#they are very good mini models I promise

[chloesimaginationthings]

⭐️Hey you want some Stone ocean miis,,,⭐️

[abibliophobiaa]

Hi my sweetest Luna love 🌙. I saw you put a call out for dad!Eddie ideas/requests. I’ve got one I’d like to propose.

In episode 8, Eddie says, “when the other dads were teaching their kids how to fish or play ball, my old man was teaching me how to hot-wire.”

I feel like this would weigh heavily on Eddie when he becomes a dad, and he would want to be a good role model for his son. But, Eddie realizes he still doesn’t know about those hobbies so he enlists Wayne’s help. Cue the three generations of Munson men having cute bonding moments. :)

Gone Fishing: The Munson Men…

part two of my little mini series wherein you’re married to eddie, have a son named james, and now a daughter named quinn. features a whole lot of wayne as well. you don’t have to read part one to understand this one, but it’ll likely give some insight into background information. warnings: mentions of childbirth; newborn situations; worms being used as bait.

dad!eddie munson x afab!mom!reader. (4.2k words)

-

People say that the jump from one child to two isn’t that chaotic. That once you’re used to parenting, it becomes an extension of a normal routine.

Those people, Eddie decides, are also called liars.

He loves Quinn.

He loves his infant daughter more than words can even begin to express; hell, he cried in the hospital room like a baby himself when the doctor shouted, “It’s a girl!” and finally answered all the months of questioning who the little one growing inside your belly had been.

But, just as James had as a baby, Quinn quickly takes up both your time.

Nights of sleep become a thing of the past, and he’s quickly reminded of what the newborn stage, however wonderful, looks like. Routines shift and become endless midnight diaper changes to give you time to rest, turning over to tap your shoulder and wake you to swap shifts so you can feed her. As you lay her against your chest, he heads down to the kitchen and tries to clean up the messes from all the times she’s woken before that.

So it comes as no surprise the way James begins to grow a little frustrated with the whole ordeal. No longer the littlest Munson in the family, he’s taken up a habit of doing things out of line to garner Eddie’s and your attention.

The first week Quinn is earth side, he pitches a fit because she’s simply a girl (and he’d begged his mom and dad for a brother). He asks Eddie to “send her back to the stork.” Steve and Nancy reassure you both that it’s normal; however, they don’t warn or prepare you for the angry whining from your son when he asks to show either of you something in the middle of tending to his baby sister. Nor do they warn you that four year olds are inclined to have tantrums if either of you ask him to “wait just a minute” when he really doesn’t want to be patient at all.

So while Quinn cries, James cries, and then you cry (sleep is an elusive thing these days, so he never faults you for the changing tides of your wavering emotions)—and Eddie knows he needs to do something.

And soon.

“Are you sure you’ll be fine on your own?” he asks as he enters the room.

He drops down onto the bed where you’re presently sitting against a mountain of pillows with his three week old in arm. You offer him a tired smile as he leans down to kiss Quinn’s head of dark hair.

Another very Munson looking baby, if he does say so himself.

“We’ll be fine,” you promise, sighing when his forehead rests against yours, his nose running along yours affectionately. “She’ll probably sleep most of the time you’re gone anyway. Have fun. And say hi to Wayne for me. Tell him to come by soon.”

Eddie groans, sliding down onto his stomach to marvel at his newborn daughter. Ringed fingers reach out to touch her, thumb swiping down her chubby cheek. The baby stirs within her swaddle, bleary eyes sleepily searching about for her parents.

“I just hate leaving her. What if she grows up while I’m gone? Gets her first job and goes off to college? A first boyfriend that I’ll have to murder and you’ll have to be my alibi for?”

He pouts, earning a laugh out of you for his still-present dramatic flair that’s as much a part of his DNA as the love he holds in his heart for his growing family.

Eddie watches those dark eyes as they flutter open once more and take in her father’s face, lip curling upward at the way her lips part very slightly, her tiny grunts warming him from the inside out.

“Hey, Quinnie. Daddy loves you.”

“She’s going to be just fine, and she’ll still be just as cute and little as you left her. But yes, I will be your accomplice when the time comes,” you reassure him, stroking a hand down the back of his head. He leans into the comfort, sliding his hand over yours. “Go—have fun with James and Wayne. It’s his special day, after all.”

Which is true.

Being that most of your time is spent feeding a newborn around the clock and trying to work around her inconsistent sleeping schedule, you're struggling to spend all the time you want with James.

Eddie had held you in the kitchen a few nights ago after dinner, an arm curled around your shoulders to keep you close as you sniffled against his neck, worrying you weren’t a good mother. He knew it was the hormones talking, but it ripped his heart down the middle even hearing you question how wonderful you’d been to his son and him since you’d begun dating shortly after he’d graduated high school.

“You’re taking care of a newborn,” he’d said, quieting your tears with two palms against your cheeks, and the gentle brush of his lips across every possible inch of your face. “You’re a kickass mother. The best wife—hottest too. I mean, shit, baby—”

“Eds.”

You buried your face in his chest, snorting at his compliment.

“It’s true. Can’t believe I fooled you into dating me and now having kids with me.” Your balled up fist nudged against his abdomen, earning a laugh from deep within his chest. “Quinnie is so tiny now. It’ll get easier. But I have an idea; how about I take Jim Jam for a little outing? We’ll spend time with his Pop Pop and we’ll do…Munson men things.”

Which brings him back to his current situation: lifting Quinn out of your arms to press parting kiss after parting kiss to her curly head of dark hair until her little face scrunches around her binky.

Eddie hushes her back to sleep and you nearly have to pry her out of his greedy fingers to get him to hand her back over. He watches you grin widely, inhaling her new baby smell you’re both addicted to when she’s back against your chest and nuzzling her downy forehead lovingly.

Quinn Leigh Munson has stolen his heart and he doesn’t particularly care who knows it.

With his daughter back in the cradle of your arms, Eddie leans down to brush one last kiss against your lips and Quinn’s plush cheek before calling James into the bedroom.

In scampers the four-year-old a pair of shorts and a tee shirt, his too-big rain boots scrunching with every step.

“Ready to hit the road, Jim Jam?” Eddie asks, ruffling his son’s dark curls. “Say bye to Mom and Quinnie.”

With a little help from Eddie, James crawls across the bed and presses a kiss to your cheek. You giggle airily as he curls himself around your body, close as he possibly can be, just like Eddie tends to when it’s the two of you alone at night.

“Bye, Mommy.”

The words are a smush of his face against your collarbone and forehead into your neck, one hand resting on your opposite shoulder. All wriggling movements and flailing arms that jostle the baby.

Quinn stirs within your arms, little whimpering cries beckoning James to attention as you kiss him fleetingly on the top of his head.

He’s already leaning down close to her face, a pout firmly against his full lips. “Quinnie, why are you always crying? Ugh—”

“James,” Eddie warns, catching the furrowed brow on his son’s forehead. Your eyes flicker upward, amusement bubbling despite the four-year-old’s growing annoyance. “She’s a baby. You cried a lot when you were her age too.”

“Fine,” he says with a huff.

The boy presses a kiss to his sister’s wrinkly brow and clambers back off the bed. There’s a squelch of boots on the carpet before he’s thumping into Eddie’s left hip, an arm curling around his father’s thigh to hold tight.

James’ head tips back, eyes looking into his father’s. “Can we go see Pop Pop now?”

“Yeah, buddy, we can go see Pop Pop.” Eddie takes you in once more where you sit. Tired as you are, his heart clenches violently, both because you’re the most beautiful woman he’s ever met and the love of his life. You lean over to snatch Quinn’s bottle from the bedside table to start another feeding. “We’ll see you later. Love you.”

“Love you boys. Take a ton of pictures. Jim Jam, make sure to catch me a big fish.”

“I’ll catch you the biggest fish!” He jumps up and down excitedly, head bumping against the one Eddie has left to rest against his son’s curls. “Love you, Mommy.”

-

Lover’s Lake remains untouched by the world that evening.

Most are likely at work for the evening, while students, now on summer break, mill about the arcade, that popular new roller rink in town, and the ice cream shops in the shopping square.

Eddie had taken the afternoon off—had been doing so pretty often when possible at the shop to help care for the new baby—to make sure he’d be able to give James his full attention.

The little boy in question practically launches himself out of the car when Eddie unbuckles him from his car seat, glowing at the prospect of fishing with his dad and Pop Pop, a wide smile sliding across pink lips.

At Eddie’s soft utterance of “One second, buddy,” he curls his arms loosely around Eddie’s neck so his father can draw him up against hip. The door slams shut behind him to reveal Wayne standing in the distance against his car, fishing supplies resting on the ground near his feet.

James’ hand curls into Eddie’s curly hair resting against his shoulder, eyes bright as he asks, “Can I go say hi to Pop Pop?”

Eddie nods and helps him to the ground. Grins widely as the boy takes off in a burst of energy, little legs kicking under him, arms flailing at his sides before Wayne reaches down to grab him and hike him upward into his solid chest.

James’ lyrical laughter trails up the hill as Eddie makes his way over, the lunch bag that you prepared for them bouncing against his side with every footfall—another reminder of all the ways his life has changed since you walked into it nearing six years ago now.

He remembers fond moments of sitting at this very lake with the back doors of his van spread wide, you on your back, with your skin still smelling of sunblock, looking up at him like he was the only person in the world. He remembers your fingers trailing along his skin and endless cherry chapstick kisses, whispers of love like gentle caresses long after the day turned into night, and promises of forever echoing behind both your rib cages.

Now you’re married with two children, he’s just as in love if not more so now, and the lake that had been your private sanctuary away from the rest of Hawkins is the place he’ll make new memories with your son.

The same little boy, hewn together by your love.

The same little boy with your eyes, his father’s curls, joy and love in his heart, and laughter that makes Eddie wonder how he ever got so lucky.

You chose him, you still choose him every day, and what a lovely thing it was to be so wholly loved and accepted.

-

It’s funny, Eddie thinks, that he’s never really thought about what normal things fathers and sons share together. His own hadn’t been the greatest of examples, reaching him to hotwire a car without ever teaching him how to swim or ride a bike.

And he supposes that’s been his trepidation all along about raising a son. Four years in and he still doubts himself—still questions that you’ve given him not one, but two babies to guide through life. But it’s in those moments he remembers his Uncle’s care.

The way the man now outfitting his son in a too-big fishing hat and vest shows the same kindness he instilled in him when he’d arrived on his doorstep and moved to Hawkins.

His silent reverie is broken up by James’ laughter. A high peal that breaks through the silence of Lover’s Lake. Eyes drawing upward, he catches the little boy in his bright yellow boots raising a wriggling worm to eye-level, beaming from ear to ear.

“Daddy! Look—a worm!” He’s so proud of himself, peering into the bucket beside Wayne’s tackle box, reaching down to grab another and extending it to his father. “I got one for you!”

Eddie chuckles, joining his grinning Uncle’s side as he settles their tools down on the dock. “Buddy, your mom is going to kill me. There’s dirt under your nails already.”

“I’ll wash real good, don’t worry,” he says brightly, padding over to Wayne. “Pop Pop, what do we do now?”

“Well, now we hook the worm and cast our lines.”

“The worms? But they’re my friends.” James pouts, like he can’t fathom using them as bait, and before his bottom lip can start to wobble, Eddie’s dropping down to kneel in front of him.

“So…you know how Goldy back home eats those little flakes?” he asks, speaking of the goldfish Eddie had won for his son at the Fourth of July fair.

James nods, eyes watering. He sniffles. “Yeah. His gill food.”

