#this is how I lose all my gems and keys when it comes to the eng server

[justanotherfanfolks]

AAAAAAHHHHH! AAAHHHHH! AAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!

[natsukishinomiyaswife]

Yuliya's Gacha of Love... is coming soon!

Your favorite game just announced a banner coming up featuring your favorite character, and you have to get his SSR! Hopefully you have enough gems and keys saved up... you don't want to lose the 50/50! ♡

This is an event that gives you the opportunity to send in requests for me to write, to celebrate my blog reaching 300 followers! There will be two different event periods, with different characters you can request during each period.

Phase one's banner starts tomorrow, August 15th, and includes the following characters:

Phase one will end on Saturday, August 17th

Phase two's banner will begin Saturday, August 17th, and includes the following characters:

Phase two will end on Monday, August 19th

These are the cards you can pull for during each event period (they will be the prompts you can request for me to write):

Rules:

*Please read them over carefully! Failure to follow the rules may lead to your request not being written!*

⋆ When requesting, please only pull for one character per ask ♡

⋆ If you want multiple cards of a character, they must be sent in separate asks. You can only pull for one card at a time (meaning, you can only pick one prompt at a time)

⋆ This event is meant as a celebration for my followers, to thank them for their support and enjoying my work. While I don’t wish to turn off Anon, if you do request anonymously, I ask that you put an emoji or name I can refer to you with. This is just so I can keep track of everyone, and to help prevent confusion ♡

⋆ These will short scenarios, and not full length fics! This is so I'm able to get through everyone's requests ♡

⋆ You can request multiple times, but you are only guaranteed once per phase. After you use your guaranteed pull, you will be subject to the gacha, meaning there will be a 50/50 chance whether you get the character you requested, or a different character from the banner you're pulling on. Anon's do not get guaranteed pulls!

(To clarify: I will spin a wheel, where one side says "win 50/50" and the other says "lose 50/50". If I spin it and you lose the 50/50, I will then put the remaining characters on the banner in a wheel, and spin to see who you get! I thought this would be a fun way to make the event interesting lol ♡)

⋆ The Reader in these requests will have no pronouns (as this is how I usually write my x Reader works) ♡

⋆ If, for some reason, the Reader is referred to with pronouns, they will be Gender Neutral (They/Them) ♡

⋆ When pulling, you must state whether you are using your guaranteed pull, or agree to the gacha. Again, Anon's do not get guaranteed pulls!

Some examples include:

"Hi! I'd like to pull for Playful Dress Floyd please! I'm guaranteed to get him!"

or

"Hey, can I get Applepom Ace? It's a 50/50, so I hope I win!"

or

"I'm pulling for Masquerade Jade!! He's not guaranteed, but I'll give him all my keys until he comes home!!" (this lets me know that if you don't win the 50/50, you plan on sending another ask requesting the same character/card!)

⋆ Phase one will not start until tomorrow, August 15th. I will make an announcement when you can start pulling on the gacha. Phase one will end on Saturday, August 17th. I will make an announcement when Phase one ends. Phase two will begin on Saturday, August 17th. I will make an announcement when you can start pulling on the gacha. Phase two ends on Monday, August 19th, along with the event. I will make an announcement when you can no longer pull on the gacha, and send requests ♡

Any requests placed before the banner's start or after the banner's end will not be filled! Sorry! ♡

Thank you so much for reading the rules! And again, thank you so much for 300 followers! ♡

𝓣𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓴 𝔂𝓸𝓾! ♡

[piningintrovert]

Drunken Kisses & Mixed Feelings cont'd

In my last post, I talked about how Kawi's penchant for kissing Pisaeng while drunk might lead to the argument that prompts Pisaeng to say this line:

To my point, @captain-xandis dropped an absolute gem of an analysis in the tags about this scene:

#i totally think this is why kawi stops pisaeng from kissing him in the past #their argument in the future might go along the lines of 'every time we've kissed you were drunk' or something like that #and kawi not wanting to make the same mistake again will only kiss p when they are both sober

This sent me spiraling so I'm hopping back on the meta train once more. Wanna come with? Stand clear of the closing doors. The next stop is...

Why did Pisaeng go AWOL?

Max tell us that Kawi knows/is the reason why Pisaeng goes off-grid, but we never get an exact answer. So here's my two-point theory.

Emotional Exhaustion

In the scene before the second drunk kiss, Pisaeng remarks that Kawi hasn't been free to hangout in last three years? Well, that got me thinking. During the last three years, has Kawi only gone to find Pisaeng when he's drunk and in need of comfort (and kisses)?

Being someone's "comfort zone" can be emotionally exhausting, especially when there is no reciprocity and the comfort-seeker is your longtime crush who is currently in a relationship with your childhood friend. Needless to say, the internal conflict and resulting emotional toll is strong in this one, which brings me to the second point.

Guilt

We know from the 8-year flashback scene (anniversary of Pisaeng's confession) and Pisaeng recalling the day Pear broke up with Kawi that he goes to their apartment often (he even has a key card) which is why this look between him and Pear gave me pause.

Pisaeng's facial expression goes from slight shock to what looks like guilt when he realizes that Pear is leaving. On the other hand, Pear's body language (the way she releases and tightens her grip on the suitcase handle) tells us that she's angry but not surprised by Pisaeng showing up at this exact moment (the fact that she's standing between the two of them in this scene also says a lot).

Then we see her facial expression. She is visibly angry but there's something else. She definitely knows about Pisaeng's feeling for Kawi and their more-than-friendship situationship (her knowing about Kwan and Not alludes to the fact that she's always aware of what goes on behind her back).

And if that wasn't enough, when Pear leaves the apartment Pisaeng ends up being flanked by Kawi on all sides but is closer to a larger-than-life picture of Kawi while the real Kawi still remains (romantically) out of reach like he's been for the past twelve years.

It's no wonder our boy needed to get away. It no wonder he was feeling conflicted during that second kiss. It's no wonder that he will finally reach his limit and cut Kawi off?

And as @sparklyeyedhimbo points out in their post, it's no wonder Kawi is so distraught when returns to the past and is determined to "set everything right" because he simply cannot bear the thought of losing Pisaeng again.

Is it next Friday yet?!!

[shadowgast-recs-weekly]

Hidden Gems: A Shadowgast Rec List

This week, we have one of our recurring themes: fics with fewer than 150 kudos! Check under the cut for twenty fics that are beloved, but you might have missed the first time around:

Another Time, Another Place by Operafloozy (9780, Teen) Warnings: none Essek discovers the key to time travel. Bren discovers the key to time travel soon after. They start a time war. Reccer says: It's a great enemies to lovers fic, epistolary fic, and weird time travel shenanigans fic all in one. It's based on This is How You Lose the Time War, but you don't have to know anything about it to make sense.

I Have Blood On My Hands And A Smile On My Face by Professor_Rye (5836, Explicit) Warnings: Dead-Dove, Graphic Amputation, Torture, Hurt no Comfort Essek and Caleb get captured by a rogue Volstrucker who proceeds to torture them. Reccer says: It's intense, it's dark, it hurts, it's bloody... The whole whump experience dialed up to a hundred. If you're in the mood for something on the more extreme end of the spectrum that is very well written, this is your fic.

Dream a Little Dream of Me by CatgirlTheCrazy (2258, General) Warnings: None Essek uses the Dream spell to spend time with Caleb, even while they're apart Reccer says: Nothing

let the earth humble you withal by essektheylyss (midnightindigo) (13777, Mature) Warnings: None A ghost story: In his grief following Caleb’s death, Essek summons an old familiar. It does not come alone. Reccer says: A heart-wrenching exploration of grief.

something so precious about this by ThatFanwriter2424 (1684, General) Warnings: None It's valentines day and Essek has a gift for Caleb Reccer says: It's so sweet

Of Constellations and Freckles by Professor_Rye (100, General) Warnings: None Essek's love of Caleb's freckles Reccer says: Nothing

blood and bond by royalgreen (allyoop) (2069, Teen) Warnings: None Caleb is dying from a curse and Essek is desperate to save him Reccer says: It's very ambiguous but the emotions and vibes are immaculate regardless. An impressive and wonderful balance

desire, fulfilled by burningafterdark (burningdarkfire) (8809, Explicit) Warnings: Mind the tags and author's note: Extremely dubious consent typical of pon farr/heatfic Essek becomes dangerously insatiable when he undergoes his drow mating cycle while visiting Caleb. Reccer says: Hot and incredibly unsettling, with a mounting horror through the final line.

SA 4301: Advanced Transmutation, Excerpt Recorded 9th Horisal 1152 PD with Guest Lecturer: E. Widogast, Arch.M by soot_and_salt (1231, Teen) Warnings: Grief A transcript of Essek giving a lecture about what makes a great wizard, according to his late husband, Caleb Widogast Reccer says: There is so much love and adoration in Essek's tone and words, and the worldbuilding and setting is phenomenal

i'm really not so with you anymore (i'm just a ghost) by flashhwing (4104, Mature) Warnings: Essek is dead Essek Dies. Caleb keeps on seeing his ghost. Reccer says: It's haunting and beautiful; a wonderful depiction of grief with a side of spookiness. The art is amazing, too

The Thumping in My Chest by GayAssWizard (5309, Explicit) Warnings: None Caleb gets Essek a special surprise and then edges him with it. T4T Shadowgast with some light D/s. Reccer says: Essek drunk on pleasure is Best Essek.

