#therentyoupay asks da-awesom-one

[da-awesom-one]

what are your favorite things about jelsa? ✨

Ah, it’s kinda hard for me to put on into words, actually.

First and foremost, the AESTHETIC, because my goodness, do they look good in the snow, not to mention how infinitely romantic those backdrops are.

But I think overall what I love is just the characterization. How often I can just imagine them getting into scenarios and adventures, and just how easily it MAKES SENSE. And how it makes sense for them to be able to complement each other because their experiences. Especially the angsty ones, because DRAMA, but also because just imagining them overcome and thrive just reminds me what it means to be human. Which is ironic coming from two super humans.

The deeper I dig into this hole, the more it feels to me - despite reality and corporate shenanigans saying otherwise - that they fit together like a puzzle you didn’t know existed.

[therentyoupay]

I got one I’m gonna use in my fic.

Snowpea.

kris-thoughts: immediately, "damn, that is a good one." 😂 i love the originality of it (i have never seen it used anywhere else, in any context!!?) one of the terms of endearments in my family was "sweetpea," so this also brings up some nostalgic vibes!! �� okay, here i go!

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❆ snowpea ❆

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Elsa followed Jack through the bustling market, hovering well above the crowd—(he was still uncomfortable with the feeling of passersby shifting through him; she'd noticed this the very first time they'd been on duty together)—but Elsa was amidst the throng of people, winking in and out of existence in ripples of shimmering blue; Jack hated the feeling of disBelief, and Elsa didn't love it, but it was better than feeling nothing at all.

"Stick close, newbie!" Jack called down to her, weaving through stalls like a gust of wind. Several patrons in the crowd held their coats tighter about their shoulders.

Elsa peered at the various stalls in lieu of releasing the sigh that sat heavy in her chest. The Guardians had been rotating their mentorship duties for weeks now, each taking a turn to guide her through her transition into this strange new role, and Jack's turns were always... Hmm.

"You all right back there?" he called. Elsa nodded back. He grinned down, that impish look in his eye, a deep slant to his smirk, "Are you sure you don't want me to carry you?"

Elsa merely glared, and kept walking. Then, as an afterthought, a concept of manners— "No, thank you."

(She had so many questions she never asked, but when she was quiet for too long, Jack did his very best to poke and prod her into some type of reaction.

Elsa, unfortunately, was not as immune to his prodding—or above reacting—as she might have liked.)

She quickened her pace to keep up with this restless, reckless Guardian—a winter spirit, yet so unlike her, so utterly—

Her curiosity was instantly piqued by the vibrant produce lining the wooden stands. (Don't you miss the joy of tasting these flavors on your mortal tongue? How can you stand knowing that you do not need it? Don't you feel that these tastes become less delicious, less enjoyable, when your body no longer finds sustenance in food— when the only thing your soul requires is Belief?)

Among the carrots, cabbages, and bundles of herbs, a pile of green pods caught her attention. She stopped.

“What are these?” Elsa asked, pointing to one from the pile. She dared not reach for one, knowing that her hand would pass right through in a sea of busy Adults, but she could imagine it—the pod was smooth and crisp between her fingers.

"These? You've never seen these before?"

Elsa resisted another sigh. If she had, would she be asking? No, no, Elsa—he doesn't mean anything by it. Sometimes, if she explained something rationally, Jack was more likely to take her seriously.

"In all my years, both when I lived in Arendelle while Anna was still alive and all the decades I've roamed after, I've never been in a region that trades this product." She saw him shift his weight from foot to bare foot as he considered her seriousness.

But of course, he had to make everything a game; he grinned down at her, his staff slotted into the slant of his shoulder, and cheekily asked, "What do you think they're called?"

She tilted her head. Fine. "Well... how does one eat them?"

“Look, you eat the whole thing—pod and all. Here, watch the master.”