Eddie chuckles. “Yeah, his gill food. The fish in the lake need that food too. But they need bigger food.”

“So the worms?” he asks sadly. At Eddie’s slow nod he continues, “Can I keep one?”

“Maybe,” Eddie concedes, and that’s enough to have the little boy resuming his spot at Pop Pop’s side, peering over the edge of the dock.

-

“Pop Pop?” James’ voice raises over the silence. Over the sounds of water lapping against the dock, the sounds of cicadas in the distance, the gentle chatter of birdsong.

Eddie turns to watch as his son leans into Wayne’s shoulder, gentle smile blooming along that sweet little face. Wayne cranes his neck downward, palm curling around the boy’s shoulder. “What’s it, Jim Jam?”

“What do we do now?” he asks, hands holding aloft that too-big fishing rod for his four-year-old body.

Eddie glances down at his own hands, where his own rod is resting within, turning his wedding ring round and around his finger. When his Uncle speaks once more, his head raises in piqued interest. “Well…now we wait. There’s this sayin’.”

“What’s the saying?” James asks.

“Good things come to those that wait,” Wayne says softly, brushing a thumb along James’ cheek, grinning when the little boy giggles gleefully.

“Daddy?” Eddie’s head jerks upward at the title, fondness bubbling up when his son places his fishing rod down on the dock and walks over to his father’s side. Thumps down onto the wood below to lean into Eddie’s shoulder. Eddie welcomes him. Opens his arm enough for the little one to clamber into his lap, head over his father’s heart, palm curling into his ratty old Metallica tee. “What’s Pop Pop’s saying mean?”

“Well…” Eddie glances over his son’s head to look at his Uncle. Takes in his weathered features, the upturn of his lips, that comforting smile that has the tension roiling in his gut easing. “Remember when your Mommy said Quinnie was in her belly and you were so excited.”

“Yeah!” He giggles when Eddie’s fingers slide down to tickle his ribs, his father’s arms winding tighter around his smaller form.

“Remember how it took a long long long time before Quinn came?” Eddie asks, grinning softly when James dips his head. “And remember how it was so worth it, because now our family is even bigger? Well—fishing is like that. You have to wait until a fish is ready, but when it is…it’s worth it.”

“Oh…” His son dips his head once more. Those round eyes meet his father’s once more. “Daddy, can I have juice now?”

Conversation over, he supposes. About right for James’ attention span. Eddie laughs, heart warming at the fleeting nature of a four year old mind. Reaches into the cooler sitting near his hip on the dock to pull out a juice box. His fingers work swiftly to open the plastic wrapper, slipping the straw into the top before handing it to the boy. “Always, buddy.”

–

“You’re doin’ a good job, son. I know you don’t always feel like it, but ya are. And I'm proud of ya.”

Eddie doesn’t expect those words. Doesn’t know what to do with them really. For years his own father regarded him as little. Never cared for his hobbies, likes, interests. Barely paid attention to him most days. And then he’d up and left. Packed up his stuff and walked away from his wife, his son, the life he once knew. Made Eddie wonder if love was this abstract thing. Made him wonder if he deserved it at all.

Then, his mother had passed and he’d been sent to live with Wayne in this home that didn’t really feel like home. He’d taken him under his wing and loved him as best as he could. Showed him patience and love when Eddie had only known dismissiveness and passivity.

And then he’d met you. You with your bright smiles and that endless well of affection. He’d shied away from it at first. Pretended it meant nothing; tucked you away in his mind and pursued you under the guise of friendship. But you’d coaxed him out of the shadows into the light, tended to him and waited as he opened his heart to you, just as Wayne had, and made him question if he’d been wrong all along.

Maybe love wasn’t this abstract thing. Maybe it was something all were entitled to. Something all were deserving of. And that love had grown, had grown into two little souls that shared his heart. Two little souls made up of half his DNA. Two souls who looked to him for guidance, for affection, for a firm foundation to stand on.

He didn’t want to mess it up for his own kids. Wanted them to know every day how much he loved them, how he’d do anything for them, how he’d love his family in the way he’d never known growing up.

“You’re goin’ a good job,” Wayne reiterates, curling a palm around his nephew’s shoulder.

Draws him back to his present reality. In the distance, James talks to his new worm friends still wriggling around in the bucket Wayne had brought along. Promises he’ll take them home and his mom will take care of them. Eddie has yet to remind his son that he and his worm friends will have to part at the end of the day. Instead, he turns to his uncle and smiles, chest blooming with something foreign. An emotion that wells behind his eyes—fills his throat with a tightness he can’t seem to swallow around.

He clears his throat, brushing at his eyes. “I’m trying.”

“That boy loves you, son,” Wayne says, glancing out toward where James is now holding aloft one of his new friends. His head of curly dark hair tips to the side, mouth moving rapidly, likely telling a story like his own father does for him every night before bed. “Hell, I think half of parentin��� is figurin’ things out on the way. I mean, I didn’t know what I was doin’ with you and now here you are. A fine mechanic and a manager at the shop at that, a husband, and a damn good father. To not one, but two babies now. Your Momma would be so happy if she could see you now.”

Eddie glances back over to his son with tears swimming in his eyes. Watches that head of curly hair turn his way. The way his son’s lips curl upward at the sight of him, like he can’t contain the happiness of merely seeing his own father. And Eddie smiles back. Waves as his heart clenches within his chest. Because inside that little boy beats part of his own heart, and anyone can see from looking at James that he’s thriving.

That he’s happy and loved.

And Eddie knows, without a doubt, that he’s doing a damn good job.

-

You’re in the kitchen when Eddie returns. Little Quinn is resting in a sling against your chest as you work to put away newly cleaned dishes while a pot of noodles cook on the stovetop.

Eddie’s shouting he’s home as James rushes into the house, cooler thumping against his shorter thighs. Nearly smacks into your legs just as you hoist him up onto your free hip, somehow managing to not wake the baby in the process.

“Mommy, I caught the biggest fish!” He announces proudly, snuggling his face into the crook of your neck. “And when Quinnie is big enough, I’m gonna teach her how to catch one too!”

He swoops down to kiss his baby sister. Tells her he loves her against the soft curls at her forehead.

Eddie laughs brightly, sauntering into the kitchen to lean against the counter nearest you, pressing a kiss to the corner of your mouth. Drops down lower to kiss Quinn’s head of dark hair. She stirs in the wrap, little noises of contentment filling the air, before she settles back down in her sleep.

“Did you, Jim Jam?” You ask him, eyes wide in your curiosity.

“Yes! And daddy helped. He had to fight the fish. But he won!”

Your eyes dart to Eddie’s, bouncing James higher up onto your hip. “Is that so?”

Eddie’s fingers card through James’ hair, lips pressing against his son’s temple. “I helped him reel it in.”

Your mouth drops open in overly dramatized shock, and James’ eyes light up before the both of you. Eddie swears right then and there he wants another baby (but he’ll ask you later, when Quinn’s not attached to you for feedings every two hours).

“Well…can I see this monstrous fish that the two of you had to fight to bring home?”

And there, in the little cooler, resides the smallest fish you’ve likely ever seen.

But damn, if Eddie’s not happier than he’s ever been in his life.

That feeling bleeds over into the evening. He rides that lovely peak until James and Quinn are finally put to bed, the house silent at last, save for the sound of your quiet breathing beside him in your bed.

“I love you, you know?” He says softly, brushing his hand over the curve of your waist.

Your hips shift backward against his, and he curls his other arm tighter around your form. Draws you nearer. “I love you, too. I’m happy you all had fun today.”

“Can you look at me for a second?” His voice is quiet. Shaky. You roll over at the broken timbre of his voice, hands coming up to thumb along both of his cheeks. At the brush of your lips against his, he continues, “Thank you.”

“For what, honey?”

He drops his forehead into yours. Inhales shakily. “I don’t know. Loving me. Giving me this family. I don’t know what I’m doing half the time, but I’m grateful you picked me to do it with.”

“Eddie…” You wrap your arms tight around him. Hold his head against your chest where he focuses on the calming beat of your heart inside. “You’re a wonderful husband, an amazing son, and an incredible father. I love you, I love you, I love you.”

You punctuate each word with a kiss against his crown, fingers brushing through the curls at the nape of his neck.

“We are so lucky to have you.”

And he smiles. Truly and honestly smiles against your chest, palms splaying over your hips, holding you close.

Because maybe he’s not perfect. Maybe neither of you are. You’re learning together what it means to parent as you navigate this new and unfamiliar territory—as both your babies grow and change and learn. But you’re doing it together and will be forever.

It brings him peace.

And later, when Quinn wakes with a shrill cry, and Eddie pulls her writhing body against his chest to try and soothe her with kisses to her brow, he recalls a conversation he had with Wayne earlier that evening.

“I just have one question?”

“Yeah?”

“What do I do with my daughter when she grows up? She’s so little now. But shit—a girl?”

There’s a pause. “How’s your aim?”

“What’s wrong?” You ask, stirring from where you lay in bed, still tired from Quinn’s earlier feeding.

“Go back to sleep. I've got her.” Eddie draws her into the crook of his elbow, resting her against his chest. She wrinkles her features in another weaker cry, fists shaking in her anger as he rocks her gently. Soon enough the wailing subsides. Those tired eyes of her open to briefly take in her father’s face before shutting once more, mouth working over the bottle he slips into her parted lips, sighing happily into his skin. “Isn’t that right, Quinnie? Daddy’s always got you.”

-

-

[eri-pl]

on Elu Thingol

No, I'm not going (at least: I'm trying not to) engage more in the debate of Feanorians vs Sindar, because it has the levels of hostility I try to avoid.

Anyway, thanks to my husband, I think I finally got a coherent mental model of Thingol that explains all his decisions without assuming he's just stupid, and even gives him a character arc. Which is nice, because before I never could conceptualize him well. (long post under the cut)

It starts with Elu being one of the elven emissaries to Valinor, so this would eman he was open-minded, adventurous and had a good insight/vibe-check. Oh, and also he is friends with Finwë. Then he returns and falls in love with Melian, which confirms the concept of him as open-minded and not avoiding a crazy adventure (marrying a Maia).

Then they marry, he builds a beautiful kingdom, and, I think, gets complacent. And (for reasons that would make sense later) I think he gets a little sanctimonious, too. A literal divine being married him, that surely must mean he is morally spotless, right? Doriath is a mini-Valinor in a way, shielded and locked from any external influence. From any corruption, any evil, any mpurity.

I'm sure he (at this point, at elast) is very worshipful about the Valar and listens to Melian's counsuel with great fervor.

At some point, the Sindar meet the Petty Dwarves and start hunting them and later it turns out those are actual people... Hearing about this may be the first breaking point for Thingol. But that whole story semi-canon, I think?

Then everything shatters in a short time — Melian (surely) has some terrible premonitions, Feanorians come to him not willing to explain a lot, they say the Black Rider is back, he's called Morgoth now, and he killed Finwë and the Trees of Valinor, and all that. also, other Finwëans come and there is some terrible secret they aren't telling him—

And eventually Thingol learns that Feanor rebelled against the Valar and his sons (+ other Noldor) murdered Thingol's kinsmen, and since Feanor has turned his back on the Valar, he, and everyone who agrees with his agenda, is no longer welcome, no longer valid, no longer a kin of Finwë, they are blasphemers.