Tooth of Zehir by witches_chant (17359, Mature) Warnings: Nope This fic happens in an alternative reality where the war between the Empire and the Dynasty was not prevented. Essek fled to a castle at the end of the world and has stayed hidden and alone for a very long time. One day Bren finds him, a pathetic shade of a man, feral and hungry, and an enemies to friends to lovers story begins. Reccer says: All the wumptober prompts give theme to the chapters in a neat way. The vibes are gothic and melancholic with the raging storm outside and the careful contact between the two men.

to take off the mask by KmacKatie (2560, Mature) Warnings: No major archive warnings, however it could be read as mildly dubious consent When your face is not your own, are you still you underneath it? A moment in a tavern where Essek is contemplating the loss that morphs over time and the lingering effects it can have on a soul. Reccer says: It's a short exploration about identity and disconnecting from yourself after having to hide who you are fundamentally from those around you. It's angst-adjacent, with some heavy implications wrapped up in a deep understanding of the other.

You Mean The Worm To Me by GoldenEyeWitch (2318, General) Warnings: None Feel-good fluff about a polymorph gone wrong. Reccer says: The situational comedy, the dynamics between the characters and the general premise. It's a perfect little pick-me-up story on a rainy day.

Series of Smaller Adventures by 2manyboys (3576, Teen) Warnings: None Caleb returns home after a long day. Essek is waiting for him. Reccer says: It is so soft and cozy and as sweet as these two can be together, like a warm blanket.

The Heat Between by Ahmose_Inarus (8221, Not Rated) Warnings: None Essek teleports to Caleb's home during a blizzard. Caleb massages him to relax his tense muscles and, well, we all know what happens when characters give each other massages in fanfiction. Reccer says: You can tell that Essek is already quite comfortable in Caleb's cottage and I find that to be a cute detail. I also love Caleb thoroughly teasing Essek and drawing out the encounter.

a healer's gift by toneofjoy (7280, General) Warnings: None One of Caleb's cats fall suddenly ill and he seeks help from a druid healer to find the cause. Reccer says: This is the best of outsider pov fic looking at shadowgast from the perspective of one of Caleb's (well, really both of theirs) cats. It's adorable, and there are some really sweet moments.

As per my last email by LivThael (11651, Explicit) Warnings: None Caleb and Essek annoy each other with emails at work. They solve their professional dispute in a storage closet after a party. Reccer says: Nothing

jealousy by mllekurtz (1724, Explicit) Warnings: no archive warnings, but it does have consensual non-consent Essek sleeps with someone else to further his goals. Bren is into it. Reccer says: This fic is incredibly hot and does a lot with a shorter word count. It's the delicious morally-grey brenessek flavour that I love, with some sharp and interesting insights into not-love but the closest thing two it that these two are capable of in the moment. Very delicious!

Daughter of the Burning Stars by Chaotic_Lesbianstringworm (928, General) Warnings: None Caleb and Essek celebrate the birth of their daughter. Reccer says: It's very sweet, extremely soft, and gives good gender feelings.

All recs are made by members of Aeor is For Lovers, an 18+ Shadowgast discord. Have any questions? Check out the FAQ. You can also join the discord here, or check out our previous list of Hidden Gems recs here.

Check back next week, when we'll have recs for current WIPs!

[nonovyabuisness]

Seeing how well my tarot life smp post did, I figured that I should do some more.

So here we have all the other life smper with their major arcana (in alphabetical order and Gem is included despite only being there for 1 session).

Enjoy !

Bdubs: The Lovers (VI)

This card generally means harmony, unity, and destiny.

When uprights the card of The Lovers represents predestined, links, love and harmonious unions. This card can mean a powerful link in perfect harmony, but it can also mean an important decisions or a crossroad. Think of your choices and you’ll find happiness forever.

When reversed this card, suggest that one of your relationships or important friendships isn’t going very well. An honest communication is crucial in order to go forward. The Lovers prove that sincerity is key.

BigB: Strength (VIII)

This card generally means true power that is not obtained through physical means, but more through courage, tenacity, and compassion.

When upright Strength is a positive sign that shows determination, common sense and savvy necessary in order to meet and overcome challenges. In order to have better results this card suggest to use bravery, kindness, and perseverance. It is a sign that invites you to guide others with gentleness as well as a warning to not use brute force and ultimatums in order to achieve your end.

When reversed Strength, represent a bad relationship with authority. If you feel powerless or discouraged this card reminds you that you’re more powerful than you think. Pull yourself together and be brave. 

Cleo: The High Priestess (II)

The High Priestess is a card that represents a mysterious and intuitive character, whose power comes from the depth of her subconscious. she is sophisticated, calculating, and powerful.

When upright, this card is a call for observation and reflection, you may not see your situation of friendship or relationship for what it is. So take advantage of the solitude to think over this difficult situation because looks can be deceiving.

When reversed, this card represents a lack of clarity, causing confusion and insecurity. In order to find confidence in you again, you must bring forth determination and assurance. Know that you have the necessary strength to pull through the chaos and emerge victorious.

Etho: The Hermit (IX)

This card generally means retreat, solitude, and the act of spending time alone in order to think on yourself.

When upright, this card calls for solitude, if you’ve been swept up by life The Hermit is a clear sign that you need to slow down a little. Take time to think of your actual situation and what you wanna do with it. You’ll get out of the small break fully replenished and ready to take on the world.

When reversed, The Hermit warns you of the consequences of staying isolated for too long. Allow yourself a bit of time to understand your mistakes and to swallow a big events in your life, but first and foremost look towards the future.

Gem: The Hangman (XII)

The card of The Hangman shows the possibility of seeing things from another angle, accept unexpected delays and to give into a situation.

When upright, this card shows that you are confronted by an unexpected obstacle that stops your projects. The Hangman advices you to relax and follow the current. It’s time to take a break and think. This could end up being exactly what you need in order to achieve a useful, new point of view.

When reversed, this card indicates hesitation, servitude and tactics to gain time. If you have a decision to make, do not waste time procrastinating.  Stay focused and act fast before you lose an opportunity.

Impulse: The Hierophant (V)

This card represents hierarchy, law, order and cooperation.

When upright, The Hierophant warns you that this is not the moment to have radical ideas or to rebel. Trust the approved methods of all traditions, there is a time and a place for individualism, nonconformity and rebellion. This card shows that the respective conventions will lead you farther than following your own path.

When reversed, the card encourage you to adopt a revolutionary spirit and put into question the status quo. It’s time to think for yourself, to follow your heart and to make your own path.

Joel: The Magician (I)

The Magician represents pure talent and unlimited creativity.

When upright, this card explains that inspiration is everywhere. You feel creative, unstoppable, and ready to realize your craziest dreams. Accept the creative pulsions  that are in you because it’s time to shine ! Take this chance ! This card indicates that it’s time to explore your potential and put to use your hidden powers.

When reversed, The Magician wants you to resist the villainous shortcuts, as well as the suspicions double edged deals that will go against you. Work hard, stay focused in order to achieve your goals and leave your friends out of this.

Lizzie: The Tower (XVI)

The Tower represents the sudden and dramatic destruction of illusion and façades.

When upright, prepare yourself for a upheaval because this card announces destruction. Even of what you think might be true and threatens to submerge you. But rest assured because it’s for the best,this event will free you from your tower. Embrace the chaos and you’ll get out unscathed.

When reversed, this card indicates that you are resisting a necessary change. You’re facing an important truth that may change the course of your life, but you refuse to recognize it. It’s time to abandon the comfortable and familiar points of your life because new information will be presented and change everything. Even if this type of change can be intimidating, rest assured and go forward. You’ll be happier and in better shape.

Mumbo: Temperance (XIV)

Temperance signifies fluidity, harmony and balance.

When upright, Temperance advises you to stay flexible, calm and adaptable. Following the current will help you sail comfortably. Take on every challenge that presents itself with calm and serenity. Temperance reminds you how important it is to preserve your inner peace, do not let outside influence rock your boat.

When reversed, Temperance indicates imbalance in your life that affects you greatly. The card warns you to not let yourself be carried away and to not act impulsively. Stay calm, think carefully, and communicate openly to bring back harmony and fluidity in your life.

Rendog: The Emperor (IV)

The Emperor is a calm and powerful ruler that impose respect and authority.

When upright, The Emperor reminds you, to make decisions with everyone’s interest in mind. You can set an example by being respectful and taking your duties seriously.

When reversed, this card warns against too much rigidity in your opinions, and incite you to keep an open mind. The reversed Emperor shows that thinking in black-and-white works against you. Stay flexible and remind yourself that there’s an exception to every rule. 

Scar: The Chariot (VII)

The Chariot represents determination , unwavering focus and will.

