#this is as much a post for my own reference

[ms-demeanor]

Where I buy cars and my thoughts on where and how to buy cars (this is more US-specific than the earlier parts of the post):

Private sales - I use marketplaces like Craigslist and Auto Trader to find private sales and negotiate with individuals. This is the highest risk form of car buying, but is also the lowest cost. If you are an inexperienced car buyer, I would only recommend private sales if you have a friend or family member who has experience with private auto sales and mechanical assessment who will go with you to meet the buyer and inspect the vehicle. Private sales are almost always cash only with no returns.

Small, privately owned used car dealerships - with used car dealers you may have to field more scammy bullshit, but you also likely have a little bit of protection in sales contract if the car explodes as soon as you drive it off the lot, and there is a better chance that the car is going to be in decent shape mechanically. You COULD get the same car cheaper through a private sale, but you're paying (and trusting) the dealer for making sure that the car is sound, legally owned, and available for you to look at and test drive. Buying a car from a dealership is much easier than doing private sales because you don't have to put as much effort into communication, scheduling, and inspection. Before you go to any dealer, look up reviews online and see if there are any red flags (taking a long time on paper transfers, a lot of people walking away with lemons, pricing that is really high or low for the area, abusive loan terms). This is the kind of dealership that is most likely to fuck you with a high interest loan. The small dealerships I'm looking at right now have interest rates between 9.75% and 23.99% on their auto loans. That is TOO FUCKING MUCH to pay for an auto loan. That interest is TOO GODDAMNED HIGH. If you are going to a small dealership they will try to get you to finance, but you should not go to a small dealership to look at cars unless you are pre-approved for a loan through your personal banking institution or you have cash in hand.

Carmax - Carmax is a US-based used car dealership conglomerate? Corporation? Monopoly? Chain? IDK. I have not personally bought a car through Carmax because their low end starts at around $10k and I have never paid that much for a car, but many of my friends have. This is going to be very low risk in terms of scaminess and very safe in terms of car quality. If you aren't confident in your ability to negotiate a sale or make a good decision at a small independent used car dealership or in a personal sale, something like Carmax might be a good option for you. Because of the relatively high prices of the vehicles, many people who shop at dealerships like this end up financing and I would recommend finding out what your budget is and getting approved through your personal banking institution and not financing through Carmax. Carmax is extremely convenient to shop at, and is staffed by very good salespeople so your biggest concern here is getting oversold. Check inventory online before you go to the dealership, know what you want, and refer to the points made in the earlier post for determining your budget so that their sales department doesn't talk you into a more expensive car at a lower monthly payment.

Manufacturer dealerships or new car dealerships. You can find good used/preowned cars at your local Toyota/Ford/Penske/Whatever dealership but they are going to want to push you toward new cars and higher price tags. If you want something that you can almost certainly trust mechanically, a dealership "certified pre-owned" car is at least theoretically guaranteed by the dealer to be a safe bet. This is likely going to be expensive, and may require some flavor of warranty, and might be difficult to get a preapproved loan for depending on the price tag. I would be very cautious and make sure you know that you can afford the costs of the loan and the vehicle before considering this as an option. The best way to buy from dealerships like this is when they are having lot clearance sales or holiday sales where they mark down the price of the car, not change the financing terms, and to come in with a preapproved loan.

Don't buy a new car. If you buy a new car, the new car loses value equivalent to the cost of a pretty good used car as soon as you drive off the lot.

Your car is not an investment, you should not be buying with the thought of resale in mind, you should be buying with the thought of using the car until the wheels won't stay on or the cost of repairs in a year would outpace the cost of replacing the car. If you want a new-ish car, get a used car that's a couple years old and save yourself thousands.

Possibly making an insane car buying decision tomorrow. Wish me luck.

[l0s3rd0wnt0wn]

To reference that other post about not being with Bruce your whole life. I'd rais that reader also has a family. I mean they were raised by their mom and hell maybe she got married and you got a dad now too. Now her comes ol daddy Warbucks and is like sorry I'm you actual dad.

Now your looking around like "who's goddanm white daddy is this????", sir I already have a father, he's at home right now, my mother is forcing him to watch love island with her right now. NUCLEAR 👏LOVING 👏 BLACK 👏 HOUSEHOLD!!!!!!! Give me the whole damn family unit with black reader and half siblings, but real siblings because they all live together lmao.

LMAO YESS

Thinking about Batmom, who basically got remarried to a world-famous boxing champ, now retired of course (I kind of want someone who can go toe-to-toe with Bruce, the other bats). She has three beautiful babies with him: your evil little brothers and your darling younger sister Ogun, the second oldest, Harlem, the middle child, and Isis, the baby girl who can get away with almost anything. Let’s be honest here, you don’t think of your siblings as half-siblings, and you sure as hell don’t think of your dad as a stepdad. He was always there for you for school graduations, bake sales, and daddy-daughter dances at school; he was always there supporting you every step of the way, including your nerdiness. He’s the main guy getting you action figures and comic books, endorsing your love for gaming. He likes to say he let you win one of those Mortal Kombat battles, but he knows better. Your younger siblings are never your half-siblings; they are full siblings, if that makes sense. You have all the love and care for them like a big sister/brother would. Sure, they get on your nerves sometimes, and yeah, the boys' pranks can get out of hand, like the time they put Cantu shampoo in one of your shampoo bottles, so your hair became dry. It was murder in that house, to be honest. Let’s get one thing straight: you wouldn’t trade them for the world. Even Isis, as bratty as she can be, gets away with almost anything because she’s the “baby.” Not even the strongest man on Earth can withstand those puppy eyes.

And what are your guys' favorite pastimes? Using your dad like he’s a playground, climbing on him, swinging side to side from his buff arms, watching him throw you up—he’s like his own little Disney ride. The boys are hanging from his arms while you and Isis are dangling off his neck. Your mom tells the four of you to stop torturing him, but she doesn’t torture him by forcing him to watch reality TV shows; Love Island has been playing on repeat, and you don’t think your dad can take much more of this pointless drama. You started making conspiracy theories about the villa, saying “they have no connections with the outside world; they don’t even know what day it is; they have no phones; these people are prisoners.” You all managed to laugh at his ramblings. But then, one day, your boss at Wayne Enterprises says that he’s your father. That has to be some joke. You come back to your mom with the information, and she automatically says it’s true. You never really cared to know about your father because, well, you already had a father in your life, so to you, there was absolutely no point. Canonically, you had a college blend with a billionaire playboy. It makes sense why people often say your celebrity look-alike is Bruce Wayne. Quite a revelation, but I mean, you’re a grown-ass adult now—it doesn’t really matter to you all that much.

So the more and more you try to bond, the more and more it doesn’t really work. And now his adopted kids are trying to get a hold of you. I’m pretty sure Isis completely and utterly despises Damian; those two cannot be near each other for at least one second. Harlem and Ogun get all wishy-washy when Dick calls himself their big brother like he does to you. All three of you give them the meanest stank eye, but the four of you are fans of Alfred; he feeds all four of you cookies. Jason and Cass really like your dad; they often want to spar with him because he is the world boxing champ, and let’s just be honest, he’s cool as shit. Duke is absolutely fanboying when you meet your dad; he’s practically shaking while asking for his autograph. Tim had to get it for him. Never been louder—you’ve got people fighting for your attention, and you’ve got your siblings fighting to get away from them. When did you become all interesting all of a sudden?

[cheschesterpossum]

(In reference to that Yandere Transformers post about turning humans into Cybertronians, bc it's kinda scaaary. And I like thinking about the angst.)

(It could be something regular Rung and Primes do as well, but it fits SG! Rung and Primes slightly better.)

Hear me out.

