#there is a darker more anxious side to being a creative

[amywritesthings]

if i have any new (or even veteran) fanfic writers following me that look at their draft and go, "i can't make heads or tails of this, i am a failure" -- then you are not alone!

last night i literally almost cried because i could not edit for the life of me. so i turned my laptop off, watched something unrelated to my fanfic, then got a good night's sleep.

whaddaya know, i finally have drive to edit. to create. to critically read my own dialogue and improve upon it.

rest! is! crucial!!! you do not need to be a content machine.

you must take care of yourself the way you would a friend with a reminder that fanfiction and fanart are hobbies, not jobbies, so you are not any less if you need a break for a day, a week, a month, a year.

[lullabyalikpoptarot]

Nishimura Riki (Ni-Ki) Perspective Reading

Now, on to the second last member of Enhypen. Our maknae Ni-Ki. He is more on the private side. I feel he is a bit resistant to going to deep about topics. I say he seems like a sweetheart. A bit of a loner. Who prefers to do his own thing and to not say too much, or put himself out there too much, due to not wanting to get hurt or vulnerable. I feel I relate to him all to well.

The song that came to me was All the Things She Said by T.A.T.U. This through me off, because I am not sure how that song fits with him, so had to look at the lyrics to find a connection. This part of 'Mother, lookin' at me Tell me, what do you see?' stood out for me, so I take this as maybe his Mom instilled a lot of things in him and he keeps that with him and that his Mom's approval may mean a lot to him. Now, I am going about this one differently. I feel a strong resistance from him to not do my Dark Mirror, but he is pulling me to do my darker Tarot deck first, so let's see what I get.

So, I am getting highly monitored. He seems to be the cash cow, is it for the company or the family. The one they see the most potential in. Why is dance monkey coming in my head. It is like I am getting go out in front and just be pretty, do nothing else. There is a lack of passion here. It is all work and perfecting the details, very little creativity used here. This dude could have been offered sexual advancements to get him ahead, but this boy did not bite, not interested at all. But this could also mean, he was offered opportunities to work with someone or create something, but he was not at all interested.

I also see him with a lot of creative potential, but it doesn't really go anywhere further. It is all about work, getting the little details done, not about the creative process. They put this boy to work. He might have an idea of how to get his creative work out there and I think he can do very well. But the idea is not very defined. I also see something about him defending himself and winning. He has a lot of pride in his work, and he does want to show it.

I do feel like he can be a puppet. I see his family having a lot of pull, or they pull the strings for him. Like what they want is what he does. He kind of follows orders. This one card is showing me he doesn't like people to be too close. To get too vulnerable. He shuts himself off from others. I feel Ni-Ki has a lot of respect for himself and would not discredit himself in anyway. He seems to have strong boundaries and does not cross them or let others cross them.

I say he is pretty protective of himself and the inner child and vulnerable sides of himself. He has a strong exterior or tries to show to protect the vulnerable parts of himself. I feel being around the members and the fans can help him heal in some ways. I feel having them around him does give him a sense of belonging. I say, he would be much of a loner and feel alone if he didn't have them, even though he may like to be alone most of the time. It is nice for him to have others around him to help him in some ways.

I feel these two cards are more guidance from him, never understand why I get guidance when he ain't seeing it, but I guess to let us know what he needs. His guides may want him to drink more fluids or things with antioxidants I am hearing. Also, maybe a hot drink or water to sooth him. They also want him to do not try too hard or to overdo things and to try doing things little by little, that can help him finish a task and not make it seem so daunting.

He seems pretty anxious being away from home and family. He seems to miss them, makes sense. There seems to be constrains to his money, wither the company barely pays him, or he doesn't have much access to his money, or he may give his money to family, or they have control of it, which makes no sense. Even with all that, he appreciates what he has. He does seem like the type to keep his guard up and be on defense a lot. To defend his territory. He definitely is showing he does not like to show any vulnerability or weakness.

I see a lot of power he has within himself and the strength for him to overcome any fears he may have. There are a lot of new experiences he wants to try, most likely with music, dancing, maybe exploring other things. He is a passionate person and does not want to stay stagnant and do the same old things all the time. I always felt this boy has a lot of creative ideas, but somehow it gets stifled by the company, or his ideas are not well thought out on his end, but there is something special there.

He seems to be always on the search for something new, a valuable new experience. As I mentioned, he doesn't like to stay stagnant. He goes with the flow, tries to stay calm through it all. This card gives me he can be an emotional person. They just flow through him. He isn't the type to let things build up. He feels things and moves on. He shows me that he is a very decisive, outspoken and communicates what he needs. He is a logical and rational person. He speaks his mind when need be. Okay, going to finish with Tarot. He doesn't want to share much.

Once again, he is showing me he has lots of ego and pride. He wants to appear or be victorious and be successful. He may like a lot of fame as well. There are just a lot of things he wants to conquer. I say he probably did grow up in a good family environment, a stable environment. He may miss it a lot. He tries to keep the good vibes and energy as much as possible. But through that there are points he feels very weighed down mentally and extremely mentally burnt out, so he has his low points as well. This may be due to him feeling betrayed somehow, or backstabbed, possibly by the company. But he always gets back up and regenerates himself. He wants to show he has his highs and very lows, but he gets through it.

Okay, this is as much as I can get. This took a while for me to get through this, because he didn't really want to share much, so I shared as much as I can without going too far with him.

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

Who do you find the easiest & hardest to write as and/or what is the hardest topic for you to write about? Your page covers a wide variety of topics so I'm interested in what you enjoy writing most.

Easiest to write would probably be anything that doesn't take too much brain power. For example, if I'm just being excited about new upcoming Twst content, that's pretty easy for me to keyboard smash about. I don't like to do this often though, as I feel it can get too chaotic and difficult for readers to follow along with what I'm trying to convey. In terms of creative writing, I find fluff (especially character dialogue) very easy to write because you don't really need to focus on weaving intricate plots or complex feelings that may come with fics covering darker or more serious subject matter. However, I do really like writing emotionally challenging or angst fics or analyses that focus on inner turmoil and character growth; those just take significantly more time and energy to capture the vibes I'm looking for. (Just because something is easy to write doesn't necessarily mean that's what I most enjoy writing.)

Hardest for me would be action scenes (for creative writing). There's a certain rhythm to fights and it's hard to keep that pace. Go too fast, and the scene seems short/the fight is seen as not serious. Go too slow, and the scene seems dragged out/the fight is taking forever. Action scenes also require a lot of usage of verbs; it takes a particularly skilled hand to not constantly repeat "punch", "kick", etc. All the usual culprits. I admire anyone who can bang out an extended action scene like it's nothing, haha!

I also find writing my own theories hard, but it's for a very personal reason. I would consider myself very pragmatic, so little details that other people could easily blow into a crack theory, I perceive as "there was literally no meaning behind that and you're overthinking it". It also takes me a long time to gather the information I need, since I like to back up my theories with hard facts (like voice lines). It just takes so much effort to put together! It's easier for me if people come with popular fandom theories already prepared and ask me about those, since there would already be a pool of evidence for me to refer to. It cuts my research time in half, essentially.

Another thing that's challenging for me to write are replies to questions that involve real-world concerns. For example, I have been asked numerous times to weigh in on fandom discourse as well as to discuss potentially sensitive subject matter. The thing is, people often come to me already thinking one way about the topic. The challenge for me, then, is researching these topics and then conveying the information from as many sides and with as much nuance as possible. Sometimes I also offer my own opinion, but ultimately I would like to just provide the information and then allow others to come to a conclusion for themselves, or at least offer a counter to preexisting sentiments, to show there are other ways of thinking or seeing the same issue. I get anxious when others put such immense weight on what my take is, so I feel as though I have to be especially mindful about how I phrase things. I'm not an expert on everything and I often have to remind people of that 💦

Of course, there are also those few topics that make me uncomfortable so I choose to not respond to them altogether. I try to not completely discourage “dark” subjects entirely though; I feel it is important to discuss them from an analytical standpoint so we can better understand them, as well as ourselves.

[kitkatt0430]

29, 35, and 42 for Harrisco, please?

29.) Who is more likely to jump in an elevator? Who freaks out?

Cisco is definitely more likely to jump in an elevator. It's just a fun little experiment in how jump distance changes when you're already moving up and the floor is higher when you land or when you're already moving down and the floor is lower when you land. It's fun, it's physics. And the elevators are probably the only they've kept up with the safety certifications for in that place, even if it's just Cisco testing and reinforcing everything himself so it's more 'unofficial' certifications. But he knows everything is safe and he's made sure the doors are easy to pry open if it ever gets stuck. So the elevator is a safe place to him.