When uprights, you no longer fear obstacles, you’ll follow your objectives, and nothing will stop you. Do not let yourself be distracted ! What you wish for may seem out of your reach for the moment, but by pressing on you’ll find the strength necessary to succeed.

When reversed, this card tells you to not falter as victory can still be reached as long as you’re ready to adapt. The reversed Chariot, advises you to tackle challenges with more finesse and flexibility. Letting go will not hurt you. 

Skizz: The Wheel of Fortune (X)

The Wheel of Fortune represents decisive moments, sudden reversals and twists of fate.

When uprights The Wheel of Fortune, reminds you that life is unpredictable and that luck keeps turning. It’s a clear sign, that you need to expect the unexpected. Embrace your life as it is now because big changes are coming. The Wheel of Fortune remind you that life can change at any second. Live in the moment.

When reversed, The Wheel of Fortune indicates that your streak of bad luck is not your fault, greater forces are at play. You may feel as if you don’t control anything but this card has a positive side. Nothing is eternal not even misfortune. Curses can be broken, birthrights restored and kingdoms can prosper again. Be patient, and wait for the wheel of fortune to turn again in your favor.

Tango: Justice (XI)

Justice represents repercussions, consequences ethics, and equity.

When upright, Justice advices you to follow your moral compass, while brushing aside your personal feelings on the matter. It’s a clear sign that the time must come to defend truth and integrity. The choice may be difficult, but it will lead to long-term peace and stability.

When reversed, Justice suggest that your actual perspective may be false. Justice suggest that you may not be seeing situations for what they really are. Try to keep an open mind and ask your loved ones to help you see the truth.

I hope you guys enjoyed this draft, this took so long. I’m not a 100% sure for some of the life smpers but I think it should be fine.

Hope you enjoyed this post, I know I’m gonna enjoy my Friday afternoon.

See you all !

[rainbowolfe]

Please a part three !

I was inspired to expand on this story, so I'm currently revising part 1 and 2. But here's part 3 in all its unedited glory!

When Does a God Lose Their Heart? Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Narinder stomped into his “base of operations” as he often called it, Kallamar in tow. The door creaked as it slowly closed itself, but didn’t fully shut. Shamura tentatively pushed it back open as they entered, not always sure when they were welcome when it came to Narinder.

Shamura often wondered about Narinder’s attachment to this abode, but knew better than to ask. They had vaults of their own sprinkled about the lands where they stored trophies and supplies, and recouped in as needed. But this comfy little cottage sitting out in the open was no vault. Crafted of wood and stone, with a roof that leaked when it rained, and no defenses outside of the simple protective-barriers Narinder himself setup. Without a doubt, this was a home, not a vault.

The living area was lit up primarily by the fireplace, but supplemented by candles hanging from the rafters. They were surprised to see the place so messy. Narinder wasn’t exactly a stickler for cleanliness, but the clutter decorating the floor, seating, and most other surfaces was uncharacteristic for him.

They entered the cottage and gently shut the door behind them. They lingered by the door for a moment. Less out of hesitance—if Narinder didn’t want them to come inside, he’d have shut the door—and more out of curiosity regarding the mess.

“What, are you a stranger? A servant? Settle yourself.” Narinder barked at them as he weaved through the items littering the floor. Shamura followed his lead to find a place to sit.

“Goodness, it’s like a desert in here.” Kallamar commented. “Aren’t you warm?”

“Quite comfortable, actually.”

Narinder set Kallamar on the sofa in the middle of the room with a surprising level of care. Kallamar had even braced for a sudden drop. Narinder’s half-lidded gaze lingered on him, causing their eyes to meet for just a moment when Kallamar went to scan his surroundings.

“The problem is my spine, I believe. My arms hurt as well, however, so I shouldn’t go anywhere until those are better as well! I wouldn’t want to have to defend myself with only two arms, if the problem arose…”

“I didn’t think you had a spine.” Was all Narinder had to say as he went to retrieve the necessary supplies. He stopped by the fire to put on a kettle of water.

“What? Of course I have a spine, how else would I—Oh.” He rolled his eyes. “Very funny.”

The more Shamura looked around, the more they hoped Narinder was eager to share whatever it was he was working on. On closer observation, they realized the items strewn about were positioned on top sigils painted onto the floor. Divining Sigils were used to glean the purpose or origin of an item—divine or otherwise.

Narinder had asked for Shamura’s assistance in how to use and activate the sigils, which they happily provided, but he hadn’t shared why he was suddenly inclined to learn about it. Shamura was pleased to finally know why—albeit only partially. It also explained all the random objects. Divining an object was a tedious process that required a lot of trial and error to discover the resources that would resonate with it. Shamura could recall the exasperation they felt after spending months acquiring rare gems and magical geodes to divine the purpose of a magical key they had found, only for the damn thing to resonate with a bowl of milk.

“Stop being nosy.” Narinder suddenly broke the silence.

“May I move this… toy?” Shamura gestured to what looked like a golden puzzle box resting on a seat. They knew it wasn’t a toy, but hoped it would provoke him into explaining.

“No.” He pointed to a different seat with a stack of papers on it. “You can sit there. Just throw the papers on the floor, they’re useless.”

Shamura went to the assigned seat, having to both step over a baffling, metal contraption and duck under a candle to reach it. They placed the papers on the floor with care regardless of their allegedly useless status, and had a seat on the plush stool that they usually preferred to sit on when they visited. Narinder thought the way they sat on it was strange, but they truly enjoyed it despite their odd posture.

“When I suggested decorating, piles of junk aren’t quite what I had in mind…” Kallamar hummed.

“What?” Narinder didn’t look up from the concoction he was brewing.

Shamura envied Kallamar’s ability to inspire people to engage with him socially, especially when it came to Narinder. Their conversations with Narinder were often insightful and thought-provoking, so it was a shame how little they actually conversed with each other.

They stretched their back, and in turn their claws—well, claw—before they settled back into a similar position, just no longer tensed to strike. They’d been fairly on edge since barely defeating the Green Crown, but now they could relax.

“It is inspiring though. How about piles of skulls? A bit macabre but, you like bones, don’t you?”

Narinder was swirling a liquid in a flask, but stopped to look at Kallamar. “What? They’re not—These aren’t decorations!” He stammered, confused and a bit offended. “Are you dull?”

“No, I was giving you the benefit of the doubt. What’s all this junk?

“It’s not junk.”

“The useless papers aren’t junk?”

“…some of it is junk.”

Narinder’s ears perked up at the sound of a soft ‘kh’ noise from Shamura—their equivalent of a snort. He snapped his head around to make sure they saw his annoyed look, which Shamura met with an embarrassed smile, before he turned his attention back to manufacturing his unique method of healing.

Shamura wasn’t aware that they made such a noise until they met Narinder. He had no reservations questioning them about what they found so funny whenever he heard it. Though now they could usually hear the sound when they made it, they had a hard time stifling it.

Kallamar thought for a moment, then warbled with excitement. Narinder gave him an odd look as he poured the concoction over Kallamar’s body. It had taken on the consistency of smoke, pink in color but thick like a polluted cloud. It sits for a moment before it suddenly seeps into the squids body in a blink.

“Did you acquire a stall at the market after all? You must be preparing your stock, yes? Am I right?”

Shamura’s eyebrows raised, causing their second pair of eyes to squint. Was Narinder in need of resources? Narinder’s brief hiss of annoyance made it clear that this subject was not meant to reach Shamura’s ears.

“Ah, Ah! You should let me help!” Kallamar sat up, clearly feeling better even if the color hadn’t returned to his cloak or crown.

“Why?”

“There a things I wish to buy, but I don’t have any money.”

“Oh, is Shamura finally cutting you off?” Narinder smirked.

“Yes, in fact, they did! I’m sure your petulant insistence that they were allegedly ‘spoiling’ me had everything to do with it, so it’s only fair that you help me raise funds.”

“That is not the reason why,” Shamura interjected, worried that Kallamar was missing the point. “It’s important that you know how to provide for yourself in case there comes a time that I am no longer able to.”

It was important for both their sakes, really. Shamura knew they had gotten far too comfortable with giving Kallamar whatever he asked for, they couldn’t even fully commit to cutting him off. They still fed and sheltered him, but had to force themselves to stop indulging in his more frivolous wants like jewelry and money.

Regardless of how valid the reasoning, Narinder and Kallamar scoffed in unison. For better or worse, if there was one thing that could reliably get them to agree, it was Shamura.

“If you are ever incapacitated, then we have already fallen.” Kallamar gestured dismissively.

“Likewise,” Narinder added. “It’s humorous how you pretend that this fool would not drop dead the second he could no longer suckle on your teat.”

Kallamar let out a gasp of offense.

Shamura would have liked to inquire further about the first half of Narinder’s statement. But they take far too long to choose what they felt would be the proper way to ask. Kallamar and Narinder had already bickered over the latter’s rude comment and moved past it to the next topic.

“Well, if it is not to sell, then why do you have all this stuff?”