SG! Rung, and the Primes figuring out how to transform humans into Cybertronians so they could preserve their (Favorite) creator, and not lose them in, like, 50 Earth Years. Once they're transformed, Y/N has to learn how to adapt to their new life as one of the creatures they helped to create. Unable to go back to their old life even if they wanted to.

I imagine that they'd probably be, like, a regular Cybertronian? They aren't gonna start out godlike, or anything. lmao. The only thing they do have going for them is the knowledge of how to control/kill switch other Cybertronians. Which is strong, sure, but not something that can't be countered with careful planning. Also, Primus, and the Primes themselves answer to them. So yeah.

Them starting out normal won't stop their clingy immortal son, and grand children from making them immortal as well, though. Maybe even giving them Prime/God status of their own volition to allow them enough strength to keep up with them.

-Perchance Anon

Oh my goodness how are you so big brained Perchance???

(I know you meant for this to be wholly platonic with Rung, but I feel like this could be both romantic or platonic)

(Also SG Primes are all asshole, they're the one putting the cogless bots in the mine, not Sentinel. Just my way of interpreting sg universe for tfone)

The SG!Primes and SG!Rung, as much as they're a bunch of evil little shits they're absolutely terrified of losing their y/n (again). The abandon arc left them all with abandonment issue whether they're aware or not.

The first time you're gone maybe temporary (for a long gosh darn time by the pocket universe's standard) but you being gone of old age is permanent, and that terrify them to the core.

I like to think y/n start off as a cogless bot at first bcs the Primes and Rung were pretty hasty when turning them into a cybertronian. I'm making y/n small af compared to their brats (like how small cogless bot are compared to the Primes. They're massive wtf). Adapting to your new form is going to be pretty tricky but worry not as your beloved creations are here to guide you! (Also for some reason you still have your human organs but they're made of metal now, but your heart is replaced with spark, just bcs I like weird body horror)

Can you imagine how scandalous that would be? The Primes? Having a cogless bot around? And catering towards their needs? Did the Primes just call the bot 'SIRE'? Letting that COGLESS bot boss the PRIMES around? Wait wtf do you mean Primus and the Matrix flog towards the bot as well? WHO IS THIS???????

Even SG!Sentinel is baffled as well, he have no idea where y/n come from, their origin and who they are (whenever he try to ask the Primes get strangely hostile and on guard towards him). But other than that he's really concerned for you, because like he's been around the Primes for a long time (not as much as you but shhhh) so... were you kidnapped? (Tbh yeah) Are they keeping you as a pet? Are they keeping you hostage?

I do think they'll make you a lot more durable than the average bot, like INSANELY durable, so you could keep up with them and wouldn't get crushed by just a hug. You're a walking indestructible cogless deity or demi-god now.

Aside from that I'd like to add a side effect: considering y/n have a bond that runs deep with with Primes and Primus (Rung), their spark is connected to them. The Primes and Rung can feel your emotions and can sense when you're in danger or distress- this caused you to have less personal space- bcs whenever they remotely sense that you're upset at something they're getting there at light speed.

One of the High Guard: *makes a not so funny pun*

SG!y/n: erm... haha-

*The wall besides you two explode as your brats(Primes) burst through it, and they're ready to give the high guard a demotion (death)*

Either that or Rung strike the "offending" bot down with a lightning strike out of nowhere. Doesn't matter if it's sunny or you two are inside a building.

Due to that everyone is walking on eggshells whenever they're in y/n's presence, they value their lives.

When you recharge (if you're not being cuddled by SG!Rung in a bone breaking grip already) you can hear whispers of Rung's voice, not in your audials but in your processor. He whispers many things and many reassurance, sprinkle in some manipulation to keep you here.

Did I forget to mention you don't have much freedom either? They keep you in the palace 24/24 because they're paranoid of y/n escaping or being stolen by someone or getting hurt or worse killed. Even if you go outside there will always be company, whether it'd be the Primes, (usually) Rung or the few high guards they trust to be with you.

The Primes would constantly try to show off and one up eachother now that their sire is back in their life, just like good old time. But more often than not Rung would whisk y/n away when they're not looking.

On the upside you're treated very well! The way they act to others and towards you is like black and white. You could call the Primes by their name (not title) or nickname anytime you want ("Hey Megatronny"), but if other bot calls them that? That bot is dead.

You can still scold them and boss them around ("Onyx! Stop trying to peck your siblings processor!), and they'd listen (hopefully). They're more like clingy spoiled brats to you than anything. The power you held is... terrifying to everyone else ngl.

You may never be able to get back to your world or be human anymore. But hey you have free healthcare, food, no need to pay rent, no need to pull an all-nighter for work now! Not like you can escape Rung's watchful optic anyway👁👁 (from having a job to being unemployed, best glow up yet).

And ykw? Feel free to activate and use the Matrix of Leadership anytime you want. You still can't believe the toy you bought from ebay turned divine.

[glowettee]

first of all, i want to say tysm for being an inspiration to me 💕 i love your content so much!

i need some advice on how to make my blog cute and what i should post. idk how to balance my content bc i like to write and talk about my interests but idk if that mixes with girly advice and discussions. can you give advice on how to make a great blog?

lysm glow🎀

✧・゜blooming your digital garden ・゜✧

hey lovely! ✧

omg reading your message literally made me smile so big, thank you for those sweet words! it's the most magical feeling knowing that anything i create resonates with someone else. (i was actually having a bit of a weird day so your timing is perfect)

so you want to create a cute blog but you're torn between your personal interests and more girly advice content? honestly? that tension is exactly what makes the best blogs feel real and not like some perfectly curated magazine. the blogs i always come back to feel like i'm getting to know a whole person, not just a content category.

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ embrace the beautiful mess ･:࿔ೃ.⋆

the most captivating blogs are the ones where you can feel someone's personality spilling through. when i started glowettee, i was so worried about "staying on brand" that i ended up feeling disconnected from my own content. the turning point came when i started weaving in my obsession with psychology, and my life dreams like becoming a doctor alongside the study tips and girly advice.

your specific combination of interests is what makes your corner of the internet special. maybe you're into astronomy and skincare, or classic literature and y2k fashion. that unexpected pairing becomes your signature!

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ find your visual language ･:࿔ೃ.⋆

for aesthetics, consistency matters more than perfection. pick 2-3 colors that make your heart happy and stick with them. i use a soft pink, literally every shade of pink lol, and occasionally a dusty sage green in almost everything. it creates a feeling of cohesion even when my topics bounce around.

some tips that helped me:

create a simple header image template you can customize for different posts

find or create 5-7 dividers/decorative elements you love (like the ones i use ✧・゜)

choose a signature sign-off that feels authentically you

develop a consistent way to format different types of posts

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ content that connects ･:࿔ೃ.⋆

instead of seeing your interests and girly advice as separate categories, look for the bridges between them. if you love classic literature and beauty, maybe write about "skincare routines inspired by jane austen heroines" or "what your favorite book says about your personal style."

the magic happens in these crossovers because they're uniquely you. nobody else has your exact constellation of passions and perspectives.

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ rhythm not rules ･:࿔ೃ.⋆

rather than strict posting schedules, think about rhythm. maybe mondays are for motivation, wednesdays for your special interests, and fridays for more girly advice. this gives your blog a sense of structure without becoming a chore.

i used to stress about posting consistently until i realized that quality connections matter more than quantity. sometimes i disappear for a week when life gets messy, and that's okay! the right followers stick around because they're there for your voice, not just daily content. i also completely forgot about my posting schedule in my pinned post lol, i don't even follow it!! (i really need to update that...)