But I could see Harry having some mild claustrophobia issues with elevators. The first time we see Harry in an elevator on the show, I think the main point of the scene is the lighting being brighter, you can easily see exactly who Harry is even if he is dressed in his CEO of STAR Labs outfit that's similar to Eobard's every day attire. It's meant as a contrast to when we first see Eobard reveal himself to part of Team Flash - Cisco's alt timeline death scene - where the elevator is poorly lit give Eobard that extra bit of drama he craves. Though admittedly, both Harry and Eobard are dramatic dorks in their own ways.

But I think Harry hates how poorly lit E1 elevators in STAR Labs are. It makes them feel smaller, more confined, more anxious to get out. On his earth, their brightly lit, they feel bigger than they actually are because they have light reflecting paint colors chosen for the inside, whereas the E2 elevators are darker in wall color, absorb the light more...

He doesn't freak out exactly, but he definitely gets that teeth-clenched 'stop doing that, Ramon' reaction when Cisco gets antsy and bouncy in an elevator, so Cisco does make an effort not to do that around him. He probably takes the stairs a lot though, which... Cisco's not gonna complain about the results of that. ;)

35.) Who's more artistic?

Everyone assumes it's Cisco. Because he makes the super suits, from design to manikin. And he quilts. (Everyone eventually acquires an assortment of quilted pot holders, place mats, table runners, and/or variously sized blankets from him.) And of course, Cisco expresses his sense of aesthetics in the tech he designs, which is art in and of itself as well. But Harry's got his artsy side too.

Harry writes poetry. He's extremely shy about sharing it - though he'd deny shy is a word that could ever apply to him. He's especially self conscious about it after reading HR's novels, since those were actually really well written.

He also paints, something he got into after the war that helped him as an outlet for some of the trauma he went through that he couldn't express other ways. He really got back into painting after his wife died and it's become his go to outlet when he struggles to find the right words to say how he feels.

When he doesn't have paints, he sketches a lot. (Such as the sketch of himself with Jesse he had in his room at STAR Labs in S2.) Sketching started as something he learned to do in college for hand drawn blueprints, but it's a skill he worked on over time and he learned to draw more than just schematics but people and nature scenes. Cisco can also sketch, of course, and it has the same sort of origins - he learned to hand sketch mechanical designs in high school/college and his skills evolved from there. Though he's focused more on using sketches as a starting point for the things he creates through other mediums - suit designs and quilt designs made via fabric and metalwork for his tech.

I'm not sure we could really quantify who is the most artsy here. Cisco's more open and vulnerable about his art, but Harry is no doubt just as creative. And he's probably sent a few paintings to people here and there who've yet to realize the indecipherable scrawl in the corner is H Wells. (Barry and Iris definitely have one that was a wedding present. Joe and Cecile have one too gifted at a baby shower. Cisco probably has a few that he's well aware Harry painted for him. Caitlin and Frost have received at least one as birthday gift.)

42.) What's their favorite type of weather to enjoy together? (getting snowed in together, watching thunderstorms, etc.)

Mild fall weather for leaf peeping. It started as a flippant joke on Harry's part, but Cisco wouldn't let it go. So the first autumn where they were dating, Cisco set things up so that they were sitting on a picnic blanket with a lovely picnic lunch surrounding by trees that were turning vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow. Cisco couldn't resist playing in the leaves and Harry was utterly enchanted when Cisco returned to the picnic blanket with a particularly vivid yellow leaf in his hair.

They do have a fondness for snow days, though. Where they can stay in together, snuggled in blankets and/or curled up in front of a fireplace. Hot chocolate instead of coffee, the one time Harry won't complain about coffee substitutes. And if Jesse shows up they can have a free-for-all snowball fight.

(And of course they both secretly enjoy watching each other on particularly hot days, sweaty and stripped down to the minimum amount of clothing they're willing to wear in polite company and still be decent. The first time Cisco goes shirtless outside on a hot day, Harry's brain blue screens for a few minutes. Frost sticks an ice cube down the back of his shirt while Harry's not paying attention/too super focused on Cisco. He absolutely shrieked over the sudden cold.)

[brandstifter-sys]

Secrets Don't Make Boyfriends

@dukexietyweek 2024 - Day 2 - Swap + Secrets

Word count: 1347 (Ao3)

Rating: T

Characters: Remus, Virgil

Pairing: Dukexiety

Warnings: sex mention, mild horror, Anxiety!Remus, Dark Creativity!Virgil

Remus is anxiety, and he is stressed from everything, but especially an intrusive spider who's hiding something from him. Secrets don't make friends, or boyfriends!

---

It wasn't easy being anxiety. Remus could tell you that much. He hated worrying over the littlest things—like his deceptive brother lying himself into a corner, or Janus torching his own ego with his failed ideas. He didn't have to worry about Logic’s puns, or Morality’s long winded tangents, unless they did something stupid. But there was one person who drove him up a wall with worry—the Magician. 

Remus couldn't even count the number of times that bastard wormed his way into the conversation, how many times he cornered the mustachioed punk and tormented him for fun. Especially since he revealed himself to Thomas. If Remus couldn't tell that he was hiding something, he would have shut that bastard up with his mouth. Several times. 

It had been a stressful day of phone calls and work for Thomas, and Remus was feeling it. He was in the Imagination on Janus' side, taking out his frustrations in the gym Janus made for him after he was accepted. It was good to have a Creativity on his side. There was nothing better than exercise to channel the adrenaline. 

With his music blasting, Remus went to town on his favorite punching bag. He was in the zone, hands taped and slamming into the fabric with precision and force. He was bouncing on his feet, ready to strike anyone who got too close, not that anyone with sense would. They knew not to mess with someone in cargo shorts and chucks with a mean right hook. 

Well, most of them knew not to mess with him. 

As soon as “Five Cellars Below” started playing, a chill ran down Remus' spine. The shadows in the corners of his vision were suddenly darker, seemingly skittering away from him. 

Fan-fucking-tastic

He was on alert. 

Great. He was trying to get the anxious feelings out, not build them up! 

His fists met the bag with even more vigor. If that bastard was really there, he would jumpscare his way into the room. Remus was never ready for that!

BAM

Remus shrieked as a bloody face jumped out at him from the punching bag. He fell on his ass and then his back hit the floor. Of all the bullshit ways to scare him, that was the cheapest shot possible! 

He grumbled to himself and squeezed his eyes shut, just to keep his heart from beating out of his chest. 

“You know, you're pretty cute from this angle,” a cool voice purred. Remus immediately opened his eyes, just to come face to face with a menace. 

Virgil had him pinned down, with one hand running up his shirt. The smug bastard was smirking at him like he just captured the perfect prey. 

“Virgil!” Remus snapped and pushed him back. He got up before Virgil could complain. 

“You have got to stop sneaking up on me! You already gave me extra work to do—do you want me to have a heart attack?!” Remus huffed and dusted off his clothes. At least his Sum 41 shirt was still intact. 

“I like making your heart race,” Virgil said and got up. Remus hated that no matter what he did, Virgil could still look hot as hell. Maybe it was just the fact that he only had an open leather vest and shamelessly tight pants that made him look like a manwhore. 

“Find someone else to torment. Someone who isn't keeping Thomas from doing all the bullshit you keep suggesting!” 

“You know I have to go after the person blocking me left and right, Remus,” Virgil said, with a laugh. 

“It's part of the job description. We both know that,” Remus said and stretched his arms behind his back.

“You’re avoiding me,” Virgil said flatly. 

“Yeah, I don't really need my anxiety going nuts. You're hiding something from me and it's driving me nuts,” Remus grunted and stretched one arm across his chest. 

“If that were it, you would've avoided me before,” Virgil huffed and neared Remus menacingly. Remus swallowed thickly and backed away, at least until a wall got in the way. 

“Virgil—” Remus gawked as Virgil loomed over him. He was so close, so easy to shove aside. Remus couldn't bring himself to do anything. 

“Did those puffballs brainwash you?” Virgil growled and grabbed his jaw, “Or maybe you realized that you hate me just like everyone else.” 

“They didn't do anything, and I don't hate you,” Remus breathed, staring into those sad, tired eyes. For the first time in a long time, he could see how much Virgil was hurting. 

“Then why?” Virgil asked with tears brimming in his eyes. 