He snagged one and held it up. Elsa pushed down the violent wave of envy that stole her breath—she hadn't yet learned that particular trick, how to make the world revolve around her and bend to her will even amidst all the disBelief. None of the adults noticed when a pod disappeared into thin, cold air with a loud crunch. Jack seemed oddly aware of her stare, but perhaps not fully perceptive of all the complicated emotions within it.

"Uh," Jack backtracked, rubbing the back of his neck, grinning in obvious discomfort and bravado. "Sorry. Do you want one?"

"What makes them special?"

Jack didn't insist on offering her one, for which she was gratefuldisappointedresentfulrelieved. He continued to rub the back of his neck and fuss with the hood of his clothing; she knew that she should be making a more concentrated effort to warm up to him ("Play nice, Icepop," Bunny—Bunny!—of all people!—had said), but Elsa was feeling particularly out of sorts today, and was therefore feeling less charitable than usual.

“Other than the fact they have ‘snow’ in the name?”

Elsa blinked.

Jack swiped another and bit into the pod with exaggerated flair, crunching loudly. “See? Snappy, sweet," he crunched some more, "so—basically the vegetable version of you.”

Elsa raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Is that supposed to entice me?”

"You're more than welcome to try one," Jack heavily hinted, side-eyeing the basked. Take one. Try it.

But failing in front of Jack was one of Elsa's least favorite things to do.

"What is the name?" Elsa insisted.

Jack could never stay still. He gripped his staff and leaned his weight forward, dropping to eye level as he hung off the staff before him, peering directly in her face. “Snowpeas. Fitting, huh?”

She had the strangest, most bizarre urge to blush.

With the promise of ice hovering just beneath her skin, Elsa kept her perfectly expressionless mask in place and said, "Are you making that up?"

For the first time, Jack looked truly surprised. "What! No!"

"They're green."

"They're—it has to do with the harvest, okay! They thrive in cooler climates, eye-ee, the reason why we are here!"

Elsa regretted ever teaching him about id est, because now he used it at every possible opportunity. She was about to press him again when his posture shifted—and something in the air gave way, ever so slightly.

“C’mon, give it a shot. It’s good! Think of it as part of your training," and then, in a voice that was uncharacteristically uncertain, "Trying new things?”

Elsa couldn't resist a second glance at that. His tone... but Jack merely gripped his staff with both hands, leaning into he wood, waiting patiently... the picture of innocence. Elsa looked closer. The picture of... ?

But no, Elsa dismissed the very idea. Jack is too cocky, too careless to care about my opinion of him.

With a slight incline of her head, Elsa turned to the basket and stared at the pods. She tried to ignore the sensation of Jack watching her intently. Why does every outing with him end up like this?

"Elsa. Don't think. Just reach out and grab one."

"How am I supposed to just—"

But then his weight was pressing her forward—his shoulder into her shoulder, his hand into her lower back—and the shock of the sudden movement forced her to extend her hand—which landed squarely in a pile of pods, and reflexively closed around a handful of—of—

"Snowpeas," Elsa whispered, in shock, at the mound of green things in her hand.

She yelped as she was suddenly lifted into the air.

"Jack!" Elsa cried, looking down at the vast crowds below as Jack flew over them, headed toward a nearby rooftop. "Was this necessary!"

Jack's laughter floated on the wind, and stuck between her ribs; she very purposed denied each and every offer for him to carry her for a reason.

"You want a bunch of Adults to see a handful of snowpeas floating in midair?!"

"I—"

"Yeah, yeah, here," Jack set her down—surprisingly gentle—on her feet, on the rooftop. Elsa was slightly surprised to see that she was still clutching a handful of snowpeas in her grasp. Jack was counting them, pointing to each one. "North did say you were an overachiever." His smirk was entirely too self-satisfied.

Elsa was about to retaliate; she was sure of it. She was sure—

"Don't you wanna try it?"

Still. Retaliation could wait...

With a sigh, Elsa plucked one of the pods from her palm and took a tentative bite. The pod snapped between her teeth, and her eyes widened. It was unexpectedly sweet and fresh—a hint of spring in the middle of winter.

