#the temptation is definitely there

[wayfaringellie]

a little songv drabble in case y'all were getting hungry again... (i'd love comments in exchange for the goods and services :3)

From time to time I like to imagine a little convo between V and Song Mi during a quiet moment that goes something like this. When it's most peaceful. They could be eating dinner, sitting around a fire. Watching a movie together at night. It begins with So Mi fixing her gaze on V and of course V senses it, feels it along with the rapid beating of her heart.

"What are you looking at me like that for?" "Like what?" "Like... like, I dunno. Somethin' cheesy like I put the stars in the sky or somethin'."

So Mi laughed a bit then murmured, "I don't know how else to look at you." V exhaled through her nose and stared at her but didn't reply. "Whether you want to accept it or not, you've got a big heart, V. Don't let anything or anyone take that from you."

"Think you've got me mixed up with someone else."

"No, seriously. You do. Who else would have done what you did for me?"

So Mi couldn't be sure but V's eyes appeared to glisten during their conversation and it seemed to take more effort for the merc's composure to remained rooted in place. The cool mask of stoicism would slip, revealing the softest of smiles left to replace it along with blue-gray eyes that watered slightly but tears refused to breach. The netrunner couldn't help but feel a sense of giddiness, of pride, when she saw it—that softer side of V, the one that could bleed and be vulnerable. The one who sent her to the stars so she could be free.

Poke long enough, you could drill a hole... So Mi thought.

A blanket of calm had fallen over them. A delicate, near-inaudible whisper of, "... I missed you, y'know," then V's throat bobbed as she swallowed the thick lump there that never quite went away. The one made of grief and apprehension.

With anyone else V would have stumbled over those words or just avoided saying them altogether. She was never any good with that sorta thing: being open and emotional. Actions always spoke louder, after all; and sometimes they screamed or they pleaded. What came next was an affirming combination of both words and action but from So Mi this time. As the older woman shifted closer, V turned her body towards So Mi almost out of instinct (physicality was something that did come easy for her) and welcomed the arms that wrapped securely around her shoulders.

Hands came up to gently hold onto one of those arms and it was when their cheeks pressed together that V heaved a soft sigh. When it became apparent that So Mi intended to hold her for a while, the merc was as good as mush in her embrace and she cutely rubbed her cheek against her companion's. "Missed ya too, V. I really did." From their contact, V could feel the smile that tugged at the corners of So Mi's mouth and she decided 'ah, fuck it. what do I have to lose?' before pressing her lips against the periphery of that lovely smile.

There was a pause and then the smile was gone. V had a sheepish apology primed and ready but she was gifted a fuller, more direct kiss instead as So Mi turned her head. The hand on V's cheek guided her into it, her upper lip being held captive between the soft set of another's and a feeling of warmth and tenderness immediately bloomed in her chest. Her senses were flooded with everything So Mi: from how she smelled (hmm... a fusion of floral and what V could only deduce as a scent wonderfully unique to So Mi) to the sweet sapidity of her lips.

V cupped her face to deepen the kiss, their mouths now slanting in a more leisurely manner, the pads of her thumbs brushing along the EMP threading on So Mi's cheeks. The arms around V pulled them closer together and when they broke apart for air, their noses brushed and breaths mingled but only briefly before the two of them were going back in for more. It was like they were making up for every kiss they held back before. For every missed opportunity of one. So Mi had wanted to kiss V after their daring escape from the stadium but didn't, V had wanted to kiss So Mi on that shuttle but hadn't... But it was the fine and intricate workings of fate (or even a stroke of luck) that always brought people together sometimes. Maybe, just maybe, the beast of Night City could chew you up and spit you out but this could make you stronger in the process, make you better than you used to be.

There was hope yet.

[shipperwolf1]

It's definitely about the dagger

[sigmaleph]

i'm sure it makes you feel very smart but if you go around showing people a picture and asking them what it is, and then get all smug when someone say it's a dog instead of a picture of a dog... have you considered that the referent of 'it' is ambiguous and interpreting it to mean 'what is the thing depicted in this image' is in fact a perfectly reasonable way to use language and does not indicate some sort of deeper failure to grapple with map/territory distinctions?

also have you considered that if you had something useful to say it'd be preferable to say that rather than something that makes me want to punch you in the face?

[incomingalbatross]

Sooo... I just watched Labyrinth, and I remember seeing some posts of yours talking about how it's good and similar to other stories (like OTGW). And in some ways, I see that? But also like.... I need a little help making any sense of it, lol

Sorry, I know this is super random, but I was just curious to find out why you like it and what you see in it, so I thought I'd ask!

