something, then you see it in my reblogs, I'm just supporting Fandom creators.

➵ Allies, non-queer, and people uneducated on queerness are obviously welcome, this is not, nor will it ever be a queer-only space. Despite this you MUST be able to understand that is a queer amatopunk space. It rejects amatonormativity. This means that despite loving the romance genre and experiencing some romantic attraction I will be critical of amatonormativity and allonormativity.

➵I am neutral on RPF most of the time but have zero interest and will not reblog it.

➵ I am neutral on "bad" fandom content existing. As long as they're not harassing real people I'm not even looking in their direction, they tend to trigger me so I don't engage.

➴ Despite being neutral on rpf existing, "Tinhats" can fuck right off. Especially if you talk to the people involved about it or in any way harass them. I hope you have a bad day every day forever.

➴ I'm typically not interested in large age gaps ships where one person is a teenager but I don't think they're evil or whatever fanpolice are on about. Also proshippers are racist trash 99% of the time so don't lump me in with those assholes either please.

🏹 My writing (Dead link for now)

🏹 My Media Takes/Overviews

Tags:

#demirose glasses on - headcanoning characters to be on the aspec in any way shape or form, sometimes used for general queer headcanons as well.

#demirose glasses off - just a general speculation post about a piece of media.

#my stuff - edits I made

[supersanderman]

The Power Of Friendship (and D&D)

Well, you made it to act 3, and this is usually the part of the Shakespeare play where things start to get juicy. But here, I wanted to focus a little less on juicy things because in my story, I didn’t really change identities further, I just solidified my own. I always kept questioning sure, which is eventually how I became a demi-boy, but in this part of my tale I just found people I care about, and who care about me. It’s…THE POWER OF FRIENDSHIP!

But seriously, having a circle of people I could trust was probably the most important thing in my journey. It’s no wonder that I don’t really talk to my first college friend circle, I could only really trust two of them. Living with them was an experience for sure. Lots of fighting, and lots of blame games over dishes and cleanliness. I guess we were all getting back into society after being locked in a metaphoric dungeon for a year and a half, but it was bad. Speaking of dungeons, part of what made me really bond with my current friend group was Dungeons…and Dragons. The tabletop roleplaying game was part of the reason I could somewhat survive the pandemic and is responsible for bringing me even closer to my current friend group. It’s the same group from my professional fraternity. It started with my big Mox and then as more people joined our family grew. Friends became my safety net and my support circle, the people I could count on. When I went through rough patches they helped me survive. When I hurt my back and needed to go to urgent care, I asked Mox to drive because I didn’t have anyone else I could trust. It’s cliche but the power of friendship is real. Now more than ever with the idea of found families, friends can sometimes be more like family than an actual family. I am lucky that I love my immediate family but one of my close friends has all but abandoned their family, and they rely on their friends. Especially in friend groups that are not all cis-het like mine, we bond over our shared experiences and are able to bounce off each other’s chaos. It is how my high school friend group stayed together. We can share things with each other that we wouldn’t to other groups, not even people we’ve known our whole lives. Trust is so special because it’s hard to gain and so easily broken, and the best, closest friendships are built on trust. My friend for a documentary I made put it plainly, you aren’t going to please everyone, so it’s better to have one or two close friends you can share the dirtiest crap with who will listen and support you rather than a large group that will turn away when you need them most. I almost needed the pandemic to determine who my real friends are, and I am so glad I know who I care about and who cares about me. 

Throughout my junior year, I slowly was able to come out of my shell and while I played a character in a tabletop, I bonded with them every meeting. We discussed fandoms and musicals. Existentialism and the joys of Rutgers. Every moment I spent with them made me feel like I was able to really be myself. And D&D provided joy and lasting memories for months to come. But like many things, D&D needs to be unpacked. Character creation is one of the key parts of D&D but one of the many issues is something known as fantasy racism. Certain races are seen as monstrous such as orcs and goblins and these fantasy creatures create a sort of fantasy racism. One bit of lore from the D&D rule book discusses how half-orcs try and prove their worth among more “civilized races.” Similarly to that is the idea of elves, who are rich and light-skinned being superior to other races. Other tabletop games have been criticized for different issues. The Cyberpunk 2077 video game, based on the tabletop of the same name was criticized for fetishizing trans women by having them be on in-game posters with grossly enlarged penises. While the game is only based on the tabletop, the issue still persists. 

However, role-playing games have always been praised for their ability for players to make a character and  be anyone. Now characters can be any race and any gender, and many traditional fantasy tropes about race and gender can be eliminated. In terms of any role-playing game, it is important to understand how real-world issues bleed into the game and how sometimes it is important to draw boundaries of what should be included in fictional games. Now thanks to games set in the real world like Vampire: The Masquerade, there are sheets for lines and veils, things players want to only reference and not include. This allows a way to avoid games that feature issues such as racism, sexism, and religion. Overall, these games can be loved and appreciated, but also challenged to avoid negative stereotypes, and real world injustices bleeding into the game.

[thisbluespirit]

It’s the 40th anniversary of Gauda Prime, so I thought I should offer more than a reblog, so have this! 

When I first got on tumblr I did a series of posts tagged Why Classic Who Fans Should Watch Blake’s 7 (It’s great, and unlike most 21st C souls classic dw fans are prepared re. terrible SFX and beige telly faults - and if you like it, it’s one of the best rides you’ll ever have with a TV series.)  Also, it was created by Terry Nation and made by a whole bunch of other Classic Who people.  You will fall over at least ten of them every episode.  They also nicked each other’s props as a bonus.  It is literally part of the DW EU.

(I cannot reblog those posts because I accidentally deleted my first tumblr while trying to change my url and delete a sideblog.  It was very B7, really, because tumblr offer you no take-backs if you do that.  It’s just all over & you have no one to blame but yourself and the system.)

BUT I also combined it into a Dreamwidth post!  So please follow the link above for a Non-Spoilery intro to a show that is awesome but which you will 100% spoiler yourself for if you ever try to search for anything on it online whatsoever.  (I mean, if you like spoilers, do that.  If you prefer not to be, DON’T DO IT.)

@captain-aralias​ also did an intro one time, which was very different but also entirely intended to oppress people into the fandom by talking about its excellence, so you could also check that out!

(may be spoilers in comments of both posts, so do watch out for that.)

In short, we are all mourning today in B7 fandom.  If you want to have the genuinely fun time that will enable you to join us in our broken hearted remembrance, now is a great time for it - it’s even legitimately available via BritBox!  (Piratical approaches are fairly traditional and fandom-appropriate, though.)

[penname-artist]

A belated but loving happy 1 year anniversary to Volo Pro Veritas:

We are still around and still vibrant as ever, despite the challenges and the hurdles and the deep-seated scares we have all had in this single year. We have laughed, loved, cried, screamed, sneezed, coughed, rated burps, and made every moment in this place worth while. In this year alone:

Gained around 30 members, close to 40 in grand total

Many people made their own emoticons for the server, and I think we have 30 some-odd custom WoC emoticons now

We had several exceptionally memorable online game experiences, in places such as Jackbox, Cards Against Humanity, Uno, Roblox, Minecraft, Skribbl.io, Gartic Phone, Mad Libs, and more

Had lots of great get-togethers for monthly movie nights and show binges

We cried. A lot. And that's okay because we all supported each other too.

Shared works in progress, gave constructive critiques and great feedback, and helped support each other's interests (inside and outside of Planes)

Read some really cursed fics

Made gift arts and writings

Designated special (useless but fun) titles to various members of the server

Listed the insane amount of similarities between our two (as far as we know entirely unrelated) server dads

Cursed like sailors

Screamed into the void

Made handfuls of dumb and weird server quotes for the Book of Quotes that actually exists

Air-dropped our dinners to people in other states and countries

Volunteered to beat up people's horrible parents

Compared temperatures in Celsius and Fahrenheit

Had wars over gif vs jif and whether or not pineapple belongs on pizza

Made an insane amount of dick jokes

Got raided by random strangers I was not in any way related to and turned them to the dark side

Insulted each other (affectionately)

Had relationships inside of and around the server

Committed very gay crimes

Created the Mod-fia

Ran a bunch of polls to vote on things

Banned dolphin porn

Watched members survive through multiple injuries, illnesses, and scary situations

Shared pet pictures

Wrote porn

Drew porn

Wrote and drew things that were not actually exclusively porn

Told a bot to fuck off

Never let people live down their best moments (*ahem* ...ferret-)

Wished many happy birthdays

Said "oof" a lot

Fucked up a few British people's sleep schedules but it's okay because they don't need sleep ANYWAYS

Laughed

Cried

Bonded

Had a great time with these crazy wonderful people

If you are a member feel free to add any additional cool things that went on from VPV (I feel fully confident in you guys that they will be family-friendly and positive lol) and any thoughts you want to share on the place. (And if you're not a member and want to be, what are you waiting for?? Shoot me a DM or anybody who is in the server and we'd be glad to have you! (We recommend you be 18+ but this is not required))

It's incredible to me that we have made it so far already, and done so much, and we are still standing strong. Many of us have come from places of grief and pain, and I hurt with those people for the events we've suffered through, both together and alone.