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ write like you're talking to a friend ･:࿔ೃ.⋆

the posts that get the most response are always the ones where i write like i'm texting my best friend. not perfectly polished, just genuinely me. let your personality shine through your writing style, use the words you actually use, reference the things you actually love.

your blog is a living thing that will evolve as you do. my earliest posts make me cringe a little now, but they were necessary stepping stones. give yourself permission to experiment and change direction when something feels right.

sending you the warmest wishes for creating something that feels like magic to make and share. your unique blend of interests is exactly what makes your voice worth hearing.

xoxo, mindy 🤍

p.s. the fact that you're even asking this question tells me your blog is going to be absolutely lovely. the most beautiful spaces come from thoughtful creators!

[thesexydevils]

The Play | Yandere Taehyung x Reader

This is a dark!fic and explicit. 18+ only.

I do not give permission for my work to be re-posted anywhere, even with credit. But please re-blog, comment, and interact. Thank you!

Pairing: Yandere Taehyung x Female Reader

Word Count: 4,292

Author’s Note:

This is my very first Taehyung two-shot and I had so much fun writing it — I hope you have just as much fun reading it!

I’m not Korean, and I’ve done my best to research the names, cultural references, and language used in this story. If I’ve made any mistakes, I sincerely apologize and am open to kind corrections.

Thank you so much for reading. 💜

Reblogs, comments, and feedback are deeply appreciated!

Summary:

End of the 1800s. A beautiful day meant for vows, for futures, for dreams—destroyed in a single breath. You were meant to be a bride. But instead of walking into forever, you stepped into a stage already set, every line rehearsed, every fall of the curtain planned. And the man behind it all? The one who calls himself your savior.

Warnings:

Dark themes, obsession, manipulation, yandere behavior, noncon/forced kissing and touching, psychological horror, emotional coercion, murder, strangulation, body horror, implied forced pregnancy, unsettling power imbalance, gaslighting, 18+ only.

Act One – Until the Curtains Fall

Y/N POV

Tears streamed down my cheeks, each drop a reflection of my shattered hopes as I gazed at what was supposed to be the most beautiful day of my life, now lying in ruins like shattered glass scattered across the floor. 

My bridal bouquet, once a symbol of joy and hope, lay discarded beside me, the pristine white roses now crushed and wilted, echoing the breaking of my dreams.

My father’s furious outburst pierced the air, while my mother’s silent tears fell like raindrops, each one intensifying the reality of this moment.

“How can he do this to my daughter? How could he possibly run away from his own wedding?” My father’s anguished scream sliced through the haze of disbelief surrounding me, jolting me into the harsh reality of the situation.

With trembling legs, I stood up and took a hesitant step toward him, my heart pounding like a drum in my chest. I placed my trembling hand on his shoulder, desperate to offer comfort, even as I felt the weight of despair settling in. 

He turned to me, his grasp tightening around my hand, his eyes filled with helplessness. “What will your future hold now?” he cried, his voice thick with grief and confusion.

“No one will care about the truth; they will all cast blame on you. How can I protect you from their judgment and the questions of prying eyes?"

For the first time in my 19 years, I witnessed my father crumble, tears spilling down his weathered cheeks. “Kyung-jae?”

A voice called out from the dimly lit doorway, cutting through the heavy silence. When my father lifted his gaze, the vulnerability in his eyes morphed into a storm of fury. 

He released my hand as if it were a lifeline slipping away, and charged towards the man standing awkwardly at the entrance. “Where is he? Where is your cowardly son?” My father's voice thundered through the room, anguish steeped in every syllable. 

The man who should have been my father-in-law, once a figure of pride in our village, now stood with his head bent low, shame washing over him. “I am deeply sorry, Kyung-jae. I never imagined my son would do such a thing. Please, forgive me and my family?” 

A humorless laugh erupted from my father, echoing painfully in the tense air. “Do you see my little girl?” He spat, his voice trembling with barely contained rage. 

“Today should have been one of the happiest moments of her life, and your son has shattered it! He was the one who begged for her hand, and your apologies won't protect her or her future from this heartbreak.”

The man stood there, stricken and defeated, his gaze fixed on the floor as if it held the answers to his son’s treachery. 

Even though my rational mind knew he bore no responsibility for his son’s cowardice, I felt rooted to the ground, paralyzed by the weight of his son's betrayal and heartbreak.

I stood frozen in place, an immovable weight enveloping my body, while my mind drifted in a thick haze. Slowly, the blend of anxious voices that filled the room began to fade into a distant murmur, and the numbness that gripped my mind crept into my other senses, dulling my perception of the world around me. 

“Excuse me for my late arrival!” A voice broke through the fog, sharp and clear. “As soon as I learned of the unfortunate events here, I rushed over. Ahjussi, please try to calm yourself. I know this won’t change anything, but your health is paramount.” 

I lifted my gaze, focusing through the mental fog, and saw the son of one of the oldest, wealthiest families in our village. With quiet authority, he helped my father into a nearby chair, a gentle but firm touch as he guided him. Then, he turned to the other man in the room, his expression a mixture of concern and determination. 

“Ahjussi Choi, have you found Dae-hyun? Do any of his friends have any idea where he might be?” Ahjussi Choi bowed slightly in deference before answering, his voice trembling with barely concealed frustration. 

“Kim-nim, we have searched everywhere, but my cowardly son is nowhere to be found. I have no idea where he is.” His steps toward my father were cautious, each one laced with uncertainty as the weight of the situation pressed heavily upon us all.

“Kyung-jae, you don’t have to worry,” he said, his tone steady but warm. “Y/N is like a daughter to me, and I promise to protect her at all costs. She will be well taken care of.” His gaze drifted around the room, finally landing on me, intense and unwavering. 

"Don't you dare, Choi! You have no right..." My father's voice trembled with emotion, cracking under the weight of his words, before he succumbed to a violent coughing fit. Kim Taehyung quickly moved to his side, offering a glass of water, while my father slumped back in his seat, visibly drained. I rushed over, my heart racing. 

“Appa!” I knelt beside him, my hands shaking slightly as I took the glass from Kim-nim's caring grasp. I carefully lifted it to my father's lips, urging him to drink.

He took slow, deliberate sips, each one seemingly a small victory against the fatigue that weighed him down. As he set the glass aside, his eyes filled with sorrow. 

“My daughter, what will become of your future? I have failed you as a father... Your Appa has failed you.” He grasped my hands in his rough, calloused ones, tears spilling down his weathered cheeks. 

“Appa, please don’t cry. You are the best father in the entire world. We will face this together, and I promise you, everything will be fine.” Just then, a mocking laugh sliced through the tension in the room. 

The ominous figure of my step-aunt entered, her presence filling the space with a chilling tension, and I could feel the dread creeping back into my heart.

“Kyung-jae, just look at the mess that arises when you grant your daughter such unrestrained freedom.” The woman spat, her voice thick with disdain. “She has utterly destroyed our family name, and soon, the entire village will be laughing behind our backs.” 

With deliberate steps, she approached us, supported by her gnarled walking stick, each creak of the wood echoing the weight of her words. 

“We still have an opportunity to remedy this situation. Han Jun-su is eager to marry your daughter. This could be the perfect chance to rid ourselves of this scandal.” 

She insisted, her words slick with the promise of resolution, but tinged with ulterior motives. My mother’s breath caught in her throat, and for the first time during this entire ordeal, her voice broke through the tension. 

“Han Jun-su is older than my husband, your own brother! How can you even suggest such a thing? My daughter will not become the prey of that predator!”

Her voice quaked with the fierce protectiveness of a mother, fueled by righteous anger. Appa was caught in a whirlwind of disbelief.

His eyes widened in shock as he absorbed the repugnant suggestion from the woman before him, his heart racing as he prepared to unleash his pent-up outrage. 

But before he could react, Kim Taehyung's voice cut through the air from the right, a calm yet steely warning. 

“Ajumma, while this may be a private matter for your family, I advise you to carefully choose your words in my presence.” I glanced at him; his eyes were narrowed, a storm brewing within them, yet he maintained his composure as he turned back to my father, standing resolutely against the confrontation.

