#the fun thing about basing class on the story is that you can pick multiple classes for the same character in different AUs and stuff

[godsfavoritescientist]

reblogging this since its homestuck day. here's an excerpt!

Bill Cipher: Lord of Hope (the homestuck classpect)

explanation for why I picked this classpect for him under the cut

First of all: I think classpect is heavily influenced by one's narrative role in a story. It's influenced by personality too, of course, but someone with the exact same personality could have a completely different classpect depending on how the story uses them.

Lord is an extremely powerful class reserved for the big-bad in homestuck. It means having unimaginable amounts of control over your aspect (which here is Hope). It's also a volatile, destructive, and self-serving class. It's also the mirror and opposite of the Muse class, which is equally powerful, but wielded passively for the benefit of others, often using methods more like setting up all the components of a rube goldberg machine behind the scenes, rather than the Lord's preferred method of steamrolling over things whenever possible.

Second side-note: Each aspect has an opposite, and I think these aspect pairs meaningfully influence each other by virtue of being on opposite ends of a continuum. You might even say they're opposite sides of the same concept.

Hope is the aspect of imagination, limitless possibilities, belief, and the literal meaning as well. It also has a ton of religious undertones. Its opposite aspect is Doom, which, other than the literal meaning, is all about rules, limitations, doubt, and what is rather than what could be. They both need each other--without Hope, Doom becomes despair. Without Doom, Hope becomes completely disconnected from reality.

Which brings me to Bill. On the Hope-Doom spectrum, he's leaned so absurdly far towards Hope that he's convinced himself Doom doesn't even exist. In his reddit AMA, he literally says "lie until what you want to be true becomes true. Lie until you can't remember what's a lie and what isn't. Lie until you aren't lying anymore." I can't think of a better encapsulation of what it means to push the Hope aspect to its absolute extreme. He believes so much in the power of belief that he simply ignores any truths he doesn't like.

He embodies the Hope aspect in many other ways, too. Originally he was going to be more of a morally-neutral trickster character, whose whole purpose was just to show up randomly in Dipper's dreams and rattle off wild statements of questionable truth and conspiracy theories at him. The kind of things that people hope are true (sometimes to make the world seem more exciting and magical, sometimes for bigoted reasons, you know how it is with conspiracy theories), but the point is: Bill retains some of this in his canon personality. He tells Ford in the journal that the moon landing was fake. When he first meets Gideon, he says the whole "reality is an illusion" thing. He delights in sharing these kinds of things with people, and yeah, it's to fuck with them, but there's still something to be said about the fact that he accomplishes this through the use of things that exist as uncertain possibilities in people's minds, and things that some people have a strong belief in and/or hope to find proof of. He's wielding Hope as a tool, because that's when he's in his element.

Bill also preys on people's hopes and dreams, appearing to people literally inside their heads, and existing mainly in dreams and minds for billions of years--a place where you really can create anything you can imagine. He uses Ford's hopes of accomplishing something meaningful to get him to create a doomsday device. He also has Ford practically worshiping him, calling him a Muse with a capital M, calling his presence 'divine intervention'... the religious themes that often go hand-in-hand with the Hope aspect are definitely present. Of course a Lord would wield the Hope aspect to give himself worshipers who practically see him as a god.

And, speaking of doomsday devices, Weirdmageddon is the exactly what would happen in a world where the Hope aspect ran rampant without any laws or restrictions or concrete truths. In the codes of Journal 3, Bill says, "why should time only move forward, why must cause precede effect, who voted on the laws of physics - rules are perversions against all will, that's why I'm about to rewrite the whole system buddy, and no one is going to stop me."

We also get some insight into Bill's beliefs when we take a look as Mabel's dreambubble. He literally uses someone's hopes as a weapon against them, trapping her inside a twisted version of all the things that could've been true, if only the world was fueled by pure imagination, without any laws of physics or imperfect days or boring moments. Bill is so confident that this trap is infallible that he doesn't even bother to stop Dipper from trying to get her out once he makes it inside the dreambubble. Maybe the reason why Bill is so confident that this trap is inescapable is because he's pretty much trapped himself in a dreambubble of his own creation, where anything is possible and fantasy wins over reality every time (talking about the nightmare realm here), and was so intoxicated by the limitless lawlessness of the place that he spent billions of years trying to expand his little self-imposed prison to cover the rest of the multiverse, rather than ever stop to question himself or consider the consequences. Because with enough Hope, there are no consequences, only infinite possibilities limited only by your own imagination! ...right?

I could probably go on, but I think this is more than enough to support my case for Bill being a Lord of Hope. I'm always interested to hear about other classpect headcanons though!

[stripedstarsblueflags]

i feel so high school (au) pt. 5.A: pierresteban

anyway here are some high school aus for my fav f1 rpf ships and an exploration of who knows how to ball, and who knows aristotle

(based on american high school setups cause of the song)

i’ve never written for this ship before but i had an idea that just fit so well so here we go!

dancer!esteban and jock!pierre: pierre knows how to ball and esteban knows aristotle, but it wasn’t always like that. there’s a history. right now they seem to exist in entirely different worlds. the only thing they have in common is that they’re both athletes, and pierre would argue vehemently against that and insist that dance isn’t a sport. yes pierre’s one of those assholes. the school doesn’t even have a dance team or a cheer squad or anything like that, esteban goes to a separate studio but it’s a conservative town and a story like a boy doing ballet becomes a scandal QUICKLY. and it’s not even like this is just a high school thing, esteban’s been dancing since he was a little kid so every single school has always been a social hell for him. he has friends at the studio, and even though they’re mostly girls who feel sorry for him they at least treat him with kindness and he feels like he has a support system and a little hideaway from the bullying and that’s enough for him. he’s learned to keep his head down… for the most part.

except with pierre. pierre, that one popular peaking-in-high-school jackass who goes out of his way to pick on esteban. he isn't particularly smart or creative (he wouldn't be caught dead belonging to either of those adjectives) but he's an absolute badass at any sport he takes up. he's the star player in at least three different school sports and sometimes he joins other teams' practices just for fun because he kind of plays by his own rules and all the coaches adore him. he's a frat boy to-be, he's a player, he's one of those guys who gets waaaaay further in life than he should just because he's tall (in this au) and has rich parents. esteban lied about his age when he was fourteen so he could start working and make enough money to pay for his dance classes. they are not the same.

not now, anyway. but esteban knows why pierre makes a point to call him names, make homophobic remarks, set up a whole persona to make himself as opposite from esteban as he can: because pierre used to dance too. that's how they met. they were just kids, maybe five years old, and esteban was already the kind of shy/DifferentTM/awkwardly flamboyant child who other parents take one look at and go "that kid's gonna have a really tough life..." he took his first year of dance and even though it felt so wonderful and freeing and lovely he was ready to quit because even at that age kids can be cruel and he was so tired of hearing boys don't dance. until pierre. pierre came into the class a few weeks late, looking uncomfortable and hesitant and like he was trying to put on a brave face, and they found salvation from all the bullying and stereotypes in their friendship. there was basically no other option, they made eye contact that first day and there was an immediate connection. instant bffs for life– at least that's how it genuinely felt. they grew up together. pierre's parents started giving esteban rides to and from the studio so he wouldn't have to take public transit. they went to each other's houses and practiced routines in front of shit closet mirrors and tried to come up with choreo and always ended up falling into each other and laughing. in elementary school (grades kindergarten-5) pierre got into multiple fights defending the two of them from would-be bullies, pierre could almost keep his cool if it was just him the bullies were coming after but as soon as someone went after esteban it was gloves off. he got into trouble more than once but it brought them even closer, they were still young but already it was like "i'll look after you, i'll protect you, i'm always going to like you for who you are" and that was a beautiful thing.

middle school was different. esteban started taking dance more seriously, his family managed to scrape together as much as they could to support him so he could take more classes. he got onto competition teams and traveled for shows. meanwhile pierre started taking less and less classes– at first esteban thought that since pierre had taken up other sports he just didn't have as much time, but then there was distance growing in their friendship too and esteban started to understand something was wrong. pierre would be just as affectionate and friendly with him when they were by themselves but curt and irritable with him at school. pierre started hanging out with kids who would regularly pick on esteban, and when esteban finally said something about it pierre basically exploded. "it's not my fault you can't be normal, you need to grow the fuck up, i'm not going to be like you i'm not like you!" and there was all this connotation and implication in his words that esteban finally understood and it all clicked and then that was that. esteban never saw pierre at the studio again...

(to be continued)

[dykedragonrider]

I'm gonna bend the rules a bit and merge two of the FE questions together because I think they're more interesting hand in hand.

32 and 26: What direction do you wish the series would take, and what would your pitch be for the first title to go in that direction?

I want to see them lean harder into strategy, or at least give us reasons to not juggernaut. I ain't good at designing games yet so this'll be a fun thought exercise.

Smaller cast of units with greater distinction between units. Units are locked in their class (unless they have like, story promotion stuff idk), they have personal skills and stats that give them specific niches in their class. Maybe someone has Adept and high speed as a Mercenary but another has Pavise, so you have one that is really really good at killing shit, and another who's a tank and spank unit for an example. They feel distinct from each other, and one has the overkill combat that makes them good with priority targets while the other has the ability to handle multiple enemies well to buy time/create space. This is probably the biggest departure as we haven't really had a game that did this imo.

More challenges that aren't just about your stats. Status staves, enemy packs with reaver weapons, packs vulnerable to strong effectives, somewhat open maps, things that allow you to engage with the maps differently. Maps that aren't straight lines but have multiple options for egress and reasons to use those options based on your available tools are great!

Inventory items that give stat bonuses. These were a really good thing that allowed for flexibility to hit benchmarks that we saw in Gaiden, FE4, SOV, Houses, and sort of Engage that added legitimately meaningful depth in the kind of solutions to problems you could find. They can be "win more" things which sucks I won't deny that, but I also value their flexibility too much to really dislike them.

So, with that, I'll try my hand at a pitch.

Your lord is a staff unit. This means that designing things can be done around you *always* having a utility unit and you can be expected to use/react to enemy magic accordingly. You've got a prepromote wyvern who'll be good at combat for a while, and as their combat worsens their utility as a mobility tool is a much more relevant reason to use them. Motley cast goes forth from there, I just think those two things are legitimately interesting ideas to me I want to explore more.