But her face was answer enough, apparently, for Jack leaned on his staff, a self-smug thrill of victory in the line of his posture. Elsa chewed, contemplating. She was still irritated, of course, but also... pleased, in spite of herself; Jack, for whatever reason, could tell.

"See?" he leaned forward, and his voice lowered in his quiet victory. "I knew you could do it." Jack’s grin softened. “Baby steps, Snowpea,” and then he made his way toward the nearby fire escape.

"S-snowpea?" Elsa echoed, aghast.

"Hey! There's a fire escape over here! Unless you want me to carry you back down?"

Still baffled but eager not to be caught off guard again, Elsa quickly stepped over to the fire escape; she was still processing snowpea, when he glanced down at her hand, and said, "You're gonna share half of those with me, right?"

"I will," Elsa promised, extending her hand—and then snatched her hand back as he reached for hers, "If you promise to never call me 'snowpea' again."

Jack grinned. "Certainly."

Happy with her trade, Elsa shared two of the four remaining pods with him.

For the rest of the night, as they roamed the village and brought Fun and Healing to the Children, Jack kept his promise, for which she was gratefuldisappointedresentfulrelieved.

And for days after, he did not call her snow pea, but she wondered what it would mean if he did—and she wondered what that meant.

❆ ao3

[da-awesom-one]

hi! ✨ how goes the fic writing?!?

*Remembers that receiving asks are a thing after not getting one for so long* 😭😭😭

It’s going, thank you for asking. Took a bit of a pause to play some games that came out and are on my backlog, but still always planning and thinking about my works and how to approach them.

I actually made a playlist for the songs of the series of for my Jelsa universe fics, so that definitely keeps the inspo up. That and for my other works, of course.

Thanks so much for asking, Kris! Hope you’re doing well with your real life work stuffs!

[therentyoupay]

Hello, Kris! I think I might’ve already gotten the gist of it, but it’s been some time. What exactly IS Academia Mode? Are you still in school, or is this your actual job, and it just happens to be involved in the education system?

Many thanks!

hahah no worries!!! that is a good question 🤣😭😭🙏 for me, academia mode is currently finishing the 5th and final year of my doctoral program and includes (but is not limited to lol):

data collection, analysis, write-ups

writing python programs to support my data cleaning, data coding, stats, and data analysis/visualizations

applying for GRANT MONEYYYY

submitting abstract proposals to conferences (and applying for MORE GRANT MONEYYYY)

reporting research findings (writing journal article manuscripts, preparing conference slides)

writing my actual dissertation manuscript lol

supporting and instructing my research assistants

sharing my research with mainstream public audiences

writing my non-fiction book based on my ongoing dissertation research

teaching classes, grading papers, holding office hours, fielding emails, writing letters of recommendation for all sorts of students' fellowships/grad admissions/grant applications, teaching students how to strategize their personal statements, grant purpose letters, and other aspects of apps, etc.

peer-reviewing others' journal manuscripts, providing feedback to colleagues (blind review or not)

assisting with my advisor's research and textbook manuscripts (proofreading, copy-editing, internet sleuthing, finding more up-to-date citations, occasionally writing rough drafts)

writing chapters for edited volumes on various topics

READING. all the time. reading new literature and research articles constantly. ALL THE TIME. writing 1-pagers and mini-annotated bibs for future lit review use, etc.

WRITING. all the time. professional-speak, academic-speak, insructor-speak.

getting paid to travel to conferences to present my research (GRANT MONEYYYYYY)

by may 2025, i'll be a Ph.D.!!!!!! [screams]

academia mode! ✨🤣🤣🤣😭🤣💕 every day, i think about how lucky i am that i get paid to do what i do 🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹 hope you are having a magnificent day, and thank you for the ask!!