Though Kallamar had successfully put Narinder back at the center of the conversation, he rejected the position with the finesse of a hippo on ice. Narinder stared at Kallamar, forcing his expression to be blank with limited success. There was silence as the two waited for his response.

“You seem to be missing something, Shamura.” Narinder said, abruptly changing the subject.

“Ah?” It took them a moment. “Ah, yes, yes. My claw. I… Underestimated Murmur. She ripped it clean from my body.”

“I take it you’ll be requiring my assistance to re-attach it?”

Shamura blanched, a rare demonstration of embarrassment from them that managed to surprise Narinder.

“…I… forgot to retrieve it.” They slowly said, processing the information for themselves in real time. They clear their throat. “Alas, that is my punishment for carelessness. It will be… awhile…” Their apprehension shows in their tone. “…but it will grow back in time.”

“Oh! Shamura, I didn’t even notice! When did that happen?” Kallamar gawked.

Narinder seemed upset, but Shamura couldn’t fully put together why. Was it disappointment in them? Annoyance with Kallamar? They briefly considered that he might be concerned for them, but they shooed the thought away as rather presumptuous—something Narinder often accused them of being.

Kallamar lit up at the sound of the kettle whistling. “Oh! Are you making tea? I’m parched—”

“I wasn’t.” Narinder said, a bit too quickly. “I merely forgot to remove the kettle from the fire before I went to investigate the intruders that crossed my barrier.”

“Then, Shamura, will you make me a cup of tea?”

“No, they will not. Make it yourself.”

Shamura did not understand Narinder. But, they wanted to. As much as Kallamar and Narinder postured in a way that would suggest they didn’t like each other, the two clearly understood each other, even if they didn’t always realize it.

“But I am injured still! You did not heal my arm!” Kallamar protested.

“And you have three others that are completely functional. Leave Shamura be, lazy brat.”

“Lazy? Brat?”

Before the two could launch into another petty bickering match, Shamura interjected.

“Kallamar, if you could, a round of tea before we set off would be most refreshing.” They stood with grace, their strength already beginning to replenish. “And I will prepare a snack to pair with it.” They turned their gaze to Narinder. “Consider it our thanks for allowing us to disturb you this evening.”

“Ah… Let us trade tasks. I must insist.” Kallamar bridged his fingers, a pose he often took up when he felt awkward.

“If you must busy yourself with something, then I would prefer you make the tea.” Narinder sounded exasperated as he finally took a seat, knocking an assortment of smooth stones off the coffee table as he propped his feet atop of it.

Shamura was a bit lost again, but quickly adapted. “Then tea I shall make.”

The trio fell into a comfortable silence. Shamura retrieved the kettle that had been hollering throughout the entire exchange while Kallamar sifted through Narinder’s cabinets to assemble snacks for them (mostly he and Narinder). Shamura continued to subtly snoop as they had to cross the room again.

Trying to narrow in on things that gave off some amount of arcane energy. But none of the items that stood out seemed like things Narinder simply couldn’t ask them about. Small statues, a beautifully preserved skull with a gem embedded into the forehead, a black card sporting a red mandala—

“Shamura, did you lose your sense of taste as a consequence of no longer needing to eat, or did you stop eating because you lost your sense of taste?” Narinder suddenly broke the silence, Kallamar’s scolding tone quick to follow.

“Narinder!”

[prismaticpichu]

Can you imagine I like to read Sephiroth fanfics???

As I’m going back and re-reading some of the dearest, most embedded Crisis Core/Pre-Nibelheim works in my heart, I’ve kinda gotten to thinking why I love them so much. And then it hit me! It’s the stellar characterization of the 7-foot-tall-cat-man-thing that deepens and dimensionalizes and humanizes him all at once. Recently I’ve been reevaluating my own stuff, kinda thinking how I could improve and shoot to be more on-point with my own interpretation (personally I think I make him too squishy). So! To do this, I’ve went ahead and jotted down some key traits that, in my humble bumble opinion, make sane!Sephiroth who he is- both for me and my fellow writers!