Galadriel and others are fine, they are Finwë's grandchildren, they are welcome, they are pure enough. But not Feanor and his kin, with their blasphemous oath,

(And don't get me wrong, it legit was blasphemous. But yes, I give to Thingol here the kind of general attitude which I really dislike, sorry, he'll get better. Also, he does have good qualities too )

And of course it must be the fault of Feanor, and likely of him making the Silmarils (who the Noldor say are holy, but who knows? capturing the Light sounds a little blasphemous) that Finwë died and Morgoth returned to Beleriand. It is a logical conclusion from Thingol's point of view.

Then Beren comes and he dares to ask for Luthien's hand, and how blasphemous is that, A filthy mortal wanting for a half-Maia, what's next, he's try to capture a Silmaril? hmmm, that's an idea (since I promised Luthien to not kill him *directly*), and my crazy rebelious daughter will be kept safe.

...

(I think this is his lowest point in the "sanctimonious hypocrite" thing. It is influenced by strong emotions, too. also, one of two low points in general, the other being influenced by a curse.)

And then he realizes, gradually that a) he ignored his Maia wife's advice on that, b) it's going to end badly, c) he's not as great and faultless as he thought. Also, at some point someone points to Thingol the irony of him having married a Maia and him now objecting to Beren marrying Luthien. And he realizes how much he'd changed, he'd grown stiff and close-minded and that is not good.

(I suppose his relationship with Feanorians might have improved at this point, if C&C didn't do all the things with Luthien.)

Then Beren returns, Thingol has a change of heart, he realizes that Men have a beauty to them. He remembers his youth. He's beautiful again and, generally, I assume he's pretty cool at this point.

(And, yes, he keeps the Silmaril and doesn't try to contact the Feanorians and give it to them. Because he believes it belonged to the Valar more than to Feanor? Because in general medieval/Silm rights of ownership work differently than modern concept of ownership rights? Because Beren more or less died for the gem? Because it reminds him of his daughter? Because he wants to spite those who tried to assault her? Because he still has a bit of that moral superiority thing and thinks he deserves it? Because Melian says it is important and it will save the Beleriand at one point and they need to keep it? I suppose it was a mix of reasons.)

And then they're gone away from everybody and then he adopts Turin, and Turin— well he does what Turin does...

…and the thing with Dwarves. Oh, the thing with Dwarves.

I think it has to do with Nauglamir and Hurin(?) cursing it, and... i don't remember, but there was some cursing there in general. It does make Thingol more impulsive and greedy.

The house is empty, his daughter gone, adopted son ran away and then died, his marriage is great but it has lasted for so long already and Thingol needs something new… to be even more beautiful, to make his kingdom even more beautiful, to erase the sorrows… he's going to wear the Silmaril, common sense (and Dwarves) be damned.

And so he died.

[takeiteasyonmeimstilllearning]

hot take on a real life Jigen

I know that Monkey punch modeled Jigen on James Coburn, but hear me out. Robert Mitchum is Jigens spirit animal.

1stly, voice. They have the same timber. (Idk what else to call it) I would definitely say epcar and Mitchum are in the same category. Kobayashi is similar too but he is more animated, going into falsetto and such. I also think if jigen sang he would be baritone and talk-sing his way through lyrics.

2ndly, Mitchum's grumpy old man vibe just radiate Jigen imo.

Mitchum quotes:

They got so they wanted me to take some of my clothes off in the pictures. I objected to this, so I put on some weight and looked like a Bulgarian wrestler when I took my shirt off.

The only difference between me and my fellow actors is that I've spent more time in jail.

I gave up being serious about making pictures around the time I made a film with Greer Garson and she took a hundred and twenty-five takes to say no.

[on his acting talents] Listen. I got three expressions: looking left, looking right and looking straight ahead.

People think I have an interesting walk. Hell, I'm just trying to hold my gut in.

When I drop dead and they rush to the drawer, there's going to be nothing in it but a note saying 'later'.

I never take any notice of reviews - unless a critic has thought up some new way of describing me. That old one about my lizard eyes and anteater nose and the way I sleep my way through pictures is so hackneyed now.

Years ago, I saved up a million dollars from acting, a lot of money in those days, and I spent it all on a horse farm in Tucson. Now when I go down there, I look at that place and I realize my whole acting career adds up to a million dollars worth of horse shit.

I never changed anything, except my socks and my underwear. And I never did anything to glorify myself or improve my lot. I took what came and did the best I could with it.

[asked what jail was like] It's like Palm Springs without the riff-raff.

John Wayne had four-inch lifts in his shoes. He had the overheads on his boat accommodated to fit him. He had a special roof put in his station wagon. The son-of-a-bitch, they probably buried him in his goddamn lifts.

There just isn't any pleasing some people. The trick is to stop trying.

Sure I was glad to see John Wayne win the Oscar. I'm always glad to see the fat lady win the Cadillac on television, too.

I kept the same suit for six years - and the same dialog. We just changed the title of the picture and the leading lady.

[asked why he took on an 18-hour mini-series] It promised a year of free lunches.

How do I keep fit? I lay down a lot.

[1969] How the hell did I get into this picture anyway? I kept reading in the papers that I was going to do it, but when they sent me the script I just tossed it on the heap with the rest of them. But somehow, one Monday morning, here I was. How the hell do these things happen to a man?

[1948] I'm a natural hermit. I've been in constant motion of escape all my life. I never really found the right corner to hide in.

[1968] The Rin Tin Tin method is good enough for me. That dog never worried about motivation or concepts and all that junk.

[on working with Faye Dunaway] When I got here I walked in thinking I was a star and then I found I was supposed to do everything the way she says. Listen, I'm not going to take any temperamental whims from anyone, I just take a long walk and cool off. If I didn't do that, I know I'd wind up dumping her on her derrière.

[asked what he looks for in a script before accepting a job] Days off.

[on Jane Russell] Miss Russell was a very strong character. Very good-humored when she wasn't being cranky.

They think I don't know my lines. That's not true. I'm just too drunk to say 'em.

Look me dead in the eye and Tell me this isn't jigen

[dean-winchester-is-a-warrior]

I Will Find You in the Dark Ch. 6

Series Summary: Dean and Julie's story continues through turbulent times in the Winchester's life. Can Dean and Julie survive through it all? Can their love survive?

Chapter Summary: Now that they have the demon chained up, can they cure him and bring their Dean back?

Pairings: Dean x OFC (Julie) Established Relationship

Series Explicit 18 +/Warnings: Show level violence throughout. Smut throughout. More detailed chapter warnings.

Chapter Warnings: Show level violence, Demon!Dean (with all that his black eyes bring with them), Demon!Dean being cruel for the fun of it, threatening behavior, mentions of pregnancy, and lots of angst.

Word Count: 3,433

Series Masterlist

A/N:  The sixth chapter in the sequel to my fic, Green is My Favorite Color I strongly suggest that you read that one first, since there will be references made to it throughout this sequel. Also, I suggest you read the Dean and Julie Mini-Series I wrote as a bridge between that fic and this one. (The Mini-series’ title is a bit of a spoiler for the original series, so I won’t post it here, but it can be found here.) I had a lot of fun writing that original series, and the mini-series, and certainly hope those who read and enjoyed those, enjoy this sequel. 💓

The beautiful dividers below and at the end were created by @talesmaniac89 ❤️ Title card was created by me.

The room was dark when Julie opened her eyes; they couldn’t adjust fast enough, and she sat up with a cry of fear.

“Easy, Julie.” She recognized Cas’ voice just before he turned on a bedside lamp. She looked at him in confusion, her brain refusing to fill in the blanks. 

“Cas?” She asked stupidly.

But the angel seemed to understand that his name alone was encompassing a myriad of questions that were chasing themselves around inside her head. Though he still seemed baffled occasionally, he’d come very far in understanding the way humans’ minds worked. 

“You’re safe.” He informed her in his deep angelic voice. “You’re in your room, and I’ve healed you completely.”

She shook her head. “Healed me from what?” But as soon as the question was asked, everything came flooding back into her mind.

***

“Dean?” Sam’s voice was loud and full of fear. He slapped his brother’s cheek hard, and Julie put a hand over her mouth to stifle her own terror at Dean’s ashen, sweaty face. 

Good god, we have actually killed him. She thought as bile rushed up her throat.

But after another slap, Dean sucked in a deep breath and let out a low groan. Sam let out the breath he’d been holding, and Julie felt the relief flood her, as tears ran down her cheeks. She dashed them away quickly, not wanting to give the demon in Dean’s soul more ammunition for his cruelty.

“Come on, come back to us.” Sam said as he gave his brother a bit of a shake. “You okay?” 

Dean raised his head slowly, and seemingly painfully, as he mumbled out his answer. “You call drowning in your own sweat while your blood boils okay, then yeah, I’m okay.”

Sam stood up and moved out of the devil’s trap and back to the table that held the syringes full of purified blood. 

“Look,” Sam told him with regret in his voice, “I can’t stop doing this.” 

“Sure you can - just stop!” Dean said, anger lacing his exhaustion now. “It’s too late to get your brother back. He’s long gone. But I’m liking the new model.” His gaze swiveled to Julie and he gave her a smirk. “Lean, mean, Dean.” He nodded towards her. “You’d like him a lot, sweetheart.” 

“No thanks.” Julie told him coldly. “My husband’s gonna be back anytime now.” 

Dean chuckled roughly. “That what you think? Huh? That he’s just gonna stroll back into your life? Well, I’ve got news for you, this asinine plan of yours isn’t gonna work. So, you’re either gonna have a demon husband, or a dead one.”

He shook his head at her.  “I don’t know why you’d want that pussy back anyway.” His gaze was lustful as he scanned her body from head to toe. “Promise you I’d be a lot more fun.”

When Julie remained silent, he let out a bark of harsh laughter. “Yeah, what am I thinking? I’m talking to the girl who waited around for years, for whatever scraps I threw her way. No matter how many times I walked away, you’d just be sitting there begging like a good little bitch, every time I came back.”

He tilted his head and his voice dripped with disdain. “Pathetic and weak.”

His penetrating stare was only broken as Sam stabbed another needle into his arm, making him scream in rage and pain. Sam tossed the syringe back onto the table, and hustled Julie out of the room, pulling her down the hallway far enough that she could no longer hear Dean’s grunts and growls.

She covered her face and leaned against the wall, thumping her head onto the hard tile. She shook her head and then pulled her hands down to look at Sam.

“What are we doing to him, Sam? What if we are killing him? He said it felt like his blood was boiling?” Her face was stricken. “I mean, what the hell?”

Sam let out a deep breath and scrubbed his big hand over the scruff that grew on his cheeks. “I know, Julie, but…” He shrugged, his expression as helpless as his tone. “What’s our other alternative? This is the only solution to get Dean back.”

Julie felt tears gather as her frustration and heartbreak overflowed. She nodded sadly and dropped her head. “I know.” She said in a whisper.

Sam pulled his phone out of his pocket. “I’m gonna call Cas again, and see how far out he is, and I’m gonna go unlock the door for him.” He pointed a finger at Julie as he put the phone to his ear. “Don’t go in there.”

Julie nodded and Sam’s long stride carried him away quickly so that she only heard him ask Cas. “Man, how far are you? We need you.” Then his voice was gone and there was just the quiet hum of air vents and machinery in the walls.

Julie ran a protective hand over the baby bump that seemed to get rounder every day. “He’s coming back, sweet pea, I swear it. Your daddy is gonna love you when he gets to meet you.” She was determined it would be true. 

A couple of minutes ticked by before she heard it. Dean’s voice - and it was scared.

“Jules?”

She stood staring towards the light spilling from the door until he called again, his voice slightly louder and laced with pain.

“Jules!”