Of course, I'm happy to talk about Labyrinth! :) Thank you for the ask!

(Disclaimer that I haven't watched it in a year or two, but I still remember it fairly well.)

In terms of similarity to OTGW: both stories center on a teenage protagonist who is a dreamer, but too caught up in themselves, and to some extent running away from their life. This manifests PARTICULARLY in their neglected and/or rejected responsibility to their younger half-brother. They end up in a liminal, otherworldly space that operates on much more narrative logic than they're used to, and can only save their lives/souls and make it home again by saving said younger brothers first.

Sarah rejects her brother at the beginning of her story, while Wirt abandons his care for Greg near the end, but you can see the similar beats there, right? They're both dealing with normal teenage stress + the stress of parental divorce (probably) and remarriage, and seeing their younger brothers as an emblem of Everything Wrong In Their Lives. In reality, their younger brothers are forcing them to live in reality, where they have duties and connections to other people, and can only find maturity/fulfillment through embracing that.

Jareth and the Beast are also very similar figures, I think; Jareth is a more seductive tempter figure, playing to Sarah's ego and to romance tropes, while the Beast plays with hope and despair. But they are both trickster figures who use bargains -- seeming windows of hope -- to entrap vulnerable mortals (Wirt and Greg, in the Beast's case).

AND. Both Jareth and the Beast are defeated by someone calling them out as empty and powerless! Wirt says, "this is dumb," and demolishes the Beast's entire facade -- he's not keeping souls in the lantern, he's the one dependent on the lantern, and he can't keep Wirt or Greg if they're ready to go home. Sarah's "You have no power over me" has the exact same weight -- it's wrapped up in theatrics of these being Specific Magic Words, but it's the meaning of them that shatters Jareth's power and sends her and Toby home.

In both stories, evil tries very, very hard to convince these kids that they need it. Jareth wraps it up in a lot more complicated temptations -- I'll make you happy, I'll make you powerful, I'll give you glamorous parties and material comfort and everything you ever wanted if you fall down and worship me -- while the Beast sticks to a brute-force message of despair, with the crumbs he offers as all that there is -- "There is only my way." But in both cases, the message is: you need me.

And in both stories the protagonists go: No. I don't need you. I don't need anything from you. In fact, you have nothing to give.

At which point it's revealed that evil needed them. Needed them to buy into its strength, its ability, its substance -- or it doesn't have any. It crumbles away, and they go home.

...So! Those are the big similarities between them, I think, for me? I like Labyrinth, as its own movie, because I like the classic fairy-tale structure of "the fairies/goblins/elves took my loved one because I messed up, and now I gotta get them back the hard way." I love the atmosphere of the Labyrinth and Sarah's friends (though your mileage may definitely vary on this movie, depending on your tolerance for Henson Creations ;P). I love Sarah, who messes up, but who is still plucky and brave and kind through most of her trials! The friendship between her and Hoggle (...a Woodsman parallel?) is my favorite. And while I'm very much in the minority of this fandom in not really feeling Jareth's appeal, as a villain I think David Bowie does an excellent, glittery job. And we get music.

[frostbeees]

[ x ]

[kettle-bird]

Any self-respecting sanitation worker knows to get a bear-proof lunchbox, lest you attract The Critters.

Those kids are always hungry...

[enlitment]

Get yourself a friend who'll borrow you books like this:

(or alternatively, get yourself a friend who doesn't do it a couple of weeks before your final state exams. Ugh, must... focus... on... studying...)

Still, goals though 💅

[deeplovelydark]

statistical probabilities

bashir: we have to surrender to the dominion because we cannot win this war

sisko: we will continue fighting for our freedom no matter how slim our chances are

inquisition

bashir [to sloan]: you cannot violate the federation's principles even if your goal is defending them

sisko [to julian]: given the opportunity you will join section 31 to spy on them

in the pale moon light

sisko: I need 85 litres of a very dangerous substance

bashir: but I can't give it to you not knowing what it's for

sisko: I order you to.