[therentyoupay]

20. Jelsa.

"Come on," he had urged her, gently pulling her by the wrist down to the docks, down to the sailboat he'd assured her was safe, promising an adventure, a sunset, an evening of respite before her bodyguards inevitably swept her away, and—something she'd admittedly not known she'd wanted, even as it now thrummed, foreign and once-familiar, in her veins—fun... even if only until the sun finally set.

♡ image ♡ ♡ askbox meme

[therentyoupay]

So I’ve always wanted ask you this. What kind of points do you set for yourself that you have to do to portray Jack and Elsa respectively? Because your characterization is always spot on and consistent, and as someone writing their own Jelsa fic now, I’ve always wondered how you always nail them.

step 1:

JUST KIDDING. or am i

honestly, though, first of all: thank you so much!! 😭😭😭💕💕💕💕💕💕😭😭😭😭😭💕💕💕💕💕😭😭🙏🙏 and congrats on your foray into jelsa fic writing!!!!

second... i have been thinking about this question a lot over the last day or so, but i'm afraid my answer might be pretty disappointing 🥲 i don't have any specific points or benchmarks that i try to hit in terms of the portrayal of the characters—they are just jack and elsa. 🥲🥲🥲

although!! now that i think about it!! i suppose it is fair to say that across my stories i consistently incorporate (adapted, direct, referential, evocative) plot structures from the frozen/rotg movies, and jack and elsa often behave similarly in each contextual situation—despite the overt differences in settings/universes—depending on their current stage of character growth.

i'm grateful that you and i are just lucky that we both like my interpretations of them! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

BUT LET US OPEN UP THE THE DISCUSSION—any other jelsa readers or writers have any other recommendations or insights?? 💖💖💖💖💖

thank you for the ask!! ✨

[therentyoupay]

I have another one, though possibly a bit challenging for you.

9. Douxie Casperan from Tales of Arcadia, and Cassandra from Tangled the Series.

alaaaaaaaas, you're right, i don't know these characters or these fandoms, i'm so sorry 😭😭😭😭🙏🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹

would anyone else be able to take a stab at this one??? reblog away!! 💕💕💕💕💕🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹

[therentyoupay]

I have one question before you disappear into your real life work (though I have a feeling you’ll probably still check out Tumblr in moments of peace, but STILL.)

Have you read any of the Frozen novels that have been published?

yes!! i shall try to check in on tumblr every so often, especially since i have reconnected with so many people!!! (i missed the 2020 revitalization of tumblr and various ships and showed up three years late but, little by little, i am finding more people as they periodically log back onto ao3 or tumblr, and all of a sudden, we're like, "!!!! you're still here on this hell site!!!!!!!! me too!!!!!!") but yes, i have no idea how often i'll be online... 🥲 my lifestyle changes with the seasons and the academic calendar!!

i have not read any of the frozen novels or the guardians of childhood books! i likely will not read them at all. 🥲

right now, i am itching to reread the percy jackson series because i'm loving the show (re-signed up for a month of disney+ just so i could watch it, sigh) but i don't know if i will even have time for percy. 🥲

these days, i read academic journal articles, non-fiction books, and news/op-eds/opinion articles. my audible and kindle are just non-fic after non-fic after non-fic. 🥲 can you see why i was starving for fandom lmao

i have, however, read the snow queen by hans christian anderson (translation: h.b. paull)!

[therentyoupay]

I’m curious, how do you decide when to extend works, like with snow globe just recently for example?

i guess it depends on the fic!

at the center started as a collection of simple drabbles and ficlets, and then evolved into lengthier chapters with the occasional drabble interspersed throughout longer chapters, so there is a diverse range of chapter lengths across the 220+ chapters (some are <100 words, others are ~20,000 words)... so choices for when a chapter "should" end usually depends on whatever "feels right" for maintaining tension in the flow of the story (i.e., "which line would be the most devious cliffhanger?" 😂)

meanwhile, snow globe was only ever meant to be a two-shot of 20-30k words... but each chapter is now more or less 10-15k words?? 😂 and as i was writing part iii this past week, i started to reach 10k... and i realized, "oh dear, i think this story deserves another chapter after all."