This is the thing that makes us different, and this is the thing that makes us strong. When we succeed we celebrate together, and when we hurt we grieve together too. And that's always going to be the thing that makes this place so special to me. We are a bunch of weirdos in every corner of the earth, and we come together for a little speck of a fandom and stay for the bonds we've built between us all.

I know today was not the happiest day for a lot of us, myself included. There was a happiness in the anniversary of VPV, but there was also a grief in the memory of times before, where a lot of us were in dark places and battling fresh wounds. Though it hurts to grieve for loss, it's comforting to know that we are still in this together, building a bigger, better, safer place for this community, this family. I well and truly could not have done this without the love and support of this group. So thank you guys. This isn't my victory. It belongs to every one of us.

Until the morrow, and happy anniversary, Volo Pro Veritas.

-Pen

[notsogoodangel]

“Dream SMP is the new Homestuck”- literally everyone old enough to remember Homestuck and is still in fandom communities.

Anyway, some explanations as to I chose the class I did under the cut

Purpled: Knight of Heart

“Those bound to the aspect of Heart are very concerned with their favorite subject: themselves. It wouldn't be a stretch to call them 'self-obsessed', but not necessarily in a negative way. They simply want to understand the one thing we all are stuck with for our entire lives, i.e. our own minds. Forging an identity is extremely important to the Heart-bound, and every decision and action goes toward building a coherent narrative of their own story.” (The Extended Zodiac) This sounds very Purpled when you consider he has always being alone, even when he wanted to make friends. He DEEPLY understands what he is good at and that has shaped and created his own narrative: he is an excellent PVP fighter, and nothing else. He is proud of that fact and doesn't hide it at all. Heart is essentially "soul"/what is inside of you, and he has found what is inside him and what makes him him. 

As for the knight part “The Knight could be defined as one who serves [aspect] or one who serves through [aspect] for the betterment of others”. This combination of elements essentially creates a true knight "I offer myself for my own betterment and the betterment of others" with the "myself" part would be "fighter" because that how Purpled sees himself as. 

Tommy: Page of Blood

I originally wanted to make him a Bard of Blood because “ Bards "allow destruction of [aspect]" or "invite destruction through [aspect]", and Blood is essentially connections and bonds, like family and friends, and we all know that Tommy always bring destruction of bonds by accident.

But in the end I chose Page of Blood because pages “provides others with [aspect]" or "creates [aspect]” because that is what Tommy does the best in the DSMP story: create connections and provide others with connections, whether is because people want to help him or because they hate him and those people are willing to help each other to stop Tommy. Tommy has always being able to create connections easily and the worst anyone could do was to isolate him, just look at the Exile Arc, he was nearly brought to suicide because he was all alone with the only people to connect with is the one person who hates connections, and Ghostbur (and Ranboo from time to time, specially after Tommy found Techno).

Also yes, I am dead set on giving Tommy the blood aspect because it’s a perfect title of him, all he has ever done was because of his connections and bonds with other, and all he has ever accomplish was thanks to his friends.

Tubbo: Mage of Time

Okay this one is a little weird, but hear me out.  Time could be translated to experiences, but more than anything, Time players are goal-focus, which is what Tubbo is really good at. Most people think he is positive, always looking for the best outcome, but that is not true. Yes he does this things, but not because as a person he wants to help people, it’s because he is given a task and he is going to full-fill it. He is goal oriented and his goals always tend to be something along the lines of “keep X thing safe” or “help X do X”. If you need something to get done, you call Tubbo, and that's what Tommy has always done, that's what a lot of L'Manberg people did, they rely on Tubbo because they believed in him to get shit done. Tubbo has always being a support player, in video game terms, but he has never being passive. He is always doing something, whether is for him, although most of the time for someone else. 

Mage is because "Mage benefits themselves with knowledge pertaining to [aspect]" and "guides by setting an example using knowledge pertaining to [aspect]" AKA Tubbo is always learning from experience, something that doesn't seem to be common in fucking DSMP. Tubbo rarely commits the same mistake twice. He is always making decisions that will either keep the most people safe or avoid doing a past mistake, even if they are usually not the wisest decisions. 

Ranboo: Sylph of Space

Honestly, Ranboo was very hard, I wanted to make him a rogue/sylph, or a space/hope player. 

First of all, Sylph is defined as "Sylph is thought to be one who heals [aspect] or one who heals through [aspect] for others" and Space implies life and creation. So you will think “why give Ranboo the “heals life and creation”, but that’s not it, it’s more of “Ranboo heals through creation”. The most notorious thing about Ranboo is his willingness to help pretty much everyone, but specially Tommy and Tubbo through resources. Which is in part why I wanted to make him a rogue, he distributes stuff to other players, but he doesn’t steal from others, he will rather die than to steal from others, specially those close to him. 

Aside from that he fits Space player’s personalities remarkably well “They are patient, masters of the art of 'wait-and-see', and are inclined to take things as they come. That isn't to say that they're pushovers or willing to let injustice lie-they just choose their battles wisely.” (The Extended Zodiac) Which we all know that Ranboo is extremely passive and doesn’t do much of anything and while he doesn’t really say no, he still is careful about going with this, such as The Butcher Army, he was part of it, but he never actively participated. While hope is way more active, it may stand for a lot of what Ranboo does, but a key factor of Hope players is that they are willing to destroy if it meant that THEIR vision of a better future flourish, which is nothing all like him. He hopes to see betterment, but he hates the idea of other people being forced into anything. If destruction happens he will just watch most of the time, which is more of a Space player thing to do.

[twst-campos13]

UwU welcome to the twst writing fandom~ Aha finally a blog that can write for male! mc,I haven't seen them for a while nor there are a lot of~ Can i request hc with the first years with a male crush reader~? Hope that you'll get many followers! ahehe~I dunno what to say. Hope that you have a great day, UwU -🍵🌱✨

Hello there Tea Non! (can I call you that qq?) Sorry for the wait!! Jack’s part feels a bit too short and Sebek’s quite long,, ^^’’

Warnings: mild language! internalized homophobia (Epel’s part!) Tags: fluff, male!reader

➸ Ace is a little shit bastard, but he (along with Deuce) practically became best friends. You're one of the people he would tease to death and annoy with but also he would stand by your side no matter what.

➸ You banter a lot together. You'd fight, argue, and even tease each other which is considered "too mean" to other people.

➸ Though your arguing turns to flirting sometimes. You didn't even realize it, Ace didn't even realize it, but your friends did and they're placing bets if you two are actually into each other or not. 

➸ How long did Ace figure out that this isn't just a normal bro-thing? Well, suddenly, seeing you scowl at him and swear at him is becoming more than amusing—it's becoming endearing. He likes the way you look at him or even gets hyped up in annoying you when you fire back with remarks.

➸ The fluttering feeling in his chest only grew when you two were play flirting. He grinned cheekily at you about maybe needing some company while doing library duty. You know what you said to him back? 

➸ "Awe, Ace. Do you want to be alone with me that much?"

➸ His brain tried what just happened and why that he was so red right after that whole exchange. You two always flirted and bickered, right? Why does it feel kinda different now?? What??? Hnajgejegegaeg????

➸ Then you started to do intimately nice things to him—like that one time you had to tend to his hand after burning himself during potions class—then oh, oh. Fuck. Oh fuck. He has a crush on you. Does that surprise him? To have a crush on a guy? Not particularly, because this isn't the first time it happened. 

➸ Before Ace met his ex-girlfriend, he already experienced what it's like to have a crush on a guy. He didn't understand why or why that feeling is the same feeling he has for a girl. 

➸ His brother found out first then he came out to his mom. She did call it a phase but in a way that she was supportive of him questioning his sexuality. His mom assured him that she wouldn't love him less if he's bisexual.  

➸ Ace just hopes this little crush of his doesn't develop. He doesn't want things to get awkward between the two of you! Just because he likes the way your cheeks reddens when he slings an arm around you and pinches your cheek, doesn't mean you can do the same to him...okay, maybe he'd like that a little bit

➸ Deuce is a smart student. He's loyal, reliable, and diligent. However, sometimes he just comes off as dense. 

➸ He's comfortable with his sexuality. Whatever it is that is seen as too intimate for two bros to share is normal for him. After all, you're his best friend! Along with Ace and Grim. There's nothing weird about how he's treating you because he treats his friends the same way. 

➸ Said friends watch his imaginary ears and tail wag when you praise him or compliment him. Okay, who's gonna tell him? 

➸ It's like they were the ones who realize Deuce has a crush on you first than Deuce himself. They started placing bets on when he's going to realize it or if you'll be the one to find out and Deuce still hasn't realized what he's feeling is infatuation.

➸ It's rather cute, actually. Deuce is already cute but he became quite endearing when he smiles at you. How he's always making sure to see if you're comfortable, checking in on your wellbeing, and asking if you need help.

➸ He's a little protective of you, too. Granted he controls himself to not get into too many fights. He doesn't want you to get roped into the fights and get hurt. However, if some mob student even dares to mess with you when you aren't even doing anything, you got some backup. (Don't mess with the First Year Squad).

➸ Ace teases him about his little crush on you which leads to Deuce punching his arm all flustered. He's a little shit to Deuce about this too, always making kissy sounds when Deuce gets too cute around you.