[lloydfrontera]

I know zero things about the sequel other than what you post (lol) but I heard this song and thought perhaps youd like it for cpsm llojavi (￣▽￣)

Bless the Telephone by Labi Siffre

you just casually dropped the most devastatingly sweet song in my inbox like that. why would yo do this to me i'm fucking sobbing oh my god i'm not even kidding i'm so distraught right now

like. god. just,,, the entire fucking song,,,

It's nice to hear your voice again I've waited all day long Even wrote a song for you It's strange, the way you make me feel With just a word or two I'd like to do the same for you It's nice to hear you say "hello" And "how are things with you? I love you" But very soon it's time to go An office job to do While I'm here writing songs for you Strange How a phone call can change your day Take you away Away From the feeling of being alone Bless the telephone It's nice, the way you say my name Not very fast or slow, just soft and low The same as when you tell me how you feel I feel the same way, too I'm very much in love with you I'm very much in love with you

i'm,,,, this is,, literally javier,,,, what the hell,,,, how am i supposed to recover after this,,,, someone sedate me i can't do it anymore

[ambrosialsyrup]

Part 2: As Your Lover - Headcanons

Warning(s): Gender-neutral reader, OOC?, and not proof-read.

Fandom: The Tale of Food

Summary: He loves you. You love him. What more needs to be said?

Notes: I have no excuses for the extremely late update other than procrastination and lack of motivation. It is out now though! I’ll write the “dating/about to kiss but not gonna kiss (or maybe they will?)” for all three of them and post them at a later date. Also sorry for switching out Meng with Longjing, my brain hit a dead end and jumped ship. Now to decide between angst or prompt requests…eh, I’ll figure it out later.

✧—Squirrel Fish

A silent vow. 

❥ From the moment he took off his mask in front of you, that was his promise, his oath, to protect and love you until the day he fades away. At first he tried to push you away, feeling that he was inadequate to stay by your side. Squirrel Fish, a dish meant to bring delight but only brought death upon others instead. With hands stained in blood, he wished not to dirty you with it. A Food Soul unworthy of staying in Kongsang, unworthy of you.

❥ And yet you told him to stay.

❥ Time and time again you told him he was needed. That he wasn’t a monster. That he was loved…by you. And for once in his worthless life, Squirrel Fish felt that he wasn’t just a murderer but instead, a Food Soul who simply loved you. A Food Soul who finally found his meaning in life other than killing and disposing of lives.

❥ Squirrel Fish is very devoted to your every whim. Be it as simple as asking for a drink of water, you’ll definitely find him standing in front of you seconds later with a glass of water in his hands offering it to you. Or maybe you want him to cuddle with you? Ah…if that’s the case then please tell him ahead of time Angel…he needs to prepare himself.

❥ Pet name wise he doesn’t have much variety. In fact, there are only two names that he calls you. Master and Angel, one out of respect for your position and the other out of pure love. And also because he got told off by some of your more romance inclined Food Souls to call you something more endearing than just Master.

❥ Dates are…pretty awkward as Squirrel Fish doesn’t have any experience whatsoever in the field of dating. Assassination? Yes. But a date was meant to be a fun, enjoyable time spent with a romantic partner (at least that’s what he learned from the books Geely Shrimp gave him). That’s why he lets you take the lead and does whatever you want to do that date. But he does have a preference for simple dates inside Kongsang on the farm or in your room where you two are just knitting something together. He’s happy with whatever you’re happy with.

❥ He loves you. He loves you dearly to the point that even if he were to fade away someday. Squirrel Fish was certain that his love for you would remain. However, that doesn’t stop him from recognizing you as the Master of Kongsang. Someone who maintains order over more than a hundred Food Souls and manages a restaurant at the same time. You who has your own duties and hardships, some you can tell to him and some you can’t. That’s fine, whatever it is, Squirrel Fish knows you can’t always be with him. He won’t be selfish and ask that you stay by him always.

❥ But…he’ll do his best to stay by your side, if you allow him, on whatever path you choose to tread.

❥ If you ever need someone to lend you a shoulder to cry on, he’ll be there. Squirrel Fish may not be the best comforter or the best with words or actually anything involving normal emotional interactions…but he promises he’ll always be there for you. No matter what, even if he still feels like he doesn’t deserve you, he’ll be there with you until the end.

✧—Longjing Shrimp

A bet with eternity.

❥ An unexpected romance that only some could see coming. It neither started with a confession nor an overly exaggerated proclamation of love. Instead, it began with a silent agreement and gentle kiss over a cup of tea. A quieter love than most would like to have but a love Longjing gave wholeheartedly.

❥ Who fell for the other first? It’s a question many of the residents of Kongsang started to ponder after you two got together. Actually, even finding out that the two of you were a couple was a task in itself. It wasn’t obvious as Longjing rarely, if ever, shared his affection to you openly or at least to the point that they’re noticeable to the untrained eye.

❥ A lingering touch to your hand, a soft glance in your direction, or a faint smile appearing on his lips whenever you’re near. That’s the most he’ll do in public. He reserves the more intimate and private parts of your relationship with him when you’re both alone. His fan hiding his intentions and love for you put aside when the only company that remains is you and him.