She rushed to the doorway to see Dean slumped over once again. As she watched, his face spasmed in pain, and he lifted his head slightly. Relief washed over his face when he saw her. “Jules.” He groaned deeply and she came into the room. 

He looked at his tied up hands and then back to her. His expression was all confusion. “I don’t…what’s going on?” Again pain seemed to wrack his body for a moment; he gritted his teeth against the onslaught before he slumped over, deathly still.

Julie’s eyes widened and she ran up to just outside the devil’s trap. “Dean!” She called out to him, but he didn’t answer. Her eyes held panic as she looked down at his chest, but it wasn’t moving.

She ran up to him and lifted his head in her two hands, as Sam had. She tried smacking his cheek, and shaking him slightly, but he didn’t respond. 

“Dean!” She screamed in horror. 

And faster than she could blink his eyes opened, coal black, and he snapped the ropes that held him, reaching out and getting a vice grip around her throat. He pulled her in close to his face and grinned.

“Pathetic and weak.” 

Giving her a shake, he raised her up above his head and walked out of the devil’s trap with a grimace. She saw the demon cuffs dangling from the arms of the chair just before he slammed her against the wall, still outstretched in his hand.

He shook his head. “Good god, you are a sap. And I always thought you were so smart.” He shrugged. “Guess I was wrong.” He raised his free hand to scratch his chin in thought. “Now that I’ve got my hands on you, what am I gonna do with you?”

Julie felt the increasing pressure he was exerting on her windpipe, and she began clawing at the back of his hand, but he ignored her like she was an annoying fly, simply grabbing her right arm and slamming it beside her head on the wall. 

Her free hand still clutched at his wrist as though she had any hope of loosening his grip. “Dean.” She croaked out. “Dean, please.”

He just chuckled as his black eyes stared into her and his grip tightened on her throat and arm. “You know, I could snap your neck with nothing but a flick of my wrist. Humans’ bones snap so easy. See?” 

Julie screamed a choked and almost silent scream as he twisted her arm slightly and she felt the bone break. Pain radiated through her body. But panic was setting in quickly to overshadow it, as her vision began to blur and her lungs began to ache. 

“I could kill you right now.” Dean’s voice was low, almost soothing.

Julie closed her eyes, shutting out the monster’s face, and conjuring Dean’s image into her mind; his sparkling emerald eyes and the way they grew warm when he looked at her; the soft smile he wore in the mornings when she woke him with a kiss, the silky way his lips felt against hers when he kissed her back. 

If she was going to die, she wanted her husband’s beautiful face to be the last thing she saw.

The last thing she heard before blacking out was the demon making his decision. “N’ah, you might be fun later. I’ll kill my brother first.”

She felt her body hit the ground, and then everything went dark.

***

As the memories flooded her mind, Julie turned frantic eyes on Cas. “Where’s Sam, what…what happened?” 

Cas patted her shoulder. “He’s fine, he’s fine. I got here in time to stop Dean, and we got him back into the devil’s trap, and the demon cuffs. Sam is about to give him the last injection. Then we’ll know.”

Julie rubbed a hand over her belly, her body shaking slightly from shock and worry. “Is the baby…?” She couldn’t finish the question, but Cas answered quickly.

“He’s just fine. His heartbeat was a bit fast for a while, but it’s returned to normal and his brain and organ functions are all what they should be.”

Julie looked up at the angel with a soft smile of relief. “He?”

Cas looked guilty for a moment. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know you didn’t know.”

Julie shook her head though. “No, it’s okay. We couldn’t tell the last time we went to the doctor, but I wanted to know.”

Rubbing her belly, she breathed in deep and long. Then she stood up.

“Whoa, Julie, you should rest.” Cas admonished. 

But Julie just shook her head. “No. You healed me right?” Cas nodded reluctantly. “Then I need to be there. I need to see if after all of this, Dean comes back to us.”

***

Dean sat in their bedroom, leaning against the headboard and looking around the room at all the pictures Julie had put up on the walls, as well as on every flat surface in the room.  They were pictures of the two of them, sometimes alone together in the frame, and sometimes showing their arms slung around Sam or Cas, Benny or Charlie. Without fail every one of them showed Julie beaming out at him.

And every time he looked at them, the vision of Julie’s terrified face staring down at him as he squeezed the life from her, replaced her smile in his mind. He dropped his head into his hands and felt the deep gnawing pit in his stomach grow larger.

Suddenly the door opened gently and Julie’s head poked through the crack. Her smile was soft and questioning. “Hey.” 

Dean was shocked to see her, but he stood up quickly. “Sorry, I’ll go.” 

But before he could make it to the door, Julie walked through and pushed it closed behind her, leaning against it. She shook her head. “Please don’t go. I wanted to see you.” She reached towards his cheek. “I missed you.”

But Dean stepped back, his heart constricting. “Julie…” He stared at the ground, unable to look at her. “Don’t do this.”

Even without looking, he could see the way her brow wrinkled. “What do you mean?”

He turned his back on her and went to stand and stare at the weapons mounted on the wall. They made him frown now. Why had he put these here? Why did he fill their bedroom with weapons of war?

Cause you're a killer, and a monster, of course. Said the voice in his head. That’s all you know.

When he answered, his voice was rough with tears he refused to shed; he didn’t deserve to cry about his sins. “Julie, you can’t just pretend none of this happened. You can’t just…” He turned back to face her, but kept his gaze averted. “You can’t just forgive me.”

Julie was quiet a moment, before she responded, annoyance in her tone. “I don’t think you actually get a say in whether I forgive you or not.” She shrugged in his peripheral vision. “But the fact of the matter is, there’s nothing to forgive. It wasn’t you.”

Dean scoffed and shook his head. “It was me, Julie. That’s the whole problem. No one possessed me, no one had control of me. It was all just my own fucked up, black soul.”

Dean could see Julie was shaking her head the whole time, barely letting him get the end of his sentence out before she was contradicting him. 

“That’s simply not true. It was the mark, it twisted your soul, made your heart go black. But the mark isn’t you, it’s not who you really are. It’s a dark, evil thing, and it leached into you.” 

She walked up to stand directly in front of him, putting her hands on his forearms. Dean turned his head further to the side, desperate not to look at her. He didn’t want to see her compassion, her certainty that he was good; he couldn’t take the forgiveness in her features. 

“Dean,” she said softly, but sure, “I know who you are, the real you, and that black eyed thing wasn’t you. It was like an infection, and now you’re healed.”

Dean stared at the ground again. “Not that simple.” He mumbled.

“Of course it is.” Julie argued, stubborn as always. “It. Wasn’t. You.” She said in a staccato rhythm. 

“But I remember when it was.” He said, his voice a mere croak.

Finally Dean looked up at her, seeing her beautiful face properly for the first time since she’d entered, and he swallowed over and over to rid his throat of the lump of unshed tears that grew there. 

Dean was determined to make her understand. “I remember everything. Every moment. I remember every cruel, hateful word.” His jaw clenched tightly. “I remember the feeling of your arm breaking in my hand. I remember your scream, and the way panic filled your eyes, all the fear and terror, I remember it.” 

Julie dashed away her tears angrily. “I know -”

“But mostly I remember the feeling of absolute glee I felt watching you struggle, hearing you choke…” He broke off, shoving his fingers through his hair and turning away again. His hatred of his own body and soul made him reach up and rake his hands down the wall, smashing weapons to the ground, clearing the way for him to deliver two solid punches to the wall, breaking his knuckles against the stone.

“Dean!” Julie yelled out, rushing towards him, but he sank down on the bed. 

“Please, Julie.” He looked up at her, knowing that he was begging. “Please don’t act like nothing happened. I hurt you, badly. Broke your bones, considered ending your life.” His voice was desperate and strained. 

He glanced down at the bump that showed through her flowy shirt “I put them in danger.” His mind ran away from that train of thought, simply too horrified to examine it for the moment. 

Instead he continued trying to make her understand the truth. “I lied to you, tricked you, used your love against you. I said horrible, awful things to you.” He paused, and his mind rebelled at his next words too, but they were also the truth and needed to be spoken. 

“I cheated on you.” 

His voice was a whisper as he looked into her eyes again, and saw the pain that truth caused her. Whatever she may say, he knew that it mattered, that his sins and transgressions couldn’t be overlooked or brushed aside. 

Julie tried to hide her hurt with a raised chin and a stubborn glint in her eye. “I’m aware of everything the demon did.”

“The demon WAS me, Julie! For Christ’s sake, why can’t you see that?” He yelled at her.

Julie’s careful façade began to crumble, as pain swept across her features, and tears overflowed her lashes. Instinctively, Dean reached for her; desperate to stop them. He took her face in his hands, but her tears fell too fast and too hard for him to swipe them all away.

“I know what happened.” Julie choked out. “I know all the horrible things that have happened over the last two months. Do you think I don’t know?” Julie shook her head and pulled away and straightened up, throwing her arms up.

“I have had a really awful couple months, and today was one of the worst days of my life.” She sniffed, and scrubbed her face with her hands. “Some asshole demon really hurt me, and I was really scared.”

She cleared her throat and walked back up to where he sat on the bed. Reaching behind him, she pulled a small metal disk from where it hung on the wall and, taking his unbroken hand in hers, she set the worn and battered talisman there. The old piece of jewelry looked much different than it had when he’d given it to her nearly eighteen years earlier. But it still held the magic of their love and he gripped it tightly in his hand as he looked up at her.

She ran a hand down his cheek and he shivered. “I’ve had a really shitty few months recently. So, I’d really like to just be here with my best friend. And I’d like my husband to hold me, and tell me that things will be alright.”

Dean opened his mouth to argue, but she cut him off. “I don’t mean everything will be fine today, or even tomorrow. But I need him to tell me that they will be, eventually. That we’ll pull through this like we always do.”

Dean closed his eyes as his need to comfort her, to hold her and reassure her, warred with his guilt and his fear of the mark that was still etched into his arm. 

Finally he opened his eyes and let his tears fall at last, hoping they would tell her that he was more sorry than he could ever express. “Julie, I swore I would never leave you, and I won’t.” He shook his head. “But you have to promise me that when you want me to leave, you’ll tell me. Tell me to go.”

Julie shook her head. “That will never happen.”

Dean closed his eyes briefly, opening them again to peer up into her sunshine face, always his brightest spot; even now trying to lift him out of darkness with her unceasing light.

“Jules.” He said in a broken voice, filled with both awe and shame. “I’ve done nothing to deserve you.” The awe was there because he simply couldn’t understand her love, and the shame was because he knew that, in fact, he didn’t deserve it. 

“I’ve told you a hundred times - you’re my hero, Dean Winchester. Plain and simple” Julie’s voice was clogged with tears.

Dean shook his head. He would never understand her, but he believed her. And he loved her - needed her - so much.

So, he pulled her down into his lap, and held her close. He shifted them back against the headboard and tightened his grip a little more, before pressing a kiss to her forehead and running his hand through her hair.

After a few minutes of silence, Dean took a deep, steadying breath, and then moved his hand down to spread across Julie’s belly. His voice was whisper soft. “So, I’m gonna be a dad?” The word alone conjured up contradictory feelings of excitement and complete terror.

Julie nodded softly and moved his hand a little lower. “Try talking to him, he likes voices. You might be able to feel him move.”

Dean’s gaze shot to hers. “He?”

Julie nodded and gave him a watery smile. “So Cas says.”

Dean felt a warm place start to grow in his battered heart right alongside the cold fear. But his mind’s eye conjured up the vision of a curly-headed little guy with big brown eyes, toddling around the bunker and he couldn’t help but smile. 