Get ready for some overanalyzing, friends. Here we go. Brace yourselves. *applies dollar store glasses*

~~~~~~

• One of the #1 integral traits imo is his RESILIENCE. Sephiroth. Is. Frigging. Resilient, man. He never stops working. It’s an extremely double-edged trait, but that makes it all the more human. On one hand, Sephiroth gauzes wounds through doing this, using work and fighting as a distraction. He’s not a guy to take a day off; he ain’t going to Costa Del Sol for a vacation, no sir. That’s the negative side of things tho. On the other hand, Sephiroth is physically resilient! I’ve never ever ever seen this portrayed better than in LuckyLadybug’s fic Shine Until Tomorrow on FF.Net, wherein after being consumed by flames, knifed in the back, and thrown down a FREAKING MOUNTAIN, this man drags his shredded body all the way across Wutai looking for someone who’ll help him. When help doesn’t come, he eventually falls to his knees, unable to stand any longer. And then he proceeds to crawl (bless this fic I love it so much <333). Whether it’s mentally or physically pushing himself on, it’s a VERY core part of Sephiroth’s personality; giving up ain’t an option. It’s unacceptable in his little kitty eyes.

• Second to resilience, I gotta say, is undoubtedly his loyalty. No better example for this than canon itself! Y’all know the story: Sephiroth was ordered to kill his only buddies in the world, ordered by the company he was supposed to devote every aspect of his life to. And he went ahead and defied them; he spared his buddies’ lives even when their friendship was blighted. He refused missions to fight them at all (see this WHY SEPHIROTH WAS TOO GOOD FOR— *tv bleeping sound; takes deeeeeep breath, collects herself*). Loyalty is prolly the trait I wanna nail most! Sephiroth is a good friend. I’ve seen so many fics explore how deep his care goes and what he’s willing to do for others.

• Sephiroth AIN’T bloodthirsty. The best works I’ve read is where he only ever kills out of defense for others, or when others are a noticeable threat. He does NOT enjoy killing, not at all, and will look for alternate routes when possible. However! At the same time… the guy is well aware that sometimes it can’t be helped—and that bloodshed, sacrifice, that whole jam… it’s all engraved into the line of work he’s in. Additionally, Seph can lose it sometimes (GASP— I know, I know, I know, calm down folks in the back.) There are times when sore spots are hit, and those sore spots unleash the Dragon™️ I’ma bring back LuckyLadybug for this one; in the sequel to the aftermentioned gem, there’s a part wherein Sephiroth is taunted to the point of snapping. Blood is sent flying, bodies crumble like dominoes… The thing is though, when he came back to himself, he’s horrified at what he’d done. He can barely stand. There’s a real human heart in there, folks ;,3 Not a monstrous one. Sephiroth’s hero title is well-deserved.

• In a similar vein—kinda, not really—Sephiroth AIN’T stupid. Not socially, not culturally. This man knows what an oatmeal cookie is, folks! He knows how to dip french fries in ketchup! From what I can gauge, there’s more or less a spectrum of “things that Sephiroth had no idea existed”. Pastries? Yes! Just cause this guy was most likely sheltered and raised by evil slimy scientists, just because he never had one before (we don’t talk about that :,3), that doesn’t mean he looks at a cookie and his mind explodes into a Windows buffering screen. In tandem with that point, Sephiroth is also not socially slow—at least in my opinion. There’s a difference between being unable to express empathy and unable to pick up cues. There’s a little scene in CC wherein Sephiroth sees Zack grumpy and asks what’s wrong. The guy is very empathetic, perceptive, and he is kind <333 But it is true to his character that it doesn’t always come across so palpably.

• Sephiroth’s gotta sense of humor. He does! “This goes on your permanent record” came outta this refrigerator’s mouth. Sephiroth’s amusement is very veiled, very quiet, and it usually takes something reeallllly good to get him to crack a smile. I think everyone knows it, but this guy ain’t made of bricks! (Nor is he made of play-doh. That’s my problem x,D). He is also not all that formal, either. I’m saying this to myself more than anything—little me avoided Sephiroth using contractions like the PLAGUE, which only really crafted someone who you frankly wanted to punch. Though he’s not throwing around slang, he is a perfectly chill fellow and doesn’t speak in Shakespearian riddles (yeah remake Seph.)

• Sephiroth is not thinking about his mommy issues 24/7. They’re usually tucked away, hidden somewhere in his caged little heart. Certain things will trigger them—but they’re rarities imo. Sephiroth is focused, professional, and most likely has accepted what happened to his mother when he was young. It’s not allllllll a mask, y’know? This bean genuinely has moved on, or at least convinced himself that he has.

(And when he has a friend by his side, those things can’t plague him at all <3)

[polkadotsunshine]

of the wild things that happen in True Colors, one of my favorites has been andrias’s A.T. field.

i choose to interpret this as an in-universe real fucking Absolute Territory Field. this is not a dune shield or newtopian tech. this is a barrier manifested by his soul. in evangelion (spoilers btw!) we learn that all life generates its own A.T. field. these fields are the boundaries that separate individuals from each other, in both a physical and metaphysical sense.

angels are special in that their A.T. fields are so strong they are visible and can be used for supernatural physical feats. so why do i believe andrias can do this?

at various points in the story, the protagonists of evangelion try to form close relationships but they only end up hurting each other. as a response to this trauma they shut themselves off from the world. each character does this through different means, but they all find a way to avoid making close relationships again. they put up emotional walls and though these barriers are not physical they are no less strong. this insight is key; as it turns out, A.T. fields are formed by an individual’s fear of being hurt by others.

“Hedgehogs have a hard time sharing warmth with other hedgehogs. The closer they get, the more they hurt each other with their quills. People are also like that. I think some part of Shinji is afraid to take that risk because he's afraid of being hurt.”

andrias has spent a thousand years trying and failing to forget leif. because she was such a close friend, losing her hurt so much more. he has spent a thousand years in self imposed solitude, grieving over her betrayal. his life has been defined from his isolation; it’s no wonder it’s manifested physically. it’s no wonder that andrias has an in-universe real fucking Absolute Territory Field.

“That's the thing about friends, isn't it? The more you love them, the more it hurts when they go.”

now let’s understand how anne overcomes this supernatural defense.

anne has been betrayed by sasha, marcy - even hop pop - and yet she will not let them go. she chooses to fight to restore her friendships, often literally. while andrias has long since given up, anne accepts that the joy of connecting with others comes at the risk of betrayal and abandonment. to her, it is a happiness worth the pain.

“It's not easy. Forgiveness is hard. And it can take time. But believe me... it's worth it”

anne weilds the power of the heart. she reconnects to the stone and undergoes her transformation with one goal in mind. her strength is fueled by an undying motivation to keep her friends. she channels the calamity gem with a simple mantra:

“Give him back.”

while andrias accepted the loss of his friends as irreversible, anne refuses this fate. this is the essence of anne’s conflict with andrias. in their final battle during All In, anne confronts andrias’s philosophy; the fight is more psychological than physical. after all, tritonio says, "an honest dialogue is more powerful than any weapon.”

“So what? I'm supposed to give up? Stop feeling things? Like you? Honestly, I pity you! You shut yourself off from the rest of the world, didn't you? A thousand years of suffering. Of burying your feelings. Of hating yourself. That must have been hard.”

after all these years; anne’s spirit, marcy’s friendship, and leif’s letter change andrias’s mind. he finally opens himself up to others. his A.T. field goes down. he's vulnerable.

“So I'm begging you, my dearest friend, don't close yourself off. Open your heart, and follow it.”

however, back in True Colors, andrias is more closed off than ever. he backstabs the first friend he’s had in a thousand years. in his mind, there’s no going back from here. anne cannot defeat him with a change of heart; not yet. she must overcome the shield with force, though that’s easier said than done.

you see, in evangelion, only one thing is strong enough to break through an A.T. field: another A.T. field.

so how can anne have such a strong A.T. field if she is philosophically opposite to andrias? here lies the foundation of evangelion; accepting your boundary between others is a necessary part of life. when A.T. fields cease to exist, people cannot exist because they are indistinguishable from one another.

in the end, shinji realizes that he would rather struggle to understand others than to simply not exist in a sea of souls without A.T. fields. he does this after a long journey to find happiness and self worth.

anne, like shinji, recognizes the pain of intimacy, yet chooses to fight for it anyway. the strength of her A.T. field comes from her strong sense of self. her friendship with sprig teaches her that she has value. she finally stands up for herself because she values her own self worth. her A.T. field, while not visible, shatters andrias’s defenses. her individuality is not born from the fear of others but something stronger.

"I think the reason I don't want a new look because I'm finally happy with who I see in the mirror right now. So no matter what I put on, I just wanna see the same person smiling back."

anne wins because she loves herself.

[peacekeeperangel]

So I Got Bored and Made a Mermaid's Tale Soundtrack

I tend to do this when I wanna chew on stories (See all my original universe ideas) So I'm going to throw out all the songs I found on Youtube that I found works really well for the story/characters. Essentially future Music Videos I play in my brain. Save this entry I'm probably going to come back and edit/add to it as my Whims suit me- also feel free to add your own Fathoms Below : Little Mermaid OST Imagined for: General Overview of the Gem Mermaids/Tearcrown

Yeah this one was just a daily life overview. I mean what would be better right? (and I'm avoiding the 2023 Little Mermaid Nuts to that I haven't entertained Disney's balloney yet and I won't start now)

Amhrán Na Farraige- Song of the Sea Imagined For: Any serious talk with Almighty Sea Again just sort of noodling I genuinely have no clue for this one but it jived with the overall sea theme I had when chosing this playlist sometime it's just feelings you know? Davy Jones- as Performed by Anna Lapwood Imagined for: Black Pearl Cookie

Okay there's no Davy Jones Locker in the Cookie run Universe so my brain automatically keyed that Black Pearl Cookie is now EarthBread's "Davy Jones" your welcome. and specifically as played here because it adds a lot of Royal gravitas having anything played on an Organ and to be honest it just sounds cool and I wanna gush. Mine Mine Mine- Pocahantas OST Imagined for: Lord Oyster Cookie & Abalone Cookie This... Mildly pisses me off because I like watching @cosmicwhoreo's Blackaviar stuff and their OC version of Abalone gave me such Judge Claude Frollo feelings. But Now after listening to this I just... Canon Abalone Cookie is Governor Radcliffe and I don't know how to feel about this alright?! Ok Carrying on Crossing The Line- Tangled the Animated Series OST Imagined for: White Pearl Cookie & Frilled Jellyfish Cookie

