#there may be something a lot simpler that would suit your needs

[skelliko]

Kazutora hanemiya |°- listens as you talk about your family issues

• he's seen the signs that you unintentionally show, from what your views are about marriage and how you react to certain things that others may find to be 'not normal'. he also notices your behaviour change and that includes either how you tense up or loose focus on something to how you become a little quiet and shut yourself down when certain topic/s are mentioned

• he's aware, as far as he's aware of himself as well. when someone talks about their happy family and their similarities of what their father does, you don't have anything to say, just sat there listening at the very end

• hes wanted to ask for quite some time but has no idea how to without it being too straightforward, sure it'd be a lot more simpler if he just spews the words out but sometimes that can come across too pushy or maybe mean which is far from the energy that he wants to create, even though if asked the energy would still be quite low

• but one day when the both of you were alone and in comfortable silence, that's when he opened his mouth to mention a 'little something' about his home life, "don't exactly want to head home yet, too damn miserable there" he wasn't going to mention much or go into detail, but he knew that if he mentioned atleast something small like that then you'd follow suit,

• the conversation about home life would be different between you and Kazutora, rather than with anyone else when they smile at the thought of their parent/s or think 'aww' at a happy family in a restaurant. because what actually goes in the both of your minds when you see a happy family is dread and jealousy that that's not how you were brought up.

• meaning that both of you can understand each other without shame or having the need to lie, sure not everything will be said but that's okay because trust is a long term investment that can either work out great or turn south very quickly

• he loves to listen to you speak about it though, oddly enough there's a type of comfort about someone mentioning their bad experiences. it's like he can already see your picture without having to say much

• if you were to make a small joke about it in hopes of lightening the mood hed be conflicted a little but after a small while he'd crack a small side smile as he's listening to the rest of it, he actually quite likes the humour you bring

• he'd listen carefully though, sometimes repeat your words in his head to really remember it and won't ever cut your words, if he has a question he won't ask until your finished talking or if he finds the question to be too personal, because he knows that if he were to be asked a too insensitive question he'd wouldn't be able to answer nor hold his annoyance in check

• he'd try and be laid back and act like it's normal, he's aware that half of the time it's not normal to be traumatised in any sort of way but he'd try and not be too expressive in the moment,

• unless if something is mentioned that causes his heart to speed up and his blood to boil out of anger and pity. because what happened to you, you didn't deserve at all and instead you should be held onto and apologized about everything that you went through

• he'd gently hold onto the information that you have mentioned but won't necessarily do much about it, whenever he'd next see you for a few times he'd look back on this conversation but that doesn't change his total view or opinion about you, your still 'you' to him and nothing has changed, if anything he just understands you a whole lot more than before, and thats refreshing.

 ♡----

[kaigarax]

Bluebells and Lillies

Nozel Silva x Reader

Quote: "Fall in love with someone with someone brazen." & "Fall in love with someone that's filled with youth."

Someone You Loved Featuring: The Auteur

Nozel, contrary to popular belief, was numb.

Numb.

Such a dumb word.

They called him an eccentric. That he would burn the world down to the ground with his anger, drown the world in his tears, and brighten the future when he laughed. If only he ever laughed.

What a funny world this was.

Especially right now - when all he could feel was devoid. Devoid of any and all emotions.

He supposes going to a funeral would do something like that to him. Yours will be the first he attends after his mother’s. The first one he attended himself. The first with such strange instructions and set up. The funeral of his first… well you were a lot of his firsts. It seems almost unjust for him to simply sum it up when those moments would forever be so much more.

Growing up in a household like his own Nozel rarely had to share. In fact, he rarely even had to borrow things from others. The idea of borrowing something from another had even repulsed him at one point. He didn’t understand why or how people had done it in the first place.

Didn’t understand it at all until he met you.

Now he would never go as far as to say that he was borrowing you from another but it certainly did feel as though he were only borrowing your love.

That it was never something meant for him to keep. That he was merely a tourist in a world named your love.

And that idea, to a man that hated sharing, was absolutely horrifying.

He wishes that you weren’t so fickle.

Weren’t so far away.

Mostly though, he wishes that you never felt a need to keep a space between yourself and him.

While you may have been his first love he knows that almost for a fact that he is not yours. You’re simply much too experienced in matters of the heart for it to be any other way. And he was okay with that. He imagines that most people that fall in love with you are. It's simply just the way things are.

The funeral is nicer than Nozel thought. Not that he expected something shabby but he did expect something a little simpler. Something that would have suited your taste best. This event is perhaps even larger than your most popular exhibit. Though Nozel expects that whoever had been involved with the planning had likely wanted it to end with a bang. It would, afterall, forever be the last one you would ever host.

Your manager seemed like the most likely candidate. An older woman who Nozel had once mistaken for your mother. She was always scolding you for little things (despite your age) and fussed over your clothes much like his mother had when he was young. She would have wanted people to remember you for everything you were rather than an artist that was taken before their time.

Before their time, huh?

Most great artists die young, don’t they? Or at least the ones he hears about. The ones he hears about because they are the most tragic. Because they didn’t have the time in their lives to make mistakes that would have had them condemned or their work forgotten. Instead they went out with a bang - loud and clear - so that the world would always hear them. Left only with the echoes of who they were.

When the form of request to use Nozel’s photo had reached him Nozel had signed it without a second thought. He knew, of course, that the other Muses were likely contacted as well but he hadn’t been prepared for the sheer brilliance that lined the walls.

Large photos blasted up in dark wooden frames hung up against a stark white wall. Large hanging lights over each photo in an attempt to illuminate them further. All pieces being photos you kept to yourself because of love? Nozel doesn't know and he never thought to ask either.

At least they were all nice photos.

The nicest one, at least in the opinion of Nozel, is the Detective’s.

There’s a subtlety in the photo. A hint of a smile on the face of a man that looks as though he doesn't smile often. Something that screams ‘look at me’ in both a humble and modest way. An expression Nozel so desperately wishes to capture when he takes scenes of his own movies and films.

More is less.

Subtlety is key.

The man doesn't look like someone Nozel would’ve liked. He seems stubborn and stiff. Uncreative and overall an unpleasant man to work with. Makes sense though considering his occupation and all that. Those are traits needed for someone working in such an environment in the first place.

You must’ve found pleasure in teasing the man though. Made fun of him. Poked and prodded until you managed to worm your way into his heart. Or at least into a familiar enough position to be able to take a photo like that.

Nozel almost doesn't recognize the Detective in person when he sees him face to face. There’s no hint of a smile and his eyes are sharp and piercing. Nozel almost thinks that he might’ve been able to see the souls of others with how fierce his expression seemed to be. Something interesting but not malleable. Of course, such a state of being is expected of someone older. At least someone older than him.

The Detective looks as though he has a sour personality. Someone that’s seen too much in life. Someone that’s had too much to deal with to be someplace like this, yet here he is.

That makes Nozel wonder how much you must have affected this man’s life to be here today at all. It’s not everyday that such a large collection of people (from various different walks of life) come together in celebration of a single person. Though, Nozel suspects that all of these also would’ve come to celebrate your birthday if you asked. That they would’ve made the time (much like they did today) to see you. To be there for something that was important to you.

Nozel certainly did.

It’s a shame that you’ll never have a birthday again.

Nozel has never cared to celebrate such things, and neither were you, but he thinks it would’ve been nice if you had cared. At least once. Perhaps at one point you did but he doesn't look to ask.

Your family has arrived but it looks as though most of them had chosen not to attend today. They did have their own private service yesterday but it’s surprising that they haven't decided to come again. Perhaps they also suffered at the hand of the space you so always sought to keep.

As if other people could ever hurt you as much as being alone.

Nozel knows that better than anyone else.

But perhaps that is why you constantly sought the attention of a new muse.

He asked you about that once. Why you perfed to keep your space?

You laughed, laid down and thought to count the stars. A vast and endless amount yet insisted that he count along with you. Told him that the stars here looked different from the ones that you had grown up with. That it was not just the very land but the sky that has changed. Spoke about how you felt as though this world was constantly moving and shifting - and you wanted to move and shift with it. Whispered that you never wanted to stop moving onwards.

Then you looked at him as if that answer would be enough.

And it should’ve been.

Afterwards, you looked up at him and asked why he did the same.

Nozel, from a young age, had been placed upon a pedestal by everyone else. They smiled and praised him. Told him that one day he’d be brilliant. That he’d one day leave them all behind. Always for him. Never with him.

To put it simply, Nozel didn’t know how to be close to someone. Not without them disappearing on him like his mother had. Like how you had.

A salmon haired man, the Storyteller, catches Nozel’s attention next.

He has a samilair sorta pep to his step that you had. Glows with this familiar brilliance that you had when you were young. Nozel wonders if you would have been something like this man if you had managed to make it to his age. If that youthful glow Nozel loved so much about you would still be as bright and evident as the day when he first met you.

Nozel imagines it would be because despite your inability to stay still your personality never seemed to shift. You never seemed all too affected by the world around you. And it was a good thing. At least it had been.

The Storyteller looks almost familiar to Nozel but from where Nozel can’t quite place. Perhaps the two of them crossed paths once during one of your exhibits? He isn’t all too sure. Living a life like he did brought him to countless different people in such a short amount of time. It doesn't help that Nozel has never been all that good with memorizing names and faces either. Was he one of your earlier Muses?

Later ones?

It was kind of hard to tell.

Nozel did his best to attend your various exhibits but it was hard when work required so much of his time and attention. Even today, Nozel barely managed to get the time off. The upper management was hesitant but his casting crew were insistent. Almost going off on strike if not given this particular day off. And it pleased Nozel to know they cared so much about him but it also felt strange. He hadn’t been aware just how highly they thought of him.

The photo of the Storyteller is one where he’s much younger than he appears to be now. His face is devoid of stress lines that life gives you and his eyes look bright. Have a certain sparkle that says he’s going to change the world. He looks as though he’s just about to laugh at something you must’ve said before taking the photo. Bets he’s the kinda person you would’ve loved being around when you were young.

The Storyteller looks as though he’s the kind of person that sweeps others up in waves. That he must’ve spotted you and then decided that the two of you would be friends. He of course, wouldn’t have known just how brilliant you actually were and would then find himself thinking about you constantly. Wondering about all the different things in this world that you would manage to complete. And soon, he would end up as your second Muse.

A pretty story, Nozel thinks.

Something befitting of such a man like the Storyteller.