➸ The funny thing is, Deuce doesn't even realize he's infatuated with you. Again, he thinks you just have a special place in his heart. You're his bro and he's willing to fight with you. 

➸ He finally realized when he talked to his mom about you and she commented how glad she is that her son found someone he can be happy with. She reminded him to take his crush as a motivation in his studies, and Deuce nodded at her advice.

➸ Wait WHAT—

➸ Epel is by no means weak. This boy worked at a farm before he was in NRC. That pretty face doesn't mean a pretty heart (sometimes). 

➸ Though the urge to pick him up out of nowhere is tempting. No one in the squad tried to do it to catch him off guard (Ace attempted to while Deuce stopped him, Sebek doesn't think it's necessary, and Jack only picked him up because they were working out together). Besides, he isn't some damsel to be hoisted out of nowhere! He doesn't like it...or so he thought when you picked him up by the torso to move him out of the way. Epel didn't see Grim running at full speed on the ground because his tail got bitten by a live crab. Your first instinct was to just grab and lift him—you didn't mean to startle him, really. 

➸ Needless to say, Epel developed a new emotion. He doesn't know what to call it or if there's even a name for it. Is there a name for "brain shutting down for brief moments after being picked up with ease?"

➸ Does he like you? Does he actually have a crush on you?? He never had a crush on a guy before—he never had a crush on anyone. Does the fluttery feeling in his chest when you touch shoulders mean that he likes you?? ahufaeofaufea????!!

➸ He's just...lost. So lost about what he's feeling towards you. A lot of invasive and absurd thoughts flood his mind. Do you have a crush on him too? Will you like him? Would you find him weird? Who's gonna "wear the pants" in the relationship?? He doesn't want that! Liking a guy doesn't make him less manly, right? RIGHT??

➸ "Hey Epel are you—" | "I DON'T LIKE HIM." | "...dude I was just gonna ask if you're finished with your essay..."

➸ The squad (sans you) have to reassure Epel that his feelings for you are valid and that doesn't make him less manly than he already is (Jack and Deuce). Liking a guy is the same as liking anyone else (Sebek). Worrying about a certain role to play in a relationship between same-sexes is kinda homophobic (Ace). 

➸ That assured him, atleast. He isn't familiar with liking a guy. Plus, with where he came from, it's definitely uncommon. However...there is one thing that Epel is familiar with.

➸ He definitely fantasized about meeting someone to grow old with. Someone who will love him back and share dreams with. No one knows about this of course—what are you talking about? He's not a sappy, romantic person. Not at all!!

➸ Jack would deny it 100% 

➸ There is no way he has a crush on you! He can't do that to you—no way. He respects you enough to keep your relationship as just friends. If you're bros, you're bros.

➸ Yeah, that doesn't really work out well for him.

➸ It's easy to tell if Jack likes you or not because he's good at hiding his emotions through defensive remarks (plus his resting face is a scowl). The Kouhai Squad would look at his ears and tail wagging when you even smile at him or congratulate him for a job well done. He's like a puppy,,,

➸ Whenever the Squad would point this out he will deny it. There is no way in Twisted Wonderland that he has a crush on you! He doesn't! Those are...just instinctive bodily reactions!

➸ "You held hands, dude." | "So? That isn't weird." | "Your tail is wagging." | "NO IT ISN'T!!"

➸ It's not like he doesn't like you, he's just...embarrassed. It's like you know what makes him flustered and that makes his heart do a little tap dance. He (somehow) wants to do the same to you. Make you flustered, embarrassed, happy...it's only fair! 

➸ He needs to get over this little crush of his...because you're starting to catch up on why he's acting weirdly. If he tells you how he feels about you, how would you take it? He doesn't want to ruin your relationship with each other...aghh why is this so hard?? Jack wishes working on his feelings is as easy as training in Magift...

➸ Admiration and pride are something Sebek is familiar with, but infatuation is new.  

➸ Admiring someone and having a crush on them are two similar but different things. When your bond with him develops he...starts to get a little confused. 

➸ Has those feelings always been there? Are they different? He wasn't being this weird back then! A simple bump on the shoulders shouldn't spark so much electricity inside him to cause him to tense up! 

➸ Sebek was good to hide these new reactions towards you...somewhat. He has to atleast act like everything is normal so he can evaluate what kind of feelings he has towards you. Which works and kinda doesn't since when you do something a little intimate (like a shoulder pat, a cheeky smile, or even praise) he gets a little red. Red. Nevermind Deuce and Jack are asking if he's okay while Grim judges from afar. 

➸ He still doesn't understand why he feels so weird around you so he decided to ask someone who has experience—an adult if you will! A humble, wise, elder fae that surely has some explanation for the weird fluttery feeling in his stomach.  

➸ "You are infatuated—or to put it simply, you have a crush on the Prefect," Lilia explained to him. Sebek needed a few moments for that information to sink in. He has a crush on you. Okay, that's the mundane mystery solved. What is he gonna do with that information? Carry on with your friendship knowing things might get awkward around the both of you? 

➸ Luckily, Lilia gave him three questions to answer personally so he may evaluate his feelings for you. In that way, Sebek knows what the next steps to take without rushing in blindly. You consider him as your friend and he returns that sentiment! He wishes to respect you as you respect him. 

➸ Are you a distraction? Oh, definitely! Ever since he started to harbor feelings for you, his thoughts often lead up to you. When the young master is talking about you, he finds himself listening in, not just because Malleus is talking, but because he wonders about what kind of human is friends with his young master. This caused him to write a few words related to you in the essay he was supposed to be writing! When he and Silver are sparring, Silver has the audacity to throw your name into his comment which caught him off guard. In other words: you are despicably distracting!

➸ Are you a motivation? Well...yes. Sebek is proud to be a knight for the young master and he continues to strive in his position. He knows there is still much to learn as a knight and he is willing to develop his skills more to become better. Somehow, you acknowledge his diligence and even commend him for it. Yet you look after him, saying that he needs someone to fight for him. He laughs at that incredulous thought. Sebek prefers he do that to you along with his friends, instead. All of the squad are an odd bunch, including you. Sebek...wants to protect you as well. Somehow, knowing that you are safe urges him to make sure that you'll remain safe.

➸ Are you an inspiration? Sebek ponders on that question. Somehow it is related to the second, but he thinks carefully about it. He noticed how most of the poetry he makes is because of you—he needs an outlet for his feelings, don't take it weirdly—and although the theme varies, the subject of interest is you. 

➸ Now that he answered all three of those questions...shall he proceed with courting you? No, that's too fast. Lilia told him to enjoy his youth and don't dive into relationships quickly.

➸ However! He shall confess to you to rid of the constricting feeling in his chest! Sebek wants to talk to you normally again without any hidden feelings!

[randomnameless]

I write and write and make comparisons between a swimsuit and themes like tolerance and freedom,

But in this fandom, some people draw more dubious comparisons, especially ones regarding a certain game - and I warned (who?) at the beginning of the FE16 trend that while it wanted to have a Jugdral flair, it obviously failed. You have a sprinkle of Jugdral in FE16, but it’s only a surface image, or even a mirage.

“CrEsT SyStEM”? Holy Blood? No, those comparisons at least were made in good faith and had some merits.

One of the worst comparisons was noted by several friends, a certain someone, wanting to push a certain ship involving a certain character, managed to write :

“Every route makes one villain from Genealogy of the Holy War the hero, Edelgard being Arvis, Dimitri being Eldigan, Claude being Travant and Rhea being Manfroy”

:(

This will not be a post about Manfroy’s hips, you are warned

Who is Eldigan (Eldie)?

A man who is the carrier of Hezul’s holy blood, Hezul being the founder of Augstria, a sovereign state. Everyone loves Eldie, he is good-looking, strong, kind, chivalrous and has the magic blood that makes him able to use his magic sword.

Is he the King of Agustria? No.

The King is a man named Chagall, who has an ugly sprite, doesn’t have Hezul’s magic blood and cannot use the magic sword. He also killed his father, and is really jealous of Eldie.

However, Eldie’s line (House Nodion) has sworn to support the royal line of Augustria (Chagall’s), so even if everyone wants Eldie to ascend to the throne, he will never accept it. Even if Chagall pisses on him, or imprisons him because he felt like it, Eldie will not rebel against his King. Eldie is seen as a Camus, because he will fight and die for Chagall, and his country, when Sigurd is... more or less attacking Chagall (because Sigurd’s forces are occupying Augstria and Sigurd’s orders are to bring peace to the land, Chagall doesn’t want peace and wants to fight to retake his throne). If everything ends well, Eldie will promise Sigurd he will try to talk one last time his king, try to convince him to accept a ceasefire and peace with Granvalle - but Chagall is an ass and beheads Eldie.

Dimitri... isn’t like Eldigan, at all. First of all, Dimitri is supposed to be the crown Prince, instead of being a mere knight sworn to serve the royal family. Secondly, Dimitri doesn’t die because his liege beheads him - Edelgard will never be his liege - he dies either by defending his borders against someone who is bringing war to his lands and wants his head, or he dies because he pursues Edelgard in a three way battle in Gronder.

We do not know what Rufus is like to his nephew, but I am pretty sure he is no Chagall.