As for story, I've got the least expertise here but... Let's say our main lord haaaates fighting and is optimistic about people. That's why they prefer to disable their foes, heal or protect their allies, that's why they're a staffer. Give them a personal weapon to reflect that, too. There's a background war going on that the lord doesn't get involved in for a while but you *feel* it as you're recruiting your early playable cast (maybe your lord is on some personal mission and your prepromote is their escort. Could have some knight/liege yuri there idk I like that). Townspeople talk about what they've lost along the way because of the war, some people are displaced by it and you can help them out on maps for rewards, etc. Eventually, the cast ends up fighting one of the factions in the war, the other comes to reinforce on that map, and *that's* when the story picks up, as the cast is thrown into the deep end of it. Your lord is convinced to help one faction end the war, and they reluctantly agree because they think it's the best way to stop the fighting because they can't just stay out of it. Things proceed as normal for FE, but there's a greater emphasis on the civilian cost of war along the way, because your lord *wants* to help the people that are hurting because it's their nature. And they're getting *so* tired of what they're hearing, but they keep going on, because at this point that's all they can do. Help those who are hurting, and end the war. Unsurprisingly, the war came about because of the Problem Dragon, who you learn more about the chapters before you fight them. Maybe this dragon is why your lord is on their quest, they wanted to find them? Uncertain about that plot thread especially, but either way they need to in some way be sympathetic or redeemable for one reason or another. Not just because I think that these games are at their best when there is some tragedy with the dragon, but because the lord needs *some* reason to have their faith in the goodness of people be what carries them through this conflict. Maybe they get exploited for it throughout it, maybe they didn't, idk how I'd wanna frame that but the point needs to be them *giving a damn* about people is what lets them end this (yeah I like Idunn, how did you know).

In short, small ragtag cast with a focus on the lord primarily (most other people are there just supporting them) tempering their perception of reality but not letting it get them down. It's a coming of age for them, but they keep their sense of hope for the world because the kindness they showed to others and got back in turn is what enabled them to survive. You need some genuine darkness for that light to show probably, but it needs to be a story about making a difference in other people's lives and how important that is, no matter how small.

[lokeshsharma1]

Discover the Hidden Gems of Bali: 10 Offbeat Experiences You Shouldn’t Miss

Bali is not just about dreamy beaches and vibrant nightlife—it’s also a treasure trove of hidden experiences that most travelers overlook. If you're someone who loves to go beyond the typical tourist trail, then this blog is for you. Many Bali tour packages cover the popular attractions, but we’re diving deep into the lesser-known yet unforgettable adventures that make your Bali journey truly special.

From secret waterfalls tucked in lush jungles to local cultural traditions that will stir your soul, the island of Bali has layers of wonder waiting to be explored. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best things to do in Bali—the kind that don’t always make it into mainstream itineraries, but definitely should.

1. Explore the Secret Canyon of Sukawati

Located near Ubud, this canyon is often called Bali’s hidden Grand Canyon. With uniquely carved rock formations, moss-covered walls, and winding water trails, the site looks like something straight out of a fantasy movie.

Why it’s special: You’ll rarely find crowds here, giving you a peaceful space to connect with nature and take awe-inspiring photos. Just be ready to get a little wet—some sections require wading through shallow streams.

Entry Fee: Approx. IDR 15,000 (₹80)

2. Discover the Ghost Palace Hotel in Bedugul

Yes, you read that right—a ghost palace! The abandoned Taman Rekreasi Hotel in Bedugul is a mysterious place with rumors of hauntings, political ties, and eerie architecture.

Why it’s special: The overgrown vines and empty hallways create a chilling yet captivating experience. If you're a fan of the paranormal or urban exploration, this is your spot.

Pro tip: Visit during daylight hours for safety.

3. Take a Traditional Cooking Class in a Balinese Village

Want to really immerse yourself in Bali’s culture? Join a cooking class hosted by locals in their homes. You’ll learn how to make satay, sambal, and traditional desserts—all using fresh ingredients from nearby markets.

Why it’s special: It’s not just about the food. You’ll understand the local customs, kitchen tools, and even family rituals that go into every meal.

Cost: Starts at IDR 350,000 (₹1,800) per person

4. Swim in the Hidden Waterfalls of Munduk

While most tourists rush to Tegenungan or Gitgit, the northern region of Munduk is a peaceful paradise. The waterfalls here are secluded, fresh, and framed by green valleys.

Top Picks:

Munduk Waterfall

Banyumala Twin Waterfalls

Golden Valley Waterfall

Why it’s special: You can often have these waterfalls all to yourself. It’s like discovering your own secret escape in Bali.

5. Hike to the Top of Mount Batur at Sunrise

Sure, it’s not entirely off the beaten path, but many skip this experience thinking it’s too tough. In reality, it’s a moderately easy trek with life-changing views at the top.

Why it’s special: Watching the sun rise over Lake Batur and Mount Agung is unforgettable. Plus, you can cook eggs using volcanic steam at the summit!

Trek Start Time: Around 3:00 AM Cost: IDR 400,000 to 600,000 (₹2,000–₹3,000)

6. Visit the Lempuyang Temple – The Gate of Heaven

Located in East Bali, this temple is famous for its majestic split gates that perfectly frame Mount Agung. It’s a spiritual experience combined with jaw-dropping scenery.

Why it’s special: The climb to the top is challenging but rewarding, with multiple temples along the way and fewer tourists than Tanah Lot or Uluwatu.

Entry Fee: Donation-based (typically IDR 10,000+)

7. Experience Bali’s Underwater Mailbox at Amed

Yes, there's a real underwater mailbox in Bali! Found near Amed Beach, divers and snorkelers can write waterproof postcards and “mail” them beneath the sea.

Why it’s special: It’s quirky, fun, and makes for a memorable story. Plus, the coral gardens and marine life around Amed are stunning.

Best Time to Visit: April to November (dry season)

8. Participate in a Melukat Water Purification Ceremony

Melukat is a sacred Balinese ritual that purifies the body and soul using holy water. You can take part in it at places like Tirta Empul or Pura Mengening.

Why it’s special: It’s a deeply personal and spiritual experience that brings peace, balance, and clarity.

Dress Code: Traditional sarong (can be rented on-site)

9. Visit the Bamboo Chocolate Factory in Sibang

Big Tree Farms in Sibang offers a unique look into sustainable chocolate production—all in a stunning bamboo building that’s a marvel on its own.

Why it’s special: You get to taste fresh cacao, learn how raw chocolate is made, and support a company that practices ethical farming.

Tours: IDR 95,000 (₹500) per person

10. Watch a Kecak Fire Dance at Sunset in Uluwatu

Performed at the edge of a cliff temple, the Kecak dance tells the story of Ramayana through rhythmic chanting and fire stunts.

Why it’s special: It’s not just a show—it’s storytelling, culture, and raw energy rolled into one mesmerizing evening.

Entry Fee: IDR 150,000 (₹750)

Why Choose Offbeat Bali Over the Usual Tourist Spots?

Less Crowded: You get to enjoy authentic moments without large crowds.

Cultural Richness: These spots offer deeper cultural insights.

Affordability: Offbeat places often cost less than mainstream attractions.

Sustainability: They support local communities and promote eco-tourism.

Quick Travel Tips for Exploring Hidden Bali

Rent a Scooter: The best way to explore hidden areas is by riding a scooter.

Respect Traditions: Dress appropriately when visiting temples and participate respectfully in local customs.

Stay Hydrated: Bali is tropical—carry water and sunscreen.

Use Offline Maps: Google Maps can be tricky in remote areas, so download offline maps.

When is the Best Time to Visit Bali?

The dry season from April to October is perfect for travel. You’ll get sunny skies, calm waters, and ideal trekking conditions. If you prefer fewer crowds and lower prices, consider visiting during the shoulder months of April or October.

How to Plan an Offbeat Bali Trip?

Many travel sites offer curated Bali tour packages that now include hidden spots along with classics. Look for options that mix temples, nature, and local experiences. Alternatively, customize your own itinerary using online forums and travel blogs.

FAQs – Bali Travel Guide

Q1. Is Bali expensive? Bali can be both budget-friendly and luxurious. Local food, transport, and homestays are affordable, while high-end villas and resorts cost more.

Q2. What are the best things to do in Bali for first-time visitors? Some of the best things to do in Bali include visiting temples, hiking Mount Batur, exploring waterfalls, and experiencing traditional Balinese culture.

Q3. Do I need a visa to visit Bali? Many nationalities, including Indians, can get a Visa on Arrival valid for 30 days. Always check the latest entry rules before travel.

Q4. Is it safe to travel solo in Bali? Yes, Bali is generally safe for solo travelers. Just follow standard travel precautions like avoiding unlit areas at night and locking your valuables.

Q5. What's the local currency in Bali? The currency is Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). Credit cards are accepted in cities, but carry cash for remote areas.

Final Thoughts

Bali is more than just a tropical paradise—it’s a land of surprises, secrets, and soulful connections. Whether it’s diving into a sacred ritual, hiking through misty hills, or enjoying a homemade Balinese meal, the island offers experiences that stay with you long after the trip ends.

So, next time you’re browsing through Bali tour packages, remember to look beyond the brochure. Go where the heart leads. You’ll find magic where you least expect it.

[lacktoesandtallerants-blog]

Digital Game Lab (Lab #2)

I played many games during class, including games from previous semesters and games available for free on other sites. Some of the games are similar to each other, and others couldn't be different. Three in particular stood out to me.

In the game This Is The Only Level, players play as an elephant going through the same level over and over again. It is a platform, survival game that also has an element of a puzzle game. Each time the player gets to the end, the level changes slightly with different controls, mechanics, or aesthetics. In one of the levels, all of the platforms are striped and one of the colors of the stripe kills the elephant. Each time the player dies, they can see a ghost of how they previously died. As I was watching my classmate, Samantha, playing, I noticed that we both have similar play-styles where we first go through the level with at least one death to see how the mechanics of the level changed, and then the next time we play we go through it with strategy.

In the game Karnalita by Havana24, players control a plant that can drink water, grow, and eat fruits. Although the stem of the plant can be cut, the pot must not be cut or else the plant dies. The goal of the game is to get to the flag without dying. There is a puzzle aspect to the game where players have to strategize how to go around obstacles and open doors. The aesthetics are cute and quirky with simplistic cell shading and comforting colors. As I was watching Samantha playing, I could see how she went through each possible course of action before she got to the flag, which allowed me to strategize how I was going to reach the flag.