Nozel thinks you brought up the Storyteller once in conversation. You didn’t name him, either by his given name or title, but Nozel feels as though it must’ve been about him regardless. Something about the way you smiled.

You told him about how your life had been when you first fell in love. How it was like holding a bright balloon. How there’s a part of you that wants to hold onto it forever and another that wants to let go and watch it float up into the big open sky above.

Most people, Nozel thinks, struggle with holding onto that balloon. That when finally faced with the choice of letting it go or keeping it they choose to hold on. They hold on tight because to them there will never be something else like this. That every other time they hold a balloon in their hand they will always compare the moment to this. That they’d be disappointed if it doesn't feel the exact same. Doesn't give them the exact same feeling that it had before. And it won’t, of course, no two balloons are ever the same, but sometimes they hold on too tightly. Force the balloon to pop.

You are not everyone.

You choose to let the balloon go.

You choose to let every balloon go, as if waiting for a different outcome.

Perhaps you were finally waiting for a balloon to come back.

Nozel wonders why no one ever did.

The most beautiful photo left up upon the wall isn’t any of the photos you have taken but one of you. The composition of the photo isn’t all too brilliant and the background is plain and white but Nozel thinks that it absolutely encompasses who you were. That it captures you beautifully. It’s exactly how he hopes to remember you when everything else is said and done.

He leaves behind a bouquet of flowers for you beneath the frame.

It was something you always did for him when attending his movie’s premiere. Always gifting him something graciously even though you knew everyone else would too.

Once you’d brought him Dandelions. Nozel had been furious - but you simply laughed in response. Told him that you’d spent all day picking these flowers in the fields because you thought he would’ve liked the message behind them. Laughed because you wanted to show him that it was his wishes coming true.

Nozel didn’t get it back then.

In fact, he still doesn't get it all too much now.

But he was at least grateful for your gift. It wasn’t everyone that would spend a day out in the fields to pick flowers. Even if those flowers happened to be a common weed to the area.

He leaves behind bluebells and lilies for you because he thinks they represent you better than anything else.

Fall in love with someone brazen.

---

Bluebells and Lillies

Even from a young age, Nozel knew that he was special. Important. That he was unlike the other children around him.

His mother herself had whispered it to him before bed and in the mornings when he was called awake. He was special. Different. And he would go on in this world and make a difference. That he would take this world by the reins and steer it into a different direction. A direction that he saw fit and proper.

He was quite like most brilliant children.

Pulling in the attention of those around them as if it were second nature. Garnering the hopes and wishes of those who hope to see them succeed. Gathering crowds of people behind them through sheer existence.

Overindulged which leads to arrogance and pride.

Which leads to loneliness.

Ah, the loneliness of being brilliant. To be placed upon that very same pedestal that separates you from everyone else. To be seen not as you are as a person but a product of everything that the world has wanted you to be and the collapse it so wishes you will have because as much as people love brilliance they also yearn for downfall. It is simply the destructiveness of human nature.

It’s why, despite being the director of a high quality film Nozel sits alone.

People walk by him not as if he is a human but rather a ticking time bomb. Overindulging themselves in his own brilliance only to later run away when the explosion they deem inevitable ultimately happens. To claim themselves a victim because it is simply human nature.

It is simply human nature - so why is it that Nozel just can’t seem to understand you?

At first he had assumed you to be like him. Thrust into the midst of infamy and fame at a young age you clearly must have been a brilliant child. Called one of the greatest artists of their time before even reaching the midpoint of your life with your various collections of photos. Placed upon a pedestal almost as high as his own so how is it that you can sit amongst the others laughing as if you were simply normal?

A foreign concept. A puzzle for him to solve. Perhaps even a chance to see something different in this strange world.

Perhaps the very skill you were gifted in is not your affinity to art but rather your ability to connect to others? To seem so genuine and normal in a world where people are anything but. They must find it captivating and… alluring. Nozel certainly does.

But he also thinks that among all the skills people can acquire, this is perhaps the most dangerous. The one that forces someone to tread more carefully as they traverse this world. That leads to a much bigger fall from grace than anyone else could ever fathom. Certainly not something he can fathom.

His eyes meet with yours from across the room.

You smile sweetly.

He looks away.

Ah, to meet another person like you. It most certainly is possible, just unlikely in a world like his own.

Nozel had been rather skeptical when he was first assigned to work with you. Of course you were basically famous for your skill with a camera but he saw no use for another creative mind for this particular project. Everything, from the breathing of the actors to the time of day would be decided by him. No need for something as silly as someone that specializes for their skill behind a lens.

But, Nozel did have to admit, you were good. Almost as if you intuitively knew what he wanted before he himself did. You needed less direction than anyone else he’d been working with and seemed to have good instincts for the job.

He wonders if you’ve ever been lonely. You certainly don’t seem that way from the outside but it’s impossible to know what kind of person you are beneath the surface. It’s impossible to know exactly who someone else is unless you are that person yourself and even then an argument could be made otherwise.

Nozel’s never been a big fan of human psychology. Seemed more like a waste of time than anything. Why bother to learn that people smile because they’re happy when it’s already something you know? He’s certain there are more delicate and intricate parts of it all but overall he doubts it’s something he’s going to need further on in life.

“Director.”

Nozel looks up, almost surprised to see you taking a seat across from him, “(L/n).”

“What’re you doing here sitting all alone?”

“Working.” Nozel points to the script in his hand that’s been scribbled all over with notes all over in various colours of ink. It looks almost as though he’s written an entire second script from the sheer amount of notes he’s taken down.

You nod, “very admirable.”

“Simply a trick of the trade.”

“That’s surprising.”

“How so?”

“Most would think that someone so disliked in their own profession wouldn’t care to put in so much effort.”

“Meaning?”

“Usually those that work hard are liked.”

Ha! Nozel’s almost as amused by your impudence as he is annoyed. Of course you’d say something like that. You’re young.

Obviously Nozel’s offended. Anyone would be after hearing someone say something like that to their face but he’s more intrigued than anything. You’re lucky, otherwise he most certainly would’ve had you removed from the filming premises. Most people aren’t so blatantly disrespectful though the only reason you can even like that in the first place is because of how much influence you happen to hold coming into this film set.

Quite a bit like how he was when he was your age.

It’s always interesting to see into the minds of others. To see what they think about the current situation of things and to see if they like the way this world has turned out. There is, of course, the chance that you’ll be coy the entire time but at the very least he’ll have an interesting conversation.

Besides, it’s not as if Nozel will lose anything by talking to you about something like this anyways.

Nozel scoffs, “if being a man with standards makes me disliked than I will gladly accept the hate.”

You shrug, “nobody likes a bossy know it all.”

“Agree to disagree.”

“You know,” you say, “it was actually very exciting for me to come here! I’ve been a big fan of your work for a long time.”

Nozel raises a brow curiously, “since when?”

“Back when you were in University. I actually attended the same one as you. Though, you were already a Graduate student while I was in only in my first year.” You explain, “I absolutely loved the piece you wrote about your mother. Very eye opening and thought provoking.”

“What did you find thought provoking?” Asks Nozel, “I personally thought that piece was fairly simple and straight to the point.”

“Throughout the entire piece you’re talking about how someone needs a spark of… brilliance if they hope to live a good life. But the feeling you leave behind in your readers is that simply being born makes you worthy of having a good life.” You smile, “both ideas are very… dangerous. Especially when they lead to such extreme ideals.”

“Extreme ideals are only extreme when extreme circumstances are pushed upon it.”

“I suppose you’ve got me there.”

Nozel chuckles, “you’re surprisingly agreeable.”

“Surprisingly?”

“What can I say? Most people in a position like your own have a tendency to be argumentative.”

“So are you?”

Nozel laughs at that, “yes. Very much so.”

You raise a brow clearly not understanding the joke which only seems to make him laugh more. Eventually you reach into your bag and grab a newspaper article from your bag. The paper looks fairly new, from what Nozel can tell. Another surprising thing. It’s rare to see someone your age (much less someone at all) reading the newspaper. Online articles have almost entirely taken over in this day and age.

Personally Nozel isn’t all to big on the news. Sure, there’s plenty of interesting stuff that can be learned from the news but most of it is just depressing things or hand picked crazy headlines meant to draw attention.

He’s never been all too big on gossip either. Talking about other people in such a crude sense never looks good on your own character. Makes you seem shallow and indulgent in the lives of others in both a creepy and uncomfortable manner. Plus, Nozel would much rather focus his attention on his work. At least there he’s able to accomplish something actually worth talking about.

“What’s that?” Nozel points to the newspaper.

You look up and smile teasingly, “a newspaper.”

Nozel rolls his eyes, “I knew that much. I meant what’re you reading about.”

“Perhaps you should have stated that in the first place.”

“Come on.”

You laugh, smiling fondly in a way that Nozel is unfamiliar with, “just an article on a Detective back in the Leaf City.”

“Leaf City?”

“I got the chance to meet the detective a few years back. He’s a surprisingly nice man. It’s nice to hear of all the things he’s accomplished since.”

“The Detective.” Nozel test the familiar title. He remembers having heard it before in relation to but can’t name when or where. Perhaps it had something to do with the Muses? He isn’t all too sure.

“Has anyone told you you’re much too pretty to be someone behind the lens.” You ask, your voice teasing as you lean forward.

His heart flutters.

Nozel isn’t too sure if you’re doing this on purpose or not.

It’s annoying.

In his time as a Director there have been countless women that have tried to seduce him before. From beautiful actresses to young hopefuls. He was no stranger to such an attempt so why did his heart flutter so?

Ah, Nozel thinks, to be young and so unaware of the feelings of others.

To be able to say such words that reach so deeply into another’s soul without a second thought. To be able to jump head first into your feelings. To be in a position where you only have to think about yourself; your feelings; and your wants.

Nozel knows, perhaps better than anyone, of how reckless the youth can be with an expression of their feelings.

Presently, he is by no means a young man (he’s a middle aged man). But he, himself, had lived a vast majority of his youth pushing away his younger siblings. Pushing them out of harm's way in hopes of further preserving their life. It’s a shame then that he was unable to see all the pain he had put them through because of his own wants and needs.

He, in his youth, had been so unaware of the feelings of others.

But such is the privilege of being young. Such is the leniency of being youthful.

Adults, like himself, on the other hand, are not privy to such expressions of emotion. Instead they are called irrational and senseless. Careless and irresponsible. Titles and descriptions Nozel thinks he might one day place on someone like you.