“Ahjussi, if you don’t mind, I would like to marry your daughter.” His words hung in the air like a heavy fog, and as I processed them, my wide eyes scanned his expression, searching for any flicker of emotion, but found none. 

He shifted his gaze toward me and slowly bent down to my level, as I remained crouched on the floor, feeling the weight of the world pressing down on my shoulders.

“Y/N?” He said, his voice steady but tinged with a gravity that made my heart ache. 

“I know this isn’t the future you imagined. But if you agree, your family will remain safe. This world is cruel, and justice rarely favors the innocent. Society is quick to point fingers, especially at those who don’t deserve it. I won’t pretend to approve of how things have unfolded, but change is slow  and often comes at a price. In the end, the choice is yours. Just know that I will respect whatever decision you make.”

As I stood up, my mind felt like a foggy landscape devoid of clarity, while my heart sank under the immense burden of the moment.

I cast a glance at my mother, her face twisted in worry, and my younger sister, who looked lost and frightened. In that instant, a painful realization settled within me; I knew what my answer would be. 

I turned back to my father. “Y/N, your appa will take care of everything. You don’t have to agree to this.” He urged, his eyes filled with an unwavering determination to protect me.

I attempted to muster a reassuring smile, but it faltered at the edges as tears threatened to spill from my eyes, reflecting my inner turmoil. 

“I know, Appa. I know.” With a heavy heart, I took a deep breath and walked towards Kim Taehyung, each step feeling both burdensome and inevitable. Standing before him, I drew on every ounce of courage I had left. “Kim-nim, I agree to marry you.”

***

The marriage rituals unfolded in a thick haze, a surreal blur where my body moved through the traditions, but my mind drifted far beyond the moment. Kim-nim, no, he was my husband now, insisted that I call him Taehyung from this day forward, a name that felt both foreign and yet strangely intimate.

Following the simplicity of our vows, a grand carriage awaited us, its polished wood gleaming under the soft, warm sunlight.

One of his servants approached, lifting my trunk with practiced ease and loading it into the carriage, a quiet reminder of the life I was leaving behind. 

As I prepared to depart, my heart ached at the sight of my mother and sister enveloping me in tight, tearful hugs, their love wrapping around me like a warm blanket. My father stood at the carriage door, his expression a mixture of pride and sorrow. 

When the moment came to leave, I turned toward my father, wrapping my arms around him tightly as silent tears spilled down my cheeks. “Don’t cry, my daughter.” He murmured, his voice thick with emotion. 

“If you don’t stop now, your old man will surely start crying too, and I’d prefer the village to remember me as the strong man I am.”

His attempt to lighten the mood brought a chuckle from my lips, momentarily brightening the heaviness that filled the air as I reluctantly let him go. 

Taehyung-ssi stepped forward, taking my hand gently but firmly. He turned to my father, his gaze steady and sincere.

“Ahjussi, Y/N is now my wife. I promise to provide her with everything she needs. She will want for nothing, and I assure you, I will never let her go.” 

There was a weight to his words that startled me; my eyes widened in surprise, searching for any trace of insincerity, any sign that this moment was not as it seemed.

Yet, everything around us appeared perfectly ordinary, as if the world itself conspired to conceal the brewing storm of emotions within me.

He gently turned me around, guiding me inside, and I felt an overwhelming heaviness settle in my body, exhaustion gripping me like a thick blanket. Taehyung-ssi bid farewell to my family, his voice calm and reassuring, his demeanor radiating warmth. 

An uncomfortable silence hung in the air as he entered the confines of the looming carriage, his presence a steadying force. As we stood before the monumental doors of his grand home, I could feel my heart racing with both apprehension and curiosity. 

When the doors swung open, Taehyung's mother emerged like a vision of grace, her aura commanding immediate respect. Taehyung stepped slightly in front of me, almost as if to shield me from the intensity of her gaze. 

“Taehyung, welcome back.” She said, her voice resonating with a blend of warmth and a touch of formality. “I would have been ecstatic to witness my son’s wedding in person, but even so, my son is now wed. Now, step aside and let me see my daughter-in-law.” 

With a gentle push, she nudged him to the side, a gesture steeped in both authority and affection. I lowered my gaze, feeling the weight of her expectation as she gracefully approached me. 

“She is beautiful.” She remarked, her eyes assessing me with a mixture of scrutiny and appreciation. “But she must learn our ways.” Her voice softened slightly as she asked.

“Your name is Y/N?” I nodded, my cheeks warming under her scrutiny, unable to meet her understanding gaze.

With a tender yet firm grasp, she lifted my chin, compelling me to look up. When our eyes finally met, I was struck by the depth of emotion swirling in her expression—pride danced alongside a flicker of sadness, a poignant reminder of the complexities of family and tradition.

For a fleeting moment, I thought she might say something further, but instead, she abruptly released her grip and turned her attention back to her son. 

“As your wife, she has certain duties to fulfill. She is not merely the daughter of a humble craftsman; she also carries the weight of being a daughter-in-law of the esteemed Kim family. I will arrange for a few handmaids to assist her; they will ensure she learns our family's traditions and customs properly.” 

With that, she took her leave, and we all bowed deeply in respect. A maid, graceful and efficient, ushered me inside. After navigating through a series of hallways adorned with traditional artwork, she finally led me to a room. 

With that, she took her leave, and we all bowed deeply in respect. A maid, graceful and efficient, ushered me inside. After navigating through a series of hallways adorned with traditional artwork, she finally led me to a room. 

“Y/N-ssi, this is Na-euri's room, and from today onward, it will be yours as well. The young master will join you later. Please take some time to rest, and I shall return shortly with a new handbook for you.” 

Stepping inside, my senses taking in the surroundings; the room was expansive, nearly the size of my modest home. Expansive windows filtered soft sunlight, illuminating elegantly carved furniture and intricate tapestries that adorned the walls.

The handmaid closed the door behind her, leaving me in this unfamiliar space, engulfed in silence and my swirling thoughts.

***

The new hanbok draped elegantly over my frame, adorned in soft pastel hues that seemed to mirror the gentle glow of the moonlight filtering through the window.

The room felt intimate, with only the silvery glow of the moonlight streaming through the sheer curtains, casting gentle shadows that danced across the walls. 

On any other occasion, I might have felt a flutter of excitement for the evening ahead, but tonight was different. A deep sadness settled in my chest, mingling with a gnawing sense of fear. 

I found myself grappling with the unsettling reality that I barely knew my husband, Taehyung, and was uncertain of his expectations for our night together.

Silence had enveloped us since the ceremony, his lack of words amplifying the rhythm of my pounding heart. I hoped he might sense my trepidation and find a way to comfort me.

The echo of footsteps approached from outside, each sound intensifying my anxiety. My heart raced, and a tremor coursed through my hands as the door creaked open. Taehyung stepped into the dim light, his presence commanding yet enigmatic. 

He moved with an effortless grace, shedding his tailored jacket and placing it carefully on the nearby chair. Dressed in a crisp three-piece suit that exuded elegance and sophistication, an unmistakable sign of his noble status, I couldn't help but feel a pang of inadequacy. 

Through my experiences as a seamstress alongside my mother, I had become familiar with the social hierarchies that existed among the wealthy. I often heard upper-class women gossiping about the latest fashions that only the rich could afford.

As Taehyung approached the bed, my grip on the soft fabric of my hanbok tightened, anxiety coursing through me. He sat down beside me, the mattress shifting slightly under his weight.

His long fingers, both strong and elegant, enveloped my hand with a gentle caress, sending a shiver up my spine. 

Taehyung's long, elegant fingers enveloped my hand with a surprising warmth, a stark contrast to the chill that gripped my heart.

His deep, resonant voice broke the silence, flowing over me like a soothing balm as he began to speak and I felt a mixture of anticipation and trepidation as I awaited his words.