In a truly funny game, The Ratchelor: A Rat Dating Sim by Algorat, the players play as a rat bachelor/bachelorette and speed date a group of rats until one rat is left. Each rat has a different personality or story and they all are doing their best to woo us. Through each round, players get to pick who they keep and which ones go home until one rat is left to get the rose. The art style is quirky and funky, with such an ugly art style that it is almost cute. I enjoyed watching Samantha play and pick the same rat as me, and I also enjoyed peeking over at other classmates that were playing the game from across the room. I noticed when I was watching other students, I was more invested in the story behind each rat and seeing what each rat had to offer. When I was playing, I was mostly interested in who was the nicest.

When I was playing the games, I noticed that there was a similarity between the ones that I really enjoyed. The ones that I found the most fun, other than The Ratchelor, are games that are platform puzzle based. The first two games that I mentioned, This Is The Only Level and Karnalita, are puzzle-based platform games where players jump around and complete a task. I enjoy strategizing and doing multiple attempts to get to the end and finding out new things that I can try.

[clementines-writing-corner]

outlining my sandbox

Hello friends!

I hope you all are doing well! I’m doing meh. –__– The third week of the fall semester has just drawn to a close and classes are picking up. I enjoy everything I’m doing, don’t get me wrong, it’s just that I’m doing a lot of different things. One of the things I’m really looking forward to when I graduate is that I can cut down on the variety of responsibilities. I’ll just be doing one job (hopefully) instead of trying to balance various courses. But enough about that, y’all aren’t here for that. Y’all are here for the writing updates, so let's get into it! ᕱ__ᕱ

Sadly, things have not picked up a lot since last week and I haven’t actually done any writing for world-building development. But, I did do some research into the elements of worldbuilding and took some notes. Even though it wasn't the most fun thing to do, I felt it was pretty important. I needed to create some sort of structure for myself (even if it is very loose) so that I know what I should be thinking about, how I should be creating my world, and what I should be including.

Worldbuilding, especially the type that I’m doing in which I am creating a whole new universe from scratch, is super expansive and very intimidating (which is why I’ve been dragging my feet about it lol). It's like looking out at an empty beach full of sand and knowing you have to build a sandcastle, but there is so much sand everywhere that you don't even know where to start. Where is the best place to build it? How big should it be? How detailed? Should you include towers or just a base? How are you going to do this with just your bare hands and a big empty beach? You know there are tools around here somewhere to help, but where the heck are they?!

But now, after I've spent time looking around and gathering some tools, I've at least outlined a sandbox and can dig in to just crafting stuff and experimenting, while making sure I’m in the bounds of what I actually need to be creating and that everything I am creating fits together.

Here’s some of the tools I've gather, in no particular order of importance:

ASK YOURSELF QUESTIONS!! To build a consistent world that works, regardless of if it’s fantasy or not, you have to constantly be asking questions. Okay this works this way in your world. Why? What changes because of it? What else needs to change for it to be this way? How does it affect the story or the characters? 

It is very helpful to use the real world as a base for developing your world and its characteristics. What is the same? What is different? Why? 

A lot of elements will overlap in fantasy worldbuilding as they do in the real world. It’s okay! Just keep in mind which elements will affect what and will be affected by what when you are creative. Ex. When you change the climate of an area, that affects what animals and plants can live there and how life looks for the peoples who live there. 

THE WORLD IS NOT THE STORY! Make sure that when it comes to crafting your story after you are done worldbuilding that you create something set in the world not about the world. (Unless that is the goal, I guess?)

And here is the outline of element's that need developed:

Geography & Environment (What does the world physically look like? Are there multiple climates? What is the typical weather? Is the passage of time different? What plants and animals exist? Where?) 

Cultures & People Groups (Are humans the only intelligent life or are there other peoples? What do their cultures look like? What is specific and unique to each? What do they know about each other? Are there different holidays for different cultures? Are there different languages? What does education look like? What are the myths/legends/folkstories of each culture?)

Government & Politics (How are the governments structured? Are there different countries or sovereign nations? What laws exist and how are they enforced?)

Daily Life (What does daily life look like for these cultures? Especially for the main characters? Are there any customs that are normal in this world?)

History & Social Conflicts (What is the world’s history? How did they get to the present time in your story? Are there tensions between peoples? Governments? Religions? Groups or Organizations?)

Technology (What technology does this world have access to? Is it spread evenly throughout the world? Or do some peoples have access to more advanced technologies?)

Magic (What does the magic system look like? What can magic do? What can’t it do? What shouldn’t it do?)

Religions/Philosophies (What religions exist? If multiple, are there tensions between them? Are there deities? Are they connected to the magic system? What moral standards are there? Are any holidays tied to religion? Are there important religious texts?)

Economy & Trade (What sort of economic system does the world operate under? What currencies exist? Who trades with who? Who doesn’t trade with who and why?)

Origins (What is the origin of this world? Is it tied to religion? Are there creation myths? What are the scientific laws? Are they different from real life? How so, and why?)

Like I said before, and I will say again in the future, worldbuilding is a lot. It’s a lot, a lot. But having some sort of jumping off point and a list of things to keep in mind as I go is certainly going to help me get into the sand and get messy because now I know where the edges of my sandbox are, a vague idea of what I need to build, and have gained some tools to help me out. 

Now I just need to figure out how I’m going to build this thing. ᕱ__ᕱ

Until next time, friends! And don’t forget– dot your j’s and cross your t’s!!

~Clementine J. Quincey 🪷

PS. Below is a list of resources I looked at while researching this week!

[chaos-dumpster-fire]

Pact read: https://pactwebserial.wordpress.com/category/story/arc-1-bonds/

It is very fun and I love it a lot! Much horror, much theme, again, reasons I am going to be very not ok as 2 people read it and i re-read. I can't describe it without losing my mind and spoilering literally everything so please know that upon second read I love damn near every character and it feels like this is the kind of world I would be setting up shop in if I could.

The tldr of SCP is essentially a big organization the Foundation (Motto: "Secure. Contain. Protect.") which is attempting to keep the human race and the universe at large safe while understanding the anomalous. Catalogued 'anomalies' (things/beings which are magical, scientific in a matter beyond our understanding, or any other kind of abnormal) are known as an scp/skip (Or SCP-[IDENTIFICATION NUMBER]). Within the Foundation are the anomalies being contained, Doctors and Researchers studying the anomalies (Kondraki and Clef are 2 doctors Ben and I are obsessed with, very fun), various field agents (used to find, retrieve, and explore anomalies) and Mobile Task Forces (agent squads specializing in an environment or type of anomaly), D-class (prison labor (complicated-ass thing in canons)), and various departments and laboratories. Essentially the whole thing is a decades-long 'Yes And' project across the internet with a 'Scary organization and scary monsters' premise (I say this with love btw).

The initial Main canon is where most people start. There are multiple canons with the Foundation as it is, and many more as it isn't, with at least one Wild West and one Fantasy, and lolFoundation (basically just crack comedy). Also my all-time favorite: The Shark-Punching-Center (They punch sharks. In the face. I don't support shark-punching but their recruitment speech is so funny that I'm trying to screenprint it on a tshirt).

For SCP here's the intro page: https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/guide-for-newcomers

Here's the intro to reading: https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/guide-for-reading

Personal recommendations: SCP 3004 is a lovely long-time favorite of mine, as is Alagadda (search it and find wonder). 106 is the long-standing traditional boogy-man, and 682 is by the same author and classic. 173 is the og (literally the first one), 408 is Kondraki's butterflies and we love them very much, 507 is a pretty fun dude with a cool file, but I really do recommend just going in there blind, picking a Series (basically split up 0-999, 1000-1999 etc), finding a title that looks interesting, and then clicking on tags (eg: by classification of danger/escape levels, by classification of human/bug/creature/magic/psychological/etc/etc, by character tags) and clicking on the little links in each file that interest you.

Recommendations that I don't remember the number of but have a descriptor (or that are a story/incident report and not a specific scp): "Cousin Johnny" (ties to 3004), Agent Washington (minor character with 1 scp article and 1 tale but that tale is my favorite and I'm insane about it), "You Do Not Recognize the Bodies in the Water", "Laugh is Fun", "What Happened to Site 13", "The Tree That Hates You", "Duke Till Dawn", "Rock that Makes You Procrastinate", and, again, playing 'click the tag' and seeing where it gets you.

Fair warning that it's a horror project with thousands of users and participants, tens of thousands of assorted types of entries, and minimal cohesion across the concepts of 'time'. Some will have tws, some won't, I'm afraid the only comprehensive tw I can give for a lot of my recommendations is that I really lik body horror and Implications based horror.

Edit: Forgot about this bc i made the bubble when i was starting out in this fandom and maintined it well but don't like. don't live on the wiki. Lot of shit happened there and while I still love reading random articles a lot the mod system is mildly fucked and you're gonna want to stay away from Bright, Kaktus, and associated. I'll be honest and say the best way to engage that i've found is to read random articles and then go find trusted mutuals to be weird with bc it's a big enough thing that drama and scandals are about IRL events and issues and not just character beegs

Approaching @jinxjackie in a manner not unlike a villainous character from canadian afterschool specials that offers young impressionable teens the evil marijuana cigarette: You wanna read Pact???

[bonesbuckleup]

Do you have any advice on how to learn from writers you love? I've read a few books recently that are absolutely spell binding but not in a way I'm currently capable of mimicking. Do you think there's a way to pick out what it is we love and then practice it in our own stories?

Oh, bud. Oh, bud. OH, BUD. The way this ask has been making me positively rabid all day with wanting to answer it. Fun fact--this is a hill I have died on, am currently dying on, and will continue to die on for my entire existence.

Short answer: Yes. Yes, yes, a thousand times yes. What you're describing is the oldest model on earth for learning how to do any artistic undertaking: you look at what the masters are doing; you think that you would like to do that thing; you learn the rules; you replicate, replicate, replicate, replicate; once you've mastered the rules, you break those rules to create your own style. Painting, writing, musical instruments, woodworking...this is the most classic of classic ways to learn a craft.

Long answer: Number one, anyone doing anything remotely creative should listen to what Ira Glass has to say about the creative gap. I kept trying to type up an answer to this ask, and he says in 2 minutes what I was taking thousands of words to try and describe.

Under a cut! And I'm sorry, it's very rambley, but I really think I could teach an entire semester class based on this concept.