You leaned over on the desk, resting your head on your arms and your arms on the table, looking up at Nozel with a warm and dreamy look, “it’s Romantic, isn’t?”

“What?” Nozel let out a scoff like laugh, “being a bossy know it all is Romantic?”

“No. Even people like me don’t think being ‘a man with standards’ is Romantic.” You laugh, “being good at something is Romantic. Even if people find you snobby, arrogant, narcissistic and rude you will still be liked and admired simply on the basis that you are excellent at something. Oh, and that you’re attractive.”

“And is that why you like me?”

“No. I like you in spite of your brilliance.”

“So what, it’s my bad traits you're attracted to?”

“It’s you. Simply as you are.”

Ah, Nozel thinks, to be young and so unaware of the feelings of others.

Fall in love with someone that’s filled with youth.

[theowlreblogs]

Odd OC asks for Seth/ Valak! 🌽🍉🍪

(QUILL!! Thanks for the ask 😭 You made my week)

Context for these OCs: Valak and Seth are childhood friends with soft feelings for each other. They are separated now + Seth thinks that Valak's dead. Valak lost an eye and got his long hair cut after losing a fight. He's in our dimension now, which is... very different of what he's used (He's suffering) Let's go, let's go -rubs hands like a fly-

🌽How does this OC feel about acts of affection? What's their favourite act of affection, physical or emotional?

Seth: He is that kind of guy who is a flirt but serious acts of affection which means truly something-- He will do them very rarely. As an extrovert he likes casually touching everybody so you have to be able to read through him to see when it means more.

When he truly cares/loves you he would compose (nice) songs about you, will serve alcohol in your cup with a soft smile, would touch you more carefully but with more intensity. He would need to have you close. His favorite act of affection is singing nice things about you (Which is a surprise, this bard likes to sing vulgar stuff way too much) That and hugging you with his whole body, all wrapped around you. He also likes licking the faces of his loved ones.

(^That's Damian, a half-demon kid Valak is very fond of) Valak: In the other hand, Valak is much simpler. If he likes you just enough he would become a very sticky demon. He likes touching the people he likes and he thinks it's natural just staying close (sometimes sitting a bit too close, for example) to anybody he feels comfortable with. Bumping softly his forehead with yours, cuddling you, nuzzling your hair, biting you a bit, wrapping his tail around you, doing your make up or hair, feeding the best pieces of meat to you, gifting little tokens, purring when you are near. He doesn't voice his soft feelings, but rather let them be seen with actions.

His favorite act of affection is helping without being asked. He'd decide in what you need that help (lol) 🍉 Does your OC have a particular piece of jewellery that they always wear or refuse to part with?

Valak: He likes to wear a blue crystal his mother gave to him when he was a kid. He never takes it off. When he was exiled and ended up in an unknown place he was ready to pawn every jewelry and gem he had… but that one. Seth: He always wears gold rings on the base of his horns. It was the prize he choose after killing a demon lord who kept trying to cross a line with him. Seth was very proud of winning that fight (His first kill) plus he thinks these rings suits him very well. (Some people started to respect him a bit more after that, which only made him even more proud)

🍪: What is something that's sentimental to you OC? Valak: His black spotted pelt… Nowadays he barely wears it in his everyday, slighty afraid that it could lose the scent of the demon who gifted it to him (Seth). It makes him remember a flowery scented summer. When he's feeling especially emotional he would sleep with it wrapped around him. Valak and Seth used to nap together a lot, so… (It's better if you never ever touch that pelt or you may make him angry for real. It's *his* and only his)

Seth: Peaches. Peach blossoms. He never liked when other demons made him feel too soft, but when Valak compared him to a peach flower… it made him feel as if being delicate wasn't that bad after all (At least not with the right person)

The sweet smell of peaches always brings a bittersweet feeling into his chest.

~ Le finish! I hope that was interesting to read! Sorry for my awkward English (Just as note: I wanted to add one or two doodles to illustrate my replies and then I got carried away. I don't have regrets 'tho (?) )

[is-this-tf]

tumblr messed up and maybe sent this ask early, so sorry if so.

i was wondering if you could explain the appeal of tf into inanimate objects? one body becoming another is something i find sexy, but less so the inhabiting the body after the change is done, so the thought of sexual gratification from becoming just. A Thing isn’t something i can really get my head around. i’m not judging, i’m just. hoping to understand why people find it sexy

Hmmm, good question....

Well, the answer is probably different depending on who you ask (similarly to how the level of sexual appeal to it in particular varies depending on the TF fan). Inanimate TF fans interested in the Changing Into part for a given object and doesn't really seem to be able to move around, might tie into themes of bondage or helplessness common in other kink spaces like BDSM, or rather the willing or unwilling reliance on another to move, function, escape, or otherwise experience their life- just a bit fantastical and TF flavored in this case, being transformed into an object. Although, in my case and as I imagine in many others', some of the prime appeal of inanimate TFs boils down to inhabiting the body After it's done changing, like you mentioned- and in these cases, how it may be used or treated after that change has finished. (edit: I tend to focus a lot on Clothing inanimate TF in particular in this post, but know that it can be pretty widely generalized to other inanimate objects as well! Pooltoys, food, sex toys, etc.)

Personally, inhabiting a 'body' of an inanimate object (or to my personal tastes, an animate inanimate object, as in one that comedically can still move around) has Incredible appeal when it comes to themes of Use and Purpose. The human being is a messy, wonderful, purposeless thing whose only job when you get to the bottom of it is to find their own meaning in their life, or to make one up that makes them feel satisfied and content and fulfilled. But taking that marvelous, multifaceted human body and changing it, refining it into something with a much simpler, much clearer purpose to it, like a comfy hoodie- well, that just makes things feel a lot Easier all of a sudden, wouldn't it? You'd have an inherent purpose to you, an Intended Way of Use to feel satisfied and fulfilled and perhaps pleasured (in any way that appeals to you the most) every time you're used in such a way. (And now that I think on it, given the often clear and well-indicated guidelines implied for how an inanimate object like you would be used, the effort to fulfill your purpose would fall to whoever would be using you rather than up to you yourself, wouldn't it?) (The same themes as well of needing to take care of yourself and are responsible for your own 'good condition' fall to the user, in a similar way- whether someone washes or cleans you regularly and keeps you in good condition, or if the user very worryingly doesn't care for you well at all and you end up degrading in quality in the process, is also entirely out of the hands of the object in question. Er, so to speak.)

These themes of having an inherent nature or simplicity to your very being- form following function, and all- can be a source of great comfort or sexual gratification (or both!) to whomever might consider themself an inanimate TF fan, as well as to whom they might let use them (or who uses them Regardless of their wishes, if that appeals to them). Think about it: a big winter coat's purpose is to keep whoever is wearing it warm and comfy in cold weather. A suit vest's purpose is to provide another layer over a dress shirt and to make the wearer look more fancy. A pair of socks' purpose is to cover the feet and keep them safe inside the shoes. A pair of underwear briefs' purpose is to hold in the dong so it doesn't go as hogwild as it could in a pair of pants otherwise.

There's a lot of range for this, as there is for most other themes and genres in TF, meaning there's a lot of ways someone can experience or enjoy it. Having it be a close and intimate personal things between friends or loved ones through keeping them warm as a hoodie or shielding them from the sun as a hat, or being punished and forced to be the watering can of some witch or wizard you befouled for a while, or getting snapped up unintentionally by your suspicious roommate who can't help themself and getting royally fucked from his irresponsible lack of cleaning habits, and so on.

One way or another, it just comes down to the given TF fan's preferences and what they're looking to experience, what themes and flavors to it that make the TF just that much more tasty. Just as it is about with any other part of TF!

[dungeonmalcontent]

Musing/ramblig a little extra on Equal Rites, but with more comical curiosity of how I might handle something like that subject matter.

Because, it's all well and good to say that what you call yourself and what you are are two very different things. Esk can call herself a woman and a wizard, and she can call herself a woman and a witch, and she can really call herself whatever she wants and whatever else she wants because she knows what she's doing (more or less).

But if I were approaching a world where all wizards are men and all witches are women, would I just let a character that wanted to cross between those lines merely transition? Because, really, what is easier? Is it simpler to say that sex and gender (essentially man/woman and wizard/witch) are unalterable fixtures of "reality" but people can use magic to put themselves in either box, or is it simpler to say that rather than fit in a designated box a character can alter the "reality" of their world to suit their own needs?

And I was thinking about this and joking to myself that "well, if Esk wanted to be a wizard she could have just made herself into a boy using magic... And heck, that'd be funny, wouldn't it? A world where you pick your school of magic and that determines what sex you have to be... Because wizards need a wand and witches need a cauldron..." And I realized midway through that, that (along with that joke leading to the opposite side of the spectrum of what I would be going for) this was something Pratchett would have thought of. Hell, I'm almost certain he did. He let Esk do a molecular rearrangement of different materials because she could, real transmutation, but he made it clear as well that she was a woman and didn't want to change who she was to be what she wanted to be. And I'm realizing now that Equal Rites was far more nuanced than I gave it credit for. It isn't just about defying gender roles, it's a firm statement that it really doesn't matter what you are--you should be able to pursue your own happiness regardless of whatever form you take (provided you aren't a nightmare creature from the dungeon dimension).

So, maybe, it might have been funny to say that with that level of powerful magic people would be transing themselves frequently and it would make for interesting hijinks at some kind of magic academy. But it would also take away a lot of the power of self-determination in that narrative. If you can flip flop back and forth with complete biological precision and choose which sex you are depending on the weather, there are no stakes (unless someone got pregnant, and then it becomes an entirely different sort of novel). Realistically, if people can gain basically unlimited power over their own bodies of course they'd do some weird and experimental stuff. Changing sex would be so basic that no one would talk about it (in an entirely different train of thought I'm thinking back to my childhood with the makeover mage in runescape, and how it was such an accessible service that no one talked about it).

I've rambled off course.

What I'm trying to get at is it may well be easier to write a world where magic can change your sex to whatever you want whenever you want. Writing a world where perhaps you could do that, but it isn't the ideal works better. It is better to have a world a character alters instead of altering themselves. Because, at the end of the day, the character is still the same character no matter what box you present them in. Sure, they can learn and grow, but changing the box doesn't really change who the character is. Changing the world changes everything. It's harder to do, just like real life, but it's the ideal. We, as real people, don't want to change ourselves to fit the world, we want to change the world to fit us so that we can be who we want to be.