“Because you're close with Roman and I had to get away from him,” Remus responded and grabbed Virgil's wrist, “You know he would be happy to get me killed!” 

“He's a mean, lying bastard, but he's all I have. He's the only one who puts up with me anymore,” Virgil snarled before his voice dropped to a whisper, “I miss you.” 

“Virge, let go—” 

“I can't! I can't let you go! I tried to move on, but I still want you! I would be fine with being friends but you don't even want that—” 

“Virgil!” Remus said firmly, “Let go of my face!” 

Virgil stumbled back and freed his jaw. He said too much and Remus would hate him for real! 

Remus reached out and cupped Virgil's cheek. He was more concerned about the intrusive thot’s feelings than scared of his crush. Virgil leaned into the touch and averted his gaze, giving Remus a chance to breathe easy. 

“Virge, you okay?” 

“I know I'm a lot to handle, but I don't want you to hate me too. You're the only one who's ever genuinely nice to me, even if you don't like me,” Virgil grumbled. 

“I don't hate you,” Remus said softly, “If I knew that you felt like this, I would have done something sooner.” 

“Done what?” 

“Something,” Remus jeered and wiggled his mustache. 

“Being vague just gives me more opportunities to ruin things,” Virgil pouted. And then his eye twitched and his eyeshadow got darker. Oopsie! 

Remus giggled and leaned in so that their lips were brushing. His heart was hammering in his chest and he wanted to close the gap. But he would wait for Virgil to finish the job. 

Virgil grabbed his hair and kissed him like Remus would vanish if he didn't. Remus wrapped his arms around Virgil and pulled him closer, kissing back with far more passion than he thought possible. 

“Remus,” Virgil muttered when they pulled apart, “Am I dreaming again?” 

“That never happens,” Remus sighed, “Don't you only have nightmares?” 

“No, sometimes I have wet dreams,” Virgil shrugged, “and sometimes they're vanilla. But they always have you in them.” 

“Are you saying you have a crush on me? That's what you've been hiding for years? That's what was keeping me up at night?” 

“Yeah. I thought it would scare you away,” Virgil admitted shyly, “You get scared easily.”

“Of all the stupid shit,” Remus huffed and tackled him to the floor, “You really thought keeping it a secret wouldn't scare me?” 

“It might scare you less than the truth,” Virgil pouted up at him. 

“If you hate when I'm vague, don't you think I'd hate knowing you're hiding something?” Remus scoffed, “You're making it up to me, you jerkface!” 

“How? It takes forever to get out of these pants,” Virgil jeered and grabbed his butt with both hands. 

Remus barked out a laugh and shook his head. 

“You don't need to do that. You could just spar with me for an hour. Everyday.” 

“What if I just danced with you instead?” Virgil teased and gave his cute little butt a squeeze. 

“I don't think so, Spidey. I know what dancing means and I don't need an hour of that daily!” 

“You're right. It would take more than an hour. Maybe even all night,” Virgil jeered. 

“Take me on a date first, and we'll see,” Remus snickered. And then he kissed that sly spider again before he lost his nerve.

[tricianorth]

[female and she/her] Welcome to Aurora Bay, [TRICIA NORTH]! I couldn’t help but notice you look an awful lot like [ODESSA A'ZION]. You must be the [TWENTY SIX] year old [HIGH SCHOOL SPECIAL ED TEACHER]. Word is you’re [PATIENT] but can also be a bit [ANXIOUS] and your favorite song is [NO RAIN BY BLIND MELON]. I also heard you’ll be staying in [FISHER'S COVE]. I’m sure you’ll love it!

pinterest. ciara, 25, bst, she/her

Tricia North grew up in Fisher’s Cove, in the serene coastal town of Aurora Bay. The North family was known for their kindness and community spirit, always the first to lend a hand or offer a listening ear. Tricia's parents, Martha and Peter North, were hardworking and devoted, but their lives took a challenging turn when their second child, Ethan, was born with autism. Tricia, just three years older than Ethan, quickly became a pivotal figure in his life.

From a young age, Tricia displayed an extraordinary level of patience and gentleness. She had an innate ability to connect with Ethan, understanding his needs and emotions even when words failed him. As her parents juggled work and the demands of raising a child with special needs, Tricia often stepped in to care for her brother. She developed a keen sense of empathy and a deep understanding of her brother. This early responsibility shaped Tricia, making her mature beyond her years.

Tricia’s childhood was not only defined by her caregiving role but also by her love for the arts. Aurora Bay, with its vibrant arts community, provided a perfect backdrop for Tricia’s creative endeavors. She spent countless hours drawing, painting, and exploring various forms of artistic expression. Art became her sanctuary, a way to process her emotions and find solace amidst the challenges of her daily life. Her bedroom walls were adorned with her creations, each piece telling a story of resilience and hope.

Despite the challenges, Tricia thrived in her role. She found joy in the small victories, like helping Ethan learn to tie his shoes or successfully navigating a particularly difficult day. However, being a bit of a glass child left its mark. Tricia learned to hide her own anxieties and needs, focusing instead on supporting her family.

As Tricia grew older, her dedication to her brother and her passion for helping others with similar challenges became her calling. She pursued a degree in Special Education at a nearby university, where she excelled academically and earned the respect of her professors and peers. Her experiences with Ethan gave her a unique perspective, and she brought this insight into her studies and later into her teaching career.

At 26, Tricia is now a special education teacher at Aurora Bay High School. Her classroom is a sanctuary of patience and understanding, where every student feels valued and supported. Tricia's gentle demeanor and unwavering commitment to her students have made her a beloved figure at the school. She loves her job deeply, finding fulfillment in watching her students grow and succeed, no matter how small the steps.

However, the anxiety that Tricia learned to mask as a child still lingers. She struggles with accepting care and attention from others, feeling more comfortable in the role of caregiver. Tricia longs for someone to focus on her, to see her beyond her role as a teacher and sister, but she finds it difficult to let her guard down.

Tricia’s creative side remains an integral part of her life. She often incorporates art into her teaching, using it as a tool to engage and inspire her students. In her free time, she attends local art shows and participates in community art projects. Her home is filled with her artwork, a testament to her enduring passion for creativity.

Despite her love for her job and her artistic pursuits, Tricia experiences bouts of depression and anxiety. The weight of her responsibilities, both past and present, sometimes becomes overwhelming. On her darker days, she retreats into her art, finding a temporary escape in the colours and textures that flow from her imagination.

Living in Fisher’s Cove all her life, Tricia finds comfort in the familiar sights and sounds of Aurora Bay. The ocean’s rhythmic waves, the salty breeze, and the close-knit community provide a sense of stability and belonging. As she continues to navigate the challenges of her profession and personal life, she hopes to find a balance that allows her to care for herself as diligently as she cares for others.

@aurorabayaesthetic

Style.

social media template

[southerndragontamer]

Egotober Day 29: Fright

Virgil was in his room as he rocked with his hands over his ears, his heart raced in his chest and the shadows in the room were darker as they pulled in towards him and he tried to breathe right. He hated panic attacks, hated hated hated-he mentally shook himself a second to try to remember what had happened. Why he was like this, why Thomas was so panicked.

It had been a normal day so far, he’d poked at Thomas to turn the stove off after he’d finished cooking, to turn the water off in the bathroom after he’d done his teeth and to double check his pockets for his phone and keys. You know the normal small anxiety stuff that they both knew had to happen to get him to function right.

Even the game night with Thomas’ friends had been fine, Virgil hadn’t even been that bad about checking the math more than once in his head at Logan’s insistence on it but it had actually been…fun to watch them all geek out over the board game. But…oh…the anxious side felt his breath hitch in his metaphysical chest.

After the game night, when Roman and Remus had vanished into Imagination to work on their respective creativity, Patton had went to the kitchen and Logan to decompress from social interaction in the library with Janus at his heels for the same reason, Thomas had gone to do the same with some tv. And there had been a brief flip to a religious channel.

Virgil didn’t have anything against religion by concept, or thought that everyone was a nut job who forced their views down everyone’s throat and were closed minded to change because it didn’t fit ‘their version’ of their gods ideals that was actually so far from the original text due to how humans had played it like a game of telephone over the years no one remembered the real thing-Focus Virgil! He took a shaking breath and got back on track.

It had just been one line, something stupid about ‘gay marriage being unholy’ or similar but it had sent Thomas right back into the mindset he’d had as a teen before he’d come out and that was why Virgil was having a panic attack. He needed to get to Thomas, now. Before the others felt it, especially Remus. He shut his eyes tight, ignored the feeling of wrong, wrong, wrong that crawled up his spine and popped up next to a slightly hyperventilating Thomas, eyes locked on a blank tv. Virgil used his deeper tone to get his attention,

“Thomas. Thomas, look at me.”