“Y/N, you don’t need to feel so fearful.” He reassured gently, his voice wrapped in warmth. “You are my wife now, and I promise to do everything in my power to ensure you are well cared for.” I bit my lip, feeling my heart thud against my chest like a drum echoing in the silence.

“Don’t worry, I won’t push you to do anything until you’re ready. It’s been a long day for you; you should rest. Eomeoni may seem strict, but I assure you, she has a soft heart and is a wonderfully caring mother.”

His thumb brushed against my chin, tenderly coaxing my lip free from its anxious grasp. “Oh, that poor lip,” he murmured softly.

“Don’t be so hard on yourself. What happened wasn’t your fault. The only person who should feel remorse is Dae-hyun.” An angry tear slid down my cheek unbidden.

“Taehyung-ssi, please, do not mention his name in my presence again. He means nothing to me now.”

At that moment, I took his hand in mine, feeling the warmth of his skin against my smaller palm.

“I promise, Taehyung-ssi, that I will do my best to make this marriage work. I owe you so much; you saved me from the harsh judgment of others and from the cruelty of that vile man, Han Jun-su. Thank you, truly. Words cannot fully express my gratitude.”

Emotion bubbled within me, and tears blurred my vision, but Taehyung simply chuckled softly, pulling me into a warm embrace.

“You don’t have to worry about anything, Y/N!” He whispered, resting his chin atop my head. “And for the sake of our bond, please call me simply Taehyung. There shouldn’t be any formalities between a husband and wife.”

As I nestled against him, a smile broke through my tears, and I nodded, feeling an ember of hope spark within me for the first time in a long while.

***

Two months had passed in what felt like a serene blink of an eye, and in that time, Taehyung had morphed into the epitome of a devoted husband, thoughtful, gentle, and always respectful.

He treated me with unwavering respect, never making me feel uncomfortable in any way. Each day, I found myself contemplating how to embrace our marriage to its fullest potential.

After our midday meal, Taehyung would take his father, whom I affectionately called Abeonim, for a leisurely stroll through the expansive garden that lay just beyond the back of the house.

The garden was a picturesque retreat, where vibrant blooms flourished amidst meticulously trimmed hedges, each pathway inviting exploration.

A few years back, Father-in-law had fallen ill, suffering a stroke that left him paralyzed. This unfortunate event forged a strong bond between them, deepening Taehyung's protective instincts. Abeonim was never without company, either Eomeonim, my mother-in-law, or a dedicated servant was always close at hand, ensuring he felt supported and cared for.

Today, my gaze drifted out of the window, and I found myself enchanted by the vision of father and son comfortably seated near the lush rose bushes, their colors blooming vibrantly under the warm sun.

Taehyung was gently spoon-feeding Abeonim a creamy rice pudding, his movements tender and attentive. Every few moments, he would pause to wipe any remnants from his father’s mouth, a soft smile lighting up his face.

The sight filled my heart with warmth; his calm and collected demeanor stood in sharp contrast to so many others in the world. I silently prayed to God to preserve this beautiful aspect of his character.

Just then, my name pierced the air, summoning me to attend to my own duties, which were of great importance to Eomeonim.

Suddenly, a furious scream shattered the tranquility around me. 

"YOU FUCKING LOW LIFE! HOW DARE YOU TOUCH ME WITH YOUR FILTHY HANDS!" 

The shriek echoed from the back of the house, where the garden lay. Leaving everything I was attending to in a hurried rush, I dashed toward the source of the chaos, my heart racing with concern.

Eomeonim tried to calm me down, but I could hear Taehyung's angry screams cutting through the air. A part of me felt a chill of apprehension, fearful that he might have been hurt, while another part of me was simply taken aback. I had never witnessed Taehyung in such a state, his fury seemed foreign, like a tempest unleashed.

When I finally made my way to the back of the house, the sight that greeted me was striking: Taehyung stood soaked, rivulets of water cascading down his form, while a servant knelt before him, desperation written across his face, tears streaming down like a broken dam.

“Na-euri, please show mercy! I slipped and lost control of the jug. It wasn’t my intention to disrespect you; please, forgive me!” He sobbed, his hands wringing together in a futile attempt to convey his remorse.

Taehyung’s back was turned to me, and I couldn’t decipher the turmoil churning within him. My heart ached for the poor man, hoping he wouldn’t face a dire punishment for an accident.

“Sorry? Do you even know what day it is? I have a meeting with a high-ranking official, and now I have to waste precious time changing clothes again! You lowlife bastard...” His voice, sharp and unforgiving, cut through the air like a knife.

“Taehyung!” Eomeonim's authoritative voice broke through like a thunderclap. He turned quickly, the anger in his expression faltering as he caught sight of me.

His eyes widened, reflecting a moment of realization and something sinister. “That is no way to speak to someone, and you shouldn’t use such language in front of your Appa and your wife.”

Maybe it was the power of his mother’s admonishment or the fear that must have been evident on my face that quelled the storm within him, although flecks of fury still shimmered in his gaze like embers.

My mouth opened to speak, to mend the tension hanging heavy between us, but no words came forth. As he stepped closer, I instinctively recoiled, a surge of uncertainty rushing through me like icy water. 

Taehyung met my gaze, his jaw clenched tight, an unspoken battle raging behind his eyes. Without uttering another word, he turned sharply and walked away, leaving an indelible silence in his wake, thick with unresolved emotions.

Eomeonim, with her piercing gaze and an air of urgency, instructed the caretaker to escort Abeonim inside, her worry evident as she observed the distress etched on his face.

I turned hesitantly toward our room, caught in a war of emotions. The mere thought of being alone with my husband churned a bitter dread in my stomach, a feeling I couldn't quite shake.

“You should learn to read him better; it will serve you well in the future.” She advised, her voice steady yet laced with a hint of concern. The intensity in her eyes mirrored the same look she had given me on our initial meeting, a blend of wisdom and warning.

“I don’t understand, Eomeonim.” I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Time will teach you, but keep this in mind. My son remembers everything, and forgiveness is not in his nature.” She urged, stepping closer until she was inches away from me.

Taking my hand in hers, her grip was firm yet reassuring, but I could feel the tremor of her worry lingering in the air.

“He has always been fervent about the things he loves. He loves you, and in return, he will offer you the world, but be wary, never provoke his wrath.”

In that moment, my breath caught in my throat, and the rapid beating of my heart reverberated in my ears, drowning out all else. I opened my mouth to voice my questions, to seek more clarity, but the words faltered as fear constricted my thoughts.

Eomeonim's eyes flickered past mine, a glimmer of panic evident in her expression. In an instant, she released my hand and hurried away from the garden, leaving me isolated with my swirling thoughts.

Just then, I glanced back and caught sight of Taehyung. He was leaning casually against the window frame, his posture relaxed yet somehow imposing.

His eyes were fixed on me with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine, and a smirk curled on his lips, one that was unfamiliar, even unsettling. 

Slowly, almost deliberately, he pushed himself off the window and slid it closed, shutting me off from the outside world and plunging me deeper into a silence that felt foreboding.

If you like it, leave comments and reblogs are highly appreciated!!!

[eldritch-spouse]

I love Velamir. I’m terrified of Velamir. I want to run but I don’t know if my feet would take me towards or away from Velamir. I hope they’re not offended when I try to sneak ear plugs so I can think clearly. Half curious what they’d do once they know I’m still resisting

(This is about the yandere Velamir fic you posted)

[[Several ask under read more!]]

[Velamir sounds like if Kalymir and Velamor had a gem fusion. Horrifying.]

Velamor just needs to calm down. Part of what makes him so terrifying and hazardous in that story is his excitement, which manifests in his influence making people rabid.

Provided he finally starts winding down, things will become less intense and less dangerous for everyone involved. In order to calm down however, you need to come around to the idea of his love.