[couldntbedamned]

Back to Where You've Never Been - Chapter 14

Summary: In an alternate reality, Peter Parker is living out his dream of being Spider-Man and working as an intern for Stark Industries (and the Avengers!) under his hero, Tony Stark, before heading off to college. For the most part, it's incredible. Okay, the Avengers treat him like he's still a child, and Mr. Stark's not exactly the friendliest mentor. But still, it's good.

Except that recently, Mr. Stark's been in the worst mood and Peter finds himself the unwitting focus of the man's ire. He tries to keep his spirits up and tell himself that it's not personal, that anyone in the lab would be a target, but when Mr. Stark kicks him out, Peter knows he's done.

Then he finds himself falling for what feels like an eternity before returning to New York. Only it's not his New York City and the Iron Man he ends up fighting alongside is definitely not his Iron Man. Anthony Stark is kind of perfect. The Other Avengers are kind of perfect. Everyone here seems to love him. And when he and Anthony are tapped by Dr. Strange to help seal the rift between realities, Peter finds himself wondering if he was supposed to be in the reality with Anthony all along.

Warnings (or AO3 tags):  Peter Parker needs a Hug, Tony Stark has Issues, Peter Parker Whump, Tony Stark is a Dick, Alternate Tony Stark is Perfect, Alternate Avengers are Perfect, Peter Parker is of Legal Age, Pain. Lots of Pain.

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Chapter 14 - 6:02 AM EST

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New York City rejoices when they realize that their hero - Spider-Man - has returned.

A few news sources question the change in his suit - apparently the red and blue is missed. But the silver, blue - Anthony's blue - and black aren't going anywhere. This suit is his last tie to the life - and man - he'd loved.

He doesn't patrol nearly as often as he used to before that fateful day in Mr. Stark's lab. It's an ordeal again, getting to a secure place, suiting up, and then slinging up and away. It's a pain in the ass to make his web-fluid in the kitchen he shares with May. And most of all, he resents the need for secrecy.

He remembers how wonderful it had been to just be Peter Starr, aka Spider-Man and not have to worry about the people he loved being in danger. He remembers what Steve said with such conviction.

"We don't hide behind masks."

He'd been free, in a way.

He thinks about actually doing it, about revealing his identity to the world and taking his chances. Then guilt roils in him until he's sick in the stomach. He can't risk his Aunt May like that, or MJ or Ned. It's so selfish to even think about it!

It was simpler, Over There, he thinks.

Life was better Over There.

He finds that he's resenting being stuck Over Here. Everything he's once loved now feels tainted somehow. He doesn't like it at all and he especially doesn't like how he's starting to feel apathetic.

"We need a plan."

If it was like before, when Peter was still with them - with him - where he belongs, Anthony would tease Steve for how serious he's being.

But this is no time to tease. The stakes are far too high.

"Agreed," he says. He looks at America. "How does this magical girl star power thing of yours work?"

America considers. "I concentrate really heard about where I want to go. Then I just sort of, you know, punch a hole in reality and step through. Once I'm through it closes."

"And you haven't noticed any deterioration of the realities?" Strange asks.

"No," she says emphatically. "No, and I spent a lot of time studying up on it during all of my travels."

"How do we make sure we're hitting the right reality?" Hope asks. "I don't want to risk inter-dimensional war."

"I think if I had something of Peter's, from before, it would help me focus." America looks at Anthony. "Did he have anything on him when he fell through?"

"Just his suit and web shooters."

"Do you still have them? The web shooters?"

Anthony nods in answer to Sam's question. "Yeah. I couldn't bring myself to throw them out." The web shooters and suit are in a little box in the back of his closet. They were his last tie to the man he'd loved.

"Okay. We make it Over There. What then?" Steve asks.

"We need to make sure we're not risking civilians," Sharon says. "And we need to be careful. They're still Avengers and from everything Peter said, they're considered heroes there like we are here. The public probably won't take a group attacking them too well."

Anthony scowls. He doesn't like the idea of those people being considered heroes. Not when they were so terrible to Peter.

They talk through the plan, poking holes in it where they can and refining until they have something solid.

Then Bucky speaks for the first time.

"We can't just steal him back."

"I'm sorry, what?" Anthony bites out. "You've been in on this planning session with the rest of us and you're just now offering your thoughts?"

"Look, we know he didn't want to go back, but if we just show up and forcibly take him, are we any better than they are?"

"He's happy here," Wanda argues.

"I know that!" Bucky exclaims. "And I want him back just as much as you all do. I'm just saying that he deserves to be able to choose to come back." He looks at them all. "You know I'm right."

Anthony runs a hand over his face. "Yeah, we know." Then he sighs. "He'll probably say no."

"You don't know that," Bruce says.

"It's who he is," Anthony argues. "His whole thing is ignoring anything he wants if he thinks it will make others happy, because... because..."

"Because he doesn't think he deserves to be happy," Nat finishes.

"We can least offer him the choice," Pietro says. "We can give him that, which is more than they ever have."

"And we can kick their asses," Ava adds fiercely. "They have it coming."

"They certainly do," Steve agrees, shocking them all. "What?" He adds defensively at the incredulous looks. "I never said they don't suck!"

"I need you to know that I'm so proud of you, Spangles. So proud," Anthony tells him. "One day you'll learn to swear properly."

Bucky snorts. "Remind me to share some stories from the Commando days."

"I don't think that will be necessary," Steve says with a sheepish look.

"We should all get some rest," Strange advises. "This trip is going to take a lot out of us."

"Do you know how this turns out?" Anthony asks him after the others have filtered out and it's just the two of them.

Strange's face is blank. "I can't answer that," he says. "I know it's not what you want to hear but it's all I can say."

"Your job sucks," Anthony says after a few moments.

"It's not without its difficulties and frustrations," Strange admits.

"Any sightings?" Tony asks.

There have been no sightings of Spider-Man since last week, Sir.

Tony sighs and rubs his face. It used to be that the kid couldn't get enough of his patrolling. He was always chomping at the bit to be free of his classes so he could suit up and sling around the city helping anyone he could. Peter isn't even coming to the Tower so he can make his web fluid. For all that Tony had wanted Peter out of the line of heavy fire, he almost wishes the kid was fighting bad guys on the regular like he'd been so determined to do.

"Keep your eyes open, J."

Of course, Sir.

"Tony?"

He turns to see Pepper leaning against the doorway to his lab. He searches his mind and frowns when it comes up blank. "Did I forget a board meeting or otherwise important shindig?"

"No," she says softly. "But you have been forgetting to sleep."

"I'm not sure I know how," he says. "Pep, I messed up, so much worse than I could have imagined and I don't know how to fix it. He won't talk to any of us and he's hardly going out as Spider-Man, either."

"He's not the boy you knew," she says, moving over to him and cupping his face while he looks up at her with saddened eyes. "He did an awful lot of growing up while he was gone and he's never going to be the Peter he was before."

"I was just trying to keep him safe and away from all of this, you know, before. I know I'm an unbearable ass when you go on vacation and I'm left in charge of everything but knowing that I hurt him the way I did kills me. And realizing just how unfair we've been to him? We were terrible and I was the worst of us. And it doesn't even matter how much I apologize, because he's not going to accept. I can't even blame him for that, either."

"All you can do is give him time. And maybe give him that data stick that he had on him when you all pulled him back."

He rolls his chair back and stands up. "I never have been the patient type," he admits. "But since I can't just build him a new suit, I suppose I should make sure he gets this data stick. I'm not sure I see the point; if he's homesick for that place, it might just make it worse."

"Tony."

He sighs. "Yeah, you're right as usual, Ms. Potts."

He calls for one of the Iron Legion and sends the Mark 47 to the kid's apartment, data stick in hand with a message: You had this on you when you came over, must have fallen out of your pocket during all of the hustle and bustle.

Pepper leaves after securing his promise that he'll catch a few hours on the lab futon. He actually means it, too.

He looks around, wishing he'd been in a state to properly appreciate the last time Peter came bouncing through the doors to the lab, cheerful and ready to work.

He'll probably never get that again.

'You really are the worst, Tony," he mutters to himself.

Peter looks at the data stick the Mark 47 had given him.

He's so glad to have it back; he'd promised Anthony he'd take care of it and he'd lost it! Hell, he'd forgotten all about it!

"Hey Gwen, can you interface with this?"

The nanites in one of Peter's web shooters reform to accept the data stick and plugging it in, he pulls on his mask and lays down on his bed.

“Hey, Pete. If you’re viewing this, then I guess you made your choice, and it was to go back.”

"I didn't!" he wants to scream at Holo-Anthony. "I didn't chose to come back here! I wasn't going to leave!"

But Holo-Anthony can't hear him, of course.

His heart breaks over and over again as he watches the message Anthony had prepared for him, just in case.

“Maybe this whole recording thing is a no-starter - miracles happen - and you’ve chosen to stay. But either way, Peter, there’s two things I need you to know. One is that I love you, more than I thought I’d ever be able to love anyone. And the second is that you, Peter Starr, are the very best of any of us. Okay.” Holo-Anthony nods with tears brimming in his eyes. “I’m done.”

Before he can scream or cry, video starts playing.

“J, give Peter here the same access and rights as me, outside of the Core files."

Very well. Mr. Parker, I am at your disposal.

“Say something to him,” Anthony prompts. “Ask him anything.”

“What do you like to do for fun, JARVIS?” Peter asks.

There are several hackers within SHIELD that I enjoy shutting down on an almost-daily basis. I also spend time interfacing with my brothers.

“The bots Anthony built?”

Yes.

“That’s really nice,” Peter tells JARVIS. He looks at Anthony, delighted.

“You’re just full of surprises, aren’t you Peter Parker?” Anthony grins. “I don’t think anyone living here has ever asked J that before, have they, J?”

They have not, Sir. Including yourself.

Anthony rolls his eyes. “Oh please, J, you know I love you.”

Peter tells Gwen to pause the video and clenches his eyes shut. That had been his first night Over There and officially one of the best nights of his entire life. He'd been warm and safe and without the consistent pangs of hunger that had plagued him for years. He'd met Anthony. Seeing it again just makes the pain of being trapped Over Here worse.

He lays in bed, miserable. He half wishes that Mr. Stark had just kept the damned data stick.

Hopefully Mr. Stark hadn't seen anything on it; that would be too humiliating. What would Mr. Stark even think of him, falling in love with Anthony the way he did? And the dietary needs? Mr. Stark and the others would probably just think he's some helpless little charity case.