Frightened hazel, pupils blown wide in panic and anxiety and fear- Virgil slowly reached out and took Thomas’ tense shoulders in shaking hands and looked him in the eye with glowing purple. He spoke slowly so that he could focus on the tone first, then the words.

“Thomas, you’re having a panic attack. I know why and it’s ok, I understand why it triggered this. But the old man is wrong, ah-ah no…deep breath in for me….hold it….yes he’s wrong Thomas. He doesn’t know what holy really is, he wouldn’t understand love is love if it bit him in the pope hat…let it out.”

Virgil smirked as his crude tinged joke got a huffed out sheepish laugh and he nodded in reassurance as he leaned in just a little closer, pulled him into a hug as he kept talking, like Patton did when he was in his own anxious spiral and brought him through his breathing exercises.

“Yeah there you go Thomas, deep breath in….seven seconds, hold it…it’s all ok. You aren’t wrong for loving someone, you were made this way when you were born. Nothing about you was ‘corrupted’ or ‘twisted’ or ‘just happened out of the blue’ or ‘a phase’ or whatever the hot pockets you’ve been told. Let it out….good. Now, since we’re calmed down wanna watch some Disney? There’s a Halloween inspired marathon on that has Nightmare Before Christmas and Hocus Pocus in it.”

[emoprincey]

2 for the fan sides ask game?

2. Ok so I have Creativity, Logic, Morality/feelings, Anxiety, Depression, and Anger/self-preservation, because I feel like those are the things that factor in the most when I'm making decisions, if that makes sense.

(I'm gonna use my own pronouns to refer to my sides here but I might give them different ones as I develop them more)

They are very similar to Sanders Sides, obviously with four of them having the same traits as them. I only have one creativity side tho, because I don't feel like I mentally separate my creativity into "good" and "bad" the way c!Thomas does.

I feel like I've almost tried to make my logical side Too Much like Logan, they're definitely the one I've developed the least and I'm kinda struggling to come up with a logical character that actually seems like me (idk what that says about me as a person lmao)

I also haven't really thought that much about Morality, I feel like they would kind of encompass my feelings the way Patton does, but I don't have much beyond that.

I don't think my anxious side is all that similar to Virgil, beyond representing anxiety. They definitely have a very different aesthetic (I haven't finished the designs but I imagine them wearing a lot of pastel colours and focusing more on comfy clothes). I also don't think I would ever have viewed them as a villain like c!Thomas did with Virgil.

Another difference from Sanders Sides is that I don't think I'd have a deceitful side, at least in this sense, because lying doesn't really come naturally to me??? Like maybe it's just the autism but I very often forget that lying is A Thing I can do, so I wouldn't have it as like an inate part of me. If anything, Morality would be in charge of dishonesty. That makes more sense to me.

Anger and Depression are the ones I've added that aren't also Sanders Sides characters(unless my theories about the orange side are right lol)

I do have depression, and that impacts my life a lot so I figured that should be represented by one of the sides. I don't like to get into the darker aspects of it, so her role in the comic ideas that as of now only exist in my head is just... wanting to sleep and stay inside all the time and not having the energy to do much. I actually really like her as a character, she's very sweet, she's just very sad and tired all the time.

As I mentioned, my side that represents anger also represents self-preservation. I see my anger as being the part of me that wants to stand up for myself when someone upsets me, so that feels very linked to self-preservation for me. I don't have dark sides, as in sides that are hidden, but Anger is definitely not allowed out much (Morality is probably the one who wants to keep them inside) because I don't really like to be angry and also am shit at standing up for myself lol

Thanks for the ask, I really like talking abt these little guys!!

[ithinkabouttzu]

Hi there, may I request an Enhypen matchup? Pardon if my info is lengthy, thank you so much ❣️

𝗦𝗘𝗫𝗨𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬/𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗦: Transmasc (AFAB) Genderfluid, Biromantic and Pansexual; He/They

𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘: 21 years old, 5'1.5", Southeast Asian (Filipino). Chubby with messy shoulder length brunette hair, chocolate brown eyes, and a small beauty mark on my forehead. Feminine Tomboy archetype, Soft Punk/Rock Chick and Rustic fashion style (like Malia Tate) but loves to wear Korean makeup look

𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬: Libra-Scorpio cusp, Slytherin with patronous spirit of Hummingbird, ENTP-T, my enneagram is 4w5 and Neutral Good. I may have introverted and awkward tendencies and anxious nature also behave as modest, gentle, dainty, and polite, I describe myself as fiery, confident, loud, humorous, and, passionate ambiverted individual who doesn't mind to be vocal about everything and would always stand on what I truly believed claiming to be a realist, plus I swear on a daily basis contrary to my soft features. Though sarcasm and savagery are my main language, I'm religious, super talkative, hyper, giggly, joyful, supportive, intellectual, friendly, sweet, nice, curious, [somehow] optimistic, young-at-heart, clumsy, unfortunate,. and inattentive who gets lost in my fantasies so easily but unashamed to be true to myself and could act as a mediator, a boy scout friend, and baby of the group all in all, additionally I'm spontaneous, procrastinator, lazy, quick-tempered, and a bit frightful. I will act noble and good-natured to someone who deserves respect the most. Gifted in artistic fields (mainly visual arts and singing) and extremely devoted with my ambitions aligned with them---will never stop until I get what I want cause' I know what I'm doing; Might come off as carefree, I can be serious, unruly, and competitive especially in academics though I never show it. The darker side of mine would be feisty and aggressive (due to anger issues) when someone triggered me where I may become cold, intimidating, and scary when enraged, would don't give a f and discreetly shady towards the people that I hate, and will cut off a connection with someone if needed without any hesitation; Sometimes I call someone out in secret when they dare to invalidate my feelings. My deepest side is I'm a soft-hearted overthinker that cry over small things sounding so petty and dramatic, frustrated for being a perfectionist provoking even more due to living up with expectations which stressed me out, and undeniably hopeless romantic recognizes a soft spot for dumb jokes, cheesy pickup lines and prefer people with a good sense of humour who see myself as equal.

𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘𝗦/𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗦: Arts, choir, poetry, karaoke, literature, history, makeup, beauty pageants, eating, random conversations, expanding my knowledge in Christianity, biographies about saints, cute minimalistic stuffs, reading interesting things, talking about social issues, creative writing, memes, cartoons, and chilling both indoors and outdoors

𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘𝗦: Stereotyping, mandatory necessities (without a logical reason), being left out, interruptions, emotional invalidation, judgemental people, no privacy, forcing to do I'm against with, gaslighters, telenovelas, hypocrites, dirty bathrooms, blackout, lightning, firecrackers, toads, snakes, cockroaches, toxic masculinity, misogyny, fake wokes, colonial mentality, and overly girly things

𝗛𝗢𝗕𝗕𝗜𝗘𝗦: Drawing, conceptualizing artworks, writing, singing, dancing when nobody's around (I'm very bad at it), walking like a so-so called model (if I ever feel so confident), sharing nerdy or opinionated thoughts, sleeping, listening to music (2000s, rock, kpop, and EDM), chatting and browsing on social media, watching videos on YouTube, creating clay charms, making terrible jokes or puns, watching cartoons, cooking, reading interesting things, and running an HTML color value code (occasionally). I also used to study Italian language a bit

Hi yes thank you so much for requesting lovely! 💗

I ship you with…

Kim Sunoo!

Song recommendation: Style - Taylor Swift

- Okay I think you guys would be so nice together, like y’all share some of the same interests and I think he would be a nice refreshment to you!

- When he met you, he would find you so cute! I think yalls relationship would form into a friendship at first and then something more romantic slowly on

- You are a strong person sunoo is always supportive of that, and he’s so glad he’s with someone as so special as you. He admires your ambition so much! he’s like that one supportive wife that loves seeing their husband accomplish his goals

- He loves just goofing off with you sometimes and acting like two little kids together ( i just know you guys have the BEST fun 😹)

- You guys can also get down on some karaoke date nights for sure! (he always tells you how good of a singer you are and reminds you that you guys should do a duet together anytime y’all go out for karaoke)

- He will always valid your emotions and feelings! He wants to be a shoulder you can always cry or lean on at anytime.

- He also admires your passion so much! He sees you as his own protector sometimes because he knows you will ALWAYS be there and stick up for him whenever!!