“I’m gonna need to build him a yard, and a playground. He can’t stay in the bunker all the time. But it’s gonna need to be heavily warded, and protected.” He nodded with conviction. “But we can do it.” 

He looked into Julie’s tear-stained face, gripping the talisman tight in his fist, and promised. “We can do it.”

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[wisteria-lodge]

snake primary (bird model?) + unBurning lion secondary

+ bonus mini-sortings of Wednesday Addams and Indiana Jones

Hi! I really enjoy reading about the SHC system, and decided to write a structured SortMe submission (at last). My Secondary is what I’m struggling a lot with. As a kid, I was very bossy towards friends, and could not stand not being the leader of my group and leading the games we play. I loved making up games based on this video game/book series/tv show to play with them, and there was A LOT of improvisation (following my whims).

Well, little you sounds like a pretty classic Lion secondary.

My group broke apart later due to me being too domineering. Later, I moved to a country where I couldn’t speak the language properly and became quite withdrawn, shifting into an introvert completely (still am). Regarding friends, I went along with whatever they wanted to do, almost all of the time. I had one really good friend though, but I maltreated her kindness by reverting to my domineering self around her.

Huh. Well, it sounds like your secondary burned. "Domineering" is an extremely negative way to talk abuot a Lion secondary, and well... I can't help but think there was a little bit more to this friend-group break up, especially since you were the "bossy" leader the whole time. You're talking, basically, about your Lion secondary not "working" anymore (not being able to speak the language would contribute to this) and that's a burned secondary. So you get quiet, you get passive, because doing more than that feels risky.

In high school, I was the furthest thing from leadership, and shifted from group to group, never liking any groups or the idea of groups. Those who aren’t close to me would say that I’m shy (I would disagree - I’m just not good at communicating with people I don’t know well, or multiple people at a time). A close few (mentor included) would say that I’m opinionated.

There have definitely been some Loyalist (snake) primary vibes so far. Your really good friend, your mentor, wanting to join groups but that not really working as a long term thing for you.

I really enjoy talking about what I think and what I believe with my mentor, as well as abstract ideas and philosophy, but rarely with my friends because I don’t enjoy arguing about it with them. I stopped caring about social media and maintaining social connections, unlike most of my peers, because the connections felt too temporary, and yielded little rewards for the time I spent. I do enjoy spending time with friends, but there are friendship issues popping up all the time (fickleness and selfishness- I’m seeing the selfishness in people clearer now).

I could see this a couple of ways. Like this could be a slightly hedonistic Burnt Snake. You want those Snake connections (and not the more Badger-style ones, which don't feel like enough to you.) But, they seem hard to come by, so you've been editing. You've got someone who is on your wavelength, and you're getting more philosophical and internal.

Of course, this could also mean that you're a Bird in the process of building a (less social) system. And who could be more important in that process like a philosophically minded mentor?

I now spend my spare time (non-studying) reading fiction, playing video games (immersing in a different world), delving into systems such as MBTI, SHC to learn more about people, and reading game guides (stat optimisation, etc. REALLY ENJOYABLE).

So we're having fun with systems, which generally means some Bird somewhere.

Now I am literally the opposite of the description of Inspirational secondaries - especially Lions. Regarding problem solving, I find it hard to think of situations (searched google for ‘examples of problem solving’). I feel like the problems that I’m involved in are almost always solved by others, and I can’t offer anything valuable.

This is extremely burnt secondary talk - I *can't* solve problems. I promise, if you play video games, you solve problems.

Once I broke a certain rule (for about the third time) and was going to have something taken away the next morning. So during the night I thought about what I knew about that person (doing the deed) and tried putting myself in their shoes, and what I could say and what responses it could yield. The preparation made me feel better but I barely used any of it the next day — I reacted to what the person said and ?adapted? and lied (with a heart rate of 200 or so) and was successful in preventing them.

So... you did the Lion thing, and it worked for you. It sounds like when your secondary burnt you did build a Bird secondary model (stat optimization guides - very bird primary.) The Bird is a toy, a support system, and it can make you feel less anxious.

I think when I’m really desperate and have no time to prepare for a serious problem (to me), I resort to lying. However, I don’t lie often and would even be actively honest in everyday life to improve my “reputation”

It is a Lion secondary thing to not like lying, and do it as little as possible so as to build up a reputation for not lying (or to want to do that, anyway)

and prevent anyone from pointing out my lies and judging me.

Hmmm. Who's judging you? Who's thinking you're a bad person? Where is this coming from?

Whenever I’m stressed or under pressure, I become really unresponsive and appear emotionless. In conflicts with others, my mind often goes blank and I just let them speak,

This is just a human thing. Fight/flight/freeze/fawn - you freeze.

because I can’t say anything clever enough that won’t be shut down.

Again with some external force coming down on you. This might be part of the reason your secondary burned.

I really, really envy and admire Snakes who shift based on the situation and are able to create masks (I’m just like a rock).

It sounds like you're a Lion secondary who doesn't really like the idea of being a Lion secondary.

I also envy Lion Secondaries but feel annoyed by them - like how can they be so honest and straightforward?

It is really, REALLY normal to be burned and find un-Burned annoying, naive, impractical.

If I experience conflict with my parents, I almost never argue (because I can’t beat their ”logic” - which is: “you’re my child, you can’t argue with our authority”).

Got it. You've got some authoritarian parents who shut you down. Sorry to hear that. No wonder you're struggling with some of this stuff.

I recently watched Netflix’s Wednesday, and I really admire the protagonist’s quick thinking and speedy comebacks. I felt that she didn’t need to be so straightforward and blunt, but it was… so cool. She had no problem TALKING BACK TO PEOPLE. Ideal me would have razor sharp wits backed by an abundance of knowledge (rapidfire Bird or Snake) (but alas).

Wednesday Addams is a very loud Lion secondary. I suspect she's a unBurning Snake Lion - which is a sorting you might want to consider for yourself. She is extremely protective of the handful of people she considers Hers - her character introduction where she drops the piranhas into the pool because the swim team was bullying Pugsley could not be more Snake Lion. But she has trouble finding people who *get* her (to the degree where she's started to think that those people don't exist) - and that's burnt Snake. We also see her Lion secondary coming through in her problems with her mother - Morticia adores her life, and she's sending Wednesday down the same path she took, which Wednesday resents. She values the Lion secondary authenticity too much. She wants to be *herself* and make her *own* calls, even if that means she fails.

I was reading about neutral states, and I wouldn’t say I have different personas for different people and situations. Generally, the less close I am to a person the more polite and quiet I’ll be.

the "dimmer switch" Lion secondary metaphor

However, I notice that if I’m spending a decent amount of time with someone one on one (almost never happens in a group), then I’ll revert back to my neutral state (unconsciously). There are some boundaries, though (e.g I can never sing or dance in front of any of my friends, but I do it all the time at home).

Hmm. So when you trust someone... the lion comes out? That's good.

When studying, I want to make sure I cover all of the points (objectives) that will be tested. I never study/revise for something that isn’t going to be tested (too extra), and I rarely study without outside pressure (upcoming DEADLINES) for something that I’m not interested in, even if it would benefit me in the long term. I like having a frame to work with, and going on from there by myself. I quite often create plans (timetable, study timeline, exercise…) but almost never fulfil them due to laziness and lack of motivation. The more detailed it is, the more I hate it.

You have a Bird model... which you think you're supposed to have... and which you kind of hate using for this stuff. And you're definitely using adrenaline to hack your brain into doing non-preferred tasks

The only time I remember completing a planned goal was the Nanowrimo 50k novel in a month challenge - where I stopped halfway but picked it back up and got to 50k words before the month ended. I like having that “you can write whatever you want but as long as you reach a word count, and even if you miss a couple of days it’s fine”.

This is good information. You like your frameworks to be loose, you like room to pivot - write one bit today, another bit tomorrow, you're not feeling it the third day, and that's fine.

I have never made a really difficult decision, but generally speaking I would weigh the pros and cons of each choice and kind of imagine what would happen if I picked that. HOWEVER, from experience life never goes the way I try to predict, and doing that is kind of useless :’)

Spoken like an improvisational secondary. And honestly, in a philosophical way I agree with you... but my Badger still wants to make those plans anyway.

I would also ask the people around me for their thoughts on the matter to build more perspectives and cover my blind spots.

Very smart, just for problem solving in general. Probably means you're not a Lion primary though... who kinda like to make important decisions without the static of other perspectives.

Regarding fantasies (my favourite part of this submission), I like to imagine myself as a mage who studies in a grand academy filled with intricacies and travels to investigate ancient ruins and magical places with close friends/intellectual equals. I would work on discovering the arcane mysteries of the universe, weave poetry and art about bygones (heavily LOTR inspired). The close friend is pretty prominent in my fantasies (snake vibes?) but also is a search for adventure and meaning. Real-life based fantasies are generally snake secondaries and other-world based fantasies generally bird.

Your fantasy is to be Indiana Jones (but also a wizard, and an artist.) That's a pretty Lion secondary fantasy. And I know you didn't specifically name-check Indy, but I suspect he's a Snake Lion as well. I will admit that he does look like a Bird primary a lot, but that's because his People are generally safe/offscreen. When he DOES have to choose between them and the arcane secrets of the universe - he chooses his people. UNLIKE his villains. Lot of Bird primary villains in that franchise.

I love playing RPG games A LOT (Zelda, Dragon Age, Genshin). I’m more into the exploring aspect than saving the world, but I become attached to individual characters along the journey.

... like Indy :D

I’m not a big fan of warrior types of characters in fiction, such as She-ra (Badger Lion) uniting a rebellion to fight evil — I instead relate to Entrapta (Double Bird) who doesn’t really care about the conventional good vs evil and would go along with joining the Horde if that benefitted her cause. But I don’t have her impressive collection of knowledge on what she’s passionate about (tech). To a lesser degree, I also relate with Catra (Double Snake?), who cares about individuals much more than groups and doesn’t understand She-Ra/Adora’s goal of fighting for the good and for the people. But I definitely don’t have her flexibility and smarts in problematic situations.

I would definitely check out the SHC Podcast She-Ra sorting... especially because they make a very good case that Catra is only modeling a Snake secondary, and underneath she's a burned Lion secondary.

I feel powerful in a situation when I’m thoroughly prepared…?

Do you really though? You talk about being super prepared as being annoying and stressful "kind of useless" and something you "barely use."

But that almost never happens and is quite temporary because don’t like thoroughly preparing for a situation, and anything unexpected can throw me off completely. Like this chess game I played (I’m horrible at chess - quick thinking and meticulous planning - enjoy it though and wish I was good), where I planned this sequence of moves to make to win, but the opponent kept making unexpected moves and I would become fixated on my sequence and, well, lose.

It sounds like you think that you should have Bird secondary... and so have a Bird secondary model that doesn't seem to help you much.

I’ve taken the SHC quiz several times and have gotten both Lion and Bird Primary (Lion more often, but I’m quite convinced of being a Bird).

Bird is still very possible - you haven't talked about your primary much - but I would definitely consider Snake. From what I've read here... I've been getting Snake.

I’ve tested as every Secondary (burnt?) because I found the questions hard to answer.

Yeah, definitely Burnt. But there's a Lion secondary under there, and you're in the process of unBurning, especially around certain people.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my overly long submission (filled with brackets). It took me a couple of days to think and write and cut out sections, and I kind of have a vague idea of my sorting and how you’ll sort me — looking forward to reading your analysis though. Sorry about the unnecessary details in advance. Have a nice day (or evening)!

You're very welcome, and you did a great job writing this.