Maybe he should look for a real job. He can make money that way and since he's not patrolling and has no interest in attending NYU, he'll have plenty of free time. He hasn't really had so much free time since he started working on the...

He sits up suddenly.

“...First and foremost is your whole healing the reality barriers deal, since one, it’s brilliant and two, I can’t imagine you not carrying on back Over There."

The barriers! How could he have forgotten?

"Way to get self-absorbed, Peter," he mutters to himself. "You really are the worst." He suits up and climbs out the window. He has a sorcerer to see.

They're quiet as they congregate in the lab where Peter had been taken. Hank and Janet are present, both eager to observe America's powers at work.

"We shouldn't be too long," Anthony assures them.

He's waved off. "We were in the superhero game before you were even in school," Janet tells him. "We still have some tricks up our sleeve if anyone decides to cause trouble while you're gone."

Hank nods. "Don't underestimate the ants."

Well, that is a terrifying thought, Anthony thinks, looking around. There's a restlessness in the air despite the early hour.

Sharon checks her powered garrotes and Natasha fiddles with her Widow's Bites. Clint is rearranging the arrows in his quiver while Bucky flips one of his knives. The others are similarly nervous.

Anthony is regretting the third cup of coffee he drank after waking up; he has visions of vibrating out of the suit mid-reality jump and somehow dying. He shakes his head. America has assured them it's safe and she's the expert.

"Is this everyone?" Strange asks as he portals in.

"We're just waiting on our friendly ghost," Anthony says. "JARVIS said she's on a slight delay.. She'll be here in a few minutes."

"Is she up for this?" Steve asks Sam. "I know she's been struggling."

"Oh, she's more than ready," Sam insists. "She's probably just drinking that stabilizing tonic Janet created for her to make sure there are no mishaps."

Ava enters the lab suited up and ready to go.

"We good?" Anthony asks.

She nods, a hard glint in her eyes. "We're good."

"Remember the plan," Steve says as they gather in a circle. "We've probably only got one shot at this, so let's stay focused and show them just how hard we're willing to fight for Peter." He looks at America. "Whenever you're ready."

America pulls the web shooter out of her pocket. She holds it tightly, closes her eyes, and takes several deep breaths. When her eyes open, they're glowing white. She steps out of the circle, turns, and with the hand holding the web shooter punches forward into the empty air.

The air splits into the shape of a giant star and through it they can see the different reality's Central Park. She steps through the star and pauses. She looks at the web shooter and then out at the park, searching for something only she can see. Then she turns around to face them.

"This is it. Come on through."

They jump through in two's and three's until the last one through is Strange, who does one of his sparkling circle things and makes the star disappear.

"It's in the mirror dimension. That way no one can accidentally wander through."

"Smart," Nat says.

"Alright. Let's do this," Anthony says.

Tony startles awake when the alarms go off in the Tower. He glances over at the clock.

6:02 AM EST.

"J, give me the scoop," he mumbles.

There appears to be a temporal distortion near Central Park. I've attempted to surveil the area but all camera feeds are currently non-functional.

Tony groans. "Well, better go see what AIM is up to this time. I assume the others are on their way to the location?"

They are indeed.

"I'll be there in a few," he said, calling his suit up and flying through one of the access hatches.

There's nothing there, when they all arrive. Sure, it feels weird, the place, but it's as empty as Central Park can be just after six in the morning.

"There's nothing here," Nat says. "Something is off, but nothing's here."

"Let's fan out," Steve suggests. "Stay on the comms, though."

The energy signatures have them moving around through the park, not nearly as spread out as Steve was hoping for. But the way they moved here, then there, then forward, to the side...

They were being herded.

Doctor Strange isn't at the Sanctum.

At least, that's what Wong tells him.

"When will he be back?" Peter asks.

Wong looks torn.

"Oh, just let him in!" come the good doctor's voice.

"You're supposed to be sleeping," Wong scolds, turning back to where Strange is coming down the stairs in a robe that's far shorter than Peter ever wanted to see the man wear.

"Please. I'm used to thirty hour days," Strange says. "I'm good for another ten hours at least." He motions for Peter to come inside. "How can the Sorcerer Supreme be of assistance?"

"When I was Over There, I was helping Anth- I was helping Mr. Stark and the others with stabilizing the barriers between reality so that that Dr. Strange and other Dr. Stranges could work on fixing them. And I know I've been selfish and having the world's biggest pity party since this Mr. Stark and these Avengers pulled me back here, but I was hoping I might be able to help you with it, too. I'm just sorry it's taken so long to reach out."

"Taking time to grieve isn't selfish, Mr. Parker," Strange says. "And if you want to share your strategy for stabilizing the barriers, I'd be happy to hear it." He pauses. "But it's not your job, just so you know."

Peter frowns. "But it was, Over There. Why would Over Here be any different?"

"I can't answer that," Strange says cryptically. "Just know that the situation will be handled."

He doesn't understand, not at all. Why was the other Doctor Strange so insistent while this one is so unconcerned?

"Can I offer you some tea?" Strange asks.

It's early in the morning, just after six.

"Actually, that would be nice. Over There spoiled me for coffee so hot tea is about all I can stand, caffeine-wise."

"You speak of that reality fondly," Strange says once they're seated, each with a cup of tea and saucer.

"I was going to stay," Peter admits. "I didn't choose to come back."

"I'm sorry for how things worked out," Strange tells him. "And for my part in assisting them in their endeavor."

Peter shrugs. "I could have been stuck in a hell dimension for all you guys knew."

"I was fairly certain that wasn't the case," Strange says. "They were very insistent that they needed to save you and make things right."

That has Peter rolling his eyes. "They can't make it right," he says. "I didn't deserve to be treated the way they treated me and I don't think I can forgive them for any of it."

"I was so happy," Peter says after a few minutes. "I was in love. For the first time in my life I felt like I belonged and coming back here has been a nightmare. One they caused."

"You don't have to justify your feelings to me." Strange refills Peter's cup with more of the steaming tea. "And you're well within your rights to forgive or not forgive any of us."

Peter thinks about that. "I'll probably forgive everyone eventually," he admits. "I'm not built for grudges. I always feel bad for keeping them, even if letting them go feels like losing."

Strange chuckles. "You have such a kind heart, Mr. Parker. That's something to cherish."

The area they all end up in is deserted at the early hour, even though New York City almost never slept.

"I don't like this," Sam says. "Something ain't right."

"Agreed, but this is where the energy signatures stopped and we ne-"

There's the sound of a repulsor and Tony goes flying back into the side of one of the brick buildings.

A blue suit appears - an Iron Man! - and the face plate lifts to show another Tony Stark - Peter's Anthony. The Other Avengers plus a teenage girl and another Doctor Strange surround them, crackling into the reality from that damned mirror dimension that apparently all Doctor Stranges love so much.

"What the hell was that for?" Tony asks, pulling himself up to face his hovering counterpart.

"You took something that doesn't belong to you," Anthony says with narrowed eyes. "We've come to bring him back."

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[tommarvoloriddlesdiary]

Do you write any non-magic AUs?? I like your writing a lot, by the way :D

🥹 thank you very much! 😯 i do not write many non magical aus. actually, i don't think i have ever even posted or shared one here before 😳 i have a modern spy au that i've had drafted for a long while 🤔 i hadn't decided if it was going to be non magical yet because i often naturally gravitate to magical aus when writing, but what i have so far could be written as non magic. 😊 here's what i feel comfortable sharing if you are interested

There were very few things that Harry drew the line at. As a spy, he supposed that was part of the job. To be one required more blurred lines than Harry staring at a pinstripe suit with his glasses off—more than he ever truly felt comfortable admitting, even to Ron and Hermione. The gruesome feeling that some days were so much easier than others, some lines were so much simpler to ignore, was hard to swallow in the dark hours of early morning light. But Harry had gotten very good at shaking those feelings off; he’d had years of practice, after all. But. There were very few things that Harry drew the line at. And though not all of them were morally motivated, they mattered to him all the same. And one of those things was—“I’m not accepting this job,” he slapped the file back down on the desk. One glance at the location was plenty for him to decide then and there. Not happening. McGonagall frowned. Her brows drew together, and before she could deliver Harry some bullshit about Dumbledore and how vital this mission was and how the Order needed his expertise blah blah blah, he interrupted her. “There’re rumours he’s in Italy. You know my rules.” She sighed, “Mr Potter. I understand Malta may be closer than you’d prefer if that is the case, but Italy is a large country in comparison, and what are the odds-“ “High. The odds are extremely high.” Harry rubbed his hand up his face, jostling his glasses. “The two of us are like volatile magnets,” he groaned. When she grimaced and gave a nearly imperceptible nod, Harry wasn’t sure if he wanted to laugh, cry, or punch something. “Our intel found nothing to suggest Grindelwald’s organisation would be involved.” “Yeah,” he scoffed, “because your intel isn’t looking out for him like I am. When was the last time the Order even knew The Alliance would be involved in a mission anyway? Every time I was sent out, it’d be like a goddamn popup book surprise.” His voice went up an octave, “Oh! We’re so sorry, Harry! We hadn’t known Grindelwald’s top assassin, who has threatened to kill you multiple times, would be there! Our bad!” “Now, Mr Potter-“ “No. I’ve heard quite enough. You know my rules,” Harry turned to walk out of her office with a parting, “I don’t take jobs involving Tom Riddle.”