- canon: Okay one time he caught you dancing home alone and he thought it was SO cute, and when you catching him watching you he will just be there with the cutest smile ever clapping his hands

- He LOVES when you cook for him omg 😫 to him food is like a love language and always appreciates it when you cook for him!

- But overall y’all would be the sweetest adorable couple ever 😭 I’m shipping so hard rn LITERALLY

[acciocriativity]

Heya! Call me Aerith, and congratulations for 100 followers! May I request a matchmaking for ATEEZ? Thank you so much ❤️

𝗦𝗘𝗫𝗨𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬/𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗦: Transmasc (AFAB) Genderfluid, Biromantic and Pansexual; He/They

𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘: 21 years old, 5'1.5", Southeast Asian (Filipino). Chubby with messy shoulder length brunette hair, chocolate brown eyes, and a small beauty mark on my forehead. Feminine Tomboy archetype, Soft Punk/Rock Chick and Soft Vintage fashion style (like Malia Tate) but loves to wear Korean makeup style

𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬: Libra-Scorpio cusp, Slytherin with patronous spirit of Hummingbird, ENTP-T, my enneagram is 4w5 and Neutral Good. I may have introverted and awkward tendencies and anxious nature also behave as modest, gentle, dainty, and polite, I describe myself as fiery, confident, jokester, and, passionate ambiverted individual who doesn't mind to be vocal about everything and would always stand on what I truly believed claiming to be a realist, plus I swear on a daily basis contrary to my soft features. Though sarcasm and savagery are my main language, I'm religious, super talkative, loud, hyper, giggly, joyful, supportive, intellectual, friendly, sweet, nice, curious, [somehow] optimistic, young-at-heart, clumsy, unfortunate,. and inattentive who gets lost in my fantasies so easily but unashamed to be true to myself and could act as a mediator, a boy scout friend (more like the "Doraemon friend"), and baby of the group all in all, additionally I'm spontaneous, procrastinator, lazy, quick-tempered, and a bit frightful. I will act noble and good-natured to someone who deserves respect the most. Gifted in artistic fields (mainly visual arts, singing, and acting) and extremely devoted with my ambitions aligned with them---will never stop until I get what I want cause' I know what I'm doing; Might come off as carefree, I can be serious, headstrong, and competitive especially in academics though I never show it. The darker side of mine would be feisty and aggressive (due to anger issues) when someone triggered me where I may become cold, intimidating, and scary when enraged, would don't give a f towards the people that I hate, and will cut off a connection with someone if needed without any hesitation; Sometimes I call someone out in secret when they dare to invalidate my feelings. My deepest side is I'm a soft-hearted overthinker that cry over small things sounding so petty and dramatic, frustrated for being a perfectionist provoking even more due to living up with expectations which stressed me out, and undeniably hopeless romantic recognizes a soft spot for dumb jokes, cheesy pickup lines and prefer people with a good sense of humour who see myself as equal.

𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘𝗦/𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗦: Arts, choir, poetry, karaoke, literature, history, makeup, beauty pageants, eating, random conversations, expanding my knowledge in Christianity, biographies about saints, cute minimalistic stuffs, reading interesting things, talking about social issues, creative writing, memes, cartoons, and chilling both indoors and outdoors

𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘𝗦: Stereotyping, mandatory necessities (without a logical reason), being left out, interruptions, emotional invalidation, judgemental people, no privacy, forcing to do I'm against with, gaslighters, telenovelas, hypocrites, dirty bathrooms, blackout, lightning, firecrackers, toads, snakes, cockroaches, toxic masculinity, misogyny, fake wokes, colonial mentality, and overly girly things

𝗛𝗢𝗕𝗕𝗜𝗘𝗦: Drawing, writing, singing, dancing when nobody's around (I'm very bad at it), walking like a so-so called model (if I ever feel so confident), sharing nerdy or opinionated thoughts, sleeping, listening to music (2000s, rock, kpop, and EDM), chatting and browsing on social media, watching videos on YouTube, creating clay charms, making terrible jokes or puns, watching cartoons, cooking, reading interesting things, and conceptualizing my artworks. I also used to study Italian language a bit

Hey there Aerith, thank you for your request! I hope you have a great day <3

YOU MATCH WITH... YEOSANG!

As I was reading through your info, he immediately came to mind. I feel like you both are so similar, it won't be a problem to connect at all.

Yeosang has this kind of duality. When you just met him, his shy and also a bit awkward, meeting new people it's not his forte nor it's to demonstrate his feelings or thoughts. So it might be hard to get to know him at first, but time will work its magic and oh my goodness, wasn't it worth it, because when he's comfortable he truly shines. He'll throw the sassyness and the salvageness right back at you, he'll probably agree that banter it's a love language!

But since you're both have this similar personality, I feel like you'd be one of the few people who would understand his personality quite fast, because there's really no one like that in Ateez and he's known to be the random between them.

The frustration due to being a perfectionist and expectations from others hit home for him too, so I feel like you could really have someone that understands that to talk about it.

Your interests? Yep, right there with his too. Also the part of the pick up lines and dumb jokes?? It's so him.

I keep trying to find things to comment on, but everything it's so similar, I'm so sorry lol.

One thing tho, Yeosang is known for hating confrontation, also he's just so collected all the time, even when he's angry. He just bottles everything up and doesn't really say anything to the people that hurted him, he doesn't want to hurt them back. He's that sweet.

So if you ever fight with him, oh no, but I feel you would be more of a Yeosang number #2 protector with your feisty energy (right after Wooyoung being #1), because he does need it sometimes. He's too good for this world, just a child at heart, with an innocent and gold personality.

So that also means he would never trigger you on purpose and would appreciates very much you saying whatever triggers you, so that wouldn't happen on accident too.

I don't usually include appearance or sexuality as I don't think that would affect a genuine relationship of whatever sort with them. But in your case, I want to make sure you know how welcoming he would be.

He'll try to learn as much as he can, so he won't offend you, although he's pretty much ok already as he wouldn't be asking inappropriate questions nor commenting lgbtqiap+fobic things (on purpose of course), but he'll ask questions as long as you're comfortable sharing and he's open to learn and be a better person. He's the curious type and would be genuinely interested to understand your views and life experiences, since that's not a common topic in Korea.

I'm not sure if he's religious or not, but if he's not, he won't have any problems with this conversation topic, again I feel like he'd be interested in hearing others view points.

(This was so freaking long?? You just gave me so much info, I was so shocked with the length haha. Still, thank you so much for participating!)

[makkinmusic]

Cultural Criticism - BILLIE EILISH and how she's the voice for our generation

How Billie Eilish Redefined Modern Pop Culture

In a world where pop stars are expected to shimmer with perfection, Billie Eilish has made an enormous empire out of being unapologetically herself. With her hauntingly intimate vocals, oversized streetwear, and an aesthetic that blends the eerie with the authentic, Eilish is much more than a chart-topping musician—she’s more of a cultural phenomenon. Her approach to mental health struggles to her genre-defying music, Billie Eilish represents a new wave of pop stardom that resonates deeply with a generation that is so hungry for something real and authentic.

This is how she’s reshaping the cultural landscape, one whispery note and bold fashion choice at a time.

Billie Eilish: A Glimpse into the mildly twisted minds of Gen Z - Collider Lab

From Bedroom Beats to Worldwide Icon

Billie Eilish’s story is one for the modern age. Raised in a creative family in Los Angeles, Billie and her brother, Finneas, turned their bedroom into a makeshift studio. Her breakout hit, “Ocean Eyes,” started as a school project and ended as the song that took the world by storm. What made her rise so remarkable wasn’t just her raw talent—it was how unpolished and relatable she felt.

Unlike the larger-than-life personas of traditional pop stars, Eilish seemed like someone fans could truly connect with. She wasn’t the queen of the spotlight; she was the moody teenager singing about heartbreak, fear, and existential dread, and she made feeling deeply seem cool and almost normal.

Soundtracks for a Generation

Eilish’s music doesn’t fit neatly into a genre, and that’s precisely why it resonates. With her debut album, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, Billie brought something entirely new to the listening world. Songs like “bad guy” were playful yet edgy, while tracks like “bury a friend” explored darker, more haunting themes.

Her sound was a minimalist blend of electronic beats, whisper-like vocals, and poignant lyrics that felt personal, like a friend confiding in you during a late-night conversation. Gen Z is a generation clouded by digital noise and emotional complexity, so this kind of musical and lyrical intimacy that Elilish offered to her fans and listeners was something people could not turn away from.