The only common points Eldie and Dimitri have is their blond hair, and sometimes, their manner of death. there is also something about bonds with their sisters but we’re not here for that

Who is Travant?

Travant is the King of the Thracian Kingdom, a proto Nohr-like place, where farming is difficult, and the people living there are starving and often turn to banditry or become mercenaries to be able to earn some money.

Thracia’s neighbour, the Manster District (Manster) could export food to Thracia... but they do not, because, well, the people in charge of the Manster District do not like Thracians a lot (and use slurs to talk about them, but Quan is a special character). So Thracians raid the border, with hopes to reunite the peninsula, with the dream that, one day, they will seize the arable lands in the North.

Travant has an infamous line, which more or less went like “I will unite the peninsula for the sake of my people, and if that process dooms me to hell then so be it”.

And to hell he will go, because by Jugdral standards, ambushing Quan and his family in a desert (horses cannot move in sand, another example of gameplay and story integration!) with horseslayers, is despicable, especially since he leaves no one alive, even, apparently, killing Quan’s young daughter Altena.

(Travant ranks pretty high in the douchebag ladder).

With time, Altena grows, unaware that Travant, who adopted her, isn’t her real Father, Quan was. Things happen, Altena discovers the truth, and Travant finally achieves his dream by making a suicidal charge against Seliph’s forces (he doesn’t even bring his magic lance to the fight!), with him dead, finally, the peninsula can be united under one leader.

Claude? Also has a wyvern. And comes from another land than our hero (but which one?). And... that’s all.

If Almyra raids every sunday, it is not because they are starving, but because they are doing it, per Cyril, for funsies. Claude pretends to be a schemer and underhanded, but he never does something on the scale of the Yied Ambush (the moment where Travant pulled out the horseslayers against Quan). Claude never takes a child hostage, and never orders his daughter to punish civilians.

If Claude wants to unite the two countries, it is not because he wants his people to finally leave their life as mercenaries and bandits behind, but because he wants people to understand each other.

Edit because I’m sleeping : Travant will die for his dream. Claude... always survive. Always. I am not saying he doesn’t believe in it, but he is not as desperate as Travant is.

Comparing Claude to Travant is like comparing... Virion to Iago. They are both male with long hair, and pretend to scheme. Bar that? Well... they both have hands...? I guess?

Who is Manfroy?

Manfroy is... both a mastermind and a plothole.

Manfroy was the one in the shadows engineering a war in Jugdral, not because he likes wars, nope, but because he wanted political instability to recreate the Loptyr Empire.

He will help a douchebag to conquer the world, and use him to sire Julius, the only person in Jugdral who can become a host for the dark dragon Loptyr. The last time Loptyr was there... well, apparently it wasn’t roses and sunshines, slavery was rampant and citizens were pitted against each other to make sure the strongest ones would become citizens of the Empire.

Why Manfroy does this? It depends on the sources, but it is heavily implied Manfroy is part of a sect (sect as in group of people practicing a religion, here the Loptyr religion/cult) persecuted by a lot of people in Jugdral - to the point where Agustrians were having witches hunts to chase them. Manfroy and his followers escaped the the Yied desert, touted to be an inhospitable land. His people had no where and no one to turn to, so they prayed to their God Loptyr (who doesn’t give 3 figs about them).

Manfroy is thus the Archbishop of the Loptyr Church. He also killed his son in law, for some reason, and planned to turn his granddaughter in a zombie. Manfroy also supports (and conducts?) the child hunts, basically the plot in the second part of FE4 and FE5 where the Granvalle Empire and the members of the Loptyr Church round up children, take them from their families (sometimes by killing said families) to send them to Granvalle, with the highly suggested goal of sacrificing them one way or another to Loptyr.

On the not-so bright side, Manfroy doesn’t kill Julia - when Loptyr/Julius expressly asking him to do so, because Julia is the only person, story-wise, able to kill him.

What a guy! 

Now, Rhea?

There are some comparisons to be made, unlike Claude and Dimitri, but again, it reinforces how they could be seen as foils.

Rhea? Yes, also engineers the birth of a vessel.

However, unlike Manfroy who “forced” Arvis and Deirdre to marry and have a baby, Byleth’s birth, born from the union of Jeralt and Sitri, was completely unexpected. There is no trace in canon of Rhea arranging Jeralt and Sitri’s meeting, and future wedding.

Rhea? Also wants her granddaughter to “die”?

Well, not this one, since Rhea thinks Billy is actually an amnesiac Sothis. Billy would just recover their memories.

Rhea? Doesn’t start a war to build her Sothis vessel. Hell, the DLC is about her previous experiment to resurrect her mother - it was a failure, but someone supposes she fails because she did not want to bleed dry the Four Apostles. Rhea wishes to resurrect a benevolent Goddess (when Manfroy knows Loptyr is... far from benevolent) but will not kill to do so.

Sitri? Asked her to save Billy, by offering her own life.

The most interesting foil though is... how Rhea and Manfroy both belong to a community that was persecuted by others, the people they are supposed to live with.

Manfroy? Went the “if the world hates me, then I will hate it and burn it down” route.

Rhea? Doesn’t want to kill humans, hell, she and her brother disagreed because she didn’t want to kill children of the people who wronged her! She opens a monastery and offers guidance to anyone who needs it, a shelter for the needy and tries her best to protect peace and the humans living under her care.

They could have followed the same path, but didn’t. Manfroy rounds children to kill them, Rhea offers a new home to children who lost theirs.

They can also be compared with their “welp” points, Rhea gave CF!Billy the means to destroy her, just like Manfroy “forgot” to kill Julia - and yet, again, it is different. Rhea trusted Billy and never wanted to use them as a tool, in the other routes, it is because she trusted Billy with “those means” that Billy is able to save the world. Manfroy? Berserks Julia, wishes to use her as a tool and suffers when she regains some agency and beats her brother. But even without Manfroy, Julia would have recovered the Book of Naga to end Loptyr.

Rhea and Manfroy are definitely not parallels, but foils.

And the best for the end...

Who is Arvis?

Well... to summarise Arvis in a few words...

it’s impossible.

So, Arvis is the descendant of one Jugdral’s God-Crusader, Fjalar. Arvis is very proud of his heritage, but he also bears Loptyr blood, through his Mother. And yet, since the Loptry blood exists thanks to Saint Maira - the brother of the Loptry Host of that time, Emperor Galle, who rebelled and helped the Crusaders - he is also very proud of this heritage and his two brands.

Arvis’s familial history is a mess, his father was a womanizer and his mother abandoned him (which might have fueled his Freudian complex?). When his Father died, he exiled all of his bastard siblings, bar Azelle (his bastard half-brother, sired to his mother’s favorite maid). Arvis apparently wasn’t interested in women before he met Deirdre and fell in love with her...

But he had time to sire a bastard (on his best friend and confidante).

Arvis wants to build a world free of prejudice and oppression, and wants to build it by... associating with Manfroy, who blackmails him about his Loptyr blood (if Arvis is proud of his Loptry blood, sadly the Agustrian witch hunts are still a thing, and it will not be well seen in Granvalle’s nobility); however, he made it clear, to Manfroy himself, that he will never allow another Loptry Empire to be reborn. Arvis thus uses hiw fellow Dukes Reptor and Langobalt to set up a coup against Prince Kurth (the Prince of Granvalle) to kill him. Arvis grows close to Kurth’s father, Azmur and more or lesses takes care of everything in Granvalle, since Kurth has no heir left.

And, by chance, Deirdre, Kurth’s bastard daughter, thus rightful Princess of Granvalle, appears at his door. She bears the mark of Naga (the special blood of the Crusader Heim), so they marry, and if they have a son, their son will rule over Granvalle, Arvis acts as a regent until then.

(women can’t rule shit in Jugdral)

Then what? His plan is set into motion, all Granvalle Dukes die, he and Sigurd (plus his pals) are the only ones left, Sigurd dies after being lured to a welcoming party, and Arvis becomes the last man standing able to rule Granvalle, who became, through his plans and treacheries through the 1st gen, an Empire.

(and then his son becomes a Loptyr host, vaporises his mom and makes his sister disappear, wrestles power from him and he is reduced to a sad state (oldvis). He makes a last stand against Seliph, after delivering him Sigurd’s magic sword, and dies.)

Okay.

So, now, Edel.

Arvis managed to become the ruling... person in Granvalle by eliminating all of his rivals, and securing a nice marriage. Edel becomes Emperor... because Ionius gave her his crown, as her father.

So they do not rise to power the same way.

Edel never talks about her brands, but Arvis is proud to bear them and proud of his ancestors. Judging by how Edel speaks of Wilhelm I as a traitor who sold humanity to creatures, I am not sure she is proud to bear his blood.

Also, while Edelgard is extremely prejudiced against Nabateans, Arvis wishes to create a world... free of prejudice (his actions though...). He does not mind Manfroy preaching his stuff, when Edelgard will not allow anyone to follow the Seiros faith (friends put it better, but in several routes, the people who were followers of the Church of Seiros are missing in Adrestia...).