[ignitesthestxrs]

Ssince your askbox is open: give us an update on life? You moved out some time ago to your first place if I remember correctly, how’s it going? What ya up to? You like your job?

wah this is cute anon, thank you! and also a reminder of how very long i have been on this webbed site phew

in hindsight i think moving out was a rough transition for me, although i handled it the best way i could at the time. like it was necessary and ultimately good for me, but i can also clearly see now that this was the start of increasing issues with undiagnosed adhd where i went from a very rigid environment where i had a lot of structure imposed on my life by an external source, to an environment where everything was up to me, and it turns out i was not a super reliable person to give that job to!

that was: a while ago though. these days my living situation is genuinely wonderful and it happened almost entirely accidentally. one of my flatmates had to move out a couple of years ago, so i asked a younger friend who was ready to leave home herself if she was interested in moving in. there was a brief Blip where our third flatmate (TRULY A CUNT) started a campaign of terror that ultimately ended in me kicking her out, which is how we acquired a newer, gayer flatmate. after like a year? her partner moved in, and this is now a 4 lesbian household with one full time cat and three part time cats that just come in through our cat door at will.

nothing is perfect obvs but the difference between living in a house where i was not friends with anyone there and one person actually actively hated me, vs living with people whom i love, who are similarly queer and neurodivergent (this is a 3/4 adhd household, yes it is a mess), who have understanding and community, is the kind of life-changing, revitalising experience i could not have imagined before i had it. like i spent most of my life being alone and enjoying being alone, and i still do spend a lot of time by myself, but it's with the knowledge that like,,,not only can i wander down into the lounge and chill with someone, but that sometimes i will in fact want to do this. this was a revelation for me! i could not have predicted this for myself, and im very glad things unfolded in this way, because there were a couple of moments there where i was very tempted to make simpler, lonelier choices that would have involved taking less of a Chance, and my life would have been duller because of it.

my job is my job! i still work at the same place i always have (15 year anniversary next may lol). i work from home 4/5 days a week (i go in on a monday with my team and don't have to deal with the rest of the company, which suits me well). i make databases of consumer information acquired from surveys that then gets sold to media companies and advertisers, it is not exactly a world-saving endeavor, but we have a solid privacy policy in place so it's ethically survivable LOL.

one thing that has changed over the past few years is that i basically grabbed a metaphorical crowbar and started insisting that we needed more DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) work happening in our business. this is also not a world-saving endeavour, but it is a way of bringing something that i care about into my workplace in a way that makes practical, effective policy change. white collar workplaces are very good at saying the right thing and doing nothing, and while my workplace is better than many, it has been and continues to be a bit of a fight to drag them into the 'doing things' arena. but i am having gradual success, and my ultimate goal is to create a DEI specialist position for myself if i have to like, carve it out with a butter knife. my boss is on board with this and will throw his weight around as requested, and doing this work definitely brings some interest and purpose to what is a pretty standard tech-adjacent job otherwise.

2023 has been a year of gently trying new things for me. i had a necessary surgery that has given me a new lease on life. i feel like myself again. i have been going to concerts and plays, i have done some volunteer work at a helpline (although i need to follow up on this, a thing that i am notoriously bad at doing). i am trying to reframe my relationship with creativity and writing, a big part of which has been like,,,reading again. my attention span was Shot for a few years though, and this is the first year of being medicated and like, Well enough overall in a long time that i have been able to sustain a pretty regular turnover of books.

i had a period of time there where i was kind of desperately, hysterically unhappy with myself in a way that resulted in me being Incredibly Fucking Needy because i didn't have anything to fill myself up with, i guess? so i have been on a journey of like, well to be interested by yourself it helps to do interesting things, so there has been a lot of re-connecting with hobbies and doing things because i might enjoy them, not because i want to talk about them on the internet. for real, i do think i killed my soul with twitter there for a while.

SO YEAH overall it has been a ride and a life, but i am in a really lovely place right now, even with the bumps and the hardships and the State Of Living. we grow and we go, right?

[tallbluelady]

soft prompts - 1. slow dancing

Rowan had adverted her eyes and was staring at her hands. She heard Thancred hiss something to the extent of take your chance. She couldn't quite make out derogatory term he called his friend, but she felt a small chuckle escape her.

"Ah... Ahem. Mistress Argentas, I would be honored if thou wouldst deign to dance with me this eve," Urianger asked, offering his hand.

With pursed but smiling lips, Rowan nodded and took his hand. She found she liked how hers fit in his.

The rest of them gave smiles and waves of encouragement, unnecessary as they were, and Rowan let herself be lead away.

"Dost thou have a preference upon where we dance?" Urianger asked. He turned, seeing Ancel and Raer in one corner, then turned back. "I fear that we may be running out of secluded areas."

"Oh, how about over there?" Rowan pointed to an area near the edge of the Menagerie, wide enough to comfortably dance but blocked off by canals.

"Art thou certain? The area doth seem suitable but I would not have thee get wet in the pursuit of privacy."

"Urianger, I have trained in the dragoon's arts. A three foot hole is not going to do aught to prevent my privacy." She smiled and started to limber up a little.

"If thou sayest so..." His voice was one of concern.

"Just watch." She tensed up, and with only moving her skirts to prevent her from tripping, bounded over the canal with one leap.

"I feel as though I should applaud thee for such a performance," Urianger chuckled.

Rowan bowed and laughed. It had been so long since she just leapt for the fun of it.

"Ah, now it appeareth to be my turn. Alas, I hath not trained as much as thou hast, so I fear I may need a running start."

"Oh, I can hop back over if you'd prefer..."

He held up his hand and shook his head. "Nay, I shall attend to my partner in her preferred locale. Tis a small price to pay to spend time with one of Eorzea's champions."

"If you insist..." She was smiling all the while.

Urianger gauged the distance, nodded, took a few steps back, then made a running leap over the canal. He managed to clear it, but wobbled a bit at the landing. Rowan ran to catch him before he fell backwards.

"Easy... We can't have you getting wet in this nice suit. I daresay I haven't seen you in aught else but a robe since I've met you."

Urianger turned, hiding a blush. "Ah. Tis a matter of comfort, milady. As I am not wont to be leaping into battle as thou art wont - pray - art oft forced to - I may dress myself in far simpler garb. Alas, Lyse would not allow my habits to persist on this eve, so more formal attire was obtained."

Rowan chuckled again -  she was laughing quite a lot tonight, wasn't she - and shook her head. "Lyse got me too. I thought I had sworn off gown wearing after all the balls in Ishgard until she nigh drowned me in her blue eyes."

"Ah, then it is her I should thank for the most lovely of visages I have before me." There was a roguish grin that she would have attributed more to Thancred than to Urianger, but Rowan liked it all the same.

"And I suppose it is to her that I give thanks to see not only your face, but well made arms as well." Rowan countered. She had no idea where her bravado came from at the moment, but she would ride it. Urianger smiled shyly, and Rowan noted the lovely little crow's feet at the corners. He truly was hiding himself behind goggles and the cowl!

But before either could truly flirt further, the maestro lifted his arms in an exaggerated manner to start the next song. Urianger offered his hand and they settled into a resting pose for a waltz, as that was the kind of dance that Yloise bid Rowan to tell the maestro to play.

Rowan smiled at the fact that he held the correct tension as they danced. Without a single word, she could understand his intentions by how he pushed and pulled on her. Urianger didn't hold her gingerly like a glass doll, or roughly like a sack of flour, but right, like a partner.

Down, up, up. Down, up, up. The pair slid around the small area in circles, and Rowan gave a contented sigh at how lovely the moment was.

"May I take that as a sign that my performance doth hold up to the high standards of Ishgard?" Urianger asked, spinning her.

"You may," Rowan said after returning. "I must admit having the extra space helps. The only time I was able to dance freely with Aymeric was when we were opening a ball. And then every eye was turned on us."

"I must assume that thy beauty had much to do with that, as it surely catcheth mine attention."

"I, ah, suppose so. The minute I step out of Gridania I'm bombarded with compliments. It took me a while to learn they were mostly sincere."

"As far as thy beauty and grace I have been naught but sincere," Urianger said seriously. "Any subterfuge I had practiced to facilitate Elidibus' plan -"

Rowan nodded. "I know. We all know, Urianger. Twas a brave thing you did then. And clever. Pray don't doubt my sincerity on that."

His eyes grew distant, but after a shake of his head and leading Rowan through another twirl, Urianger returned to a smile. "I shan't."

"I hope so."

Then, far too soon, the waltz drew to a close. Rowan stifled a giggle as Urianger dipped her to end their dance. There had been a few awkward attempts at that in Ishgard when she danced with some of the shorter gentlemen of the High Houses, so she was usually prepared for it. Luckily her partner now was capable enough to perform the maneuver correctly despite her height. Rowan's eyes grew wider as she stared into Urianger's. She knew his eyes were yellow, but they glittered gold as they held each other's gaze. 

They kept the eye contact as they righted. Rowan was unsure of what to do next when she heard the applause from the main throng. She turned and clapped for the musicians, relieved at the break in tension. Urianger joined and the moment was gone.

Did he feel it too? She couldn't decide if she wanted to meet his eyes again or not. No, she did want to meet his eyes. Rowan looked up to an Urianger who was pointedly avoiding looking at her.

"Thank you for the dance," Rowan said.

That seemed to revive him a bit, and Urianger said the pleasure was his. "Wouldst thou care to join me in the next?"

Rowan smiled. "Gladly."

[imnobodyuknow]

Ladies and gentlemen...

Or your papas, whichever suits the occasion.  😉

It only took forever, but here it is: “big reveal” number 59!

***Doki Doki Literature Club Spoilers Ahead!!!***

So, this drawing is a bit on the abstract side -- a simple scene with a deeper meaning than meets the eye (especially if you happen to be familiar with the game it’s made after).  What kind of scene, you ask?  Just a happy hypothetical scenario in which the cast of Doki Doki Literature Club get to meet their maker!

Uh, no, not that one.  I’m talking about Dan Salvato, the game’s creator!  If we assume they all know who he is (which I realize implies that they all became self-aware somehow -- y’know, minor details), I imagined they’d be all too happy to meet him in the flesh!

Well, heh...  All but one.

So, while I don’t actually know Dan Salvato or what he’d do if he could interact with his brainchildren this way, I couldn’t help but smile at the idea of him showing up in their world to share some love with them.  (I know that’s what I’d do, anyway.  😊)  As you can see, three of them are enjoying his company, and Natsuki has even been moved to tears.

This might seem a little out of character for her unless you consider these two words: Better dad.  Need I say more?

Monika, on the other hand, isn’t quite so thrilled to see him.

Oh, and the protagonist is there, too, of course.  Let’s just pretend we’re looking at this scene from his point of view.  😏

Why the stark contrast in their reactions?  As you know if you’re familiar with the game’s story, these girls each have their own burden to bear, all of which are a lot heavier than you might think just by looking at them.  Monika’s burden, however, was of a somewhat different nature than the others -- she became aware of the game’s existence and her role in it, decided to use it to her advantage, and it blew up in her face.  She ended up coming to terms with it, but not without lashing out a bit at the player first, and it wouldn’t surprise me if she felt the same way toward the game’s creator.

With that in mind, I can imagine the other three girls forgiving good ol’ Dan for what he put them through (again, assuming they understand the whole situation now), but in Monika’s case, I doubt she’d be willing to forgive him quite so easily, if at all.  You may have noticed Sayori inviting her into their group hug:

She’s essentially saying with her face, “Come on, Monika, just let it go!”  Monika’s response would likely be something like, “He puts me through an existential crisis, a lack of purpose, and a painful rejection, and you expect me to forgive him just like that?”