[amores-percussit]

⏏️ - Reverse Selfship AU

👻 - Ghost AU

📱 - Modern Day AU

🧟‍♂️ - Zombie Apocalypse AU

SUGUDOLL 😋😋

- tired

oh dear i typed a lot for this 😰

⏏️ - Reverse Selfship AU

OH DEAR 😨 I don’t know how Geto would get into a media and end up having a crush on Doll but I guess it’s not too out of nowhere because Gojo and Geto in Hidden Inventory both agree a model is hot 😭 

I guess Gojo would most likely pull him into the fandom and GETO would be really interested in DOLL’s character, Gojo probably texts him whenever Doll makes a new appearance or gets referred to in source and Geto immediately goes to check… I think he would have like a mini keychain or pin of something Doll related, or maybe Gojo would just get him anything that’s Doll related just to tease him so he just has a bunch of merch

👻 - Ghost AU

I think this works really well considering Doll is dead in JJK 😋 I’m still unsure of whether or not she becomes a curse because I think being a ghost would kind of end up turning her into a curse anyways? So I’m just going to with Modern AU for this one because I think that regular JJK would just lead to the curse Doll pipeline. 

DOLL probably is like the ghost that doesn’t intend to be scary but she accidentally comes off as scary 😭 Maybe GETO moves into a new house with Mimiko and Hanako, but they start seeing Doll’s ghost around the house and they tell Geto who obviously thinks they’re just making it up, so he tells them that he’ll tell the scary ghost to go away and they should just sleep now. They try to go to sleep and Geto goes, fully expecting to just tell off a wall only to see like a ghost girl eating the strawberry shortcake in the fridge that was meant for Gojo when he visited 😭 

Methinks from there, Geto doesn’t really know what to do and Doll’s one of those ghosts who are like binded to Earth for whatever reason, so they try to get along and Doll tries to make sure the girls don’t feel threatened by her presence and as a result, the girls try to set her up with Geto without really realizing how strange the entire situation is.. they’re a little silly like that 😋 (Gojo and Shoko definitely tell Geto to exorcise the house as like their immediate first instinct but start teasing Geto when he says that he doesn’t want Doll gone)

📱 - Modern Day AU

MODERN DAY AU…. I feel like that’s so vague so I’m gonna go with what I initially had planned out for sugudoll !! GETO and DOLL probably attend the same university + went to the same high school as him along with the JJK school staff cast but I imagine them only growing closer when they have philosophy class together at the university 😋 

and it isn’t until Doll asks Geto very embarrassed if he could pretend to be her boyfriend because she promised her mom that she would bring someone home for the holidays cause she didn’t have the heart to tell her that her and her actual partner broke up a while back ago. Geto agrees because not only is he amused but he thinks that it would really help get some attention off of him (Gege has said that Geto is more popular with girls than Gojo so yk)

So they start fake dating but then they actually end up falling in love, Doll does first but Geto falls harder, albeit a little too late. After the winter break is over, Doll ends the fake relationship there because one, she’s really into him but she’s incredibly sure that he isn’t into her which at the time wasn’t wrong. So they “break up” and Geto was under the impression that Doll wouldn’t actually start avoiding him since they both agreed they would tell people they ended on good terms but Doll actually does avoid him at any and all costs 😭

She even avoids him in class, asking someone else to be her work partner and that’s when Geto starts feeling jealous and realizing that he really does like her back. Like a lot. But now he’s convinced that she’s moved on so it’s just a mess really 😭 their entire friend group gets so frustrated but so involved, Doll confides in Shoko, Utahime, Nanami, and Haibara a lot while Geto confides in Gojo and Shoko and everyone just decides they were going to make sugudoll happen one way or another

🧟‍♂️ - Zombie Apocalypse AU

omg. Normally I don’t think about zombie apocalypse AUs because they make me so sad but I think DOLL and GETO would meet somehow in a survivors group yk via Geto saving Doll from the zombies ? And then they kind of just stick to each other like glue 😋

[solarpunkbusiness]

 Our “snapshots” are brief, structured case studies that give a taste of the many diverse ways that startups have been trying to grow into community ownership and governance, albeit with mixed results.

The snapshots range from my Colorado neighbors Namaste Solar and Trident bookstore, which converted to employee ownership, to major open-source software projects like Debian and Python, which are mini-democracies accountable to their developers. There is NIO, a Chinese electric car company whose founder set aside a chunk of stock for car-buyers, and Defector Media, a co-op founded by employees who quit their previous job in protest. There are also blockchain-based efforts, like Gitcoin and SongADAO, that have tried to make good on a new technology’s often-betrayed promises for making a more inclusive economy.

I have taken two main lessons from these snapshots so far.

1. There is widespread craving for a better kind of exit—and the creativity to back it up. Entrepreneurs, investors, users, and workers alike are all recognizing the need for a new approach, and they are trying lots of different ways to get it. They are relying on old technology and the latest innovations. They are using many different legal structures and techniques for empowering communities. The resourcefulness is pretty astonishing, really.

2. Better exits need to be easier—and this will require structural change. In just about every case, E2C attempts have faced profound challenges. They are often working at the very edge of what the law allows, because many of our laws were written to serve profit-seeking investors, not communities. Much of what communities wanted was simply not possible. Truly changing the landscape of exits will mean policy change that takes communities seriously as sources of innovation and accountability.

I want to stress this second point. It first became clear to me when working with collaborators at Zebras Unite on the idea of turning Meetup into a user-owned cooperative. The founder wanted it. The business model made perfect sense—a rare platform whose users actually pay for it. The company was up for a fire sale. But we simply could not find investors or lenders prepared to back a deal like that. This is a problem I have seen with many other co-op efforts, over and over. Policy is the most powerful shaping force for where capital can aggregate, and there is no adequate policy to support capital for large-scale community ownership. This is also the reason we have lost many community-owned companies in recent years, from New Belgium Brewing to Mountain Equipment Co-op—the most successful community-owned companies too often can’t access the capital they need to flourish.

[pbandjesse]

We just got back from Paul and Sam's third wedding. And it was a good time. A little bit more low-key than the others. Took place on a plantation though which was very interesting as a choice. But it was beautiful and I understand. We were joking that was reclaiming. And while we were all incredibly overheated and sweaty I still had fun.

I do wish I had a little bit more time to just do nothing today but I made the most of my half day off. I didn't go to the market. Instead I slept an extra hour and got up around 8:15. I wanted to leave until 9:00 but I couldn't fall back asleep. I would get up eventually though and clean myself up and got dressed and I felt pretty good.

I wasn't really interested in eating. My stomach was hurting today. I don't know what's wrong but it just hurts a lot. And I would pour myself a soda and pretty quickly I was out of the house. I had things to do.

Big things I need to do today work at James awake long sleeve button down shirt. And get the materials to make a larger indoor enclosure for crab cake. I want to see about using a big box. That storage bill. And that ends up working out really well. It wasn't as large as I was picture but I still think I did a good job.

I went to Target first and went and found a shirt for James. Slim Pickens for sure. Especially because there's just skinny. But I think that the one I chose worked out really well in the end. And then I had an idea about mini non with garlic spread and butter and cucumber. I thought it would just He's a nicest lunch. And I got myself a person pizza and then I went and measured the boxes. I had measured my table and I figured it had to be around 24x44 which is. I ended up getting one that was about 19 or 38 in which is not exactly the right size but it's close and it was only $16 so I can make that work for now. He's still little. In the future I'll have to do something a little bit bigger I'm sure but for now.

I still need a dirt though. And I wanted to get some more coconut fiber so I went to the pet store and I did not know I had $18 in coupons on my account so I use those and got a big bag of coconut fiber, and some terrarium materials, and some more moss. I ended up not needing the extra ball so I'm going to keep that for later But I think I did a really good job and I had a really nice conversation with the girls at the cash register without crab cakes full name. Crabcake Franklin Lentzwiler, first of his name.

I drove over to Ace hardware next and is able to get two bags of fertilizer free topsoil. I also talk to a couple about their brand new puppy his name was Marnie. And I was like have you ever seen the Chicago model and they have not So they said they promise to watch it. I told him it was one of the weirdest movies I've seen. Because it was very weird.

Went home and I decided that my plan would be get inside get sweepy into the basement for everything and go and preheat the area start working on the tank. Then when the oven was preheated I would make my pizza and we'll pizza here I would make my little naan flatbread thing. I have my little snack for the pizza was cooking I was building my employer and it didn't take very long. And Crabcake loves it. He was digging and climbing. I still want to get him another log but they didn't have a big enough one so I'm going to check a different pet store at some point this week. But I was just so pleased. And it fits really nicely on the table still. I was not sure how I'm going to fix the lid because I need to make sure the heating element is not melting the plastic. And I tried to cut the lid and then we're cutting my fingers and I was very upset because then I broke the scissors in the process which is how I cut my hand. Ouch.

I was getting really overheated and very tired so. And it was still early but I needed to eat and my food was cooled down enough so I would cut the pizza and bring it to the couch with my other snack. Then just hang out in front of the fan for a while. Eventually I would decide to go and shower and get changed for the wedding. It's not really a wedding. It was a another reception because not everyone in Baltimore could make it to the actual wedding obviously. And I had already picked out my dress months ago so I didn't have to think much it was more just me getting myself together. The hair was a little wild. But that was mostly from humidity. I would take a shower and clean myself up and make myself feel pretty. I originally was going to be wearing a shirt with this dress but it was so hot out today that I nixed that and wore it as a tube top dress. I was a little nervous about that because a little self-conscious about my arms but only a little bit. It just feels like a lot of open skin but I would feel very pretty. I went through a couple different belts before I decided which one I liked the best. But I was very happy with my outfit in the end.

I would sit outside for a while on our swing. I had crab cake walking around the backyard and then in his enclosure out there and sweet pea was chilling with us. It was the Harry Potter. I was enjoying swinging but I was not enjoying how sweaty I was getting. I had just taking a shower so I wasn't thrilled. But I eventually went head inside and pulled down pretty fine and then I was just chill on the couch and eventually brought everyone back inside. I gave crab cake some food and made sure sweetp was good. And I just started making sure I was ready for the event.

I got James's suit in the car toiletry bag for them in case they need to clean up. And texted them asking what time I should come get them.

They said that basically I could leave now and as long as I got them before 2:00 we were good. Merrill would end up stuck in traffic so we wouldn't leave until a little after 2:00 anyway but it was still really nice to get over there early especially because I also ran into traffic because there was an event happening down in the harbor. Or I got there at 1:37 we were not in a rush at all.

I want to sit with James for a bit and they made me feel very pretty. And I would walk around the museum and collect some of the donations of materials that they have put aside for me. And I did not expect to have to take home the 20 lb box have gotten but I have that app so I have plenty of material to make more stuffed animals and actually a few this week but I'm not sure when I will have time to cut the bear so that will probably be something I am working on all the kids are making their projects. We will see.

Soon Merrill was there though and we would head out into the world. I knew that today was going to be kind of all over the place timeline wise but I wasn't that worried.

We'll get out to the mansion. And that's when we realized that it was a plantation. And so I read the Wikipedia page for it so that I would know what the history was. And this place was originally gifted from the king of England and then bought my guy named Dorsey and he had 97 slaves in the 1700s on those property. They were doing cash crops and pig iron. So I found her. And it was beautiful but very sad history. We were joking about we hooked up the couple gotten BED, A black Advent discount. And honestly I'm only partially joking. I think that is plantations are going to do weddings if a black couple or event wants to have them at their space they should be giving them a discount because of the atrocities that happened on their location. I don't think that that's an outrageous thing to say. I might be saying in just in the name but I truly believe that would be appropriate.