Billie’s music isn’t just for listening; it’s for feeling. Her songs tackle anxiety, depression, and self-doubt—emotions that often go unspoken in pop music but are deeply familiar to her audience.

Breaking the Silence on Mental Health

Speaking of emotions, Billie Eilish doesn’t shy away from the heavy stuff. She’s not just singing about mental health, she’s living it. Tracks like “everything i wanted” and “idontwannabeyouanymore” give voice to struggles that many face but are often afraid to express.

In interviews, Billie has been transparent about her battles with anxiety, depression, and body image. She’s spoken about the pressures of fame and the darker side of social media, making her not just a star but a symbol of vulnerability and resilience.

For a generation labeled as “the anxious generation,” Billie is a breath of fresh air. She’s not trying to sell perfection. Instead, she’s normalizing imperfection, making her fans feel seen and understood.

Billie Eilish Opens Up About Her Mental Health: 'I'm a Depressed Person'

Fashion That Speaks Volumes

Billie’s influence doesn’t stop at music. Her fashion choices have sparked a cultural conversation of their own. Rejecting the hypersexualized standards imposed on young female artists, Billie’s signature oversized clothing is as much a statement as it is a style.

“I never want the world to know everything about me,” she once said in a Calvin Klein campaign. “Nobody can have an opinion because they haven’t seen what’s underneath.” Her fashion acts as both armor and rebellion—a way of protecting herself while challenging the status quo.

Billie Eilish Speaks Her Truth for Calvin Klein's #MyTruth Campaign | Billboard

And her fans are listening. Billie’s bold, baggy outfits have inspired countless others to embrace self-expression over societal expectations. Whether she’s rocking neon green roots or custom Gucci tracksuits, her style is a reminder that confidence isn’t about conforming—it’s about owning who you are.

Billie Eilish's Fashion Evolution: Embracing Individuality and Defying Stereotypes

Redefining What It Means to Be a Pop Star

Billie Eilish is not your typical pop star, and that’s her power. She doesn’t chase the spotlight or pander to industry expectations. Instead, she creates art that feels deeply personal and refreshingly real.

Her music videos are surreal and boundary-pushing, filled with spiders crawling across her face or tears made of black ink. They’re not designed for mass appeal, but they mean to tell a story, which is reflected through her artistic vision.

Even her public persona is a departure from the norm. Billie is candid, funny, and unfiltered in interviews, often poking fun at herself and her fame. She’s a stark contrast to the carefully curated, untouchable pop stars of the past, and fans love her for it.

More Than Music

Billie’s impact goes far beyond her Spotify streams. She’s a vocal advocate for mental health, environmental sustainability, and social justice. Whether she’s performing at a climate change benefit or speaking out against injustices, Billie uses her platform to make a difference.

Her sophomore album, Happier Than Ever, showed even more of her depth. The title track is a powerful anthem about toxic relationships and self-worth, proving that Billie’s evolution as an artist is just beginning.

The Legacy of Billie Eilish

At just 22 years old, Billie Eilish has already left a lasting mark on pop culture. She’s shown that you don’t have to fit into a mold to be successful. You don’t have to shout to be heard. And you don’t have to fake perfection to inspire millions.

For Gen Z, Billie is more than a musician, she’s a movement. She’s proof that being authentic, vulnerable, and different isn’t just okay, it’s revolutionary.

So, what’s next for Billie? Whatever it is, one thing is certain: she’ll do it her way, on her terms, and the world will be listening.

[1mpulsec0ntrol]

ZAKIR SETHUPATHI

nickname; baagee ( rebel in Hindi ) // age; 27 years old - january 8th 1972 // gender/pronouns; cis-man, he/him // occupation; rapper/associate // protected by sawayama // from new delhi, india

quick summary;

Zakir was born in New Delhi, India to a Muslim father and a Hindu mother. The preasure was always on, growing up. To get the highest marks at school, to be the perfect son. Zakir excelled in very little aside from languages. And as a darker skinned brown kid, he was at the mercy of his peers constantly. His uncle, a delhi businessman, travelled often to the USA, and brought back cassettes filled with hip-hop music for his nephews; Zakir and his three younger brothers. Unlike his brothers, Zakir grew obsessed with it. He'd written poetry all his life, and here was something that put poetry to music. Only a month before he turned eighteen, Zakir immigrated to New York City, to the city where hip-hop was born. He'd always thought that these kids were similar to him, facing the same struggles because of the colour of their skin. Reality hit him only a few months into trying to make a name for himself. He continued his attempt at doing exactly what everyone around him was doing, until he realised he was lacking in two things; originality and money. He started working for the Sawayama organisation as an interpreter and translator, able to switch quickly between languages. And this too he began using in his music.

personality;

Zakir has sculpted a personality for himself that he uses when in public, going by his stage name Baagee, meaning rebel in Hindi, he is all suave and charming. He's loose and easy to talk to, will spark up conversations with anyone, and isn't afraid to talk about his passion and his talents. He comes off as loving expensive things, beautiful women, and fast cars, while switching between languages at the drop of a head to impress people.

In the company of friends however, Zakir is much more anxious and reserved. He tends to say fewer words and gives more meaning to gestures and non-verbal communication. He's a romantic at heart, always looking for genuine love from others, and always worried about distorting this image of the suave rapper. He's especially worried of the outside world learning of his bisexuality, after all, a rapper is supposed to be seen with a woman at his side, not another man.

head canons;

Zakir is a polyglot, he was quick to pick up new languages in his youth and has mastered several, while always picking up new ones. At current he's fluent in Hindi, English, Russian, Urdu, and Arabic. While being able to understand and convey a general message in Spanish, Gujarati, and Japanese. And learning Mandarin and Portuguese.

He always wears glasses, most often sunglasses.

Can often be seen scribbling down new ideas in his notebook; sentences he hears that would work good in a song, concepts that would make for good songs, little poems, and quotes from people around him.

He addresses anyone his age with either habibi ( 'my dear' or 'my love' in Arabic ) or bhai ( 'brother' in Hindi / Indic language ), and anyone older than him as auntie or uncle. Does this consistently and with respect.

Despite his mastery of languages, Zakir still has a distinct accent when speaking in Russian, English or Spanish.

connections;

wanted;

friends

enemies

people he can learn languages from

fellow artists (any type of creative)

fans of his music

established;

Anchali Malee Shinawatra - pen pall / unrequited love

Katherine Boyd - friend / mutual banter

[amandamazzillo]

REVIEW: Mythic Quest S3 - Hilarious, Heartfelt, Human

Mythic Quest–created by Charlie Day, Megan Ganz, and Rob McElhenney–is a hilarious workplace comedy following the inner workings of a video game design company.

Season two ended with some major shake ups that takes the series in a new direction for its third season. Season two ended with Ian Grimm (Rob McElhenney), Poppy Li (Charlotte Nicdao), Dana Bryant (Imani Hakim), and Rachel (Ashly Burch) leaving Mythic Quest and Brad Bakshi (Danny Pudi) going to prison–leaving David Brittlesbee (David Hornsby) to run Mythic Quest with Jo (Jessie Ennis) back as his assistant. 

Complex Characters, Compelling Stories, and Captivating Performances

Mythic Quest S3 picks up on all these new developments, and tells a compelling story across different characters–all trying to survive on their new paths. The choice to have David–now outside of Poppy and Ian’s shadow–being extremely successful at running Mythic Quest works perfectly. With how this character has been the one at his lowest point when season two ended, seeing these shake ups lead to him finally catching a break is cathartic and allows the season to explore another side of the character, which David Hornsby wonderfully plays throughout the season. He balances the anxious side of his character with newfound confidence that comes with being appreciated for his work rather than treated as a footnote.

Mythic Quest thrives with its ability to bring out the most interesting and exciting elements of every character through both familiar and unexpected relationship dynamics.

This season brought us some absolutely delightful moments between Jo, Poppy, and Rachel by allowing the brilliant Jessie Ennis, Charlotte Nicdao, and Ashly Burch to bounce off each other, creating unique dynamics between the trio that feel lived-in while also being a new and exciting friendship for the series to explore.

The Mythic Quest writers understand their characters so deeply that every moment feels perfect and resonates with the audience.

The codependency between Poppy and Ian catapults the series to be one of the most interesting shows on television right now. The dynamic between these two is heart wrenching, emotional, and cathartic.

And season three does not shy away from fully exploring their complex relationship, especially their codependency, and how it impacts everyone around them in some of the best episodes of television this year. 