Or maybe something simpler like, “It’s not that easy.”

One other thing I want to point out is how Dan is looking straight at her, ready to let her into the group whenever she’s prepared to.  He’s giving her the look of a loving father, in other words.  😊

And now, if you’ll allow me, I’d like to take a look at this scenario from a Christian point of view (’cause that’s what I do 😉).

Suppose, hypothetically, your life had an author (either the God of the Bible or a different one, whichever you prefer) and you had a chance to meet them (either in a vision, a dream, after death, or something else -- again, whichever you prefer).  Knowing that they were responsible for everything that happened to you -- good and bad -- what would you say to them, if anything?  Would you be like Monika in this drawing, showing them bitterness (or flat-out hatred) for all the suffering you and your loved ones have had to go through in your life?  Would you be like Yuri, Natsuki, and Sayori, showing them gratitude for the good things you and your loved ones have experienced in your life, as well as the gift of life itself?  Or would you feel a mixture of the two and try to decide which attitude would be most appropriate?  Even as a die-hard Christian, I wouldn’t blame anyone for having trouble deciding what kind of tone they would take.

Anyway, while you’re pondering that question, here are the images I used for the characters.  For Natsuki and Yuri’s profiles, I used these:

For the characters’ facial expressions, I used these:

(I combined two different sprites for that one)

For Sayori’s arm, I used Monika’s main menu sprite:

For Dan Salvato, I used a photo of him from the DDLC wiki:

Drawing that hairstyle was a challenge, but a fun one.  I’m a little disappointed with how ugly the color of his shorts turned out.  Sorry about that, Mr. Salvato!  😓

And finally, the setting is based on the residential area from the game:

I just have to say, I long for the day when I can draw something with that level of detail.  That’s just nuts!  😳

Anyway, I hope this drawing sparked some deep, deep thoughts for you, or that it was enjoyable at the very least.  And if it turns out there is an Ultimate Being who crafted the world, life, and you...cut ‘em some slack.  You wouldn’t want to have their job, after all.  😐

[o-kenki]

I decided to also share some of the one i know/use! : )

drawing/art programs: CLIP STUDIO PAINT: I use a version i got years ago, that's not relying on the subscription service, it's good as it is, it goes on sale very often (I got the studio paint full (ex?) suite, single purchase for around 60€, it was years ago) it comes with an access to an asset shop/market with a lot of brushes and other materials and a good chuck of it is FREE.

PaintToolSai (1 and 2) are around 35€/$, it's one time purchase and you can use one licence for BOTH versions. It's a more "simple" program that's more adapted to drawing/illustration than photo manipulation or design.

My Paint is fun and free, perfect for doodling around and simple to use.

Krita, i did not personally use, but many of my friends do, some for professional works, and it's free.

OpenCanvas started more like SAI, used to be free, but is now around 60€/$, i personally only used it in it's simpler/free form, around 2012, it seems to be quite similar to photshop. I'll let you investigate.

I see a lot of people saying gimp is awful, i personally don't use it for other than making simple gifs and it works fine, i never used it as a drawing program, just simple photo manipulation and image "formatting"(?). I guess it depends on the use you have of it and the "complexity" of the work you do with it. It's more on the "heavier" side for me and my laptop, so it's up to you to try it or not! it's free!

fire alpaca is free, i barely used it a few years ago and it was nice! A lot of my friend who used it back then still use it. It seems pretty light and well adapted for illustration/art.

for video editing: ShotCut is free and quite complete for simple to advanced video editing. It's on the more simple side, but has a lot of resources

Pinnacle studio is maybe more advanced, but is to be paid for, depending on the level of video editing you need, might be a good pick. It has trials version if you want to know before investing.

none of them can compare or will ever replace windows movie maker 6 and 7, but alas...

others:

to make zines and some graphics/printable, Scribus is free and do the job, I do most of my zine, pdf or to be printed with it. I find it easier to use than indesign and the results are the same. For more advanced designing, I don't know, but most printing work or page design can be done it in ok!

photofiltre if you need something lightspeedy for simple photo editing (size, colours correction, basic effects, making awful memes for your friends, ...) juste par plaisir de plug ma go sûre.

If you know more about any of those and/or if you know something "bad" about them, feel free to tell me. I'm not a huge digital art maker, so my knowledge is very basic.

take care, share what you know and teach nicely around you! if you know/think something is bad, it's good to say, but even better if you can suggest a replacement! : )

love you all, stay safe, stay curious! (just wanted to add that i personally never used adobe except at school years ago (not saying that in a "aha! i'm better than you! èwé" way, just to clarify that i don't know how they work very well, so i can't say if the alternative is as good 100%), i didn't look into the 'new adobe controversy contract' all that much (i don't care), i just want to recommand other programs to those that may be looking for some, i'm not judging anyone, i'm not saying those are the 'only good/best ones', just wanting to share some favourites that i know of for those who would like to look somewhere else, as i saw people in the replies/reblogs, asking for alternatives. it's not out of malice, some like photofiltre were added almost as a joke, it's just for sharing/caring and fun, i am just wanting to help! have a nice day everyone! : p)

Adobe is going to spy on your projects. This is insane.

[needlesthce]

The Healing Center

The well-known medley is one of Needles, California's main attractions for many visitors.

Our cannabis experts are ready to take your call at any time of day or night.

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We take great pride in being among the most well-known cannabis stores globally. I'm overjoyed to hear that our new sativa and indica strains are even more potent than they were previously. Two varieties of high-quality cannabis have been forwarded to you. I sincerely appreciate your help. Edibles and vape pens are just two of the many cannabis products available at our dispensary.

Because of its extraordinary performance and utility, it has become the industry leader.

We won't be able to dive into the vast medical marijuana market. Online marketplaces do keep an eye on the sales of drugs and tobacco products. These days, it takes a lot of work to find visually appealing websites.

The small Californian town of Needles served as a major rest area for travelers on the historic Route 66, which connected Arizona and California. In Needles, there are numerous businesses, including the Healing Center Weed Dispensary. It's possible that both of these locations are in California. There is something unique about this region of California. There's a good chance that both of these places are in California. Strangely enough, two dispensaries for cannabis are housed in the same building. Keeping an eye on the local talent is the right thing to do. Based on the special advantages each premium cannabis product provides, we have carefully chosen them all for our dispensary. Utilize our search feature whenever it suits you best. These products are all available at our dispensary. The Healing Centre offers a wide range of cannabis products, including flower, extracts, candies, and more. Regardless of the kind of cannabis product you're looking for, this is essential. Even after you have input all the necessary information, our cannabis study is still unable to predict how long your illness will last. We truly regret if this causes you any inconvenience. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience that this may have caused. This promise guarantees a seamless and pleasurable transaction, so you can put your trust in it. Think about this if you're considering purchasing cannabis online. It would be utterly reckless to completely disregard this.

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Facilitate the purchase of cannabis from online marketplaces and dispensaries. Pay close attention to these instructions.

You can browse our menu at the Healing Center dispensary and start the ordering process for cannabis products to be picked up. Things could be much simpler if you could gather all the necessary information beforehand. You can get in touch with us whenever you need to, day or night. Consider this other way of expressing yourself. Once you've chosen a strategy, choosing the components and quantities is as easy as dragging and dropping. Once you learn how to start the engine by twisting the key, all of your problems will go away. If your purses are expensive, you may want to think about this further.

We greatly appreciate your timely arrival to pick up the items. If you find the right procedures and follow them, you'll be prepared. Kindly fill out this form completely so that your order is handled appropriately. dispensary in my area This request is necessary in order to complete the order. While new users will need to provide identification upon signup, existing users will have full access to all features. Upon successful verification, we will provide the user access to their account. They are unable to participate in the verification process because they lack the required credentials.

Dispensary needles ca

We will schedule garbage removal at your curbside as soon as we have your permission. When your order is prepared for pickup, we will send you a text message to let you know.

Take a look at this to learn the proper way to use our cannabis products. Your complete focus is urged upon. We want to emphasize this point repeatedly. This is the one that will definitely decide their fate.

[chryslerdodgejeep123]

Gengras CDJR Fairfield

I would want to take this opportunity to address you and convey my gratitude for your selecting Chrysler as your vehicle of choice. In Fairfield, the Gengras Family of Dealerships has only recently launched a dealership that specialises in Dodge Jeep Ram automobiles among other makes and models jeep dealer connecticut One of the dealerships that belongs to the Gengras Auto Group is this one. The Gengras Family now considers this dealership to be a member of their family, which means that they have included it into their collective family.

In comparison to how difficult it was in the past, the process of obtaining a vehicle is now a lot simpler than it was in the past.

In point of fact, it is the Chrysler. a collection of automobiles owned by G. Gengras, including Dodges and Jeeps The city of Fairfield, Connecticut, has positioned itself as the target in order to accomplish its aim, which is to become the vehicle destination of choice for individuals and families residing in the Fairfield, Connecticut area. Through this endeavour, the city hopes to realise its goal of becoming the destination of choice. Our dealership is well-known for its exceptional automotive care and customer service, which is provided with a friendly grin whenever it is possible to do so. In addition to providing a large selection of new and used automobiles, our dealership is also known for its availability. Not only that, but we also provide a wide variety of autos to choose from. In addition to that, we make it possible for consumers to purchase a wide variety of automobiles from our inventory here at our dealership.

Your decision can be made from among a wide variety of alternatives, and you can choose from among the huge inventory of brand-new automobiles that are available for purchase in our showroom. Both of these options are open to you. You have the ability to choose which option best suits your needs. There are a number of different brands of automobiles that are included in this collection. Some of these brands include Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, and Ram. The collection of pre-owned autos, trucks, and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) that are available for purchase at our neighbourhood shop is consistently among the most complete selections that are made accessible to customers. In the event that anyone is interested in purchasing one of these automobiles, they are available for purchase. As a result of the fact that we provide reasonable pricing on each and every pre-owned model that is available for purchase on our lot with our inventory, you will not find any reason to visit any other dealership in the Fairfield area. In this region, we are the only dealership that provides such prices to our customers. You will not have any need to go to any other dealership because of this, and as a result, you will not have any reason to do so. We provide you with a wide selection of autos to pick from so that you may make the most of the time you spend here and ensure that you have the optimal experience.