And it was a lovely time. We got there and I would go into the big house with James and we went to find the boys. We were in the billiards room. So hello to everyone and then went to wander around the house to look to see what it was and how it looked. It was beautiful. I loved all the details and I liked some of the signage but that wasn't a ton of historical signs around because it's not treated as like a museum space. Which is expected I guess. Thank you really only are there if you're there for an event or I guess maybe a tour? I'm not very sure about that though.

Eventually though I would hear the girls and I would join them up in the bridal suite. And Sam went beautiful. Not shocked and she always looks beautiful. And it was so good to see everyone. They were also cute and they're getting ready jammies and I would hang out with them for a few hours while they got ready and I talked about history with them and art and dentistry and tortoises and what we've all been up to over the last couple months and it was just so much fun being with girls. Like I don't get to do girly conversation and talk stuff because that's not the type of people I tend to gravitate towards. I'm kind of a dirty gremlin girl. Not like they are. They're girly girls. And I love being able to experience that too. It's great.

I had a great time talking to them too and Sam's app was there and while the girls were getting photos we sat and talked about education and a state of the world and parents and art and she's just such a lovely person to talk to. I'm really glad that we got to sit down and talk like that because we would get separated later on and things were very busy.

There were a lot of photos being taken so James was indisposed for a lot of the day. But we got to spend time together. I would go back down to the billiard's room eventually. But first I went and found Paul's mom Dawn. And her mom. I did not catch her mom's name. But I would hang out with them outside for a while and we talked about life and my new tortoise and animals and Paul and James and the event. And eventually I went to do some investigating for them to figure out where he was supposed to go because there was the big tent out side but they were saying that there was a garden on the other side we were supposed to go to the first and I couldn't figure out how to get to. Eventually I would lead them around and drop them inside the pool for a bit and get some water and use the bathroom. And then I stood and talked with Sam's dad and Paul's dad. I went downstairs to get water and Sam's dad was standing there and I said something about getting water and he was like I don't work here as you know I just need like you're not going to accuse me of crimes when I go into this part of the staff only. And then he came and got water as well.

I would go outside and went to our car to find my charger and could not find it so I texted James cuz I was getting very hot and sweaty and I was not thrilled about that but they had the charger so they would make me later on. And it ended up being a really nice time. I went and found Ann and Tucker And we eat hors d'oeuvres. The keys that I put a fancy dip on that they had put out for the crab cakes. And it was excellent. Made it a little bit spicy. But we are all kind of melting in the sun so I suggested we move to the shade. And then James joined us. The wedding party came out it was so nice to see everybody all dressed up and pretty. Everyone honestly was beautiful. The whole party. Someone had beautiful dresses on and I'm so lovely and I was having a great time even though I was hot.

I think that was kind of the vibe though everyone was kind of melting. And it caused some people too I think leave a little early or go and find shady or cool spots to just escape the heat. Having an outdoor event this time of year was a little bit of a wild choice but it's their third wedding if that's what they want.

I had some really nice conversations and me and James took pictures and I would speak to the girl doing social media about Baltimore and doing social media and life and the city. It was nice just to connect with people. I was having a really good time even if I was overheated and sweaty and gross.

My feet was really hurt. They are still split on the bottom It's really uncomfortable but even if when I try to put Band-Aids on them they just fall off immediately so I'm just trying to baby them. But it does not comfortable. And I'm doing my best. My new sandals are nice and they're not bothering them as much but still becomes painful pretty quickly.

Eventually it was time for dinner. There wasn't a lot I can eat but I wasn't really hungry anyway. It was mostly just so hot and dehydrated. So I am really glad I brought my water cup and I would just keep drinking as much as I could. We ate dinner though and I went to find James because they have been pulled away for pictures. I made up two plates for them so that they wouldn't miss out on food. And then I went and sat on one of the velvet couches that they had put out on the lawn. Where Ann came and joined me and we talked for a little bit about camp and how crazy this week has been. Hopefully next week won't be as wild.

I would dance with James for a bit and we took a photo with photo and we talked to our friends and we danced some more and it was just really fun. eventually we were told that there was an ice cream truck so me and James would walk down there and the photographer took pictures of us which I thought was very sweet she called us for ice cream couple. And we would later on feed each other ice cream for her to take pictures but James put way too much in my mouth and him gave me a media brain freeze and I was like no no and it was very laughing silly giggling pictures. I hope that I get to see them soon.

James and me would have to leave though. James has work in the morning and I have a full day with Jess. So we would do our round saying goodbye to everyone. Stephanie had some questions about fireflies and I told her the stuff that I knew but then it turns out that fireflies are not just in America like I thought they are everywhere? Now I got to do research into fireflies because that's crazy to me. And I am excited to have a new thing to look into.

We will take a bite to everyone now and gave lots of hugs even though we were all sweaty. And then I drove us home.

I would play music on the way home and we were just singing together and having so much fun and even though James hates how that I have the music I was just having such a nice time being silly with them. And then we were home and there was lightning and there's a storm rolling in and tomorrow's supposed to be thunderstorms all day. And while that is not the best for me and just going to the beach I am still looking forward to it. I think it will be interesting. And I love an interesting time even if it's not the time that you expected.

I just got out of the shower and James did too. And I am very much ready to go to bed. I hope that you all have a great night tonight did you have fun tomorrow. Until next time.

[snowed-leopard]

Okay Snow, you did the 9 mercenaries as birds, what’s next?

I’m making this as a sort of mini set of questions and answers about the whole shebang. No one asked but I’m telling anyways.

Anyways for next steps, I may make Saxton, Admin, and Pauling, maybe not, I already know what saxton would be if I did (emu, obvious), but I’m not sure about our two token ladies… I have some ideas for certain. This whole thing took a lot out of me being as fast as I tried to be, I’m a slow artist with limited time in my day for art sadly, so they’d be back burner for sure. At least until art fight references are done being made.

In the mean time I’d totally be down for people to ask me things about the au or request little scenes or doodles, or just discuss my choices! If you have birds you think would work as well I’d love to discuss it with you :) I don’t bite… usually. I promise!

What brushes did you use?

I stay pretty limited. I used procreate’s basic ink bleed brush (with a little stabilisation sometimes for my poor hands) for sketching and lining. I used procreate’s basic rectangle brush for almost all my coloring and rendering. Starting at spy’s piece (I think) I used the cloud painting rake from devin Elle Kurtz’s free cloud painting brush pack to add in details to the wings. It was easier than what I did in solly’s piece, which is all manually painted with the rectangular brush turned way down in size and took eons.

Also starting in spy’s painting I used the HSV sliders and my rectangle brush to paint in the deeper light and shadows once the flat render was done! It’s made my rendering a lot easier and more beautiful and consistent in my opinion. Over all my art skills have increased vastly.

For the more complicated poses and perspectives I made pose models in the free app justsketchme and used those.

Did you listen to anything while drawing?

Bear ghost, a lesser known rock band from Arizona, single handedly got me though this whole project, I had them on blast for almost every piece for at least part of its drawing. Please check them out on Spotify incredibly good and underrated. Dotab, big town banky Blaine’s rockabilly bbq, and necromancin dancin single-handedly kept me going in particular. I also adore sirens, peas and love, and funkle Phil.

Why were you so pressed to make these so fast?

I had for a week long trip I couldn’t bring my tablet along on starting the 13th, so it was either draw fast enough, or wreck my momentum and have a week before the last one. Boy howdy have I sleep deprived myself for this art. Worth it tho. I didn’t make it, I did kill my momentum, but I pushed through!

Can I redraw these / make fanart /anything based on this?

YES PLEASE I MAY BE AROACE BUT ID KISS YOU IF YOU DID ANYTHING WITH THIS. There is very little set plot to this all, so go bonkers. please just if you make nsfw, *dont* send it to me. If you make anything that isn’t, please *do* send it to me! My notifications are a little broken, so dm me a link directly if you want me to see it :3.

Why? Just why all… this?

Brain rot mostly. I like birds, I like avian au’s, I like team fortress, why not chuck it in a bowl and stir? And if I made one mercenary, I kinda gotta do all the others, no? Ain’t right otherwise…

[rhaenyyras]

another snippet from ch2 of my new steddie fic ~ coming soon

"Remember, hero, I'm just a decoy. I'm protected well enough for a decoy." Eddie thins a smiles, then adds. "Cross my heart, if I'm in super serious danger, I'll remember to zip it up. Promise."

Steve laughs and slowly the thin lines of worry begin to ebb away from his face. He steps back to look at Eddie's bullet belt and vest combo. Of course, Eddie can't resist striking the dumbest pose, showing off his battle gear, cigarette dangling precariously from his lips. He poses like a model in some magazine and as hoped, it makes Steve crack a smile.

"How's it look? Am I'm ready for the runway, baby?"

Steve snorts. Doesn't even acknowledge it.

He just says, "Something's missing."

"Oh, you're such a tease." Eddie sighs. "No idea how you get the ladies. It's certainly not your charm."

Steve continues to ignore Eddie, glancing him over like there really is something missing. Then an idea comes to Steve and he grabs Eddie's bandana and reaches for his hair. 

Which naturally is a very firm no from Eddie and he pulls away like a cat avoiding water.

"Pump the brakes there, big boy." Eddie flattens a palm to Steve's chest. "What exactly do you think you're doing with my hair?"

Eddie eyes Steve off with a fair amount of suspicion since it seemed like Steve was trying to do something with his hair. Steve smiles at him but there's a spark in his eyes Eddie doesn't exactly trust. 

"I've got an idea." Steve explains, though he gives essentially nothing away about said idea. "How much do you trust me?"

Eddie barely considers it. "About as far as you can catch me."

"I'm pretty sure that's not the saying."

"It's absolutely the saying." Eddie insists. "So go on then. What's this big idea?"

"Well, Robin said you liked her beret. And Dustin's got like this, mini-badass, bandana thing going on."

Eddie blinks, still not totally sure where this is going. Sure, he thought Robin's beret was cool, and yeah Dustin's mini-badass bandana thing is also cool. But that doesn't mean Eddie wants Steve tying his hair up. He glances up warily but then Steve smiles at him and Eddie swears his heart skips a beat which has definitely never happened before.

He doesn't know what to say. Luckily, Steve does.

"Just trust me, Eddie. Okay?" 

And of course Eddie nods. He does trust Steve, more than he ever thought he would. So Eddie leans back against the sink and lets Steve do god knows what to his hair. He folds the bandana in half, brushes some of Eddie's hair to the side, then combs his fingers through the short pieces of hair on his forehead to flatten them out.

Steve carefully places the bandana on, tying it up in a small knot at the back. Once he's done, Steve leans back to look at Eddie in the bandana and he smiles, pleased. Eddie hesitantly glances at his reflection, surprised that the bandana looks okay. Pretty badass, actually. Eddie turns to Steve with a smile, though his surprise must be obvious because Steve gives him this look.

"Why do you look so surprised for, Eddie? I said you could trust me. And it does look pretty good, doesn't it?"

[thewatercolours]

My thoughts on everyone's "Burning the Knight Oil" mini-fics:

@kursed-curtain's version - Graham feels cheery and capable in this one - like the experience is an alarming one but he's taking it step by step, calmly and by-and-large successfully. This is a Brave Path Graham for sure, and he probably picked the hedgetrimmer first out of all the options in the village. This one breathed life into every little action of the scene! In many ways this one felt the most faithful to the sequence of the game. I loved the detail about checking his pockets to be sure none of the contents burned or got squished when he rammed against the rock! "A blur of purple metal" - a good phrase. Also, "He plucked up his courage, secured his cap, then kicked off his climb." I love that he's securing his cap, both because he's going to climb and wouldn't want it to fall where he couldn't follow, but also because the cap is such an example of his adventurer's spirit. I love that he closes the scene with a giddy smile - he may have bitten off more than he was planning to chew, but he's going to take it in stride and be brilliant alongside Achaka! I love that he sees this phenomenal display of agility and goes, "I'm gonna ask that guy to tell me how to swing on a rope!" This is awesome.