Charlotte Nicdao and Rob McElhenney's performances leap off the screen showing us just how much these characters hurt and strive to be better, even if they believe it isn't possible. And their chemistry is captivating, especially in the moments showing the extent of Poppy and Ian's challenging relationship.

One of the best dynamics this season has been between David and Jo. Seeing Jo back as his assistant again has been delightfuly, especially seeing how their relationship has evolved since the first time they were in this position. We see Jo really wanting to help David overcome his fears and rebuild his confidence.

Jessie Ennis and David Hornsby work so well together and their performances are amazing each week, exploring the complex dynamic between their characters. Jessie Ennis masterfully finds the perfect balance between Jo’s eccentricities and her heart. 

The glimpses into Jo’s life outside Mythic Quest and her attempts at building friendships with Poppy and Rachel this season have been amazing and I cannot wait to see more exploration of Jo’s character–especially how she connects with other characters in future seasons. Their brunch adventure and tank crushing will be remembered as one of the best moments this season. 

Balance and Creativity

Mythic Quest wonderfully balances its sardonic and witty humor with darker, more emotional story beats. The first episode blends the loss of C.W. perfectly with the exploration of new beginnings and the importance of friendship and connection that permeates throughout the season. 

Mythic Quest always succeeds in how it balances its present day and its backstory episodes–"Dark Quiet Death" in season one, "Backstory" in season two, and "Sarian" in season three. These are some of the best, most emotionally resonate, episodes, which connect us to the world of MQ with a different tone than the surrounding episodes.

Some audiences talk about how they wish the entire series was like these episodes, but what makes these forays into the backstory of MQ and its employees so powerful is that they are morsels blended perfectly within the series. Mythic Quest is a wonderful workplace sitcom with complex characters, hilarious situations, and captivating performances–and stepping away from the workplace to revel in the unexpected for one episode a season helps create a perfect blend of emotion and comedic brilliance. 

The backstory episode this season, "Sarian", is a wonderful, poignant exploration of the importance of creativity and being yourself. The episode tells the story of young Poppy and Ian, worlds apart, going through similar struggles of fitting in with their unique views of the world. 

Isla Rose Hall as Young Poppy and Judah Prehn as Young Ian are wonderful and perfectly capture the mannerisms we have come to know from their adult counterparts. "Sarian" also brought us a compelling and challenging performance from Lindsey Kraft as Ian’s mom Sarah.

"Sarian" is a celebration of all the kids who felt they saw the world differently than everyone else–and how this should be nurtured rather than neglected. 

Hilarious, Topical Commentary

Mythic Quest does a great job at balancing real issues within the gaming world with realistic humor that can be appreciated by both people inside that community and someone who has never played a video game before. 

Season three weaves NFTs into the story, without feeling overwhelming in bringing these current topics into the show. We see how Ian has jumped fully into the NFT trend, and this is perfectly fitting of his character.

Showing how easily Ian adapts to this new NFT world expresses how much he wants to be seen as the pinnacle of early tech adoption. This is also hilariously represented in his design of the GrimPop office having no lines whatsoever. No matter how bad of a decision this was, he won’t give up his desire to set himself apart from everyone else. 

Season three also explores the world of video game adaptations in wonderfully funny ways as we see David and Jo work to bring a Mythic Quest movie to life–with Joe Manganiello as the Masked Man. One of the funniest scenes this season comes when Jo has to meet with Joe without David–and her conservative views and distaste of Hollywood come to the surface.

Jessie Ennis plays Jo’s nervous energy perfectly. The frantic energy of David feeding lines to Jo–while also on the phone with Phil from the MQ art department–gives the scene an electric screwball comedy quality brought to life through the amazing performances, especially Jessie Ennis and David Hornsby. 

This season also explores the culture of figurehead positions and the desire to make real change from a position built to make the company look better without any real responsibilities. Carol's (Naomi Ekperigin) storyline this season feels especially connected to real work culture and Ekperigin is hilarious in every scene.

The dynamic between Carol, Brad, and Rachel is especially funny. Naomi Ekperigin, Danny Pudi, and Ashly Burch work so wonderfully off each other.

Conclusion

Every season of Mythic Quest is funnier and more heartfelt than the last, as we fall in love with every character–the more flawed the better. Mythic Quest is both cynical and heartwarmingly sincere, reflecting the flawed nature of humanity and quest to find where we belong.

[imma-potatoo]

I need more of Janus being genuinely nice but hiding it under the guise of being self preservation.

Logan being stressed out of his mind, pulling all-nighters constantly, he forgets to eat due to the work load and forgetting the time period, his eye bags are darker then Virgil's eye shadow. But he gets a note attached to his door one day telling him to go to the living room, he finds a full batch of crofters jam tarts, a set up a doctor who marathon, and a note of assurance that the others will leave him alone so he can get a break.

Virgil being overly anxious due to the new relationship in Thomas's life, fretting over every tiny thing, and staying up late watching shows that would trigger his anxiety. But Janus leaves a basket of new stress toys,a new pair of headphones, a hand sewn weighted blanket with his aesthetic, and a box of chamomile tea to help calm his nerves. All in one basket, so Virgil wouldn't have to even talk to him.

Roman being in a creative slump after the wedding and barely being able to lift a pencil, let alone getting the energy to write anything. All Roman can do is stare at the ceiling and think about what he did wrong, but then an envelope gets slipped under his door. Inside is 4 tickets each to the musicals Hamilton, Be More Chill, Heathers, Grease, Chicago, and many many more. There's tickets to over 20 shows in one envelope. There's also a small note that simply reads to have fun with no sign of who it's from. Roman takes Patton, Logan, and Virgil to the shows.

Patton completely tearing himself apart with guilt. Blaming himself for every little thing that goes wrong in the the mindscape, only to have recipes slid under his door every night. Some days it's cookies, others its muffins, another is for grilled chicken. While the food is cooking, Patton's favourite movies was already queued up in the living room and his playlist waiting to be played on the radio.

Remus generally feeling bad about himself and feeling as if he isn't worthy of love, only to have an ornate letter slipped under hia door, inviting him on an adventure, where he could terrorize towns, help the evil, and use his new weapons without the other sides yelling at him. Remus also gets a plain maple baseball bat, and a note saying to decorate it how he wants too.

The five of them meeting up one day and discussing whats been happening and the strange acts of kindness that they keep encountering. Piecing together the clues slowly.

Janus feeling sleep deprived and worthless, feeling like everything was his fault and if he only tried a little harder then things would be okay. Him throwing himself into his work, taking on the patreon as a distraction from his swamped work on both the deception and self care fronts, but also taking every ounce of his free time working on things for the others. Janus believing that he's only there to work. Only for a knock to sound on his door. The others standing there with thoughtful handmade gifts made to fit the snake's aesthetic. They drag him out of his room and give him his favourite dinner and put on his favourite movie. Assuring him that the night has just begun and that they can't thank him enough for his work.

I need more of Janus being genuinely nice and the others appreciating that fact.

[clanwarrior-tumbly]

Funkin' Sides (FNF/Sanders Sides mod concept)

As a disclaimer I have absolutely no mod-making experience/motivation so this'll stay as just a concept.

Summary: C!Thomas has lost touch with his singing passion, and it's up to BF to help him regain that confidence. But to do so, he must journey into the Mindscape and confront each aspect of his personality one by one.

This would be a total revamp of all the weeks, with new songs, characters, secrets, and animated cutscenes. Each Core Side will have their own week.

..........

Week T (Thomas)

Song: Personality

Location: Apartment Living Room (real world).

Synopsis: Thomas introduces himself and explains his Sides to BF, deciding to do a warm-up rap battle.

If Personality is finished on Hard, additional dialogue alludes to the Dark Sides and a hint on how to unlock their weeks (but he discourages BF from doing so).

"I wouldn't be too harsh on Patton or Roman. Unless you're prepared for..things you might not wanna see, hear, or experience."

The rest of the weeks and how they'd play out are under cut.

Beware of spoilers for Working Through Intrusive Thoughts and other recent TSides episodes

Week L (Logan)

Songs: Logical, Teacher, Clairvoyance, Ignorance (secret)

Location: Commons Room (Mindscape)

Synopsis: After introducing himself, Logan attempts to add BF's lingo to a flashcard, but discards it upon being questioned. He warns that he's not the most musical Side but tries his best as this serves to help Thomas.