The thing is, the way you go about picking out what you love and figuring out how to do it yourself will vary widely depending on what you want to replicate in your work. Dialogue, general plotting, vibes, mood, setting, character...all of these have slightly different ways you can go about them. I could probably write a book on this topic. I tried to boil it down to a few ideas:

Identify what it is EXACTLY that is drawing you to that particular book, short story, writer, etc. There is no room here for "I don't know, I just love it!" It might be the overall mood of the story. It might be the way characters are depicted. It might be the way the writer puts a sentence together. It might be how they use really plain language and then just SMACK YOU IN THE FACE with a sudden lyrical sentence. It can be anything. It might be small, like a specific 3 lines of dialogue. It might be big, like the way the plot is put together. I had a professor who called this the "gravitational pull," which is a part of the story you are drawn to the most. There can be multiple of these in a single work, of course, but the important part is to be explicit and direct in pinpointing what they are.

Rip apart the thing you love. Violent? Yes. Necessary? Also yes. Once you've identified what it is that's your gravitational pull in a story (and it's okay if there's more than one, just work through them one at a time), it's time to figure out how they work. I tend to be fascinated by how plots fit together, the if-then of storytelling, so I end up spending a lot of time making outlines of other people's books. (Fun fact: using a classic three act structure, Twilight is an almost mathematically perfect plot). Figuring out how things work can take a while, depending on what aspect you're looking at. If it's a character arc, you might plot out the main scenes and shifts that character goes through, then identifying the specific moves the writer made to take them from Point A to B to C to D. If it's something like style, such as the way a sentence is phrased or the way the language works, write down your favorite bits and figure out what, exactly, it is that you like about them. What's the draw? How is it functioning as one piece in a whole?

(One warning for ripping apart the thing you love--once you start reading like this, it's really hard to turn it off. You'll be perpetually diagnosing and dissecting everything you read. It takes a really good book to make me not do this, but even then, once I realize my analytical brain was quiet for a while? It gets kicked into overdrive, because a book that makes Analytic Brain shut up is a really fucking good book, and I want to know what makes it tick. ANYWAY. Be warned.)

Read a metric fuckton. Read the kind of thing you would like to write. Read the opposite of the thing you would like to write. Read fiction and non-fiction and fanfiction, and figure out how they're similar or different and what the rules are for each. My favorite books all combine bits and bobs from different genres (Legendborn by Tracy Deonn is such a banger of a book, and it's basically if Arthurian Legend met Beloved by Toni Morrison and took place on a college campus which is a bizarre premise but it WORKS SO WELL).

Write "In the Style Of" Pieces. Another professor of mine had us read several stories by the same writer all in a row. We identified the things that made them That Writer's style. So, for instance, JD Salinger: he has short sentences, very plain language, tends to have a page break/vibe shift approximately halfway through his short fiction, and often has some kind of shift at the ending. I think. It's been 10+ years since I read one of his. THE POINT IS: we identified the things that made a JD Salinger short story a JD Salinger Short Story. We looked at them and figured out how they worked. Then our assignment was to write a JD Salinger Short Story using the themes and style ticks that he used. We also did this with Denis Johnson (lyrical prose about very un-lyrical situations), Flannery O'Connor (Catholicism and people being shady), Raymond Carver (a rant for another time lmao), and a few others who are escaping me.

Were my pieces anything like the greats? NOPE. Not at all. I definitely fell short. But! There were a few things I learned from each of them, including things I didn't want to do. I think knowing what you don't want to do in writing is almost more valuable than what you do want to do, but I'm getting off topic. By forcing myself to write in a style completely alien from my own, whether or not it was good writing, I started to figure out what my aesthetics are, what I want my voice/writing/style to look like, how I wanted to structure stories, and I learned that from taking bits and pieces from some of the masters. This is an exercise I still sometimes do: what would this story look like if Neil Gaiman wrote it? Leigh Bardugo? Karen Russell? Tamora Pierce? How is a story by CL Polk different than one by Kazuo Ishiguro or Douglas Adams or Cornelia Funke?

Steal Widely and Mercilessly. Fiction is stealing. Anyone who tells you differently is lying. I got into grad school with a story that boiled down to "what if Leonard McCoy was drafted into the Vietnam War and had to decide to dodge or not?" My grandma had a saying about babies--hope for a girl and love what you get--which is more or less the basis of a major character in the novel I'm finishing up. We all steal. We're all thieves. There's a difference between stealing and plagiarism, obviously, but like...I love the way Rory Power balances dialogue and action, and sometimes I read and use her stuff as a structure model. I used the plot breakdown of Hunger Games for that same novel I'm finishing up--it is nothing like HG, but the pacing was relevant, which is learning while running. Whenever I'm about to write a garden scene, I reread bits of Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman. Like. Steal. Do it. We all do. Fiction's a grab bag and we're all out here grasping at straws. We're not stealing things verbatim, because again, plagiarism, but like...you like Zuko from atla a lot? Cool, grab his general character and put him on a space ship. You think the concept of Bruce Wayne is fun? Neat, what's he look like on spring break and broke and named Carl? You heard someone say something truly unhinged on the bus? That happened to a friend of mine, and her book came out from Simon and Schuster a couple years ago and the unhinged thing is still in it.

Make writer friends. I don't necessarily mean accomplished writer friends, though that's fine too! But the most valuable writer relationships and critique partnerships are with people and who are on an even-ish level to your current writing status, whatever that is. Because sometimes it's really, really hard to articulate what you love about a thing that's working well, especially if you're new to this practice. However, it can be much easier to recognize what isn't working well. That's the true secret of writing critique: it's not always to make your writing better, but to teach you how to talk about what you like, don't like, is working, or isn't working in any particular piece of writing. Plus, then you have a buddy to commiserate with, and that's always a necessary component of writing.

Write a metric fuck ton. Once again, I reference Ira Glass on the creative gap. You churn through enough words, and eventually you look up and realize your words have gotten better. I know a bunch of writers, and you want to know the difference between the truly talented and "gifted" ones and the ones who hustle and grind? Over the years, the ones who work really fucking hard and put a bunch of words out (versus being precious and going after perfection) have published more widely and are producing more interesting, compelling work than the "talented" ones. Almost every time.

One final thing: the moments I hate my writing the most are almost always just before a level up occurs. It's like a boiling point. So those times you really, really hate everything you do? You might be close to a break through, so do not give up. Keep going.

And, actually, I lied. I'm going to end this with a few of my favorite books about writing. None of them I love 100% all the way through, but the all had bits and bobs that I've found useful in how to dissect stories and diagnose what you like or don't like about them:

Story Genius by Lisa Cron

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert (very woo woo but honestly a feel-good favorite)

Story by Robert McKee (A BRICK. Technically about screenwriting, but it's useful for classic structures like the 3 act, a hero's journey, etc)

Steering the Craft by Ursula K LeGuin (when I say that I would die for any word UKLG says about writing...ugh...love her.)

I hope something somewhere in this answered your question, and honestly, thank you for giving me an opening to scream about this specific thing, because it's one of my favorite rants to have.

[luckyladylily]

Story idea: Isekais all the way down.

Some poor idiot gets hit by a truck and gets isekaied. It’s a whole deal, meet the goddess, reincarnated as the destined hero, and all that stuff and its a really big deal as they set out in their new life!

Then a month later they get stabbed and are isekaied again. It happens again and again, getting murdered or dying by freak accidents or sucked into portals and dropped in some new world. Sometimes they stay only a few weeks, sometimes they live a decade before it happens again. The character is androgynous and of indeterminate gender and can fall into any role, even highly gendered ones, that the new world requires of them.

In the grand tradition of Isekais they become over powered, but specifically by picking up just a bit of power in each world they go to. In world 1 they pick up basic sorcery, world 2 they learn a bit of chi manipulation, in world 3 they get their signature soul bound sword that they can summon across realities. They start hacking all these different systems together for the ultimate jack of all trades skill set. One of the worlds is a romance visual novel type isekai in which they learn the power of love, and in the next world they learn to weaponize the power of love shonen protagonist style. Their power base gets more and more silly over time.

We also gotta have the isekai harem (though treated more like an isekai polycule because those are more fun than harems), which means reoccurring characters:

Harem member 1 is the god equivalent of working class, a minor goddess that has been assigned to keep track of the protagonist as they keep on moving through worlds. Apparently protagonist has a Destiny, which is why the universe wont just let them die. The goddess doesn’t know what it actually is but they are someone the high gods really want kept track of so she’s assigned to them 24/7. She’s the only one that can actually follow them world to world, but it can take her a long time to track them down.

Harem member 2 is some other dude that this same thing is happening to and they keep on running into each other in new worlds until one of them gets isekaied again. They usually end up on the opposite sides of whatever conflict is going on, one a demon lord and the other the hero, that sort of thing. Eternal rivals/respected enemies with undertones of attraction never acted on until one time they both get dropped into a romance anime as each other’s love interest and things get weird.

Harem member 3 is another minor goddess similarly assigned to the rival. The protagonist’s goddess and the rival’s goddess have history, and rival goddess is higher up on the social ladder than our working class nobody goddess. She starts out trying to seduce the protagonist simply to annoy her counterpart and things develop between all of them from there.

The rival and counterpart goddess don’t always show up.

Harem member 4 somehow exists in every world. Not exactly the same person, some details change like their gender or profession or even species, but their core personality remains intact every time. They are always noticeably them. Sometimes it is obvious, sometimes you have to look closer. These multiple versions do not share memories, but due to something like “soul resonance” they get impressions. Maybe they share experiences sometimes through dreams. Since the protagonist has met and become friends with so many different versions of this person they become friends very easily. Sort of like the time loop trope of loving the same person in every timeline and having to start from scratch every time. The personality of this individual is such that if/when they find out about this they find the fact of their repeated partnership romantic instead of being jealous over it.

Harem member 5 isn’t actually one person, but a rotating cast of new characters - the local love interest. There isn’t always a local love interest, but they virtually always have one or more people interested trying to be a local love interest.

There should also be villains. Most will be villains of the week unique to a single world, but some will be proper reoccurring villains (rival could technically count but he is more an anti hero).