@captmickey's version - I get the impression that Graham's a bit disgruntled even as he's running for his life in this version. Dang it, nothing's playing out right today; his option for an eye was kind of lame, and what was supposed to be a tiny trip to the well to get a waiver signed has turned into an all out monster battle. Life, I tell ya. But all that frustration is aimed at himself - when it comes to Achaka, he's just swept up in awe of this knight extraordinaire. And because Graham is the kind of guy who when ordering an emotion ice cream cone thinks that quadruple scoop is a good idea, he's also balancing a dragon-fleeing freakout with the focus of thinking through the timing. I love how you really show Graham overthinking the whole timing thing - his life depends on it! I also loved how your version was the only one that shows Graham getting caught off guard by the sudden blast after things got a little too quiet too long, and mentally cussing the air blue what with it being such a close call! This version feels very immediate in following Graham's thought process, and I love how you juggle all these different elements that are jostling for space in his head. This one did the best at capturing the gaming side of the story whilst translating it beautifully into more human storytelling.

@gerbiloftriumph's version - This is the one that me feels most like the atmosphere of the scene - the glory of Achaka's theme and the dragon shaking the whole cave with its bulk and the very King's Quest balance of telling it with a smile but also keeping things truly exciting - it's all here! Seriously, the writing here is so vibrant. And Graham is just adorable in this version - thinking about how cool his chin scruff was and all but sorrowing that it's gone!! Flailing arms and uncertain internal monologue, and helping himself through as always by reminding himself it's a puzzle, and puzzles can be solved. "But all that was still surpassed in importance by the dragon." That felt oddly grand. And some to think of it, I think this is the one that captures the sense of the dragon best of all. As for the little epilogue, I love the idea that Edward is just like, "Well, obviously the winner gets the promised position, but there is no way I am letting this absolute incredi-hero of a purple knight pack up and go back to wherever he's from - sure, he can be in the club too!" Also, it's a little thing, but I love how you wrote about Graham bouncing on his feet as he waits on tenterhooks for the perfect moment. Graham always looks a little silly in game at this point since his model frops into neutral mode when control is returned to the player, so it was a joy to replace it in my head with a Graham whose whole body is ready, ready, ready to run! I think you sometimes forget it, but you can really write, girl.

@goddessoftechnology's version - "Achaka was flying," - how is this so beautiful? How do you manage to turn everything, even a ridiculously simple timing navigation thing in a video game, into prose cut from shining crystal? I nearly had to catch my own breath like Graham. I love how you focused nearly everything on Achaka himself as he just blows Graham away, and kept the chasm crossing itself to a minimum of detail to keep all attention focused upward. And the conclusion, that there's a rope waiting for him, has a kind of "of course" quality to it, because the whole point of this passage is that Achaka has everything in hand to perfection. "It is unreal, and it is gorgeous, and it takes so much effort to look away -" you sure these words apply to Achaka's battle and not the snippet itself? Wow. So glad to see you back for a bit in these here woods, Vee. ;-)

[baalzebufo]

made an ill-advised decision and broke my promise by buying more minis before id finished painting all my gloomspite boyz... oops. look. i needed a Little Treat and a break from painting gobbos all day...

anyway. sylvaneth time. I REALLY want to get the blades when they come out so i figured i should grab some kuroth hunters beforehand to get a little practice in. these models are gorgeous and ive gotten attached to the sylvs lore as ive poked around with it- i love how theyre protectors of nature in more of a 'parasitic wasp' way than a 'delicate forest dryad' way. the bug-based nastiness they can inflict is very appealing to me :p

still not sure what colour scheme to pick, theres so many good potential options... white birch, pink blossom, autumnal, charred, wintery... im spoiled for choice on these boys honestly

[quikheatprouk]

QuikHeat Pro Heater Reviews: The Heating Revolution in UK

We tried out the QuikHeat Pro today and wanted to know if users are as happy with it as the manufacturer claims. The mini fan heater has a number of features that can hold their own against a radiator. Is it possible to generate enough heat with the QuikHeat Pro without consuming too much energy? The manufacturer promises the following features:

In addition to blankets, hot water bottles and separate radiators, there are also fan heaters, which are easy to use and supposed to provide the cozy warmth we know from the heating system. But in most cases, QuikHeat Pro is not the solution. Because many devices end up consuming even more electricity and energy than we are used to with heating.

Why do I need QuikHeat Pro mini heater?

Absolutely no one should be exposed to the cold all the time. Especially not at home. That's why the Pure Slim X is suitable for anyone who simply wants to create a warm place to feel good. At the same time, it saves electricity and other energy, because the mini fan heater has an optimized technology that saves it very well.

Young and old can operate the QuikHeat Pro without any problems, whether via the remote control or on the mini fan heater itself. No technical know-how is required. This makes QuikHeat Pro equally interesting for everyone. Even if you have already used another device of this type without being satisfied with it, you should give the mini fan heater a chance to prove itself in its function.

What are the quality features of QuikHeat Pro?

To get an even better idea of ​​the QuikHeat Pro, we undertook our own test. Unfortunately, there are no quality labels or official tests on the mini fan heater that we can consult here.

So we ordered it first and took care of the processing after it arrived. The mini fan heater feels solid, which means that it can be very warm at times. We then immediately tried out the QuikHeat Pro and wanted to convince ourselves of its functions.

General Reviews of QuikHeat Pro

In our quest for information, we also looked for opinions from other users and wanted to know if their satisfaction was as high as that of our test. In doing so, we came across testimonials that were all very positive.

Those who have been using the QuikHeat Pro for a while would buy it again at any time and find its performance impressive. Many users are very enthusiastic about its ease of use and find it extremely practical. Many are also convinced by the build quality and recommend the mini fan heater to others.

Where can I order QuikHeat Pro?

Anyone who wants to order the Fitsmart Fat Burner should do so on the manufacturer's website. Because here you are not only guaranteed to receive the original, but also good manufacturing quality. In addition, special offers are also available, but only for a certain period. In these offers, the QuikHeat Pro can be purchased in several models at a lower price. The offers therefore include several models with which several rooms can be equipped.

General information on the topic of QuikHeat Pro Heaters

Heat is one of those things that no one can, and certainly no one should, do without. But in the current energy crisis, it is wise to ask yourself how to best manage the energy that is provided to you. Because in most cases, it is very expensive and almost unaffordable. That is why people are looking for alternatives that they can use for this purpose. Mini fan heaters are in high demand these days.

https://pureslimx.uk/

[blade0fgrass]

I tried pokemon stadium 2 and pokemon snap for the first time today, here are my thoughts (it's not long I promise)

pokemon stadium 2

I tried 3 modes, I'll get the easy one out of the way. free battle. played a match against my sister, really I have no complaints :) all the new models are very cute and I was Super happy to hear the commentator make a return

the mini games... some of them were fun, particularly the scyther, hitmontop, and Mr mime ones ! however, the other mini games, for the most part, just felt awkward to control 💀 the point scoring system was strange as well. would have been better if they stuck to similar game design as the first pokemon stadium mini games

the quizzes though..! they were quite funny . it'd tell you about a pokemon and then ask a question about a completely unrelated pokemon 😭 10/10 mode

pokemon snap

OK I'VE HEARD GREAT THINGS ABOUT THIS GAME AND. IT'S WAY MORE FUN THAN THE TITLE SOUNDS IT'S VERY GOOD

there's so many interesting interactions between the pokemon and it's fun to mess around with them

I've got some pretty good pictures to, maybe I'll share them later . .

anyways this is why I'm up at 3am!! 😄

[project1939]

100+ Films of 1952

Film number 113: Models, Inc. 

Release date: May 19th, 1952. 

Studio: Mutual, distributed by Universal 

Genre: noir 

Director: Reginald Le Borg 

Producer: Bernard W. Burton, Hal E. Chester 

Actors: Howard Duff, Colleen Gray, John Howard 

Plot Summary: A beautiful young con-artist enrolls in a modeling school to seduce its wealthy owner, but when her old boyfriend gets out of prison, he has a scheme of his own. Can she really keep her criminal past away from her new rich husband? 

My Rating (out of 5 stars): ***½  

OK, this one was fun! For a lower budget noir, this is about as good as it can get. The acting was above par, the story was interesting, and we were blessed with amazing cheesy dialogue and a thrilling ending. It’s far from a towering achievement in film, but it’s hella entertaining. I’m definitely watching it again. (Some minor spoilers) 

The Good: 

Rusty, the con-woman at the center of everything. Both her character and the actress who played her were perfect for this kind of film. First of all, Rusty is a great name for a shady woman in a noir! She’s basically morally bankrupt, but it sure is fun to watch her. 

Howard Duff as Lennie the ex who has been part of Rusty’s crimes. He recently impressed me in Steel Town, where he left me wishing he had gotten the girl in the end. Here he plays a bad guy with strength and aplomb. You love to hate him. 

John Howard was effective as John Stafford, the millionaire in the modeling industry who succumbs to Rusty’s charms. 

This was a classic sleazy crime-ridden noir in all the best ways, 

A terrifically cheesy romance montage- as Rusty and John begin dating we see them go to a horse race, then an art museum, then a classical music concert, and finally a shopping scene where John lets her pick out lots of expensive clothes. 

One of my favorite things about noirs is their tendency to have odd everyday characters randomly appear for comic relief or suspenseful delays. This one had a great scene near the end with a man in a bank and a slow customer ahead of Rusty as she's trying to flee. 

The details about the modeling school classes were a treat to watch. (Go to the bottom of this post for the details!)

The ending was Perfect! 

During a climactic shootout in an alley, we get glimpses of ads papered to the walls. As a character dodges bullets, a sign right next to him has a pouring teapot and reads, “Time for Tea,” which killed me. 

There was so much great hilariously “noir” tough-talkin' dialogue. Like- “You can’t blow into town, promise me a job modeling your crummy lingerie, and after a fast pitch slough it off as a sweet dream.” Also, “That’s right, Lennie, neither of us has changed very much. Oh, a better suit or a dress maybe, but in here where it really counts, we’re still the same kids, looking for shortcuts to the rainbow.” 

The Bad: 

There was maybe a bit too much vagueness of what actually went on with the photo taking racket Lennie starts. I know censors at the time couldn’t outright say prostitution was involved, but... 

How could John Stafford, a man who made a fortune creating models, be so stupid as to fall in love with Rusty? Her intentions seemed fairly transparent. I know love can blind a person, but you’d think he'd been around the block enough to figure it out. 

During a police car chase scene, you could clearly see that no one in either car was wearing a seatbelt. Afterall, seatbelts wouldn’t be mandatory for fourteen years! (The resources I could find said it was 1966.) It sent me into a mini-panic just watching it! 

------As a silly bonus, here’s the schedule on the chalkboard at the Stafford Modeling School: 

9:30-10:30 Poise and Personality 

10:30-10:45 Exercise 

10:45-11:30 Hairstyling 

11:30-12:45 Posture 

12:45-2:00 Makeup 

2:00-2:45 Modeling Stance 

So there’s 15 minutes of exercise, but 75 minutes for posture?