While both Edel and Arvis think they are making “sacrifices” for the greater good, as pointed out earlier, this greater good is different. They both ally with a death cult, but Arvis is naive enough to think Manfroy will not backstab him - he even wishes for him to preach his nonsense freely. Edelgard has been hell bent since day 1 on getting rid of Thales and friends.

By the time Arvis learns of the child hunts and Julius’s nonsense... he wants to stop it. He is however powerless to do so (or so we think! Apparently he and Ishtar managed to hide every children captured in a castle!) but, at least, he tried to do something.

Crest Beasts... are still used, no matter the path, and even after Edelgard became Emperor.

Now, if Manfroy had to capture children and round them up for execution to make sure Arvis would become Emperor, would Arvis have supported him? I... don’t think so. If children were captured during Arvis’s conquest of the world and it was a “necessary evil”, would Arvis have accepted it? We don’t know. Prideful as he is, I don’t think he would have agreed.

(which is all kinds of wrong, the man can start wars and backstab friends, allies and turn his own brother to ashes, but hunting children is too much? Meh. And yet, Manfroy mentions something about his ways and his pride being an obstacle to the realisation of his dream).

Arvis is... a complicated character. A douchebag through and through, who tries to redeem himself at the end, but ultimately fails. He is rewarded for his actions in the 1st gen by the 2nd gen, where Julius becomes Loptyr and destroys his Empire. He had it coming? Yes. Is it painful to watch? Yes.

Edelgard... does not face any retribution for her actions.

Yes, she can also kill her (step) brother. But either she didn’t remember it, or only cries after it, and ultimately puts the blame on him - so it is not a sacrifice ?

People doubt her words? Well, it doesn’t matter, Linhardt, Yuri and Lysithea are still alive after their... interrogations. Reptor doubted Arvis’s words? Aida was sent as back-up (and... backstabbed him).

Ultimately, Arvis loses Deirdre (whose ghost chills with Sigurd’s), Julia and Julius, whom he loved dearly. Edel loses... Billy, and some randoms.

So, in a way, Edel feels like a discount Arvis, because she misses his ascension to power and his downfall. Arvis doesn’t mow down enemies on the front lines like she is doing, Arvis maneuvers to ensure victory.

Both fight for ideals, but Arvis seems to believe in them when I cannot believe a world for “humanity” involves continuous making of Crest Beasts.

Both betray the main character, but Edelgard is hit with the uwu hammer, thus cannot kill Billy - Thales does it in the non CF-routes.

So... short story, long story, Eldie is not Dimitri, Claude is not Travant, Rhea is a foil to Manfroy and Edelgard is a discount Arvis.

Also, I don’t know what kind of weed the person who wrote this take had, but labeling Eldie as one of FE4′s villain is as dumb as labeling FE7 Karla a villain because she appears as a red unit you have to fight.

where is edel’s bastard son

[hologramcowboy]

I am interested to know your opinion on shippers obsession with JA. Both J2 and cockles/destiel shippers go to great lengths to prove Jensen is either with JP or Misha. Its like he is a prize and whoever has him is the winner. JA is absolutely adorable I know but why is him being with either of these men romantically important to these people.

Anon, as promised I took my time answering this and gave it my full attention, this is probably going to seem like the most judgmental post in the history of ever and possibly the longest but here goes:

When it comes to shipping, I've stated before that I love seeing people engage their creativity, fall in love with a show and then with creative license create something new that brings them joy. That's so awesome to see. But shipping has a dark side or, rather, a small percentage of people who are set on ruining the fandom experience for all.

Let me start by saying that Your question would be better posed to a shipper that would be open enough to discuss with you. But since you asked me, in particular, it probably was for a reason so here's my perspective. As always, please ignore whatever doesn't resonate and follow your inner guidance.

From a psychological point of view, no one becomes over invested in anything without projecting a personal issue unto that situation/person. I think the hateful shippers (let's remember there are also normal people in this group not just cray ones) see themselves in the people they ship so, for them, their favorite star getting Jensen is like them getting Jensen. It's a projection of an inner frustration. People devalue themselves so they don't see themselves as valuable enough to be in a great relationship, which is why they chose someone to stan who embodies what they want to be and who can have what they think they cannot have.

Psychologically speaking, taking sexual identities that don't belong to Jensen and trying to force them unto him is damaging. It would be damaging to any human let alone someone who is outside of these fandom groups and can't understand everything about them. But people never put themselves in Jensen's shoes. It's one thing to build a story inspired by a series and love it so much you share it with the actor and another to confuse the real-life actor with the character you created. But I do get that these people need to see themselves in Jensen and Misha/ Jensen and Jared/ etc., they need to be recognized, they need to win. That's human and natural but what I will never get is WHY they bully Jensen, make up lies about him and objectify him when they know this hurts him. Even the people who think Jared and Jensen are in a relationship, like that's cool as long as they don't harm anyone with it, it's their prerogative but when they assault others who believe differently or attack the actors then it becomes a toxic, toxic thing.

I should share an important aspect from my perspective, Actors use sexuality a lot in their scenes, they use it to create chemistry. So often, these rumors happen because people are ignorant about an Actor's toolbox and how sexuality is included in mostly everything. Why? Because it is primal. For this reason, there are exercises aimed at creating chemistry and when script analysis is done it's always best to give special attention and look for the main chemistry/climax points of any story, that's the ultimate goal after all. This chemistry might be sexual or otherwise, but it is the fuel of the story and it is what captivates the audience. Aside from this, the whole point of a tv show is to bring to life a plot with chemistry so everything is set up to support and feature the through line of a story. In Supernatural's case, it's the love between the two brothers, that's the core of Supernatural and so the whole show was dependent on the chemistry between the two leads, which meant they had to find to super attractive men who also vibed believably that they could share a strong bond despite being basically in competition as Actors.

All of this not considering the intimacy the camera creates from a cinematic point of view. So, it's funny to me when people think this one or that one are dating just because they have chemistry because any actor that is trained can create chemistry with anyone within minutes. That being said, people get discarded all the time during audition due to said chemistry, mostly not because they suck at creating it but because execs/directors/ etc are looking for a certain zing which you either have naturally or you learn to create masterfully. Sometimes it can even be created from the outside in by manipulating what the audience sees and how they see it through masterful direction, styling, context creation, etc.

Another point to consider is that someone who is highly desirable (think leading man, leading men and women are usually the men and women most want to sleep with) will magnetize others regardless of circumstances and create chemistry on a subconscious level. People automatically assume and start rumors but it's to deflect the fact that they are attracted and magnetized to said individual and perhaps lack the maturity or awareness to handle it in healthy ways. Think of any sex symbol, people all described them differently based on how lude or intelligent the person doing the describing was but they all had one thing in common: Blind Desire. Unfortunately, when blind desire hits people and they do not have the tools to process it some can get pretty evil. Look at Elta, she's shamelessly built her whole identity around sleeping with Jensen and gives zero f**** about the damage to his image she's done time and time again. So, his own wife behaves like an obsessed fan would. It's sad and heartbreaking. But this often happens when people have magnetism, most don't know how to process it, so you get these really weird experiences that make you want to move to a different planet and directly affect your self-esteem because when people are obsessed with you, you're not going to blame them, you're going to blame yourself and feel like there's something wrong within you. Whether people admit to it or not, what they do does have an impact on the Actors not just on their own mental balance.

So, the point is, shipping in and of itself isn't bad, it's only the percentage of people dead set on hatred and malice that choose practices that harm the actors and other fans that sucks big time.

Jensen is innocent in all of this and besides doing his job as an Actor, he has done nothing to encourage this type of behavior and it does not reflect his values, beliefs and choices, the only thing it reflects is the nature of the people who are being vile.

Again, I could be completely off on this, this is just my impression so please find a shipper that can openly and kindly speak to you and explain their valuable perspective because I am sure they have so much more to share and explain.

[mikaze-discord]

Quartet Night: Love letters

Annnnnd these are the love letters written for Quartet Night!!!

Please enjoy under the cut~

REIJI KOTOBUKI

From Anon:

I've always been drawn to characters with complex (and fairly dark) personalities, so liking Rei-chan was honestly inevitable for me.

He looks like a very bright and cheerful character at first, which he is, but sometimes that part of him is a little misleading because, in actuality, he's a character that holds a lot of negative feelings about himself due to a past that he can't seem to move on from. He holds a lot of those feelings to himself because he doesn't want to burden anyone else with them. He's a reliable, cunning, and ultimately selfless character that chooses to shoulder a lot on his own out of his infinite care for others, and perhaps a secret sense of atonement, all hidden behind his bright demeanor and goofy smile, and it's endlessly interesting to me.

Besides the duality of his personality, he has a lot of other endearing quirks to love about him. He loves his mom a lot and is a mama's boy. His old-man jargon and catchphrases never fail to amuse (I still can't get over the way he says "my girl"). His obsession with anything even remotely British is something my APH England phase can relate to. His style of music brings a lot of pleasant feelings of nostalgia for me, and his pretty voice suits them a lot. And most of all he's just a very good boy overall. I rate 99999 out of 10 would love and support him and also maybe pay for his therapy because god knows he needs it. Happy anniversary!!

From another anon: 

Would you like to hear a story? You do? Very well then, may this story be one you enjoy.

What do I like about Reiji kotobuki? A Lot of things actually!