[aristotles-denial]

i’m gonna make stupid atla modern au ✨hot takes ✨ that i put no thought into but will now defend with my life

aang has a beanie baby collection

yknow those stupid little buzzy insect toy robot things? hex bugs i think?? yeah azula sets them loose on zuko’s bed at night to fuck with him

zukka american pickers au WHEN?

katara owns multiple pairs of uhhhh. idk. galoshes. rain boots

katara and zuko go as sharkboy and lavagirl for halloween. or sokka and zuko, hell do i care

toph’s favorite movie is lilo & stitch. believe it or not she’s an elvis fan. i’ve decided that this makes complete sense yes

zuko is a diehard mcr fan, obviously 🙄😵‍💫😎

ty lee walks around in ballet slippers most of the time and everyone’s just really confused as to how she hasn’t killed her feet by now. they’re not even pointe shoes, just the thin ballet slippers

zukka storm chasers au WHEN?

mai = 80s goth

despite being one of the youngest of the friend group, aang starts driving a lotta them the second he gets his permit (not even his License). sokkas fine w it bc katara always takes their family’s car before he can call it. toph can’t drive bc she’s blind and got in too many fights with katara for giving her the wrong directions so she’s been exiled to aang’s car. zuko got caught speeding too often so driving w aang is “safer”. suki’s just there for fun :). katara drives yue and Sometimes suki to school

azula convinces zuko that there are scratch and sniff stickers on the bottom of the pool. he falls for it every time and keeps almost drowning

this one isn’t even stupid, it’s a Fact. modern au toph uses a cane !!

real story a couple weeks ago i had a couple friends over and one of my friends’ (let’s call him J) older brother (let’s call him R) came to pick J up but R & i are buddies so the four of us stood in my driveway at midnight while R very seriously told us about his “twin flame”. i was completely entranced. anyway R is yue and i’m sokka and my friends are katara & aang

aang and sokka have a youtube channel. there are a lotta parkour stunts on it. sometimes they get zuko to join but most of the time they just use him as an unwilling prop

after the hex bugs incident azula releases live bugs into zuko’s room

first time sokka even steps onto suki’s skateboard he immediately gets a concussion. this is based off of my brother & his very cool girlfriend

sokka once brought a rotisserie chicken into math class and started offering it to ppl. also based off of a true story

ty lee has light up skechers

if you ask katara for a piece of gum during class she pulls out several packs of different flavors for options

oh my GOD i forgot JET. jet also features on aang & sokka’s youtube channel sometimes bc they have an ongoing series of videos that is Just jet and zuko fighting

@greyj30 the freedom fighters have a minecraft server

yue sells her own handmade jewelry

jet wears the cringe deadpool shirts that say stuff like “i’m sorry, did i offend you?” bc hes a king like that

at my school we have the senior high tops and the senior cafe which are reserved eating areas for seniors and the senior cafe has a ping pong table and couches and all that. well anyway azula, mai, & ty lee have been sitting at the senior high tops & senior cafe since they were sophomores and everybody’s been too afraid to tell them to move (they sat there both as a power move And to annoy zuko, an actual senior)

Everyone goes all out during spirit week but no one goes as hard as suki. her back must hurt from carrying 70s Day. sokka gave her a run for her money on Dads on Vacation Day but then she pulled out the flip flops that have bottle openers on the bottom and he was done for

mai has a tamagotchi or whatever

the gaang walked to the local convenience store after school everyday until toph got them banned. no one knows what she did to get them banned tho

guys oh my god this got out of hand and became way too consistent

i’m forcing the american pickers au into this. zuko and sokka frequently go on road trips and check out yard sales and stuff like that. mostly to find cool weapons but sometimes sokka finds a cool little trinket or geeks out over an obscure invention or whatever and zuko’s just 🥰 iroh often tags along as well but zuko has to keep an eye on him to make sure he doesn’t buy the most unnecessary things

yknow what? storm chasers au as well. iroh made zuko start carpooling w/ aang bc zuko kept driving into storms to go yell at them

haru wears a different headband everyday to match his outfit

teo’s wheelchair has leds on the wheels. that’s a thing, right? anyway he and ty lee match

katara is in the school choir

going back to the carpool situation, smellerbee finally gets the car once jet graduates and continues on his legacy of absolutely BLASTING music and screaming at the top of her lungs while pulling out of the school parking lot. longshot loves his friends :) also yes this is abt me and my sister what abt it

sometimes azula takes mai’s tamagotchi and throws it at zuko just for the hell of it

guys idek what a tamagotchi is

katara’s handwriting is just *chef’s kiss*

haru’s on the football team idk i’ve just decided

haru tries to convince jet to join the basketball team simply bc he’s tall (and bc haru thinks it’d be hot) and it fails spectacularly. jet goes back to fencing

teo also features on sokka and aang’s channel. he and sokka have their own segment to explain the science behind different parkour tricks or to introduce different homemade inventions that will supposedly help said parkour tricks (they force zuko to test them out for them)

after that jet packs are no longer allowed on school property

katara & sokka team up to make posters for all the school’s clubs. she uses her beautiful handwriting and sokka provides fun lil drawings :D

she was a punk, she did ballet (suki & yue)

she was a goth, she did gymnastics (mai & ty lee)

he was an emo, he did parkour (zuko & sokka)

she was an environmental activist, he did cheerleading (katara & aang)

can i make it anymore obvious?

azula becomes class president after a lotta threats and bribery but is then surprisingly. a really good class president? what?? she has yue help w/ planning prom. katara is class treasurer

jet has a field day when smellerbee confesses her crush on toph to him

aang has a field day when toph confesses her crush on smellerbee to him

(it’s longshot who finally gets them together tho. king shit)

teo and longshot. jin and azula. boom everyone’s paired up bc it was bothering me that i had an uneven number

zuko works at iroh’s tea shop and Hates it of course. jin and jet make it slightly more tolerable. azula stops by to dunk on zuko w/ jet and to flirt with jin

mai never does her hw but still does well in school

yue and haru are besties i’ve decided. they try to convince sokka that haru’s headbands are actually like mood rings and change color w/ haru’s mood. ty lee weighs in and confirms that haru’s aura is totally a spring green today

“senior” prank but she does it every year of high school, toph gets her friends to help erect a statue of her in different spots in the school

[thebreakfastgenie]

17, 19, 21 for the writing asks :)

I save yours for last because I wanted to see what else I had done already before I picked for 21!

17) Do you have any wips that you can tell us about? What are you most excited for in you wip?

I have so many WIPs :) The main one is the oft-discussed Ghost AU. I've probably explained it enough, but just in case: Hawkeye is killed at battalion aid under circumstances that are roughly "what if Where There's a Will, There's a War happened in season 8?" and becomes a ghost, following the example of the ghost in Follies of the Living--Concerns of the Dead. Unable to move on, he haunts the 4077th, and watches everyone grieve for him and slowly move on with their lives. It features a lot of material from episodes but repurposed as well a some totally original events. It covers multiple perspectives; both Hawkeye and everyone else reacting to his death and the consequences. In theory this is my main project right now but I'm bad at actually getting writing done so it's taking a long time. It's outlined at 13 chapters. I've never finished a multi-chapter that's more than 6 (you won't find that one AO3, it's older), so this is quite an undertaking. Ghost AU has a working title but I'm not allowed to use it until I get more writing done. A couple other WIPs I'm excited about: The supposedly quick oneshot I started two and a half weeks ago as a quick exercise to get some momentum before I went back to Ghost AU, lol. Expect to see this one pretty soon! I'm not sure what exactly to say about it, except the document title is "sailing accident." GFA time loop! Hawkeye relives July 4th, 1953 over and over again, trying to make things come out right. I'm not sure how much I should say about this one at this time, but I'll take questions (can't promise I'll answer them satisfactorily) if anyone is interested. This is going to be a long single chapter and since it' more manageable than ghost AU, if I start really feeling it there is a chance it could show up first. I've had some bumps envisioning the prose on this one, but I can picture it and I'm in love with the concept. The BJ/Peg/Hawkeye fic. Yes, I don't normally ship it, but this story ate my brain. I can't say a whole lot about it without really giving it away, and I don't know when I'll get around to writing it, because it would also be multi-chapter. BJ, accompanied by 12-year-old Erin, drives to Maine hoping he will get there in time to bring Hawkeye back with them. Along the way, they visit other people from the 4077th and BJ tells Erin stories about all of them, also cluing the reader into what the last ten years have looked like for BJ, Peg, and Hawkeye. The plot is inspired by [redacted].

19) What is some random info you happen to have that you used in a fic?

Ugh I used so many of these up.... In the WIP I wrote most of during psych class in college, I had Josh complain that his throat hurt after being intubated. This is because no one warned me about this when I was thirteen and it hurt like a bitch and I was cranky about it.

21) Writers choice - pick any of these questions that you want to answer.

I choose:

8) Do you take inspiration from real life? If so how do you incorporate it into your fics?

I do, and I try to transform it beyond recognition. That's the fun, for me! Chianti was based on real life. I was carrying a bottle of chianti and it was icy, and I had this thought of what would happen if I slipped. (I didn't.) The scene where Josh and Toby clean up the glass is also based on a time I held a flashlight while someone swept up a shattered bottle in a parking lot, but it was unrelated to the chianti. There are other examples but that's what came to mind first!

[kiefbowl]

Do you have any book recommendations?

sure :)

House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende - a favorite of mine, I re-read probably once every 3 years since HS at this point. Isabel Allende is the niece of Salvador Allende, the democratically elected socialist leader of Chile that was removed from office by a US backed coup. A piece of Chilean/American history not oft taught to American students. Isabel wrote this novel about an aristocratic family leading up to the coup. It does detail sexual assault and rape, but the story is focused on multiple generations of women.

The Second Shift by Arlie Russell Hochschild - A book I had to read in college for a sociology class that was called "Psychology and Marriage" or something to that nature. That class and this book specifically were instrumental in leading me towards radical feminism (despite neither being about it). Sociology books on gender are a great way to put your feminist framework to work, and should not be overlooked as important texts to feminism. This book is an engaging read about the labor of housework, written in chapters detailing the lives of specific families.

Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth - I just finished this so it's on my mind, very quick read and engaging read. The tv show is based on this memoir, and on her following two memoirs as well which I have yet to read. There is a spiritual/religious bent to it that might be off putting, and Jenny does write at times in some strikingly sexist and tone-deft language that is shocking to find considering the subject matter, but it's no more so than what you would find from an average woman I suppose. What's more important is that it's her account of her times as a midwife in Poplar in the 50s, aiding extremely poor women through their numerous pregnancies in her own words. Very eye opening to the reality of post-war poverty in the UK, as well as the reality of obstetrics pre so many of our now common modern-day medical advances.