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In the event that you ever come to the realisation that you are prepared to purchase a high-quality Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, or Ram, we are going to be here for you (or as far away as you want us to be) in order to offer you with information and help you make an informed decision regarding your purchase. It's also feasible that we are as far away as you would like us to be. This is another possibility. You also have the option of letting us to handle all of the paperwork for you, or you may make your purchase online by utilising our user-friendly internet resources. Both of these options are available to you. You have the ability to participate in one of these two alternate choices. You are able to select either of these two options as your preferred course of action jeep dealers in ct You have the ability to choose either of these two choices as the course of action that you would like to take action on. It is possible for us to get you out of the door in as little as fifteen minutes in the event that you come to retrieve the keys. In light of the circumstances, we are in a position to be of service to you. There is no requirement that a certain minimum amount of time be fulfilled before the process can begin. We would, however, be more than happy to walk you through each and every component of your car for as long as you would want, provided that this is something that strikes you as something that you would feel comfortable doing. If you think it would be acceptable, we would be pleased to continue doing this for as long as you think it deserves. The activities that you choose to engage in on a consistent basis will have an effect on every facet of your life.

Following the completion of the procedure that is now being carried out, you will be given permission to continue with the process.

Additionally, it is essential that you are aware that Gengras Chrysler Dodge Jeep Fairfield is there to assist you whenever you require any kind of automotive service or repair work in the Fairfield area. This is something that you should be aware of. It is in your best interest to be aware of this particular matter. Making sure you are informed of this specific subject is something that is in your best interest. Before moving on with further consideration, it is important that you are aware of and familiar with this particular aspect. In addition, our team of trained professionals in the field of car parts would be more than happy to provide you with everything you could require in order to keep your Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, or Ram automobile on the road for a considerable amount of time in the future. The fulfilment of your request is something that we are more than happy to do. For the purpose of receiving support, we respectfully ask that you do not be reluctant to get in touch with us.

[joyce-stick]

The actual answer is that simpler character designs with less details are easier to animate.

In Callum May's video on Lycoris Recoil, he discusses this (this guy knows what he's talking about, he cites sources in the description, I'm mostly citing him cause he's an English language tertiary source) and says that, in essence, project director Shingo Adachi hired the anime's character designer, Muru Imigi, because Imigi draws "moe garbage". Although Imigi was a manga author who had no prior experience with character designs for an anime, Adachi felt that Imigi's style of simple faces and expressions suited the production's needs and would result in something more natural and interesting than if he'd hired a more experienced character designer.

"Less detail to animate, less work" has been a constant law of animation since, like, forever. If you watch a lot of American cartoons, you'll notice that a lot of characters have four fingers instead of five. The reason why this is, is because four fingers were easier to animate. (source)

There's a lot of things that have changed in anime production since the '90s and I can't give you a complete picture of why character design habits have changed since then, but it's most generally to do with that the ceiling for production value is higher now and there's a lot more young and inexperienced animators entering the fold (which is the cause of a lot of things really).

In my personal opinion, this meme is pretty reductive and blatantly cherrypicking. Both aesthetics are fine, and there's a lot of really good examples of both to be found across anime's history. Some anime go for more realistic detail and less flexibility, and some anime (albeit, yes, most these days, the animators have to die less somehow) go for less realistic but simpler designs that are really malleable and have a wider range in animation. It's a creative choice and a preference. (Albeit one that a certain contingent of anime fans disagree with because they feel it conflicts with their "mature" idea of anime or some such nonsense, and then people who simply don't like moe get lumped up in with those people... *cough* Well, anyway.) It's fine to not like a certain artstyle. You can just not like it and say it's not your thing without claiming that the prominence of a particular creative choice means anime has "degraded" somehow, or saying the people who do like it have shit taste.

EDIT: apparently the meme is supposed to be a joke, which, I didn't pick up on, but alright, I guess. Anyway the post is still true so I'm leaving up the post

What happened?

[cruzotecapp]

How to Start A Delivery App Business in South Africa

Placing an order to taste the culinary staple like Peri Peri Chicken at home or a basket full of items for households — a delivery app makes it simple. Delivery app business remarkably gives a starting point for new-age entrepreneurs to launch their venture.

Often when you start with a research, too many jargons can gobble the idea of a delivery startup right at the beginning. We don’t want to nip this wonderful idea in the bud. This blog covers the fundamentals of the business that you need to begin with. Let’s get started!

Delivery Business Idea

First of all, you’d need to think of what you can sell on the platform — is it fruits and vegetables? Or tasty food platters? Does it matter for grocery delivery? Will the demand for liquor & beverages be too high? How about delivering water or medicine? What if you can take the whole lot?

South Africa has a phenomenal hyperlocal market for the aforementioned category types. Consider these categories for fulfilling on-demand delivery, such as within 30 minutes to 1-hr. If you are confused to take all, just begin with a single kind to gauge the popularity.

Recommendation: Food, fruits & vegetables, groceries, alcohol, etc. has a big market.

Inventory of Items

Customers would want to see an inventory where they can find easily available items. If your delivery app doesn’t offer them, it’s something you should work upon.

To help with that, you can conduct research on commonly purchased items online or offline. Guess what’s more interesting? Talk to family and friends, they shall give you a picture of what people like to shop a lot.

Build a solid inventory from time to time and upgrade items by checking in the latest buying trends, consumer behavior, pricing changes, competitor offers and so on.

Recommendation: Even a small inventory can start well if they are in great demand.

Delivery Apps for Business

A lot of searches using Google on “how do I create a delivery app” has created great excitement. Though creating or developing an app by yourself is a great idea, it may not be feasible immediately for two reasons — time & cost.

Of course, you can put yourself in the shoes of a developer, pursue a developer training and develop the apps — especially to enhance your skills and career scope. But, again, it may take a good amount of time to start from scratch.

On the other hand, white label delivery apps facilitate an ideal alternative. No expensive investments or hardcore training — a ready-to-start platform allows you to launch the applications easily. Basically, the app functions to help with the following:

Collect & manage orders

Track & deliver orders

Lucrative offers

Branding & reach

Recommendation: Consider white label delivery apps with a suite of necessary features like order management, delivery tracking, digital wallet, repeat order, etc.

Payment Integration

Payments via Cash on Delivery and Online Payment Modes are accepted in different South African regions. Both options being convenient from a consumer point of view, a payment integration makes it simpler for you to collect and keep track of payments.

Different payment gateway options are available in South Africa, which includes:

Peach Payments

PayFast

PAYGATE

Delivery Partners & Integration

Hiring good and reliable delivery drivers is one of the key factors to focus upon for the delivery app business. Having a network of delivery partners result in high-quality delivery yet may prove expensive if the business doesn’t expand proportionately.

So, considering one of the following options:

Payroll — Delivery partners on a monthly payroll.

Per-delivery — Payments made to delivery partners on a per-delivery basis.

Delivery integrations — Partner with existing delivery or logistics partners.

Recommendation: Option 1 & 2 weigh equal based on existing market requirements. If followed by critical observations and analysis, option 3 is quite easy to substitute work yet less rewarding towards profitability.

Business Model & Earnings

The delivery business thrives on different models of earnings, mainly covering:

Earnings on delivery services

Commissions on sale of items

Advertising & marketing

Followed by streamlined execution, a delivery app business model achieves palpable success and profits through on-demand deliveries at the customer’s doorstep.

Recommendation: Utilize each model in a well-balanced manner to earn profits.

Marketing & Advertising

Reaching out to people will help you gain a positive word of mouth at the start. But, you also need to take certain steps along the way, which includes:

Introductory discount offers

Social media marketing

Influencer marketing

Reward programs

Remember, budgeted investments powered by smart marketing strategies effectively earn great publicity rather than heavy investment on poor marketing tactics.

Recommendation: Intro offers, special promotions, social media outreach and word of mouth works right at the start to shore up app downloads.

How do I shape my business to achieve great success in this niche?

As it boils down to the quality of services and customer satisfaction rendered, your business mainly thrives in this niche with:

Timely & accurate delivery

Discount offers

Prompt customer service

Grievance redressal

Response to feedback

Client Testimonial

Real Stories, Real Success! 🌟 Watch as Grant Makhathini share his incredible journey and transformation with Cruzo. Don’t just take our word for it — see the results for yourself!

Watch as Brian, The Rred App, South Africa share his incredible journey and transformation with Cruzo. Don’t just take our word for it — see the results for yourself!

Launching into the untapped market shall yield impeccable results, in terms of profitability, brand recognition, increasing sales and revenue generation.

Launch your own Hyperlocal On-Demand Delivery Apps hassle-free with our complete SaaS technology suite.

Experience the revolution — sign up for our exclusive FREE trial!

Sign up now: https://accounts.cruzotec.com/register

[love-advice-on-call]

Hi, I'm new to your blog and I love what you are doing here! It's very nice of you. I'm 23, almost 24 years old in a few weeks. I'm having a lot of issues. I'm monogamist and I want to be for many reasons, other than I think it's best suited for me. I am because it's the one thing my drug addicted, alcoholic, abusive in every fucking way to every woman he's been with, cheater and deadbeat of a father, who couldn't, for once in his fucking life, dish it out without hurting anyone he supposedly proclaimed to be with, my mother not excluded. To prove to him and myself that, it can be done, and you can be happy with the simpler things in life without being a dick. I also want the love my mom deserved to have without the trauma and anorexia caused from it, the one that my sister and my brother should've gotten an example of but didn't. I also like structure, and this feels structural to me. However, I'm afraid, that I won't find anyone on my level that'll agree to that. I don't want to settle for anything that I don't want, but my stupid anxiety always questions if I'm being stupid and wrong. The things I've been surrounded by and seeing lately have not helped. If I can get over this, how do you think I can?

Hello, thank you and welcome to the blog :)

I can understand where your fear can come from, but I think that monogamy is something that you will find many people showing representation for. It can be done and I think you may just need to broaden the type of people you see besides your family who are in committed couples. So I'm just letting you know that it is possible to be monogamous and successful in building a healthy relationship.

I think this is something that can be helped, though I do feel the resentment from what you wrote in. For something like this, I would really just recommend that you try to get into counseling and therapy since it seems to be something with a lot of compounding resentment over the years and especially since you've kind of lost the idea/faith of what a relationship could be. There are multiple aspects to what you said. It was the anger in your father, the being unsure in what a relationship looks like, and dealing with this entire situation in general since it sounds like it has kind of been your whole life. Therapy can help you get through these feelings about your family as well as give you a good basis and metric on building a healthy relationship and how to pursue it.

Posted Oct 7, 2023