Your resistance is very frustrating to an angel who knows he could snuff it out of you with the snap of a finger. Velamor was hoping you'd see his reluctance to "pierce you"* as the sign of good will that it's meant to be.

While Velamor can typically be considered patient by others, this is erroneous- As he has a particularly hard time processing anger when it comes from love.

You hurt him so, so so much.

* Piercing refers to the act where a seraphim induces strong infatuation in one or more people, in order to facilitate the creation of amorous bonds. This can be achieved with an actual arrow and bow, or through specific touches.

Sure, but have you considered that he's sleeping right next to you now? You can't expect Vel to keep his distance now that he's found you.

The first time, you are given a vow of trust from the angel, particularly because a seraphim who spends enough time with a lesser knows that said lesser will go through mild withdrawal without them around. Break that vow, break their heart, and you're fetched back by a wailing angel who can barely control his own enraged shaking.

Why would you hurt him? Just why?

The next time, his larger set of wings is quite literally wrapped around you. They function as his halo, so good luck prying them open. Even the mental resilience you'd need to start struggling against such a loving feeling is already so exhausting...

"Marriage" is what the reader thinks will happen. Angels don't marry the way humans or monsters do, they were united by their siadar.

Vel is well aware these ceremonies can no longer be performed the way they used to, being that only someone like Miara can officialize his union. They explicitly need Miara's permission to have this become official, which will land you at the island for an unspecified amount of time.

Miara is likely all too happy to officialize such a thing, delighted that some angels are finally finding their own autonomy one way or another.

Your union is performed an altar still, with an audience of residents and mostly other angels, Miara herself will speak at the occasion. Velamor is given the choice to pierce you, or to have other seraphim pierce the two of you into eternal love. Given how final this procedure is, Vel will take some time to propose the union to you, because he wants it to go swimmingly.

There is an equivalent to a honeymoon for celestials as well, where they're allowed to make their own nests at a certain height. Usually, this would be where the first reproductive efforts are made, but since the chances of you conceiving are low without a nudge from Miara, Vel will treat it as a time for uninterrupted love at both your leisure.

Aw, you're welcum! <:7

If you haven't been here for a while, the current number of angel characters is 4: Belo; Jonesy; Sol and Vel. (A fifth one remains unintroduced but has been seen on the blog)

While Velamor will not deny you the opportunity to feel his form (but come now, don't fondle him in public), don't drum on his chest while he's speaking or his voice will crack- Something very embarrassing for a seraphim.

[lace-tf]

After scrolling through a few Tumblr posts (mainly transformers confessions), I must ask. Do you think KO/SS counts as pro-shipping? Why or why not?

To start with, “pro-shipping” refers to the stance that 1) everyone is allowed to ship whatever they’d like (in fiction), and 2) harassment based on shipping is not OK. The “pro” is from the Latin word taken to mean “in favour of” (eg. pro-choice, pro-equality, etc). Basically “ship and let ship,” with the understanding fans should be responsible for curating their own experiences (eg. when you encounter your NOTP, you block and move on rather than sending the artist / writer hate).

It’s generally understood to have come about on Tumblr or Dreamwidth in the mid-2010s in response to anti-shippers (people who were opposed to ships they disliked and would harass people over them—for example, MakoHaru and RinHaru fans from the Free! anime often clashed), and goes hand in hand with the YKINMKATO stance: “your kink is not my kink, and that’s okay.” Being pro-shipping doesn’t mean you like or agree with every ship, it just means you think harassment based on someone drawing a picture or writing a story you dislike is wrong.

So with that in mind, like, KOSS can’t “count” as pro-shipping cuz pro-shipping isn’t a category of ship? Ahaha. It’s just a fandom etiquette stance. People who are pro-shipping can like KOSS just as much as anti-shippers who say “if you like MegaStar you’re an evil person and deserve to die in real life” with their whole chests can.

That said, I do think both Starscream and Knock Out would be anti-shippers (ie. vehemently opposed to certain ships). Starscream seems like he’d hate stories that are romance-forward and hate when fans fixate on imagined romantic plotlines instead of more “serious” things, whereas Knock Out seems like he’d have strong opinions over which relationships he likes to see in his media and which he doesn’t (he is disgusted by the thought of humans interfacing, after all���). Neither of them are nice enough to keep their rude opinions to themselves and they WOULD get into arguments over media with the rest of the gang, believing their takes to be the “correct” ones LMAOOO

[la-principessa-nuova]

I feel like so much disagreement in this thread just boils down to the fact that Allie said “they’re all based on the weird quirks of tortured autistic people” as I assume hyperbole but of course in a thread about autism people took it literally.

Allie can correct me if I’m wrong, but I assumed the meaning intended/implied by the original post was more like “It makes me sad when I realize how most of what we think of as classic horror monsters are evolutions of folkloric labels for people who were seen as weird, including autistic people, many of whom were mistreated quite badly for the traits that earned them the label, and many of those labels were used to justify their mistreatment or turn others against them.”

But that doesn’t hit as hard so it was hyperbolically made more absolute.

Also a couple thoughts of my own I wanted to add in:

The fact that the term autism as described today did not exist back then does not change the fact that there were autistic people back then and that they faced mistreatment for those traits, just like how the fact that the word transgender was coined more recently doesn’t change that there were transgender people back then, and just like how the fact that the word dog was invented more recently doesn’t change the fact that dogs who lived before then are still considered dogs. (Note that all three of these examples refer to classifications based on modern systems for understanding and labeling things but represent a wide variety of individuals and leave some individuals unclearly labeled)

While not all of those traits of vampires necessarily originally came from an autistic person as some people have those traits for different reasons, they still persist in our present day culture as a force to label those who have those traits as weird. While it might not be used as justification to have someone hunted as a monster, I have heard many times of autistic people being referred to jokingly as a vampire because of leaving the house so infrequently and having pale skin, or for having a meltdown when dragged out of the house into the sun, and while it can be an in-group joke and can be funny, it is also often used to tease, which is especially difficult with hypersensitivity and a history of complex trauma around being teased for similar things, and I have also seen it used, e.g. by my own dad, to make a point while shouting about how “something needs to be done about” an autistic person, while arguing for “treatment” that would actually be torture. And the fact that these portrayals continue to enforce that these traits are weird or scary or make someone not trustworthy certainly can’t help attempt to break down the stigma around them.

It’s also worth pointing out that there’s no one answer for what the “classic horror monster” version of a vampire is based on, because some traits persist from early folklore, some were added later by different groups with different goals. Some were added in the 19th century based on rich people, but why those traits of rich people? The ableism embedded into society certainly impacted which traits of rich people they saw as weird to exaggerate and which additional traits to add on to make them seem scary/weird.

To end on a positive note, I did appreciate learning a bit about the history of vampires in folklore!

I love classic horror monsters, but I'm sometimes reminded that they're all based on the weird quirks of tortured autistic people and that makes me sad.

Like, vampires... strong food aversion, socially outcast and isolated, preferred to be alone or work during the night go avoid people and brightness. Yeah, that's an autistic person, you just killed an autistic person.

[twilightofthesandwiches]

you talked before about how it’s ambiguous how much tenna and spamton knew about kris’ situation with the soul, and i wanna point out how when the darkners in castle town use boss, it’s usually ambiguous whether they’re referring to kris or us. But one of the jigsaw joes called the player boss. Like it’s pretty clear he’s not referring to kris but rather us specifically. As a separate entity from them. Do they know??What?? Its weird

It is very weird!... and not the first time I am thinking about how weird that is, I actually have a post/Answered Ask about it from all the way back from when Chapter 2 came out lol

There hasn't been many new revelations about the Weirdness Of All of That so I'll start by plagiarizing my past self

Oh there is DEFOS something Funky going on with the Castle Town Darkners and “Boss”. For once, even when they are addressing Kris - and most of the time it seems that they are addressing Kris…

Why is Kris the ‘Boss’, and not Ralsei - the supposed 'Prince’ of Castle Town?? And if it’s about Kris being a Lightner, why doesn’t Susie get the same treatment? Add to that the fact that Castle Town is named “[PLAYERNAME]Town”. And that the Save Point calls it “My Castle Town”, while the End-of-Chapter-1 Check Point calls Kris’ room “Your Room”

(note from the future to add that the Save Point in Kris' Room in Chapter 4 calls it "Kris's Room", again reinforcing the point that person for whom Castle Town belongs to is not Kris.)