;w; Frilled Jellyfish just wanted her to be happy uwwweehhh TT_TT Nothing Left to Lose- Tangled the Animated Series OST Imagined for: Lord Oyster Cookie & Black Pearl Cookie Yeah everyone picks this one, but it kind of fits in this case. low hanging fruit I do admit. Tour of the Kingdom-Little Mermaid OST Imagined for: Overview of the Creme Republic

This was a bit of a surprise but I figure if Tearcrown gets an overview so does the Republic. The Curse- The Longest Johns Imagined for: A Senior Lord Oyster Cookie I actually just found this and it sounds actually really good for a Lord Oyster going back in memory and realizing everything he did to screw things up. Maybe an older wiser Lord would be cursing himself? Maybe Abalone Cookie? Hmmm Akiisu's Music Box- One Piece OST Imagined for: White Pearl Cookie&Lord Oyster Cookie/ Any Quiet Moment Along with being one of my favourite songs in the One Piece Soundtrack it felt perfect for those sweet quiet moments before everything went so horribly wrong (There's another one I want to recomend but for the life of me I can't find the title sorry) Lullaby for a Princess- Ponyphonic Imagined For: Red Coral & Black Pearl Cookie Okay before y'all scream "EW BRONY!" Calm yer collective chest parts and listen to the song. a Sister lamenting the fall of her sibling into darkness with heavy themes regarding the moon? Sound Familiar? Never Love An Anchor- The Crane Wives Imagined For: Captain Caviar/Lord Oyster& Black Pearl Cookie Okay I ended seeing a picture referencing this song- @artforinfinity you are very smart and I'm sticking the song you referenced in the playlist. It works perfectly for every relationship BPC has with a land cookie and not just for Lord Oyster.

Wading In Deeper- Katzenjammer (WARNING: Song Referencing Un-Aliving proceed at your own risk!) Imagined for: Black Pearl Cookie Frilled Jellyfish Cookie/ the Mermaid Siblings Okay I like going a bit dark. I thought though this song is perfect for all those awful things that turned White Pearl Cookie into the hot tempered sea-queen she is today.

Good Grief there's a lot of Disney in here. Eeeh nothing to worry about I'd say. I think if I add more I'll just reblog at this point

[shortpplfedup]

My School President Episode 1: Chinzhilla Rocks!

I was not planning on watching this show. I was completely uninterested when the pilot trailer aired last year. But then the official trailer had the Love Sick DNA all over it, and as a devotee of Pun and Noh, I was duty bound to check this out.

Dear reader, I love it. As pilot episodes go, this one was absolutely top of my list. It's somehow dethroned the Bad Buddy pilot and the I Told Sunset About You pilot, and it takes a whole lot to do that. This show's got slackers, it's got a ragtag band of misfits, it's got hijinks, it's got pining, it's got charm, it's got heart, it's got singing I don't hate...it's light and fun and enjoyable and it makes me ready to dive into this story.

Gun, the fearless lead singer

I'm a shooting star leaping through the sky like a tiger Defying the laws of gravity I'm a racing car passing by like Lady Godiva I'm gonna go, go, go, there's no stopping me

Queen | Don't Stop Me Now (1978)

This dude cannot back down from a challenge! Gun loves music, yeah, but he also obviously hates to lose. This kid's ready to do whatever it takes to win Hot Wave, and I have a sneaking suspicion that may come from a deeper place than 'must restore our reputation'. This show's clearly meant to be light and fun, but that doesn't mean it won't break my heart at some point, and I am absolutely ready for that to happen.

Tinn, the secret groupie

There goes my baby She knows how to rock and roll She drives me crazy She gives me hot and cold fever She leaves me in a cool, cool sweat

Queen | Crazy Little Thing Called Love (1979)

I am constitutionally obligated to love a piner. It's the law, I don't have a choice. And Tinn is SO smitten, with the staring and the doodles and the secret smiles and the behind the scenes machinations. He's got a big crush, but it's also realistic; Tinn's under no illusions as to Gun's flaws, key among them his stubbornness. Watching Tinn read Gun like a book and then proceed to help him out by leaning into that stubbornness when it helps move things forward...how am I supposed to NOT fall in love with that?

Chinzhilla, the single-braincelled organism known as the band

We are the champions, my friends And we'll keep on fighting till the end We are the champions We are the champions No time for losers 'Cause we are the champions of the world

Queen | We Are The Champions (1977)

Gosh what a loverly bunch of coconuts. A chaotic friend group of good-hearted dumbasses will always make me uncontrollably fond, and these idiots have my fondness levels on 1000. They haven't a clue, but they're teenagers and that's absolutely allowed. They'll figure it out someday, in the meantime they have each other.

Ad Libs

We don't really spend any time with Tinn alone this ep, and I am already DESPERATE to see his side of this story. How the hell did he even end up with such a monster crush on this total slacker? At what point did he realise that he was going to have to continuously save Gun from himself?

Fourth and Gemini are absolutely charming (the busking in the park scene is probably the clearest example of their charms), and the physical acting choices are on point. I love a good Odd Couple dynamic.

The theme song is a catchy-ass little bop.

Gun's mom is so fun I love her.

Prom (Pat) is a little gem and I am watching him closely. Kid might be going places.

Nice to see Au making the leap from AD to director, he seems to be a steady pair of hands so far. He's been sitting at Aof's right hand for a while, so let's see what he's learned.

[mcgnagallsarmy]

Spuffy style Reading Challenge - #23: Monthly Key Word Reading Challenge #2

1st month - Crown, Girl, Whisper, Black, Heart, Guide, All, Ever:

Shot Through the Heart by bookishy [PG-13]

When Buffy finds out an assassin is gunning for her, there's only one place to hide. Unfortunately, the amenities are a little lacking. And her new cryptmate is a little surly, because she may have kind of sort of just gotten him shot. Pay him enough, though, and he won't mind too much, right? Set in the summer between Seasons 4 and 5

2nd month - Please, Might, Return, Shy, Vanish, Book, Ash, Come:

These Miles That Come Between Us by Eurydice [PG-13]

When Buffy intercepts a call from Angel, the last thing she expects is to hear that surprise guests are about to end up on her doorstep.

3rd month - Crimson, Beyond, Friend, Cry, Wait, Six, Run, Woods:

Cry Havoc, and Let Slip Your Heart by Touchstoneaf [Adult Only]

Part 1 of the Something Wicked series.  (S4, between "Something Blue" and "Hush") The Hellions have visited Sunnydale before. Here and there, in twos and threes, looking for a good time. Any hellmouth is a good time, after all. Usually they don’t stay long, since the new Slayer started to get a reputation for making good times go bad. No one wants to play when there’s a sheriff in town. But then word gets around that a vamp with a reputation of his own has joined the Slayer’s camp. That pisses off more than a few boys in the demon world; especially demons with a score to settle and a serious dislike of vamps in general, that one in particular. What’s interesting is… Once the score gets settled, the sheriff gets distracted dealing with the fallout. And all of a sudden, the town’s wide open. Or is it?

4th month - Vicious, Ask, Wind, Found, Circle, Broken, Beneath, Drown:

Beneath the Surface by The Danish Bird [NC-17]

Spike returns a little earlier to find his gem. The mayor decides that shooting Angel with a poison, which only Slayer blood can cure, is simply too risky for his Faith. And suddenly, Buffy finds herself locked up in a strange underground room in the company of her mortal enemy and the vampire who just broke her heart. But maybe it isn’t all bad. Maybe, this way, Angel will see that this idea about leaving for her own good is bad. Right? Spike, he just wants to get out, but if that’s out of the question, well then at least he’s going to try to have some fun! Starts out right after The Prom and before Graduation Day pt.I.

5th month - Dragon, Day, Chain, Another, Thousand, Begin, Stolen, And:

World Dracula Day (That Poncy Bugger) by honeygirl51885 [PG-13]

That bleeding ponce already has a book and a movie, does he really need a sodding holiday?

6th month - Bridge, Everything, Blue, Why, First, Wild, Luck, Tomorrow:

Lucky in Love by honeygirl51885 [PG-13]

Spike and Buffy get to play a game, but they have to cooperate with each other. If they win, they get a wish. If they lose, they die.

7th month - Final, Clock, This, Way, Poison, Summer, Future, Kiss:

and i count the days till the end of summer by othellia [PG-13]

Set Post-S5, Willow never resurrects Buffy from the dead. Spike carries out his promise to watch over Dawn till the end of the world.

8th month - Dangerous, Again, Best, Chase, How, Flower, Date, Together:

Again by MillennialCryBaby [G]

The world was ending and Spike was on her porch ready to fight—again.

9th month - Sign, With, Just, Lies, Grace, Enough, Sleep, Name:

Calling My Name by MillennialCryBaby [PG-13]

Spike's been called a lot of things since he met Buffy.

10th month - Old, After, Take, Shadow, Monster, Haunt, Darkness, Of:

Take Care of the Rest by Cosmic Tuesdays [PG]

Following Never Kill a Boy on the First Date and realizing that funeral homes are a hotbed of vampire activity, Buffy decides to find herself a job at the Sunnydale Cemetery Funeral Home.

11th month - Paris, Hidden, Sparrow, Realm, Two, Fair, Street, Say:

The Hidden Side of Me by MaggieLaFey [NC-17]

It’s been nineteen days since Spike’s sacrifice has saved the world, and Buffy’s trying to keep her emotions at bay while on a mission in the crater of the former Sunnydale, trying to retrieve a certain amulet for Willow. Nothing strange could happen there, since the Hellmouth is closed, right?

12th month - Silver, Wish, Forgotten, Dance, Also, My, Fate, Dream:

Silver and Gold by cawthraven [G]

“It’s our anniversary,” he says with a soft smile that lights him up from within. He never gets mad that she doesn’t remember these little moments. Says that’s what he’s for, to make sure she stops to smell the roses. Which he buys for her, often.

[hunsa-jars]

Favorite animatronic and why??

Oh boy

(I know I promised that i'll post that character tier list, i didn't forget, i swear! It will hopefully be up around christmas if everything goes right)

Chief, honestly, there's no definite favorite

That title is tossed around between four people, them being Golden Freddy, the Puppet, Circus Baby and Ennard

Goldie was my very first favorite, i was so drawn in by their mysteriousness and unsettling presence throughout the first few games, i just wanted to know more. My fondness for them just grew stronger when the Golden Duo theory entered the fandom space, and UCN solidified it even to another level. Even if it's just Cassidy residing in them, their unwavering resolve to punish William for all eternity, never letting him go, having him experience a fraction of what he put them and the other kids through. While never finding peace themselves, because it will never be enough- hhhgh good. Very good. Also i know some people characterize them as selfish because they only cared about revenge, but it never felt like that to me. (Stares in Golden Eyes theory) They cared... i know they did..

(j-gems and MD-PTV's portrayals of them mean everything to me, i could rant about them too all day)