Well, I've always really liked Reiji as a character as he seemed to be one of the more interesting characters to me, due to how complex he is with his backstory and general just personality.

I have always really enjoyed how Reiji just solves problems too? Like he is just such an outgoing person who deserves all the support!!!

Like the best word I can use for Reiji is just, unique. Everything about him is just so Reiji. From the way he talks, to his nicknames or even his texting style. Like have you seen how many people use emoticons when texting as Reiji? It's just so him.

I like his way of thinking too! I feel like some of the interactions in the games are just so interesting, just seeing Reiji’s point of view. How he deals with a sort of survivor’s guilt and all of that.

Personally, some of my most memorable roleplaying moments were watching a Reiji rper in action, like just seeing them interact and flow so seamlessly with the other characters was just so fascinating to wee baby rper me. Such a large part of playing Reiji is just how you flow with the people around you and comedic timing. I have so many funny moments where Reiji was just interacting with people and it was just so inspirational (?) like I couldn't stop the smile on my face. I had learnt alot from them. I still consider them my roleplaying senpai almost! I don't talk to them anymore but I really had an amazing time just seeing their spin on the character.

I don't find him to be a romantic partner towards me nor do I see any of the characters in that light, but I've always found Reiji as such a personal character. Not even just towards me, like even with other utapri stans. The most relatable character always seems to be Reiji.

I've always been pretty similar in many aspects to him and I often find myself relating to him in numerous ways like his vibe is just relatable! I have often found myself trying to make other people laugh and have fun that many times I'm spreading myself thin and feel unappreciated...Reiji really helped with that.

This is where i start getting into the really personal stuff LOL feel free to skip if you dont wanna hear the angsty backstory.

I had really come to love Reiji when I had just...hit a low. I had a group of friends who I enjoyed hanging out with and just talking to, but they weren't very good friends per say. I often had to schedule every activity we did and I spent days and nights trying to think of concepts that might be fun. They took it for granted.. I had spent 4 months trying to make a game for them, and they had constantly pushed back times that we would play it. Using excuses to not play it, without telling me out right what they did not like or even why. The site I used was later taken down without notice and thus I had lost all my progress. Later, they had mentioned how they would like to play it except that later ended up being two years later. I really wish I could've solved things with that friend group like Quartet Night did but that didn't happen. That is when I started seeing things Reiji’s way? Not to say that it was the same or similar scenario to Reiji but I had just associated it with him.

RANMARU KUROSAKI

From Anon:

Ran is such a fun character! He sounds like a "rough outside, soft inside" kind of character, but his roughness is more like an integral part of him and it's through it that he shows he cares rather than setting it aside. That's what made me want to rp him. I also like how he is such a strong guy who's always determined to do his best in everything he does despite so much having gone wrong in his past. And it's very satisfying to see him form bonds and start to trust people.

From @mikaze-san:

Originally, my favourite Utapri boy was Ai, and it had been the robot boy for several years upon entering the fandom. In fact, it only switched to Ranmaru sometime late last year but regardless, I would still die for this man. Part of the reason why I switched is because I’ve always been a fan of Suzuki Tatsuhisa and I have a huge bias towards any man who wears nail polish without fearing being “feminine” because fuck gender roles.

As someone who studies fashion, I think Ranmaru is very coordinated and confident when it comes to portraying himself that way. He knows he’s not very good at expressing his emotions and utilises his passion for rock and playing the bass to portray those feelings through his songs. It’s also incredibly inspiring to know that he bounces back from pretty much anything considering his backstory and the stuff he deals with in the game/anime.

But my main reason for loving Ranmaru so much stems from the fact that I admire him a lot and want to be more like him. For a long time last year, I got to roleplay as Ranmaru in a few Utapri groups and through those experiences, I gained a better understanding and appreciation of the characters that I wrote for. In some weird way, by highlighting his flaws, character progression and how he dealt with different emotions, I ended up providing insight into how I dealt with similar issues by looking at them from a 3rd person perspective.

I used to be very shy and was very shut off from friends and family, and due to this I’ve always admired people in my life or fictional characters that are so confident in being who they are. Ranmaru particularly struck that chord in me because his bluntness knows no end. He’s very opinionated and doesn’t fear confrontation, in most cases being the one to provoke it. He speaks his mind openly without being overly anxious of the consequences. This is something that I feel is especially relevant today with being your authentic/unapologetic self is such a trend.

It’s something I’ve also noticed with having met people in or outside of this fandom, the notion of idolising a fictional character containing traits that we want to see in ourselves. Which made me think about a lot of my favourite kinds of characters which at the end of the day all boil down to sharing one similar trait: Being a bitch.

And in Utapri, Ranmaru embodies that. So naturally it’s very easy for me to idolise him.

(Tldr: I like his bitchy attitude.)

AI MIKAZE 

From Arashi:

It's hard to put into words why I love Ai Mikaze, perhaps it's because I'm subconsciously drawn to him, maybe it's because his hair and eyes are my favorite color, maybe it's because his voice is that of an angels, there are many reasons why I love him. I couldn't tell you a definite, "These one or two reasons are the entire reason I love him", but I'll try to sum it up.

I grew to love him by admiring his personality, his smile, his determination to reach his goals, everything about him made me happy. He's strict and a little scary at times, but when he sees people caring for him, he becomes happy and in a way, sentimental. He's not sure how to explain the way he feels, but he tries. I think I admire how he holds all the little things precious to his heart as he learns about them, and he wants to understand how to care for others and how they care for them in return. Even after six years, he still remains the most dear to me. I think that he now has a sentimental value to me, because even if I 'loved' another character more for a while, I will always come back to Ai. Ai deserves the world, and I'd give it to him if I could. He'll always be special to me, and I think that he very much deserves that.

From Maronda: 

My love for Ai started after I found Shining Live by chance and started to play. At first I wasn't particularly attached to any of the characters and decided to go back and watch the anime to maybe remember some context other than who Starish was. When I got to the episode focused on Ai and his "secret" I was absolutely thrown off by it all. I ended up feeling like I had so many questions and I knew that the anime would give me little to no answers, so I frequently turned to rambling on the internet about it. Eventually, this fixation on weird things about him seemed to turn into a clear fondness for him, and friends made me realize just how much I liked him. Knowing the cold and often strange aspects of his personality was due to something out of his control was something I resonated with as someone on the autism spectrum. He reminded me of some of the ways I used to think and behave.

I also began to notice other things I loved about him. Things like how soothing I found his voice, the pleasant shade of light blue in his hair and eyes, how ridiculously pretty he is... but the best things are the endearing parts of his personality. Though he's somewhat harsh, he's still entirely genuine. His curiosity is absolutely precious and his occasional awkwardness in expressing emotion or understanding the emotions of others made me empathize with him. And if you look at the Ai in Shining Live and compare it to the Ai in the anime and games... he really has changed a lot and grown as a person. He now seems so much gentler and understanding, and he clearly values the friendships he has now too! I think he's a wonderful character and ever since friends of mine encouraged me to selfship I've essentially been in love with him, but it also makes me happy to see other people appreciate him for other reasons as well. He's just so lovable!

CAMUS

From @uta-no-fakku-sama:

At the very beginning of my UtaPri interest, Camus never really caught my attention. That is until he became my first My Only Prince UR. I’ve come to appreciate him a lot more ever since, and now he’s become my favorite QUARTET NIGHT member! Along the way, I learned more about him and realized he’s one of the more complicated characters to understand. Nonetheless, I absolutely adore him. I tend to tease and make fun of him a lot, but deep down I truly do like him a whole bunch!

From @/waddamaloooon on twt: 

A little Camus appreciation post

(alternatively known as; how this guy managed to harshly take my heart and step on it like the gumin I am.)

Hello, this is Suikamaru, here to share a tiny story of why I, and eventually you, love Camus Rondo Cryzard.

At first glance, his looks appealed to me, but not his behavior (and ironically enough, his voice) so I didn't bat an eye on him. I've always been on a neutral leaning to dislike opinion on Camus, which is quite understandable because have you SEEN the way he acts. Unfathomable.

…..To a Young Suikamaru, that is.

I've grown, so naturally I've changed preferences regarding characters, ikemen, and who to stan and who to avoid like the plague. I will lie if I said that I expected to like that blonde confectionery devouring machine at any point of my life.

But it did happen so who are we fooling here.

It dawned on me that Camus is the type of character that you cannot appreciate unless you go in depth into his lore, backstory, and see him for who he really is. Because then everything else will make sense. And that never happened in my case until I started roleplaying as him.

I realized that he's not just a two faced, sweet toothed mean man. He's a perfectionist, someone who's always been raised since his childhood days to be nothing less than complete, who has locked on his heart and emotions to devote himself completely to the purpose given to him. He has the looks and brains for what though? He should be a little stupid honestly.

But his intelligence gave him the complexity that he just needed for his characteristics. Because as aforementioned, he's not someone to easily like or fall in love with. And I think that's quite rare in characters, and very much appreciated due to the fact it gives the fans a chance to not actually stay on a flat level of knowledge regarding their favorite characters.

I've slowly started to see myself in some aspects of him, which was the number one factor of liking him. Then came the Maeno magic when I realized Camus shares the same VA as another character that I love as well. (Hamelin, from SinoAlice.) From then, everything went downhill.