Why does he do that? by Lundy Bancroft - Some books are worth the over-recommendation. This book has been instrumental for me in navigating my life with the relationships of men I have, not just purely sexual and romantic, but in friendship, work, and community. Recognizing patterns of male dominance and entitlement is an essential tool to survive. It also has helped me navigate my relationship with my mother, who can at times be selfish and manipulative. There are posts floating about detailing accusations made against Bancroft that I would not be able to find without some serious digging, but yes Bancroft is a man (some women don't know this). He has an extensive career working with abusive men and their victims, so he has incredible insight and yet also has been accused himself entitled to women. This has, in my opinion, brought a deeper understanding of his words in that he might think he is detailing the minds of the abusive man, I see him as detailing the minds of men who will abuse their power over women. In any case, I have recently been re-reading it at leisure.

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster - This book has been high in my mind the past few months as the author passed away in March. What a lovely children's book, delightful exploration of the English language in fun and magical ways. I had a teacher read this book out loud to us at the end of each day in either 2nd or 3rd grade and it's been a favorite ever since. It's a little long for a children's book, and the adventures are repetitive to some degree, so it might be hard for an adult to want to read through the whole thing as their go to book, but flipping through it now and again is delightful. If you have an 7-10 year old kid in your life, it's a fun thing to share with them.

Wise Child by Monica Furlong - Maybe there's something to analyze about me that I'm recommending two children's books...but I'll let that be my problem. I read this a few years ago as my train-commute book. For some reason, I've been thinking about it a lot lately and want to pick it up again. It's about a witch and her child apprentice in a Scottish village. That's it. But the imagery was very cool and I love magic and witches so it was my jam. I picked it up for free in a neighborhood "little free library" so maybe my heart just goes to it for being given away despite it being a cute book about a female relationship.

The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett - This book comes recommended to me by my boyfriend's mom, who I adore and who is an amazing, hilarious, thoughtful woman, and is the book I'm about to start since I literally just finished reading Call the Midwife last night. It's a long, meaty historical novel about building a cathedral. So if you're interested in reading a book along with me in spirit, especially ones recommended by an amazing older woman, especially if you like giant novels that are hard to carry around dense with details about architecture and the lives of peasant and noble people living in Kingsbridge England in 1123-1174, then girlfriend hop on with me and let's make this monumental smash hit suddenly start trending with 20-30 something feminist women on tumblr this summer for no discernible reason.

Around the Corner by Jeremy J. Majewski - I haven't read this, I'm only recommending it because someone I know wrote it and I want to support the people in my life :) It's a fantasy novel and it might not even be good but it's self published and I bought a copy because I think writing a book and self publishing is a feat worth celebrating. AND! It might be very very good, I just haven't gotten to it yet. :) So if you want to support independent authors that I know, please buy this book for under $10.

[purple-compromise]

Okay, I've been wanting to ask this for a while now, but it was only today that I dug myself out of a non-tf2-induced-creativity rut, so I'm finally returning to my TF2 fanfiction to entirely revamp it. But there is one eeny-teeny lil' thing that has been driving me absolute bananas. THE RESPAWN LORE???? OR LORE IN GENERAL????

How did you decide what to use and what to toss out in 'This is Where We Are Now'??? I'm so confused. How should the respawn even work in my fanfiction? Should there be a respawn at all? Is there any explanation to why the teams are clones?

Please, kindly bestow upon me your creative process and reasoning purplecompromise. 🙏I legit have no clue what to do.

All right--BUCKLE UP, MY FRIEND, WE'RE ABOUT TO WALK THROUGH THE PROCESS, AND IT'S KIND OF A HEFTY ONE.

Number one, I need to remind you and absolutely insist that this is your work of fiction, and it must be whatever you want, first and foremost!

Now, I will tell you how I approached my own fic, and hopefully that will give you some direction to discover just what it is that you want. As a heads-up, I'm going to be skipping the oc development portion since that doesn't sound like something you're looking for, but if you or anybody else is curious, I answered that here for class development and here for characterization a while back.

When I started TiWWaN, I asked myself one big question:

What kind of fic am I trying to write?

While I knew up-front that this was going to be a self-indulgent fic, I knew also that there were some serious themes that interested me which would be integral to the characters and plot. I had read the comics and seen the "Meet the Team" videos long before deciding to write the fic, so I had a good grasp on the available lore and overarching storyline going in. There were many things about the world that I thought were interesting and went either unexplored or simply unexplained, like respawn and the implications of actually dying multiple times a day and coming back to life. All of these things are more suited for a fic with a serious tone.

I decided I wanted a serious story, for sure. Then, I asked:

How would my personal style translate to a canon as zany as TF2?

The answer I came up with was: "uhh not very well." I was afraid I wouldn't be able to imitate the mile-a-minute, fun, humorous, almost nonsensical vibe of the original canon, and, having already decided on a serious story, chose not to try. Instead, I asked another question:

How can I translate TF2 into my own style?

The answer was to contextualize it within its very particular time period--the late 1960s and early 1970s--in a more grounded and realistic fashion than canon tends to provide. I loved that this was the setting for the comics, and it was one of the things I felt was underexplored... that era in USA and World history is WILD, and nearly every character in the main cast, based on their age, was directly affected by WWII only three decades earlier. You can feel that wildness in the general tone of the TF2 world, but the weight of it is only felt in certain scenes (Heavy's backstory with the gulag, for example).

After that, it was all about digging up everything from the canon lore I could alter slightly to fit a style more grounded in actual history and "realism." I put realism in quotes because this is still very much the TF2 universe, and it was important to me to keep that integrity... otherwise, the fic would just be AU, almost unrecognizable from the source material. In TiWWaN, respawn is an integral part of the plot, Australia is still a formidable world power because of Australium, and magic definitely exists a la Merasmus and Demoman. But, at the same time, you'll find serious references to the Vietnam war, Red Scare, and lingering effects of WWII on Medic and Spy. But, ultimately, the bottom line is:

I picked and chose what suited my interests, what fit best with the story I was trying to tell.

I looked at respawn and decided on how it works based on what made sense to me: a little DNA sample, a bit of fudged medicine, some hand-wavy science, a dash of Australium, and probably magic. I put in just enough actual medical/scientific thought while refusing to fully explain the process that it seems passable. And I get away with not fully explaining because the character through whom we're experiencing the story doesn't understand the explanation being given beyond one or two key details.

On the clone front, I did essentially the same thing: for my story, it didn't make sense for the other team to be actual clones. It would just muck up my storytelling, so I did some more handwaving... I decided that the other team is a separate group of individuals with copycat styles and skills who appear to be exactly the same as the home team during matches. And the characters don't know why, so I don't actually have to explain it! I let a couple characters throw out some theories and, more likely than not, readers will latch onto one, or, better yet, have fun coming up with their own!

A nice thing to remember is that your readers are here expecting to suspend disbelief. They'll have fun theorizing with things like respawn or the ubercharge, but at the end of the day:

It doesn't matter how these things work on a "realistic" level aside from how they affect the characters.

Respawn becomes believable because of the way the characters react to it, how they feel, and how they interact where respawn is concerned. The science isn't important. The inner workings aren't important. What's important is your characters and how they are feeling, what they are doing.

So, that means...... it's up to you. It's whatever you want. You don't have to explain the science; you can just have fun. If your style is quick and zany, you can save your focus for the jokes and the chemistry between characters the way canon does. If you're like me and lean toward a more novel-like, serious style, you can focus on how the historical context informs the characters, on the things that might make them complex and varied individuals beyond what we see in canon--and one of those things might be the fact that the other team is comprised of clones, or perhaps the relationship they have to respawn.

Think about the story you want to tell, and then have a nice, long look at canon. Pull the things that will work well for your story. Nudge the ones you think should be changed into a more useable form, or, don't change them at all. It all depends on what you're here to do.

I hope that helps! Please feel free to drop by again if you'd like me to explain something better or if you have other questions.

[yuexuan]

Fiction recommendation 21

Time for some more fic recs because its been awhile since I did them!

1. 幻想农场 (Fantasy Farm)

Author: 西子绪

Farming/slice of life, food fic, supernatural, mythology

Summary [taken from novel updates]:

After being fired, Lu Qingjiu finally decided to return to his hometown to farm.

At first, he started raising a pig, and then he found that the pig could solve more high-level math questions than he could.

After that, he started raising a flock of chickens, and then he found that his own fighting ability was one-tenth of that of a single chicken.

Finally, Lu Qingjiu finally realised that this old home wasn’t quite right… Especially a certain person by his side who constantly stared at him day in and day out.

Lu Qingjiu: “Are you drooling because of the spicy stir-fry I’m holding or because of me?”

Bai Yuehu pointed at the stir-fry.

Lu Qingjiu: “Then can you let go??”

Bai Yuehu reluctantly glanced at Lu Qingjiu’s arm, before loosening his teeth.

Comments:

My first thought is: don’t read this fic when you’re hungry. Every chapter is filled with delicious descriptions of food that’ll make one’s mouth water. The novel makes a lot of references to creatures from the Classics of the Mountains and Seas, which is a delight to learn about. An easy-to-read, fun novel. 

Novel | Novel [Eng] Translation 

2. 全球高考 (Global Examination)

Author: 木苏里

Infinite flow, suspense, action

Summary [taken from novel updates]:

One day, You Huo and his famiIy was puIIed into an exam caIIed the GIobaI University Entrance Examination. Going through exams together with other unfortunate examinees, their Iives are put at stake and they can only Iive by passing each exam. However, something about these exams and the system controIIing it didn’t seem right — lt seemed to be trying to trap the examinees with ridiculous ruIes and strange questions…

There, You Huo meets lnvigiIator 001 who seems to hoId a key to the past he no Ionger remembered and, together, they go through the exam, unravelling the mysteries behind their past and the system.

Tldr: A pair of chaotic madmen work together to go against the examination system while feeding the readers dogfood.

Comments:

I admit that I didn’t like the story when I first started reading it. But as the story progresses, the rules of the examination fall into place and the different examinations got very challenging and interesting. The whole power couple and stranger-to-lover tropes are an added highlight. 

Novel | Novel [Eng] Translation | Audio drama | Manhua

3. 全球上线 (Earth Online)

Author: 莫晨欢

Infinite flow, suspense, survival, action

Summary:

Six months ago, tens of thousands of huge towers appeared all over the world, floating over cities. No one could do anything about them.

Half a year later, people are used to the towers and learned to ignore them.

One day Tang Mo saw a bug fly towards one of the towers and hit it.