Oh Puppet, my dearly beloved. Not gonna lie, i was lowkey very disturbed by them when i was younger. Can i just start with their design? It's wonderful, peak character design. Gosh... i adore them so terribly. For everything they represent and how they never abandoned the MCI. God dammit, I love Charlie so much too! They're technically the same- Even after making the wrong decision of bringing all the kids back to life and failing (Stares in Candy Cadet five keys story), she stayed by them and still tried to help them however she could. Ghhhgghg the selflessness and protectiveness in this 6 foot + sock monkey, it's killing me- Okay but i'm also so crazy about the fact that Charlie just straight up doesn't resent and fear William anymore, she just wants him to not intervene with her plans, damn (Well... this is only true if UCN is not 100% Cassidy's making, another can of worms, anyways-)

I need her to come back so bad, Steel Wool, where is she-

Everyone is wrong about Baby, Jesus Christ on a boat. She's like.... one of the most crucial characters in the whole franchise! In some cases, miles better than any of the other antagonists. But MAN, did everyone, including the books did her dirty (I know, Silver Eyes is not directly connected to the games, but sadly most fans treated it as such and i think the aftermath really damaged her image for others, goddamn you SE-) Before i lose it let me mention, i love her voice so much, it's such a perfect balance between comforting and unnerving. Oh your honor, THE LAYERS! The layers nobody seems to care about, it's pissing me off. (Mostly) everyone misunderstood her intentions in Pizzeria Simulator and i haven't felt peace since then, no joke- like you would think AT LEAST ONE of the more popular theorists would just say "hey what if she was just pretending to be on William's side to gain his trust and get closer to him" BUT NO?? Because that doesn't make sense after what she did to Michael THINKING he was William, oh my goddd, I'm so sorry Lizzie, I'm sorry that no one gets it- Pizzaria Sim was a nice session of Bang! (the card game), we had our bandits (being Michael, Molten Freddy and Lefty), we had a sheriff (being William) then we had a renegade. The renegade earns the sheriff's trust by acting like they're the deputy, their objective is to be the last one standing, even if it gets the outlaws killed. But they're ultimately on the bandits' side, because their goal is also to kill the sheriff- IT'S LITERALLY HER, GHHHHH. She's so tragic and so wasted away, i feel bad for her but can't forgive her but at the same time understand why she does the things she does and and and

I am SO NORMAL about Ennard, your honor (lie). I would like to blame (thank) j-gems and MD-PTV for the absolute clownery you guys have to witness in the coming weeks or months, they turned the already existing strong fondness into... hm, mind worms. Like holy smokes, j-gems's Ennard, I love that guy, it's making me look stupid. (He makes me crazy i can't stress this enough, he's so fun but still freaking threatening at the same time, man-) With MD-PTV's version, while i prefer separate personality Ennard over the complete hive mind, I really adore the Funtimes' dynamic in there (and how tragic it is that they just want to find peace and rest...... if only it wasn't also Mrs Afton Ballora-) This pile of wires has no business looking as sick as he does, genuinely. Scott COOKED with this design, and I shall be forever grateful. The whole gaslighting body snatcher concept too, it was so good, they had to pass it over to Fazbear Frights AND the Mimic, it's kind of funny. My poor fella is unfortunately so underutilized, like, I love Molten Freddy, i don't want to replace him at this point, BUT GOD ENNARD SHOULD HAVE STAYED THEMSELVES I WILL FOREVER MOURN WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN (not that i don't appreciate the MCI and Charlie both "becoming" bears to oppose the rabbit thematic detail, i could ALMOST forgive them for that). Like seriously, imagine an alternative universe where they actually gave him a personality other than the small characterizations in Help Wanted, that isn't just Baby dominating the body basically, hell- Kellen could have voiced him too, IMAGINE!

(Also i just see so much potential in the separate personality of his character, always viewed him and Baby as the twisted parallels to Goldie and the Puppet, but i'm gonna save that rant for another post)

(Also also i'm a huge fan of fics where him and Michael live together or just put their differences aside to find Will- The beautiful contrast of the serial killer bozo becoming an actual murder machine while the machine learns to become human, we love to see it)

I'm sorry, i could go on but i'm getting real sleepy, hope this isn't too incomprehensible

[ask-teamplayer]

Ronin, how does your magic work? You can move stuff around right?

RONIN: yeah.

RONIN: im what people informally call a "high magic user". so im not exactly the type of guy youll see out in the wild, eheh.

RONIN: we come pretty rare. my family are probably the only people like us in the west coast. i mean, there might be a couple more, but we're pretty scarce. most of us are celebrities or shut ins, one or the other.

RONIN: point is, i tend to freak people out when i use my magic. i dont even think e knows yet and im not prepared to break it to him. hes probably never seen anyone like me before.

RONIN: take what im gonna say about my magic with a grain of salt. im not into that magic sciencey bullshit, what im saying is just my experience and what my aunt told me.

RONIN: eh.

RONIN: my magic is in my gem, i think, but its... funneled? through my eyes. like, if i were to lose my eyes, i wouldnt be able to perform it. but it wouldnt go away.

RONIN: something like blindness wouldnt effect how well i could use it, but nerve damage would, i think. im pretty sure cataracts would fuck things up too, which i hear is kind of common for people like me in old age. dont take my word on that.

RONIN: so while i gesture a lot to keep a reign on my magic, i dont actually need to move at all. its all through the mind. i just tend to use my paws because it helps me visualize, which is important for control, and it looks better than me just being like 🧍. hehehehe.

RONIN: ok. because i have higher concentration, it tends to fly off when im angry, i think. i notice lights flicker a lot and people tend to feel kind of... goosebumps? tremors? they can kind of feel it in the air when that happens. i dont really know whats happening there or if its linked to electricity, or if its just me putting pressure on things subconsciously.

RONIN: thats kind of what my powers are, i think. its an extra hand. i can push and pull but i have problems like... squeezing. so i wouldnt be able to type on a keyboard very well without staring at it, because i would have to grab and move each individual key. i can just use my paws for that.

RONIN: basically, the way it works, er... it feels like, hm. i put focus on something, like with a spark of magic, and then i expand the radius? i guess? i can grab the entirety of small objects, but its more like dragging other things. like my magic can only grab someones wrist, but not their whole body. its not as effective.

RONIN: the bigger the radius, the more headache inducing. i could build a tolerance, but magic migraines are the fucking worst. theyre unbearable and not worth the stress. i think if i built an ibuprofen tolerance i would actually kill myself in public.

RONIN: and i can grab myself, if youre wondering. technically i could fly if i built up enough tolerance, but thatd take work. i already cant pick up most people, other than small children and like... f. i can pick up f. hes small.

RONIN: another thing about espeon powers, we can kind of... track? things. like when i close my eyes, i can see the energy levels of... things around me. if something radiates heat it picks up, and usually i can pick up on if people are panicking like that. i can move in a blindfold perfectly well. thats an ability we all have, actually. a lot of blind people become espeons for that reason.

RONIN: for most its only their immediate area, but if i wanted to i could track everyone in the school. i mean, i wouldnt be able to know whos who, but if i wanted to i could see how many people were in the office, or outside, or if theres a fight going on, or if someones having a panic attack somewhere.

RONIN: though it does hurt my head.

RONIN: my magic hurts my head.

[sankirtan]

(via Consolidating The Experiences of Hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam | Q & A | HG Vaiśeṣika Dāsa | 12 Nov 2024 - YouTube)

**Consolidating the Experiences of Hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam** *by HG Vaiśeṣika Dāsa* One of the most powerful, transformative practices in devotional life is the experience of hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. I’ve spoken on this before, but today I want to reflect on how we can effectively consolidate these experiences so that they become deeply ingrained in our lives. Often, we take in so much wisdom, so many realizations, that it can feel overwhelming, as if we’re losing valuable points we’re trying to capture. But there’s a process to help us absorb, integrate, and live what we’ve learned without becoming anxious over it. In previous years, I used to take meticulous notes, diligently writing down every point, every insight, as if trying to hold on to every gem of wisdom I heard. In fact, one of my dear friends, Suia Prabhu, would go through an arduous process just to help me organize these notes. But even with all the effort, I found myself anxious, fearful that I might lose or miss something essential. It felt as if all my thousands of pages of notes would never actually translate into the life transformation I was seeking. Yet, over time, my understanding of consolidation has evolved. I’ve come to realize that much of what we hear in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam automatically settles into our consciousness. It happens gradually, almost imperceptibly, but with time, it’s as if the teachings radiate into our lives, affecting us deeply. Like radiation, the process of hearing transforms us from within, whether we realize it or not. We don’t need to chase down every point, worried we’re missing something. The knowledge is dynamic and active within us, orchestrated by Kṛṣṇa, who perfectly places each insight in the right spot in our hearts. Our responsibility, then, is not to control or capture every piece of knowledge but to listen with openness and eagerness, faithfully absorbing whatever we can. By simply being present, listening, and not resisting or running away from the teachings, we allow Kṛṣṇa to arrange everything perfectly within us. As we carry on with our lives, we find that nothing is lost. Everything we’ve heard is already within us, ready to emerge when we need it, often in ways we might not expect. I recently experienced this while visiting a friend. We were engaged in a deep conversation about devotional life, and suddenly, references from the Bhāgavatam started surfacing in my speech. Verses and insights I hadn’t consciously recalled began to flow naturally into the dialogue. This spontaneous expression reassured me that the Bhāgavatam’s teachings had indeed taken root, affecting my consciousness in ways beyond my immediate perception. It’s a subtle transformation, but one that becomes evident when the teachings emerge practically in our thoughts, words, and actions. This transformative process can be likened to caring for the body. When we adjust our diet or improve our sleep, we observe the body’s automatic response, finely tuning itself to these changes. Similarly, the act of hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam tunes our mind and heart. The mind, the subtle body, and even our internal motivations begin to respond and recalibrate by Kṛṣṇa’s mercy. It’s a process guided by the divine, far beyond our limited control or understanding. A helpful analogy comes from Lord Kapila’s teachings on bhakti-yoga, where he describes how the process of bhakti transforms the subtle body just as food in the stomach nourishes the body. We don’t consciously direct the nutrients to each cell; it happens naturally. When we practice bhakti, particularly hearing and chanting, our subtle body – our mind and heart – are nourished and transformed. Old urges and limitations fade, replaced by fresh perspectives and purer desires. Over time, our worldview shifts, our relationships change, and our interactions with others reflect a new level of spiritual consciousness. The key, then, is faithful hearing, allowing the teachings to work within us at their own pace. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is a living scripture, and when we approach it with sincerity, we find ourselves changed. We might not notice every detail immediately, but the effect of hearing is cumulative and profound. The transformation takes place organically, and with patience and faith, we’ll see how beautifully consolidated these teachings become in our lives.

[scrapesaladofficial]