In a good way. I think..

Well, that is all from me, please read about this handsome man and appreciate his hard work both as an individual and as an idol. There is SO much to him that's p much overlooked and I'm getting broke from spending my money on his living expenses rent free in my head. Take him off my head.

[chrisbangs]

Hi everyone! Here I am (late as always) but just in time to shower you all with a lil appreciation and love, because after this year, I think we all need it! (Apologies in advance for all the typos I will be making- no I will not proof read this <3)

I just wanted to start off by saying: thank you so much to everyone who has talked to me, become my friend, been kind to me, followed me, supported my content, throughout this year. To anyone who’s ever interacted / complimented / rb’d / liked my gifs and my gfxs, it means the world and I am so grateful and thankful to you. I honestly hit several milestones throughout this year and I just feel so in awe of how many people have supported me. I know 2020 wasn’t kind to many people, but I really did suffer a lot this year, and having people by my side who made me laugh and smile and feel special, made all the difference. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything.

Happy New Year to all my mutuals, followers, and people I follow! Thank you for making this terrible year, not so terrible. 

With all my love, Li / Moon! 🖤🌙🐺

@00hj 🌙 // @2miin // @3noracha 🌙 // @914m // @agibbng // @avocadomin // @bangchans // @banghans 🌙 // @bestiez 🌙 // @binnies 🌙 // @blueprintskz // @binminseok // @changbeanie // @felixies 🌙 // @go-saeng // @hanjin // @huiracha 🌙 // @hwjins // @hyunjins 🌙 // @hyunjinz // @hyunknow // @hyunnie 🌙 // @innielove // @inracha // @jeonginx // @ji-sungs // @jinlix // @jisquish 🌙 // @jypestraykids // @leeknown // @leeminho-s // @leemvnho // @luvknow // @minhos 🌙 // @mydays 🌙 // @ontracc 🌙 // @realstraykids 🌙 // @saintmilky 🌙 // @seoschangbin // @seungminhos 🌙 // @seungminsmile // @strayhags // @straylov 🌙 // @sunnykids // @tightenmydoubleknot // @tuanzie 🌙 // @uayv 🌙 // @wonstal // @yangjeongin // @yangjeonginz 🌙 // @youngke

(If there’s a lil 🌙 by your name, I left a little extra message for you under the cut! Sorry I couldn’t do this for everyone, but please know I love all of you so much and am grateful for the things you bring to my dash!)

@00hj: Karen! Hi angel!!! You’re probably one of my first stay friends which is crazy to me ; __ ; like I really can’t believe it’s already been so long that we’ve known each other... I really just wanted to say that I hope the coming year is warm and kind and good to you because you really deserve it. Thank you for working so hard on straykidsupdate... And you post the loveliest gifs and gfx and are just such a kind soul... You’re such a pillar in this community and I’m so lucky to know and be your friend. Let’s go get some pie some day soon okay? 

@3noracha: Falak! I know I suck at messaging and I’m so sorry for this. I missed your presence on here a lot and I miss all your amazing creations... Just today I saw some of your gfx in my gfx inspo tag and I was just amazed all over again. You’ve always been so kind to me and caring and just such a wonderful friend and I’m beyond grateful to you. I know you’re not as active these days but when you do post stuff it makes me so !!! Like I’m just so grateful to know you!! I hope the coming year will be kind to you!

@banghans: Ollieeeee!!! Hi sweetheart! I know we really only got to know each other this year through the createskz gc, but !! talking to you is so easy and comfortable, and you make me laugh so much. Thank you for always being such a warm person to be around. Everything you make is so lovely please don’t doubt that!! I hope that the coming year we get to talk more and that it treats you well angel! 

@bestiez: Nita ; __ ; Although we’re not really in the same fandoms anymore, you’re still my OG johfam partner in crime. I’m so grateful to have known you as long as I have. You are just one of the kindest, funniest, warmest people I know. Thank you for always coming by and messaging me time to time and making me feel so warm and happy. You’re just a bright ray of sunshine who’s been there for me since so long and I can’t begin to thank you. I hope the new year brings you nothing but happiness and health and good things. 

@binnies: Jem, where do I even begin? I refuse to make this too long or embarrassingly cheesy, because I already do that to you literally every day... But, I’m so so so grateful that we became friends. You made my 2020 so different from how it started. I feel so so so loved because of you. You offer nothing but the kindest of words (except when we’re sleep deprived because then you’re just The Funniest) and I am just so grateful to you. My Twin, My Bangerz Bro (help), My HoneyJem... How lucky I am to have you in my life... You truly helped me get to the other side of 2020 without a doubt in my mind... I feel so lucky that you were there with me... Thank you for everything. I hope the new year is full of love, happiness, and everything you so utterly deserve my babie! 

@felixies: Luna! Hi sweet angel! We’ve known each other a while now huh ; __ ; It feels like it’s already been so long since we became pals, and I just feel so lucky to know you. I know we’ve both been through hell because of stay tumblr (and just in general) but you’re genuinely one of the strongest people I know... You’re so kind and funny and warm and smart and I just feel so lucky to have you in my life as a friend. Thank you for always cheering me on and being so sweet to me. I hope you know how much I love you! I hope you have a wonderful new year angel... You only deserve the best! 

@huiracha: Marie! Hi my sweet angel!!! I know I’ve said it before but, thank you for being such an easy person to talk to and be around. You’re such a comfortable presence who makes me feel safe and comfy to talk to... I think you’re genuinely one of the most talented CCs on here and I’m so lucky to see your gifs and see your work. You’re just so amazing and leave me in awe ; ___ ; Thank you for being so kind to me and always talking with me about SKZ or PTG or Channie... I’m really so lucky to know you and love you! I hope you have a wonderful new year my angel! 

@hyunjins: Hales... The way I don’t even know what to say here except: I love you. I’m so lucky to have you as a friend... You’re truly one of the funniest, best people I’ve come to know in my life. I cannot even begin to explain how much you’ve inspired me and made me feel happy. You’re just such a wonderful person and I am beyond glad we’re pals. Even if our friendship started out as you calling me a furry -___- I wouldn’t have it any other way ; __ ; I am so grateful to you and thankful to you. I love you and hope you have a wonderful new year! I love you!!!

@hyunnie: Kat! My girl! My Dude! One of the most talented stays on this site for real... Everything you make is just loaded with creativity and uniqueness and brilliance- just like you. I can’t tell you how happy I am we became closer this year... Like I feel so happy and lucky to know you and be your friend. You’ve inspired me in so many ways and everything you make is insanely cool. I love you so much Kat!!! I hope you have a wonderful new year and I can’t wait to see what you make next! 

@jisquish: Dia my sweet angel... Happy new year! I hope you know that even if you’re not on much anymore, everytime I see you on my dash my heart lights up a little. I am so glad you were one of my first friends here- even if I didn’t know it at the time. I feel so, so lucky that we’ve stayed friends and that I can talk to you comfortably and easily. You’ve been such a wonderful part of my stayblr experience and I feel like you brighten my life up so much. Thank you so much!! I love you so much!! I hope the coming year is filled with only happiness and good things for you! 

@minhos: Haru!!! Thank you for working so hard for this community. I am so lucky to know you and be your friend, seriously. You’ve made me smile and laugh countless times. Thank you for always just dropping in and checking on me... It truly means a lot to me and makes me feel important and cared for. I love you so much pal! I hope the new year brings you nothing but happiness and love and good things angel. 

@mydays: Moon! Hi sweetheart! I just wanted to say a quick thank you for always being around to talk about Day6 with me and for making me laugh and smile and just for bringing warmth and good things to my dash. Everytime we talk I feel so comfy and happy and lucky to know you. I hope you have a wonderful new year filled with all the good things the universe could bring. Hehe, thank you for always posting moon related content!!! 

@ontracc: Autumn!!! I hope you know how much I appreciate all the lil messages you send me every now and then, just to ask me how I’m doing. It means a lot and I hope you know, I’m grateful! I really hope you know how much I appreciate you and your content and just general presence on the dash and in the dms and in the gc! I’m so lucky to be your pal and I hope the new year brings you happiness and love and all the good things you deserve! 

@realstraykids: Em! ; __ ; First of all, thank you so much for running foryjn with me... I know I have been kinda -___- with updating lately but I’ll be better about it fajiwoefowan... Anyway, you know how much I adore everything you make and I hope you know how much of a giant inspiration you are to me. You’re so creative and talented and friendly and bright and you are just one of the best people I’ve met on here. I just feel so lucky to be your friend and know you and just !!! chat with you! Everytime we talk I’m smiling and feeling happy... I’m so happy we bonded over loving Jeongin... Fr like... Best times!!! Anyway, I hope you know how much I love and appreciate you! Happy new year babie! Thank you for everything you do for stayblr and for me! I love you!!!

@saintmilky: Paige ; __ ; my angel... Thank you for being so sweet to me always. You are just one of those people who makes me smile and laugh so easily... You love frogs and bears and spn and I just feel all these things so deeply in my soul. I keep wanting to message you about SPN and stuff but I get so embarrassed and shy faoweifno... Anyway, I hope you have a wonderful new year and that all the things you deserve come your way!!! Love you my pal!!!