And then Jigsaw Joe adressing 'Boss’ in the second person, and than addressing Kris in third person…

It does seem like the Player - or whatever entity we represent in-game - is the real Boss of Castle Town. Kris is just our 'figurehead’ (and Ralsei’s just a figurehead to the figurehead). The interesting thing is that most Darkners don’t seem fully aware of that distinction. Like in that screenshot with Swatch I’ve posted above, Swatch reprimands 'Boss’ for something Kris did of their own volition. So it seems like some (most?) Darkners don’t actually distinguish between Kris Dreemurr and their real 'Boss’. So the fact that there is one Darkner in Castle Town who seems totally aware of the fact Kris and Boss are separate entities, and that this Darkner is friggin’ Jigsaw Joe is…. Well, that certainly raises some possibilities!

Like I said, I don't think much has changed since then. The one extra detail we have is that Elnina and Lanino never seem to talk about 'Boss', and only over refer to Kris.

But I dunno if that means they are making a distinction between "Boss" and Kris as much as it means that they do think of Boss and Kris as the same person, but just see themselves as being on first-person basis with their "Boss".

Plus... I mean, we do still have to ask ourselves where did the name [PLAYERNAME]Town come from in the first place, and how do all the Darkners know that it's "Kris" (and not Susie) that they need to address as Boss.

I think it's possible that the Grand Fountain and Castle Town were originally created for the Player on some level, so any Darkner animated by it is just sort of... imparted with some amount of knowledge? understanding? a compulsion? Something that tells them that we are their 'Boss' now. And for the Darkners who don't understand who's really puling the strings they understand it as the 'Boss' actually being our Vessel/Cage, Kris.

But that still leaves the question of why the hell Jigsaw Joe is the only Castle Town Darkner who makes an active distinction between "Boss" and Kris... but why? Is it some sort of Tutorial Character Power that he shares with Ralsei? Why doesn't he bring it up? Kris seems to be currently interested in keeping their Possession a secret from Susie, so.... doesn't it bother them?

I... guess that as a Darkner who's used to live under the whims of both Lightners and the capricious royalty of Card Castle he might just not understand the horror/importance of the situation. He just thinks that if his Boss is nice to him that makes it enough to make them a Boss worth following, Unknowable Time Demon Possessing a Teen or not.

[ghostieking]

regarding AI art... I am pretty much 100% against but trying to figure some stuff out... where is the moral ground on generating AI art but not posting it? like what about someone requesting a specific image so they can practice tracing while they learn to draw? cause that way they're not stealing anyones art right especially if they don't post any of it and just use it for practice

okay I feel like this answer can vary but for me generative AI is hurtful in many ways:

- they learn by analyzing other people's work be it artworks or photography

- the impact it has on nature ain't good and you can't deny that... I feel like we destroy this world enough as it is we dont need a super computer to worsen that

generative AI for learning still ain't good in my eyes cause there are so many peeps out there working on literally nothing but photographing references for art! you could usually easily research reference with no AI before this mess started and make fine art

and even before internet: artists have been using their imagination to create their own reference for hundreds and hundreds of year!!! we don't need a soulless version of what we can have traditionally... also I feel like it takes away from the ive process: researching is part of it!!

I could go on and on but it's late and I feel like other people do a better job explaining it than me lol

[the-nosy-neighbor]

Julie Confesses

In looking at lies in show-related materials, I started with Julie.  I’m going through Brick by Brick, and not seeing much, then I see this:

Pg 14—Julie’s dialogue is written strangely, like the line is “Villains!  I can deny it no longer.  I admit the deed!  Tear up my flower bed—here, here—it is the ticking of my beloved alarm clock!” but it has “I shrieked” left out of the quotes like you do when you describe who said, like “I admit it,” she said, “I killed him.”  This either implies that Julie spoke aloud the “I shrieked” part, or it is written strangely, like it is part of the story from Julie’s perspective.

But that catching my eye made me look at the text of it again. 

She admits the deed

My flower bed

The ticking of the beloved alarm clock

So, Julie murdered her alarm clock?

In this image, we can’t see the alarm clock, but another image shows us it is supposed to be on the table. 

Maybe it is behind her, but we can see the bottom of the mirror in the image, so it isn’t positive.  As I mentioned in a previous post, the table isn’t the same, but we can assume this is meant to be her clock from the colors and the flower in the center.  Also, it looks like Frannie’s alarm clock.

Another note from the previous post (about time), the book says that her hibernation was very long and she says that it feels “extra, extra, extra—a long this time!”  which is weird phrasing, but also gives us two hints that it is supposed to be a long hibernation that feels longer than usual.

Not knowing when Brick by Brick is set, we can’t be sure of the order of events:

Did the clock fail her, and Julie killed it and buried it?

Did Julie not wake up because she had murdered her clock?

Frank is shown in the mirror behind this clock (promotional image, btw) and I also talked about another poster noticing the reflection that seems to show something in Frank’s hand.  This may be a clue.

But, looping back around, here in Brick by Brick, this very strange phrasing involves Julie admitting to killing and burying her alarm clock.  @fairytalefabel and I were talking in the comments about the turn the page sound in Springtime Salutations, which I thought could be a phone, but then they pointed out that it sounds like an alarm clock.  So each page of Brick by Brick is letting us know someone wants in, and Springtime Salutations is full of the incessant ringing of her alarm clock, which is supposedly dead and buried. 

Her alarm clock being the thing that makes her late, this could be a direct reference to the murder of the flower, which we are assuming happened due to the “Oh no” pic and the rumored existence of some kind of murder happening in the original image at that link.  What if she is admitting to killing the flower here?  We had talked about the idea of the clock being used because of the ticking sound and telltale heart being built around a heartbeat.  So it could still be for that, but to have Julie’s alarm clock feature so prominently in the next book, it doesn’t seem like an accident.

Additionally, the next page shows that Frank is crying: 

"Sally couldn’t help but shed a tear!  Even our grumpiest neighbor was crying along with her.”

Could Frank be crying at the memory of Julie killing the flower?  We’ve seen his stunned picture in the “Oh no” image, so he seems to be aware.  Also, it looks like the flower is buried in the neighborhood on Frank’s property.  Frank is a ride or die, he’d bury a body for her.  Also, we think he might have experience in that area.  Could he be crying at the mention of burying a body, thinking of his own burials?

If Brick by Brick takes place before the flower murder, this could be some heavy foreshadowing.  Brick by Brick appears to take place during the summer, so it could be immediately after.  The flower bed phrasing in the spring update is something that I picked up on yesterday:

“So if you’re curious about that beautiful flower bed that looks good enough to rest your weary head, all you got to think is—M-H-M.”  This is very similar to the description in Sweet Briar:  “Had I known you were in such turmoil, Sweet Briar, I would have sought you out sooner.  Yet here you lay in your flower bed, ravaged by a curse that doomed you to your fate at the mere utterance of its spell.”  It’s that laying your head in a flower bed. 

So if we’re curious about that beautiful flower bed, M-H-M.  Given that the acronym is wrong, could this be pointing us to something in particular?

  - - . . . . - -

Alternative to yes?