❥ He isn’t great at giving compliments, much less flirting or being a lover. Expressed affection is something Longjing knows not of, much less is capable of properly giving it to you. But he is…attempting to learn in certain ways. Longjing will never be the best at showing his love for you openly, not in public or in private unless the time is right, that’s simply not him. His words are sharp and his compliments sparse but for you…he’ll try to improve.

❥ Doubt not his love and fear not his eyes, he’s only like this due to his inexperience in such a relationship.

❥ Dates with Longjing Shrimp tread the line between “date” and “learning”. The most common “dates” between the two of you are merely conversations over tea as he teaches you about the different methods and leaves. Occasionally he’ll show you his stamp collection or suddenly offer you a “riddle” of sorts and expect you to give him the correct answer. If you don’t answer…that’s fine too. It gives him more time to spend with you so he’ll let you off. Hm? A scheme to spend more time with you? Hmph, don’t push your luck (The reddening of his ears gives him away though..).

❥ Longjing Shrimp has recently discovered that maybe treating you more tenderly during those “dates” would provide a more intimate experience for the two of you. Now it’s just a process of getting there but he has upgraded to having your favorite snacks prepared ahead of time before you arrive.

❥ That doesn’t mean his love for you can’t be passionate though. In fact, despite what his cold demeanor shows, his love is far too passionate. He wants to kiss you, he wants to hold you. The supposedly cold and strict Food Soul wants nothing more than to spend everyday with you and you alone. A love that threatens to devour you from head to toe but restrains itself in acknowledgement for your position and his own lack of knowledge in emotional matters.

❥ That’s why even pet names are troublesome for Longjing. You are free to call him whatever you like, as long as it’s reasonable, but him? That’s…not something he had ever expected to think about much less do for a partner. In all honesty, he’s never once though of having a lover, someone he could share his thoughts with intimately, until you came along.

❥ That’s why, even now, he still has yet to give you a pet name. Not because he doesn’t love you but partly out of embarrassment and partly because he believes no pet name would be able to fully express his love for you.

❥ So until the day comes where such a thing arises and Longjing’s able to properly show his feelings for you…he’ll call you by name.

❥ People have admired him, people have gossiped about him, people have desired him, and never once did Longjing spare them a passing glance. That’s why…you’re his first and last partner. While he may not be able to provide you with a thrilling romance or overdramatic gestures of love, Longjing Shrimp can provide you a safe haven to turn to whenever your need; for all of eternity.

✧— Buddha’s Temptation

All for you.

❥ Buddha’s Temptation never expected for this to happen. For his love for you to be reciprocated; to be accepted by you who he had been yearning for dearly. He had planned to run far far away, to a place even the gods could not reach, so that he’d never have to face you with this emotion of his. The ugly yet beautiful emotion called love.

❥ Buddha’s Temptation has admired many things, people, and sceneries but never once has he ever truly loved someone. He’s dreamed of it, yes, longing for such an experience. The engulfing passion that comes with the emotion called love. And when he did experience it, he experienced all of it. The burning, the yearning, and the sense of loss he felt when he realized you were the one who caused him to feel it.

❥ It’s not your fault. It’s his for not keeping his feelings in check. Fushou didn’t want to trouble you, not when you have numerous other Food Souls to worry about. This…this desire of his was far to strong to keep contained, a dangerous need for you attention, for your love. He feared your rejection, your hate, and your look of disgust towards him for having such wants. That was why he wanted to run away, pack his belongings and all the necessities he would need before he left your sight for good.

❥ But in a single night, you demolished all his plans with three simple words. The words Buddha’s Temptation longed to hear from you and the words he kept to himself for your sake. And never before in his long life had he ever been happier than the day you told him “I love you”. Looks like he can’t run away now, not when you look at him with such determined eyes.

❥ Haha…Butterfly…you’ll take responsibility for him, won’t you?

❥ Buddha’s Temptation absolutely adores pet names of the nickname he had for you before the relationship became official wasn’t obvious. He still keep its, naturally, how could he get rid of it? But it felt unjust for it to be the only one so another had to be made. “Butterfly” and “My Star” were the ones that were decided upon with help from Goldie.

❥ Being in a relationship with Buddha’s Temptation feel like an enchanting dream pulling you deeper and deeper into it. Sweeting nothings whispered in your ear, eyes filled with adoration whenever he sees you, and gentle kisses across your face. Never once touching your lips until he whisks you away to a private location for only you and him.