@seungminhos: Bia... My babie... My baba... My soulmate... Where do I even begin... Another year has passed by and so much has happened, and I just don’t know where I’d be without you... There is no doubt in my mind that I am the luckiest person on this earth because I found you and got to be your friend. You’ve made my life a beautiful, bright, fun, endearing place, all through your kindness and love and support. I am so lucky to be your friend and to be able to love you and just to know you... Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for me and been with me for, through this year, through every year. Truly, I don’t think I would’ve made it out of 2020 without you running by my side. I don’t know where I’d be without you, but I’m just so glad that you’re here with me now. That you’ve made my life a very, very special place. Happy new year my sweet angel girl. I wish you nothing but the best, and that everything you’re wishing for comes true my love. Let’s keep on going together in 2021, okay? I love you!

@straylov: Nina! Thank you for being such a positive, warm angel. You bring so much happiness and brightness to stayblr, you’re truly irreplaceable. Your talent for gfx and gifs is just crazy. Everything you make is so beautiful and creative and so amazing; I’m just always in awe of everything you do. I hope you have a wonderful new year full of good things and good people! 

@tuanzie: Jo! Although we haven’t talked that often, I just wanted to say thank you for always being so kind to me and supporting the things I make. Not only that but, you make some of the most beautiful and creative things I’ve seen and I’m always excited to see what you make next! I hope you get to achieve all the things you want in the new year and that only good things come your way. You truly deserve the best angel! Happy new year! 

@uayv: Joyce! I miss you and your beautiful work so much. You truly are one of my biggest inspirations as a gfx maker. Everything you make is beautiful, thoughtful, creative, and just amazing. I feel so lucky to be able to see your work as well as be your friend. You’ll be the bread to my soup always ma’am! I love you so much and hope you know! Thank you for being my pal! Happy new year angel! 

@yangjeonginz: June! Bug Boy!!! My sweet lil angel! Happy new year! I know I already told you last night, but thank you for being by my side during this year. I’m so happy we got around to talking more and became so close! You are just such a bright light in my life and I am so lucky to know you and love you! Thank you for always, always, always making me laugh and for listening to me rant about random stuff... I feel so safe and comfortable because of you. You really were a big reason that I survived 2020 and made it to the other side. Without you, I don’t know where I’d be... Thank you so much angel... I hope you have a wonderful new year filled with love and good memories and everything you deserve. 

[quwarichi]

heard from your mother au - The Ripple Effect

this is my early birthday gift for @schmuzz1 Ever heard of the ripple effect? you probably did but let's go over it once more; the ripple effect is like if you took a rock and threw it into a lake. Where the rock would hit and sink a ripple would be created, and from there it would only grow bigger and bigger, taking over more space, until the water settles again.

HFYM is the ripple effect ficsonified. The premise is simple, for those who watched the episode Despair in the last season of Supernatural. Castiel confesses his love to Dean, gets taken by the Empty. He wakes up in 2003 in a motel room, without his memories and only a memory saying “Don’t do this, Cas” which helps him figure out his name is Cas, and that he’s a hunter. Simple.

Then he meets Dean.

Now, we’ve all read various pre-series fics, haven’t we? It’s a token when giving fans a time-gap that we don’t know much about, they’d try to fill it as best as their imagination limitations will help them. So what is so special about HFYM?

In a word; Cas.

Meet this angelic being, who without his memories fully believes his humanity, and drives around the US not looking for answers, exactly, but just trying to help out to the best of his ability. By putting Cas in a setting pre-series, and letting the readers know that this Cas is their Castiel, the story already kicks into gear with a race to see when and how Cas will affect the story.

We didn’t know about angels until season 4. We didn’t THINK there was a better way to kill demons other than the Colt until season 3. Characters and themes that we would’ve taken years to get to know in the show are being used and constantly appear throughout what HFYM would call season 0 (or is that just me? make some noise). But Cas changes all of that just by being. For this next part, I recommend you stop reading this post if you haven’t read this fic, go read it in its entirety, and come back here after you’re done and had time to adjust.

We good? Good.

Pamela Barnes, the love of my life and a five-episode cameo in the Supernatural show. In HFYM, she acts as Cas’ best friend most of the time, teaching him the highs (hehe) and lows of having what they all figure is a really developed psychic ability. Bringing Pamela in chapter 16 was not only a brilliant use of character but a ripple effect. But I get ahead of myself. To understand why Pamela is suddenly there, we need to identify the biggest ripple of them all; Dean fucking Winchester.

Dean and Cas, from the start, develop a sort of kinship. It’s reminiscent of their first meeting in Lazarus Rising, where Castiel rescues Dean but also has its own charm. Here, Cas has no idea he’s an angel, and that’s why humanity is so strange to him. Dean views Cas as a weirdo that is not to be trusted, and later as a weirdo that he can kinda trust but make sure to watch his back around him.

In a way, they’re mirrors. Cas’ effortless way of creating acquaintances highlights just how isolated Dean is from people because of John’s influence. Whenever they’re together, Dean finds himself surrounded by others too, but apart it’s clear that Cas (to much of my, and probably his, surprise) is the social one.

Quoting the fic tags: “like maybe if he [Pre-series Dean Winchester] got a boyfriend he would have calmed down” is the very abstract explanation of the ripple effect. By being isolated for so long, without even Sam to keep him company, Dean couldn’t develop properly, resulting in the Dean we get in season 1. But ripples (courtesy of Cas) reach him and that’s where it all comes together. By meeting Cas pre-series Dean is given two things; one, no more isolation, time to grow sunshine. Two, a romantic subplot.

Now I don’t know how much you know about media - but romantic subplots are usually very character forwarding if done right. The best thing about the romantic subplot in HFYM is that it’s not immediate. Fuck no. It’s built on months of friendship and a bond forged in hunting, in putting each other’s lives in the other’s hands like it’s nothing. When they finally get together (I did the math, they get together when the story is like, halfway over. 52% to be exact) it makes sense because you watched them forge the bond and thus pushing their character development further. Romantic subplots are one of the best ways to push a character to their limits (looking at you, chapter 49) and then break those limits. So the biggest ripple was basically Cas and Dean thinking “huh, lemme smooch” and then doing it instead of eye fucking for twelve years.

But that’s not what I’m talking about, exactly. The biggest ripple effect that Cas did with Dean is that when season 1 starts (did I mentioned this was a canon rewrite? We love multitasking), when Dean goes to get Sam for Jericho and everything is put into hyperdrive, Dean is different. It affects how people around him act, especially Sam. The first season is very Sam-driven, but the main character will be changed by changing the “supporting” cast. It doesn’t help that Cas ripple effect number 2932#: Save Jess has definitely quelled the grief-rage thing that Sam has going on in canon since she’s not gone, and is actually around them for a while before leaving to work with Bobby and Jo. Sam immediately notices that something’s different about Dean, but he can’t put a finger on it. Requoting tags: “he would have calmed down”. Gone is the aimless rage and loss that makes him reckless and drinking too much. Gone are the women chasing days because he’s in a committed relationship. Heck Dean has a bit of self-esteem now, having bagged that (points at frog-shirt wearing Cas) and it affects the story in the way he and Sam interact.

Sam can feel that Dean’s hiding something from him (Cas) and it makes a rift between them because he doesn’t get who’s this hunter Dean hangs out with that is definitely replacing Sam in Dean’s eyes - the same guy who used weird powers to save Jess from a demon. Dean is still hurt over Sam leaving for Stanford and anxious about him finding out about Cas and John and everything. Basically, take season 1 brother dynamics and throw a live grenade in the mix. That grenade is Cas, btw.

Ripples, man.

Cas affects the story - he gets Dean to get back in touch with Bobby because he’s looking for an explanation for why he heals from mortal wounds like it’s nothing, why he doesn’t need sleep, and why he’s never hungry. Bobby connects Cas to Pamela, thinking Cas is an odd psychic, and Pamela becomes inherently important in the way that she helps Cas control his powers and provides his first real… non-platonic experience (off-screen, dw they’re friends) that later helps him discern what Dean is to him. Through Bobby, he also meets Ellen and Jo, in the Roadhouse. He goes on hunts alone, and finds a knife that helps him save a possessed girl named Taylor who is later a part of an actual episode (Hookman) and there’s recognition, she’s not just a standby person and that connects with Jess’ storyline, that connects with Sam’s storyline that connects with Dean’s storyline. By being him, Cas creates ripples everywhere he touches because he’s not supposed to be there.

The otherwise undisturbed surface is broken because Cas is there to break it and create ripples that connect with each other, all unknowingly, and the way it’s constructed is incredible.

I could add more about Dean’s bisexuality journey or realization, or how lack of trauma makes Cas a lot more narrative-free but it could all come crashing down on him if he remembers the past, or how Sam and Jess are so interesting like yes girl flesh out the revenge reason we see in three episodes, but this is getting long and I could always make new posts about this fic that I love so much.

Happy birthday, Jenn, you’re an incredible friend and writer and I’m so lucky to have found you in this mayhem of a fandom.

Go read heard from your mother (she don’t recognize you) on ao3, you magnificent people.