Secret: Typing 01134 during Clairvoyance for the first time interrupts it as Logan becomes confused and annoyed that they're going off-schedule. Asking BF if he's trying to "cheat" and choosing "Yes" (or typing the same code in subsequent playthroughs) in a dialogue prompt angers him and makes the "Orange Side" take over, turning his eyes orange and the screen an orange hue.

Gameplay Mechanics (Orange Notes): During Ignorance, hitting orange arrows shakes the screen and angers BF, making him unable to focus, taking away 10% of his health.

Ignorance is similar to Clairvoyance but set to Very Hard. After beating it, it's permanently available in Freeplay.

Week P (Patton)

Songs: Morals, Pop, Selflessness, Amphibbing (secret)

Location: Nostalgic/Patton's room

Synopsis: Patton greets BF as "kiddo" and gleefully accepts the singing challenge, making a few cheesy puns before they start.

Secret: When Week P is selected after beating it on any difficulty, there's a small chance a frog will be on his shoulder. Clicking on it (a cursor appears when hovering over the sprite) unlocks the song in Freeplay.

Amphibbing Synopsis: In an alternative timeline, this replaces Selflessness. BF apparently caught Patton on a bad day, as he feels distressed over losing. But when he's goaded into a final match, he turns into his giant frog form. He feels guilty but BF apologizes first. The two decide to sing to help him get back to normal.

Week R (Roman)

Songs: Creativity, Passion, Royalty

Location: Mindpalace Theatre (similar to normal Week 1's stage but fancier).

Synopsis: Roman boasts about his own singing abilities and decides to accept BF's challenge, transforming the Commons Room into an extravagant theatre to "set the stage" for this glorious battle. BF also gains a gold microphone like his.

Unique Animations: His expressions get more annoyed as he keeps losing, eventually drawing out his sword as Passion ends and swings it around throughout Royalty.

Post-Royalty Cutscene: In the end he lets his pride go and allows BF to win. Thanks to him he feels confident that Thomas can sing again. And he warns him of "one last hurdle" to jump over.

Week V (Virgil)

Songs: Anxious, Aversion, Acceptance

Location: Virgil's room

Synopsis: Being the natural source of Thomas' low confidence. BF vows to help him regain this, not just to help Thomas but also the anxious Side personally.

Unique Animations: During Anxious and Aversion, Virgil is sitting on the stairs with the whole background being nearly dark, but it becomes progressively brighter. During Acceptance, he is more confident and smiles, standing up. His eyeshadow also becomes a shimmering lavender color.

Secret Week/Week R̶̤͎̾̎ͅ (Remus)

Songs: Intrusive, Repent, Nightmare

Criteria: Beating Royalty on Hard.

Location: Mindpalace Theatre (destroyed)

Synopsis: Remus knocks out Roman and turns the stage into a nightmarish version. He claims it's his turn to "have some fun" and makes an obligatory "blue balls" joke before beginning.

Gameplay Mechanics (Unpredictability): Due to Remus' world-manipulating nature, he can hinder BF's progress in several ways:

Intrusive (Tentacle): An octopus tentacle randomly throws trash across the screen as a distraction. Items can hit BF's icon and lower his health by a small amount.

Repent (Vine Notes): Notes wrapped in bloody vines take away 20% of BF's health if hit.

Nightmare (Intrusive!GF): In addition to the above, an illusion of GF is made (similar to Nico from WTIT) as a last-ditch effort, draining BF's health by 0.5% when it's Remus' turn. Both him and the GF share the same vocals and poses. The illusion gradually fades near the song's end.

All (Creepy Atmosphere): The lower BF's health is, the darker/greener the screen overlay becomes.

Secret Week/Week J (Janus)

Songs: Deception, Lies Lies Lies, Selfishness

Criteria: Beating Selflessness on Hard

Location: Garden of Eden (imaginary)

Synopsis: Janus tries misleading BF into thinking Thomas is using his singing talent for his own personal gain. But when BF isn't persuaded Janus decides to test him and see how well he's done.

Gameplay Mechanic (Hungry Snake): Occasionally, a gold snake will "eat" a portion of BF's side of the health bar, slowly stretching towards him. The player would have to keep the icon away from the serpent's mouth or else it's an instant game over. During Selfishness the snake may stretch to consume 90% of the health bar

[narrativelysignificantturtleduck]

atla + mbti:

piandao - INTP

introverted thinking (Ti): piandao comes off as reserved and kind of aloof, always sitting back assessing everything to see where it fits in his own internal categories. what makes someone worthy of training or not is a mystery to everyone else, but in piandao's head those criteria are obviously clear and carefully constructed. he has a quiet confidence to him that comes from his cultivated expertise and knowledge.

headcanon/wiki canon: like the Fi that's familiar to me as an INFP, Ti is a self-centered function. everything is filtered against and slotted into internal systems, we value being independent and don't like following rules if we don't agree with them. Ti is more structured than Fi, so this is also about developing self-control, self-sufficiency. this may have helped piandao cope with his parents abandoning him at young age. in a group living environment like an orphanage, he probably wasn't getting as much personalized, direct support, but with Ti, he was able to be more self-directed, figure things out independently.

extraverted intuition (Ne): piandao's fighting style is about forming a strategy by taking in information from outside - not just being aware of your surroundings (Se), but using your surroundings. his teaching style is therefore all about Ne development, encouraging his students to dive in and explore, to try new things and to find new and creative approaches. this makes him the perfect mentor for Ne-dominant sokka (ENTP) - he appreciates when his students try things he doesn't expect.

headcanon/wiki canon: relying on his Ti as a child could have served him to a certain extent, but ultimately, turning inward as a response to trauma isn't exactly healthy. very wisely, his teachers coped with him being an anxious child by teaching him painting and calligraphy - i.e. developing his Ne. the arts turned his attention outward and gave him a way to process and interact with the world, and as an adult, he knows just how valuable that was...

his Ne is why he left the army. he "lost his taste for war and sought to become a more enlightened person", and the way he sought enlightenment was by traveling the world and "studying under a variety of benders, warriors, and artisans" - a very Ne approach. not isolating yourself on a mountaintop, but learning new things, exploring, expanding your worldview. he might not have even realized the fire nation was wrong when he left, he just wanted to learn new things, and happened to learn that along the way. something something education is the best solution to bigotry

introverted sensing (Si): the first thing piandao does when sokka walks through his door is bring up past wannabe students and compare sokka to them. he agrees to train sokka specifically because sokka displays notable differences and that intrigues him.

headcanon/wiki canon: the tertiary function is most prominent when the auxiliary function is underdeveloped, as it steps in to fill the gap - inadequately, because an introverted function can't replace an extroverted one and vice versa (see: jeong jeong and his Si loop). piandao's healthier Ne means that his Si isn't prominent. in his youth, it likely manifested in a subtle, healthy way, guiding him to be practical and dedicated in pursuit of his goals.

extraverted feeling (Fe): despite his anti-war views, piandao seems to have everyone convinced he's an ordinary loyal citizen. he even misleads the the gaang temporarily to artificially raise the stakes of the episode test sokka's abilities under pressure. though this manipulative and dishonest side is a darker use of Fe, it shows that he's developed it. it doesn't just come out under distress - he chooses to use it. and on the more positive side, he's clearly very concerned with sokka's feelings ("you seemed down on yourself") and openly expresses how worthy he believes sokka is. his Fe is incredibly well-developed for an inferior function.

headcanon/wiki canon: while his art definitely helped him balance his introverted and extroverted sides, it didn't totally address what was causing his nervousness to begin with - that is, Fe. the inferior function comes out under stress, and being abandoned by his parents would certainly be a cause of stress. when Fe takes hold of a Ti user, someone who's normally independent begins to worry about what others think of them, becomes people-pleasing and keenly aware of the ways they fall short in other people's eyes. piandao did, in fact, fall short in his parents' eyes for not being a bender, so he is especially susceptible to Fe grip. any time he's dismissed for being a nonbender, he'll feel it rear up and threaten to take hold.

this actually explains why his Fe is so healthy when we meet him in canon - he's grown familiar with it. he's still hyper-aware of other people's expectations of him, but instead of internalizing them he uses them to his advantage. he knows what it's like to feel unworthy, so he is kind and supportive to sokka.

in conclusion: piandao is a very well-adjusted INTP. he's used his Ti and Ne to develop expertise in his chosen field(s), he uses Si to supplement his Ti without getting caught up in it, and has learned how to use his Fe to navigate difficult social realities as well as be kind and considerate towards others. given his age, it's likely that he wasn't always so healthy, but he's clearly worked through that and now spends his time helping others develop into their best selves.