The next day, a child's voice announced to the entire world: Ding dong! 15th November, 2017, the earth went online.

   The three iron rules of the towers:    (1) The towers shall explain everything.    (2) The game time starts from 6:00 - 18:00.    (3) All players please try their best to attack and defeat the towers.

Comments:

Another suspenseful infinite flow stories. I love the smart power couple dynamic, how the two of them become powerful when they collaborate, but are also equally capable of defeating the towers’ levels by themselves. Moreover, all the characters don’t have your typical “oh let me be a hero and save everyone” complex. They all weighed the benefits and costs at each turn and are capable of making decisions that best maximize their chances of survival - whether that is ruthlessly killing other players or extending a saving hand. All the powers and items that the players received and the world-building are very unique (especially Tang Mo’s and his book haha). This one is gonna challenge your brain a bit, but definitely worth a read. 

Novel | Novel [Eng] Translation 

4. 不要在垃圾桶里捡男朋友 (Don’t pick up boyfriends from the trash bin)

Author: 骑鲸南去

Infinite flow, transmigration

Summary [from novel updates]:

Chi Xiaochi: fourth-rate citizen at birth, three-time award-winning film emperor, second-rate temper, first-class looks. He crawled his way out of hell on hard mode to become a winner at life.

Then, he was smashed into a vegetative state by a chandelier.

061: Hello, here’s a brief rundown on the scum gong reconditioning system. This system measures the regret level of the scum gong. Every time their regret level reaches one hundred points, you will be able to leave the current world. A friendly tip, usually, through dedication and self-sacrifice, our employees slowly foster a sense of dependency in the scum gongs, gradually making it so the scum gongs can’t live without them.

Chi Xiaochi: How many regret points is a complete loss of reputation and standing worth? How about a fall from grace? Or wanting something but never being able to obtain it?

061: ……

Comment:

Don’t let the title fool you. I entered the novel thinking it’s some meet-cute modern-day slice-of-life comedy, but it turns out to have some really good angst and adventure moments in there. Heck, it’s been awhile since I cried for a novel. :’) 

There are ten arcs (i.e. worlds) that the protagonist enters, each with its own backstory, so this novel might feel longer than the usual danmei. Nevertheless, I enjoyed all the details placed into each world and all the side characters. I also like that the protagonist is very smart and cunning and he grows throughout the different worlds. The only con I’ll say to this is that everything proceeds a bit too smoothly, especially with the golden finger of 061, so the protagonist can come off as being too OP. Nevertheless, the ending and last world are just huge tear-jerkers. 

Novel | Novel [Eng] Translation

5. 迪奥先生 (Mr. Dior)

Author: 绿野千鹤

Comedy, fluff, romance 

Summary [from novel updates]:

One day, Zhang Chenfei met a car accident. Fortunately, he didn’t suffer any serious physical injuries. However, due to the impact of the car crash, his brain’s perception of the real world had turned into that of the novel that he was reading prior to the accident. The thing that horrified his wife, Jiao Qi, was… the Smart Brain, Louis XIII downloaded a series of books which meant that his husband would turn into a different character each time!

How will our adorable little wife deal with this kind of husband who seemed to suddenly suffer from multiple personalities?

This novel’s plot focuses on Zhang Chenfei’s changing personality based from the characters in the books, and how his wife, Jiao Qi, deal with every character as he will have to act in sync with whoever his husband’s character is. This is per the advise of the private doctor since treatment of this special condition was still under research.

As they act out their roles, they will gradually discover and learn more about the other, which they’ve never known in their seven years of living together.

Comment:

The amount of second-hand embarrassment and cringe I got from this novel is huge and I love it lol. If you are curious about how cheesy and cliche Chinese romance can get, please do try reading this. It includes some of the worst and most dog blood tropes in a comedic and satirical way, while advancing the main pairing’s relationship at the same time. Truly a fun read!

Novel | Novel [Eng] Translation | Manhua

Other quick links:

Fic tag guide

My previous recommendations (mostly danmei + fanfics)

List of novels/fics that I have already read

[prydon]

hey so feel free to ignore this, but i was wondering if you had any advice for newish writers? for context, i’ve only written a couple like 2,000-ish word things, but i’m taking on writing a script for a big project of mine, and i’m not sure how to go about it?

how much do you plan ahead before you start writing? do you have an in depth outline with every plot point or do you just have a broad overview and see where it takes you?

ohhh that's a tough question.... i've never had any formal writing instruction (outside of english classes in school) so most of my ability just comes from having been reading and writing a lot my whole life just for fun haha, which is great and all but makes it hard to think of advice beyond just "do it a lot".

though i do also recommend reading, i swear i got 50% better at writing by accident just because i got back into reading and subconsciously picked up on stuff i liked or didn't like in the books i was consuming. especially when it comes to writing a script, i'm sure reading other work in that format would be helpful.

as for planning... it does depend on the story, but my outlines tend to just basically be a chronological bullet point list of everything i've thought of for the story, especially the major beats.

i try to at least have a plan for what every scene is going to be before i start writing a one shot or a chapter, even if that plan is just a single line, and then i tend to flesh out the outline as i think of more things. i don't think there's anything wrong with not having a 100% finished outline before you start writing the story. write down the base ideas, then flesh them out as you keep writing/thinking of things.

idk if you've read my childhood friends fic constellations, but it's the only one i have an outline on hand for lol (because i delete my outlines after i finish writing a story, alas) so here's an example of my outline from ch6 of constellations:

so yeah, not very professional but gets the job done :"D

i guess something that's notable is that i tend to write the *purpose* of a scene in my outlines. like, going into writing this chapter, i didn't plan "okay so a bunch of chorus girls are gonna see peter and start whispering about how they don't recognize him, then go up and ask his name/who he is bc they have a crush, and he'll get nervous thus prompting annie to step in and tell them he's her brother". i wrote "annie calls nureyev her brother". because the lead up to that didn't really matter and could have happened any way that i came up with while writing, the base POINT of the scene was to establish how annie now sees their relationship and that peter knows she sees it that way. that was what was important to me to have planned.

and i do think every scene should have a purpose! that's something i've learned over time. even with longform stuff, every single scene should serve a purpose to the narrative, even if that purpose is just to show character development or to give the audience a breather/a false sense of security before an intense moment. often they can serve multiple purposes! something really fun to do is trick the readers by including a moment that they think is only relevant on an emotional level, but--surprise!--is gonna be relevant on a plot level later. if you just shove a chekhov's gun into a scene, people are gonna be like "what's that doing there" and expect it to come into play later, but if you disguise it as just being for the purpose of character development then they might not notice it. 

in general: set up and pay off good. if you set something up, you should probably pay it off. if you make a big moment happen, you have to have set it up. i know that seems simple but it's something that took me an embarrassingly long time to learn as a writer lol, and it's important for both big plot stuff and little character stuff.

themes are good. parallels are good. motifs are good. is there a way you can connect a scene at the end of the story to one at the beginning? have a character repeat the same thing they did in scene 1 but this time it takes on a different, deeper meaning. have a character be unable to catch their friend before they fall off a garden wall while playing in scene 2 that's passed off as a silly moment, then have them be unable to catch said friend again in scene 19 but this time their friend is falling from a radio tower. do it. be evil. people will be like "OHHH SHIT" and have the entire first section of the story be recontextualized for them upon reread.

uhhh what else... voices?? especially for a script, since they're dialogue-only, giving each character a unique voice is super important. i have it easy with this bc i usually only write fic and the characters in TPP have super unique voices to begin with that i can just copy, but i still think it's v important. if you can change which character says a line without changing the line at all and it still sounds right/in character for them, their voices probably aren't unique enough. that's not to say that every character should talk like a cartoon or smth, but i think it's helpful for them to each have their own recognizable vibe. (and a good shorthand for this can be changing how each character refers to others--by first name, by last name, by nicknames, with mocking endearments or with honorifics?)

that's pretty much all i can think of rn and i'm not sure any of it is useful at all but there you go aisfhuiasfh. and tbh i just appreciate that you respect my opinion enough on this subject to reach out haha!

[voiceswithoutlips]

Sugar - Chapter One

— pairing: Jimin x Reader — genre: College AU, Smut, Fluff, Minor Angst — word count: 2.7K — warnings: none yet 

Click for Tag List

— chapter summary:

Its a normal day for Y/N, homework, lectures, club meetings and smack in the middle of it lands a hot boy, can Y/N resist him?

— A/N: This is my first time writing smut so I’d really love some feedback <3

“...what you need is some hardcore de-stressing,” Donna whispered in the middle of the lecture. “The kind where you are on your knees and …” 

I elbowed her in the ribs before she could continue. Sure I was a little stressed, maybe more than a little but I wasn’t going to have some ‘hardcore destressing’. I stayed as far away from any kind of relationships as possible, even casual ones that came with certain ‘benefits’. Why? Because I didn’t want to fall into a pit of despair again. My last relationship blew up like a balloon with too much helium. It took a really long time for me to pull myself out of depression. So no more relationships, no more men or women. I was going to prioritize my sanity and focus on my studies. At least that’s what I told myself.

“Seriously Donna, I don’t need any kind of de-stressing, I’m fine,” I whispered back. Professor Cameron was talking about Paradise Lost today. He had the unique ability to turn every exciting story into a boring ramble. Something I learned on my first day when he taught Shakespeare as if he was reciting his grocery list. I bet even his grocery list was more exciting. 

“Just come with me to the cafe, there's this new barista ...mmm the muscles on that guy. I wouldn’t mind having him with some cream,” she said, licking her lips. 

“Eww Donna, keep your dirty mind to yourself,” I shook my head. Donna was the kind of person who enjoyed life to the fullest. She ate when she was hungry, drank when she was stressed and fucked when she was horny. I always envied her simplicity. I grew up learning control, you plan, you strategize and then you make a move. That’s what my parents taught me. I never did anything spontaneous, caution was my base nature. 

“...Ms. Y/N do you have something to share with the rest of us?” Professor Cameron was staring daggers at me.

“Uh ..no Professor,” I said sheepishly as everyone in class stared at me. The rest of the class was uneventful, Professor Cameron went on and on with a few sarcastic remarks here and there about ‘undisciplined students’. I swear to god the man was a dinosaur, if it were up to him we’d be using slate and chalk to take notes. 

“Thanks for that,” I said as Donna and I collected our bags and left the building. 