in the case of snow globe, the final scene has been written since august, along with a few critical plot scenes (two of which now appear in part iii), but as i get nearer and nearer to those scenes, i realize that "more" is needed to lead up to it, or to come down from it, or prepare/post-process, etc., and the next thing you know, 8k more words have been added 😂😅

in both cases, however, i had the final scenes already in mind before i started actually writing each fic! i reblogged a post like this a few days ago, but basically, my writing process for most fics is something along the lines of "having one scene in your head and then realizing that you need to write 20k, 50k, 100k of plot to get to that one scene" 😂🫠

similarly, sometimes when i get to the scenes, i look back at the unpublished stuff that comes before it, and i'm like "i don't need all this junk!!" and then i remove thousands and thousands of words and throw them all in a scrap file!

(sometimes i end up using the scrapped scenes later on, in a way that ultimately makes more sense for the story at that eventual stage, and sometimes those scraps never see the light of day! 😂)

thank you for the ask!! 🙏💖✨

[therentyoupay]

Oooohoho, okay.

Let’s start with part iv. Almost certain it’s snow globe.

from this tag game!

part iv is indeed from snow globe! instead of answering with words or emojis, i shall send you to a collection of aesthetic edits 👀 one of them is for part iv!!

thank you for the ask!!! 💖

[therentyoupay]

The troll garden

from this tag game!

the troll garden is ch. 225 of at the center! i shall answer only in emojis!! 😂💖 (spoilers???? i doubt it, but under the cut, just in case!)

thank you for the ask!!! 💖

❄️🩵🧊

⏳🏔️🧌

🦷✨

🧊🎮

🖤🩸

[therentyoupay]

Good to see you’re still around! I was wondering if you’ve had a chance to watch Wish and/or listen to the soundtrack?

yes!! DisserLand is liberating but STILL SO BUSY 😂✨ the key thing, though, is that instead of being Busy With Required Classes, i am Busy With ✨MY Research✨ (so still just as busy, but HAPPIER 😂)

iiiiiiiiiiii have seen many tiktoks calling the soundtrack "disney's first AI-generated movie attempt" and i have not been impressed with the villain's song (word on the street is that the writers are pop songwriters rather than musical theater writers/composers?) but even though the main character's singing voice sounds glorious, i haven't listened to any of the full songs, and i don't have any plans to see the movie! 😬🙏 (i also heard that we were robbed of magic-star!boy for the sake of disney having an actual star, which, honestly, is probably a good thing for my dissertation because if magic-star!boy had been the case, i'd probably have fallen down that rabbit hole) (i also also heard we were robbed of a married!villain duo power couple) (i'm also getting tired of all the iterations of the awkwadorable-cutesy cookie-cutter princess personality 😪)

i hope anyone who saw it liked it! but i don't have any interest in seeing it 🥲👍 alas alas

disney give us more magic-star!boys pls and thank

[therentyoupay]

throwback 😂

Kris, oh my God. Apparently, according to William Joyce, author of the Guardians of Childhood, after Jack beat Pitch the first time, he can apparently manipulate he old he looks! It's from Word of God!!!

WAIT

wHAT

WHAT

!

SOURCE???? !?!

[therentyoupay]

How would ATC Jack react to what happens to Elsa? At the biggest pints for her in the movie?

haha, i love this question, but to answer it properly i would have to write a whole “divergent from ATC-‘fancanon’ AU” fic! 😂 it would take a whole other story ♥️♥️♥️ i have to focus on the ending for the ATC that i’ve been working on for 5ish years, but feel free to let me know what you think would happen! 😂♥️

[therentyoupay]

YO. YOU GOT MARRIED?!?! CONGRATS!!!

I DID!!! 

thank you!!

[therentyoupay]

Have you ever considered a Jelsa AU, where Jack and the Guardians are monster hunters?