❥ Dates with him are whatever you like them to be. As long as no other Food Souls are around, he’s simply content with you being by his side. Be it accompanying you for a grocery trip in the Qing Dynasty or going to an extravagant jewelry shop and buying whichever piece catches your eye. Actually no, scratch that, he’ll order you a custom made one so that no other can wear it. Ah…and a matching one for him as well.

❥ So long as he’s able to take even a second of your time, that’s good enough for him (or at least that’s what he tells himself whenever he sees you being taken away from another).

❥ He pays attention to your every need, has enough money to last for a lifetime, and despite how often he charms people with his honeyed words and looks. There’s nothing in the world he loves more than you, yes, even the very embodiment of beauty could not stand up against you. Then again…you would be the very embodiment of all that is beautiful in the world in his eyes. But to be clear, Buddha’s Temptation love and adoration is dedicated to you and you alone.

❥ However…there are a few flaws he’d like to ignore about himself but simply can’t.

❥ By accepting his love, you’re also accepting the feelings he considers ugly alongside it. Jealously, envy, sadness, all the emotions that used to not come easily to him until he met you. Feelings he kept covered with a smile and a lie of admiration. Or perhaps it was the truth that he admired you first before falling? Or did he fall for you and confuse it for admiration?

❥ None of that changes the fact he loves you.

❥ Desperately, dearly, and to the point of death Buddha’s Temptation loves you. He is a jealous man and a clingy one to boot. Hell randomly appear beside you and hold your hand while giving his most charming smile to whoever you’re talking to despite how obvious the jealously contained in his eyes is.

❥ He knows it’s ugly of him to want you only to himself. You’re the Master of Kongsang first before you’re his lover. A fact he painfully acknowledges no matter how much it hurts him to. Buddha’s Temptation knows the envy he feels towards the other Food Souls are childish but it’s something that just won’t go away.

❥ Love truly does bring with it such troublesome emotions but for your smile…he’ll endure them. You’re free to scold and hit him if— no — when you find out about this. About his jealously. Please do, he doesn’t want such a beautiful emotion to be stained by his repulsive wants. He doesn’t want to stain you.

❥ But alas, that’s the beauty of love isn’t it? An ever changing emotion different from person to person. But do rest assured Butterfly, his love for you will never fade.

[lunasilvis]

My unintended expensive taste will become the inevitable death of me

[beefcakebonanza]

In my delusional happy ending for Elzar and Avar, they are at minimum having three kids, if Avar’s *ahem* eagerness in TotF is any indication of how much they would be all over each other.

And I’m so down for it.

[cai-tan]

*hunched over in the corner, clutching her head* don't pay attention to gacha games, don't pay attention to gacha games, don't pay attention to gacha games, don't pay attention to gacha games, don't pay attention to ga-- I FUCKING LOVE NEKOMATA IN ZZZ SHE IS LITERALLY ME FR FR-- don't pay attention to gacha games, don't pay attention to gacha games, don't pay attention to gacha games...

[sunnyxjarrus]

comparing my two comfort characters

I feel like they are way more similar than I initially expected

here they are

Ezra Bridger and hiro hamada

obviously we will start with the obvious

hair is floppy and appears to be thick also spiky and adorable

they are both portrayed as well meaning kids (both are literally 14 at the beginning of their respective cinematic place) who later on (season three for Ezra, and Hiroabout 2/3 into the movie) have to face their darkness (Ezra literally the dark side, Hiro the temptation to pay for one life with another) realizing that it will not fulfill them or make up for their losses(Ezra has to accept that he is not in control of what happens to others and while he can do his best to save them he shouldn’t sacrifice his morality for that cause [im gonna ad a link here later so I can tap more] . Hiro has to understand [with the help of baymax {of course}] that Tadashi wanted to help others and he wouldn’t have wanted for him to kill Callaghan and that if he did that he’d be no better than him wanting to destroy everything in an attempt to make up for his loss of Abigail)

anyway I’m sure that I will think of more but this is all for now

[espithewarlock]

Hey queen! I just want to let you know that you are one of my favorite ao3 authors. I am absolutely hooked on your new release! Just wanted to share my appreciation!! ❤️💙

Hello!! 🥰 Thank you so much for the compliment! This absolutely makes my day!!

I'm so thrilled to hear that you're enjoying the new fic. Especially since, when you sent this, only 2 of 7 chapters have been posted. I have been so excited to share this one and I hope you love the rest of it!

Without spoiling anything, this fic definitely deserves its tags. It's an exciting journey, Chapter 3 gets more into the meat of it, and we're not even halfway through! 💚

[fawfulydoo]

now what if i. reanimated the azumanga daioh opening with invader zim characters