“Come on, I’ll buy you a coffee to show you how very sorry I am,” her tone was solemn but her eyes held mischief. 

“Pfft, you only want to go there to ogle at the hot barista,” 

“He is sooo hot. He is a second year dance major, he just transferred here. Man, the way he moves …” Donna was almost drooling. 

“Not my type,” I said dismissively. There was something about muscular guys that put me off. Donna loved guys with big muscles, she loved Jocks. Personally I never saw the appeal, I liked my men on the softer side. 

“Oh honey, he’s totally your type,” Donna scoffed as we entered the cafe. It wasn’t far from the main building so it was always full of students drinking their sixth coffee of the day so they could stay awake in their next lecture. We were no different, after Cameron’s class I desperately needed a ‘pick me up’ or I’d be too sleepy to assist Professor Min in the next lecture.

The first thing I saw as I entered the cafe was a bunch of girls making heart eyes at the new barista. He wasn’t much taller than I was and man was he hot. Donna was right, he was totally my type. He was muscular but not in a jock kind of way, he reminded me of a panther. He was lithe, his every movement was graceful as if choreographed. His mouth was feminine, plump lips that made me wonder what it’d be like to bite into them. His eyes slightly unfocused as if he was daydreaming about something intense. I wondered what it’d be like to put his tiny wait in a corset. 

“Fuck,” the word left my mouth. I knew I was done for. Just looking at him made me hot. 

I made my way to one of the corner tables, leaving Donna to get our coffee. Dumping a bunch of books on the table I started working on my assignments. I was determined not to get anywhere near that barista. I had a feeling I wouldn’t be able to resist him. He was totally my type. Destiny was determined to torture me. 

“This is my friend Y/N! She’s our resident assistant,” I heard Donna and I lifted my head. My heart stopped. He was standing there, beside Donna, looking at me like I was the sweetest candy in the world. 

“Y/N this is Park Jimin, he is moving to our dorm today, can you believe it?!!” I could not. Dear universe, stop torturing me.

“Nice to meet you,” he said offering his hand. His voice was just like the rest of him, a mixture of delicate and sexy. 

“Let me know if you need any help,” I said, taking his hand like the good RA that I was. Instead of shaking it, he lifted my hands to lips, sending electricity right down to my core. 

“I’m sure I’ll need a lot of help,” I didn’t even realize I was holding my breath until he smirked at me. 

I quickly took back my hand. That man was doing things to me. I hadn’t gotten laid since I broke up with Dan months ago, my body was screaming at me. There was just something about Park Jimin that made you want to ride him till he begged for mercy. The thought made me incredibly horny. 

Donna was practically bouncing in her seat. She had informed me multiple times that Jimin was staring at me from behind the counter. I just couldn’t make myself turn my head to confirm it, I didn’t want to confirm it. That’d be a terrible idea. He was bringing down my walls like a stick of dynamite and I’d only met him an hour ago. I had to stick to my resolve. 

I sipped on coffee as dark as my soul. Donna always made a face whenever we went out. She had a sweet tooth, I hated sugar. Anything sweet was bound to make me nauseous. The only sweet food that I could tolerate was ice cream. Even on my birthday I only ate two bites of the cake before I tapped out, sugar just wasn’t my thing. 

“So, what do you do for fun around here,” Jimin said, slipping in the chair beside me. He had taken off his apron. He was wearing a pink turtleneck that hugged his body and tight black jeans that left nothing to the imagination. I was surprised to see him in boots with two inch heels. Dan would’ve scoffed at him for wearing them. 

I was hot as a furnace and wet. I was practically leaking, I thanked all the higher powers out there for giving me the brains to wear jeans instead of a skirt. I was two hundred percent sure that he could smell my arousal. The only saving grace that I had was that none of it showed on my face. 

“Depends on your definition of fun,” I said as I watched him pour 4 packets of sugar in his coffee, eww.

“Do you like movies? You can join our movie club!” Donna said with puppy eyes.

“Are you in the movie club Y/N?” Jimin asked. I almost didn’t hear him, I was too busy staring at hands as he stirred his coffee. He had the cutest pinkie in the world. 

“Pfft, she’s the club president and the RA and she’s also Professor Min’s teaching assistant. Y/N is like super smart,” Donna bragged. I could see the excitement on Donna’s face. This wasn’t the first time she’d tried to set me up with a guy. I knew all her tactics. It started with bragging and then swiftly escalated to Donna setting up dates. I never went to those dates. I wondered if I would go if it was Jimin.

“It’s not that big of a deal,” I mumbled. I was never good with compliments.

“You must be so busy, doesn’t your boyfriend mind?” Jimin asked with a curious look. 

“I don’t have a boyfriend,” I knew what he was getting at.

“Good to know,” he smiled. He was cute when he smiled. I mentally kicked myself for staring, in my defense he was gorgeous. 

“I should go, I can’t be late for Professor Min’s lecture. He’s really strict,” I apologized as I gathered my stuff. It was true, Professor Min was known for his no-nonsense attitude but that wasn’t the only reason. I desperately needed some release. “It was really nice meeting you Jimin, see you at the dorm I guess,” I gave him a smile and before he could reply practically ran out of the cafe.

I woke up this morning thinking about my thesis, not even in my wildest dreams did I expect a Park Jimin to land right in the middle of it. He was the embodiment of my desires. Just looking at him made me horny, which was very uncharacteristic for me. I was a romantic, I wanted to fall in love and go on silly dates. The first time I had sex with Dan was two months after we started dating. I was the kind of person to take it slow. I’ve never even had a one night stand. 

“This is so uncalled for,” I mumbled to no one in particular. I quickly made my way to the women’s locker, thankfully it was empty. I locked myself in one of the stalls, put one foot on the toilet and unceremoniously stuffed my hand in my pants. I sighed as my fingers touched my nub, finally! I rubbed myself in rough circles, pressing down hard. I was biting my lips to stop the moans that threatened to burst out. 

I imagined what it’d be like to have Jimin’s fingers inside me, what it’d be like to have him lick the slick off of my dripping pussy. I wondered how his dick would feel stuffed in my folds, it definitely belonged there. Would he slowly make love to me or would he fuck me like some animal in heat? 

My pussy was clenching on nothing, I desperately needed something inside me. But the downside of wearing skinny jeans is that there’s not much room to maneuver down there and I didn’t want to take off my pants on the dirty bathroom floor. I had to settle with rubbing my clit as if my life depended on it. 

I imagined Jimin's beautiful mouth wet with my juices as he looked up at me from the floor, my hands in his hair, holding him there, on his knees. I was so close...

“Y/N you there?” I almost jumped out of my skin. It was Donna, how the fuck did she find me?

“Yeah,” I said, my voice was breathy. I reluctantly took my hand out of my pants and adjusted my clothes. 

“Come on, we’re going to be late for Professor Min’s lecture!” I followed her out. My face was flushed with embarrassment. I was annoyed at Donna, I was so close... I screamed internally, this day just kept getting worse. 

After the lectures were over Donna had dragged me around the campus in search of Professor Cameron because she forgot to log her attendance. And then there was the student council meeting that ended with us having a mini party to celebrate the start of the semester. To conclude, I didn’t get a chance to do anything about the wetness in my panties. I was still hot, horny and absolutely frustrated. 

“Come on in Y/N,” our dorm supervisor said as I knocked on his door. “We have a new student who needs a buddy, I hope you won’t mind,” he said as soon as I entered. 

I internally sighed. There he was, Park Jimin, in all his delicious glory, standing in front of the desk. He gave me a smile as our eyes met. I quickly looked away, I felt guilty, just hours ago I had imagined him doing things to me as I played with myself. If he ever found out what I did, he’d think of me as some creep. 

“Of course not, welcome to Drake Hall Jimin!” I tried to sound welcoming but I was still horny and my state was only getting worse the more I looked at him. 

“Excellent, it's settled then! Y/N why don’t you show him the dorm,” yep, sure, why not. It’s not like I wanted to jump him then and there, rip his clothes off and ride him like a friggin pogo stick. 

It was well past midnight and I was all alone in the study room. I had given Jimin the standard dorm tour and then left him at his room, telling him to call me if he needed anything. I was his buddy after all. I groaned internally. It was like a meteor had hit my safe little planet and now it burned my body like never before. 

I slowly slid my hand down to the crotch of my cotton shorts and cupped myself, slightly humping into my hand. The feeling made me gasp but it wasn’t enough. I tugged the fabric to a side, revealing my pussy to the room. Nope, I wasn’t wearing any panties.  “Fuck you Park Jimin,” I gasped as I slid two fingers in easily, I was ready for a dick but my fingers would have to suffice. I slowly fucked myself, moving my hips to meet my fingers, trying my best not to make a sound. 

“Need some help?” a voice whispered in my ear. I squeaked and tried to get up but he pushed me down on the chair. “So you want to fuck me?” I could hear the smirk in Jimin’s voice. 

“Dream on loverboy,” I whispered back. His hand trailed down my arm and he cupped me over my hand. He buried his face in my neck, licking and biting until he heard my moan. He chuckled. 

“Tell me, were you imagining what my dick would feel like in this pussy?” he said as he slipped a finger into me. “What it’d be like to be fucked senseless?” another finger. “To be fucked so hard that it’d be impossible for you to walk the next day,” third finger. His voice was breathy, sending vibrations through my body. He refused to move his fingers.

“Stop teasing,” I said through gritted teeth as I forced myself not to hump on his fingers like a bitch in heat. 

“So eager, so wet for me,” he bit down on my neck as he finally started moving his fingers at a maddeningly slow pace. He licked and bit, leaving a trail of purple bruises. I desperately wanted to touch my breasts but he trapped my hands in his other hand. Not allowing me to touch myself.

“Faster,” I commanded.

“No,” he chuckled. Why was he so frustrating? 

“Please ..” I whined.

“Please what?”

“Please make me cum on your goddamn fingers,” I begged.

“As you wish,” he earnestly started fucking me with his fingers. The room was filled with unholy squelching sounds. I couldn’t move my hands, he was holding them too tight. I couldn’t kiss him because he refused to leave me neck, the only thing I could do was gasp and moan. 

I could feel the pressure building in my abdomen as he fucked my mercilessly. He curled his fingers and I came undone. My orgasm exploded through me, literally, I squirted all over his fingers. He kept going, helping me ride out the pleasure. Finally he withdrew his fingers and patted my crotch as I went limp in the chair, all blissed out.

“Good night princess,” he lightly kissed me on the cheek and left.