On the cereal box code wheel, ham hat, ham

In yesterday’s post, I had talked about the flower bed potentially being a grave.  It could be a subconscious connection to the text in Brick by Brick. 

Ideas?

[vehemourn]

smth i honestly recommend everyone should do is like. keep a private folder of art u like on ur computer lol. and like. download art u like when u see it. ur gonna lose stuff Forever if u just like it, u know? and like, discord archives arent really enough lol. I have been downloading art since like 2016 & I have a LOT of art that was scrubbed from the internet otherwise, especially due to like. the antics of deviantart & twitter. And on things like twitter theres Barely a way to save art to begin with (bookmarks is Not good enough)

u do kinda lose Credit a lot of the time (unless u save it with it named? which i do sometimes but not always) and often like, it won't be the Perfect HQ or itll have a massive watermark on it. but like. since it's not really for Sharing as much as its for my own personal enjoyment, these things don't really bother me at all... Having a collection of art that i love that I can look at offline & like, On My Computer is so nice. And I back up a lot of it on hard drives when i back up my own art! Again, like, a lot of these pieces this is the Only way i can look at them anymore, and Maybe the only archive OF them.... I've had pieces from my friends Before they were my friends, that i just saved as a "fan", that THEY lost years later... I have pieces they hadn't Seen in years. And every year I Probably save at least a few more pieces that will become like, totally scrubbed from technology otherwise. idk. i think it's nice to have an archive of this art that is in my taste but also like, that i'd likely Lose otherwise.

i Hope people save my art. I don't honestly Think anyone does, but I Hope that like, if my shit ever blows up and all my accounts get scrubbed, Someone has at least one drawing I made saved to their computer 2 remember me. u know. Its like a scrapbook. I remember these ppls characters, i remember the communities at the time, i remember how i felt when i first saw the piece. Its really inspiring but also genuinely like, really Important to me and sentimental. I kinda think everyone should have their own collection but I think people are genuinely Scared to right click & save ppls art LOL. Genuinely where is the harm, though.

[keii]

no sense of personal space

[linhfoxmoive]

My shayla, Ms. Lovelett

Who’s now, a favorite :) (Does it vaguely rhyme..? Help)

this GIRLIE is definitely now one of my favorites though..alongside my all time goat, Janitor, he’s just funny to me :’3

ANYWAYS, guys I think I have a type and it’s women in theatre!! 😍💞

Also I like to imagine the white parts of her clothes, whatever it’s supposed to actually be- To be more of a theatrical kinda style, like Shakespeare! With the fancy stuff around his neck and the sleeve cuffs!! Just a bit more simplified for her fashion at the school, and I guess with some random ah blue sweater she has under it all..furthermore I liek to imagine her dress part is kind of exaggerated to puff out more for the purpose of wanting to show her dramatic-ness..(?) I’m reaching

AND RANDOM THING, SLIGHT SPOILER BUT HEAR ME OUT..Lovelett and that one guy who hides behind the boxes as a father/daughter dynamic pls, where she just bawls her eyes out or constantly bothers the bro back before he went mental.. (Though I mean, I guess she still does go to bother him actually either way lmao 😭)

[limboni]

A fanart for chapter 2 of "The King of Beltane" by @crkfaeau !!

It's fantastic fic! Both fics of this author are fantastic!

I can express how much I love them!!

Recommend 100000%!!

P.s. tags won't let me add more tags for some reason, so just so you know - It's a rare instance of me not taking a whole year to post stuff… don't hold out hope on this for the future, I appear once in a blue moon

[the-raven-and-the-tower]

The Venatori were really struggling to keep Lucanis contained.

(A possible reason our favorite possessed Crow was suited and booted and ready to leave when we found him.)

A trail of bodies leading to him, a bunch of references to how much havoc he's wreaked, and then a big-ass barrier on the door where they've got him contained in a block of ice like the weirdos they are - baby boy was working on his own breakout long before we got there.

On arrival, we find a scattered trail of dead Venatori guards. Thanks to @wolfsong-the-bloody-beast, we know that somewhere around THIRTY FIVE dead Venatori are scattered around. He was BUSY.

Rook: Someone or something already took down the guards. Neve: Might work in our favor, but something's wrong here.

A bit later, we find this note and even more bodies.

Gee, I wonder why they didn't want to go in the possessed killer Crow's cell. Lucanis and Spite are pissed, they're not accepting visitors.

We find a response to the note, alongside the body of the previous writer (hopefully).

Bonus shot of possible Dead!Ovidius.

There's pretty good evidence to show Lucanis's last couple of days-to-weeks would have been enough to drive him to extremes in order to escape. This note was on a desk in one of the rooms - Calivan would have tortured Lucanis to new lengths in order to break him for Zara.

Adding to that, we know that either out of desperation to break Lucanis and accomplish his task, or needing to gripe to a colleague, Calivan wrote to someone named Felicia Erimond and received "just kill him already" as advice in return.

When Rook and companion finally reach the area where they've managed to contain him (inside of a spelled block of ice ffs), he's at the end of a longggg trail of bodies and behind a very serious barrier.

They need him contained.

Neve: A barrier. Whatever's in there, the Venatori really want it to stay put. Rook: Then we break through.

When we bust through the barrier and are finally facing down the final few Venatori mages between us and our Demon, look at this;

They're casting blood magic around his makeshift ice prison to keep him contained, but as Rook bursts in, they stop --- perhaps allowing Lucanis's escape a moment later.

The Ossuary mage/guard foremost is not interested in discussion when Rook offers not to fight if they'll simply hand over Lucanis. Instead, he leaps right to calling on the Archdemons themselves.

"Razikale, Dragon of Mystery. Lusacan, Dragon of Night. Hear your faithful call—"

Tiny lore drop on those fuckers. Razikale and Lusacan were said by the Chantry to have been "imprisoned underground by the Maker for usurping His worshipers.' At some point in 9:52 Dragon, Razikale was awoken and freed by Ghilan'nain, and Lusacan by Elger'nan. This led to the outbreak of the Sixth Blight. [from the wiki]

When presented with the possibility of Rook & co breaking Lucanis out, the Venatori reaches for the nuke button.

And I mean... can we blame them for being afraid of him? We've seen the bodies, Lucanis was kind enough to leave us quite a resume on the floor all over. Then we get to see him pop out of his ice prison like a demonic jack-in-the-box too and rain fury down on his captors.

Even without facial expressions, all I see in the body language of the Venatori is oh gods it's happening again...

And then they look up to see this charging at them, the last thing so many of their colleagues saw before they died similarly violent deaths. (Also, slowed-down, his ittle run seems less silly somehow, but the trade-off is that the funky physics of the sword he runs belly-first into do stand out a little more.)

and then THIS!

The face of a man who is genuinely surprised by who he's found himself face-to-face with. The first non-Venatori he's seen in 300+ days and not only are they not Crows... they're complete strangers who just waltzed into a secret underwater Venatori prison housed in a crumbling ancient elven temple and asked for him by name?

Not even our famous detective was able to work out his name on her own, so we know it's not information that's easily come by. Clearly this stranger knows who he is and where he was being held --- Lucanis has to be wondering; if that knowledge was out there, why hadn't the Crows found him? And who is this unknown person that just blithely walked in, asked for him by name and was cheeky enough to offer sparing the Venatori a fight if they'd simply hand him over?

It’s been three hundred very bad days for the Demon of Vyrantium and now he having a very confusing one. Plenty more where that came from.

---

In summary, the (updated) theory; (with credit & thanks to @wolfsong-the-bloody-beast for the excellent details they added!)

Lucanis busted out, got access to his gear and was well on his way to breaking out when he was finally cornered where we found him, contained in a block of ice.

When Rook bursts into the room, the mages maintaining the magic on him lose focus and the world's angriest Crow breaks out to complete his escape, finding himself face-to-face with unexpected help.