Automate Your Blog with AI: Step By Step Guide for 2024

Most bloggers are burnt out. They find themselves on a hamster wheel trying to post consistent, high-quality content. But a smart few have found a better way. They’re using AI to automate their blog content creation and posting – without the stress of doing it all themselves. This article will show you a complete blog automation process you can run on autopilot. The result? Content creation and publishing becomes as easy as pressing a few buttons. The 3 Key Steps to Blog Automation Here are the steps to follow to set up your blog automation. 1. Set Up Automation Tools Let’s kick things off with setting up your automation tools. I’m using Make.com, a powerhouse no-code platform that will be the backbone of your automation strategy. First, head over to make.com and create an account. Once you’re in, take a little time to explore the interface. It might initially seem overwhelming, but I promise it’ll soon become easier. As you navigate the platform, you’ll encounter terms like “scenarios,” “modules,” and “connections.” These are the building blocks of your automation journey. Think of: - scenarios as your master plans - modules as the individual tasks within those plans - connections as the bridges between different tools. Speaking of connections, we will connect make.com with many other tools that will make your blog automation possible. First up is Airtable—a tool for storing and managing all your data. Next, we’ve got Claude AI and OpenAI, your content generation powerhouses. Claude AI helps with writing, while OpenAI will be your image prompt wizard. Don’t forget about good old Google Docs. It’ll be your content’s home before it goes live. And if you’re using WordPress, we’ll connect that too for seamless publishing. Setting up these connections might take a little time – but it’s worth it. Each connection you make is like adding another superpower to your automation arsenal. Remember, the goal here is to create a smooth, efficient workflow. So take your time, play around with the connections, and don’t be afraid to experiment. 2. Developing Your Keyword Strategy Now that our automation tools are set up, it’s time to consider keywords. Let’s start with some keyword generation. Sometimes you wish you had a magic wand to conjure up the perfect keywords, right? Well, we’ve got the next best thing—AI tools! We will use my AI Niche Hunter to do the heavy lifting. Here’s how it works: you feed this generator your main niche. In return, it will spit out a treasure trove of sub-niches and keyword ideas. Once you’ve got your list, take some time to explore the suggested sub-niches and analyze the keyword lists. Here’s a pro tip: don’t spread yourself too thin (this tool can make it easy to lose focus). Instead of tackling every keyword, focus on one sub-niche with about 10-20 keywords. Think of it as your content sweet spot. When choosing your sub-niche, consider two things: - Can you make money from it (because, let’s face it, we all need to eat), and - Does it align with your interests or expertise? Creating content about something you’re passionate about (and that’s monetizable) makes the whole process a lot more enjoyable. Here’s where it gets interesting. We’re going to mix things up with both informational and transactional keywords. Think of it as a content cocktail—75% informational (the “how to” stuff) and 25% transactional (the “best product” type). This blend keeps your content helpful and potentially profitable. Before you start writing, you can take an extra step to ensure these keywords are worth your time. This is where tools like Ahrefs come in handy. We’ll use this tool to check search volume and keyword difficulty. We’re looking for those hidden gems with decent search volume but aren’t too competitive. As you’re doing your keyword research, consider this. Sometimes, the road less traveled is the best one. Instead of trying to compete in oversaturated markets like business or finance, why not explore some niche hobbies or specialized interests? Finding these niches with less competition (but still plenty of potential customers) can be a goldmine. Lastly, let’s talk about organizing your content. Think of your sub-niche as a tree, with 5-6 main branches (your content pillars) and 3-4 smaller twigs growing from each branch (your subtopics). This structure ensures you cover all aspects of your niche, from products and techniques to care and maintenance. And there you have it! Your very own, tailor-made keyword strategy. It might seem like a lot of work upfront. However, this foundation will make your content creation process as smooth as possible. 3. Setting Up Your Automation Workflow Let’s get back to the automation I’m setting up. Head over to make.com and create a new scenario. Now, add a webhook module as your trigger. This little guy is going to be the one who says “Go!” every time we want to create a new piece of content. When you create a webhook, you’ll get a web address that you’ll use to make your “calls”. This will tell the automation system that things are ready to get moving. Next up, we’re bringing in our trusty sidekick, Airtable. Remember all those juicy keywords we collected earlier? Well, Airtable is going to be their new home. Create a (data)base in Airtable with fields for your keywords. Then, connect Airtable to make.com and set up a module to fetch your keyword data. This connection means your Make.com workflow will always know which keyword you’re working on. Now add a Claude AI module to your make.com scenario. This is where we’ll generate our article outlines. Configuring the AI prompt is a bit like training a puppy. It might take a few tries to get it right, but once you do, it’ll be your best friend. Don’t be afraid to test and refine your prompt until you get outlines that make you go “Wow!” In our Claude prompt, we ask it to produce data in a specific format called JSON. JSON (which stands for JavaScript Object Notation) is a structured way of returning data. Why do I use this structure? I want data to be returned to me the same way every single time. This makes it easy to work with this data without errors popping up. Here’s the thing – Claude will give us a long string. We need a way to convert that long string into individual JSON items. And that’s where our JSON parser comes in. Add this module and configure it to structure your outline data. It’s like translating your outline into a language all your other tools can understand. Here are the different sections of the article: And here’s the outline for the main contents: Now, let’s write that article! Here, you’ll craft a prompt that uses your outline to create full-length content. And here’s a pro tip: include instructions for maintaining a conversational tone. We want our articles to sound like a human, not a robot, wrote them! But what’s an article without a picture? Next, let’s add some visual flair with OpenAI. Add an OpenAI module to your scenario and configure it to generate image prompts. It’s like having a creative director on your team, coming up with cool image ideas for your articles. Once you have your image prompt, it’s time to bring it to life. Configure the settings to your liking – think size, style, and the works. And don’t forget to store that image URL—we’ll need it later! Here’s what the image generator produced: Don’t like the image? There are many ways to improve your prompt to get different image styles. Now, let’s get that content ready for prime time. Add a “markdown to HTML” converter module. Since we’re creating a Google document, we’ll need to change the article format to one that plays nicely with this software. Next, add a module to create a new Google Doc (so you can insert the generated article and the image). This is where your content will live before it goes live on your blog. We’re almost there! Let’s update Airtable with all our hard work. Add an Airtable update module to your scenario. This will track which articles you’ve created and where they’re stored. And finally, it’s time to publish to WordPress. We will keep the article in drafts so that a human can review its content before posting. And guess what? You’ve just set up an entire content creation factory! With this workflow, you can churn out high-quality, SEO-optimized content faster than ever. What Happens After This Workflow? Alright, we’ve got our content creation machine humming along nicely. But here’s the thing—we’re not trying to build an army of robot writers. We want to create content that resonates with real people. So, let’s roll up our sleeves and add that all-important human touch to our AI-generated content. First, put on your editor’s hat and give that AI-generated article a thorough once-over. Read it from start to finish, just like your readers would. As you’re reading, look out for a few key things: - Is everything factually correct? - Does the article flow smoothly from one point to the next? - And most importantly, does it sound like something a real person (i.e., you) would write? This is your chance to sprinkle in your expertise. Do you have any personal stories that relate to the topic? Throw ’em in there! Have you worked on projects or case studies that illustrate your points? Share those experiences! Your readers aren’t just looking for information—they’re looking for your unique perspective. This is also your opportunity to showcase your industry know-how. What insights can you offer that someone couldn’t just Google? Maybe you’ve got some predictions about where your industry is heading. Perhaps you’ve got a controversial opinion on a popular trend. Don’t be afraid to let your expertise shine through! Next, ensure your content is as engaging as a fireside chat with a good friend. Vary your sentence structure—mix short, punchy sentences with longer, more detailed ones. It’s like creating a rhythm in your writing. Remember to add those little transitional phrases that help your ideas flow smoothly from one to the next. Also, ask a rhetorical question now and then. It’s like you’re having a conversation with your reader. “Want to know the best part?” or “Sounds too good to be true, right?” These little questions keep your readers on their toes and make them feel involved in the discussion. Conclusion You’ve just learned how to automate your blog posting. Using the right tools saves time, reduces stress, and keeps your blog running smoothly. Now, you can focus on creating great content and growing your audience. Finally, remember that automation is a tool, not a replacement. Use it to handle the tasks that take up too much of your time. Then, pour your energy into the creative parts that make your blog unique. Read the full article

[duskylory11]

Nature's Sweet Treasures: Indulging in Dry Fruits During the Rainy Season

Hey there, fellow fruit lovers! Can you hear the pitter-patter of raindrops outside? Ah, the rainy season is upon us, and what better way to embrace it than by indulging in some delicious dry fruits? Picture this: you're curled up on the couch, a warm blanket draped over you, and a cozy "Dry Fruit Tray" filled with nature's sweet and nutritious treasures within arm's reach. Sounds like the perfect way to spend a rainy day, doesn't it?

Now, you might be wondering, "Why dry fruits during the rainy season?" Well, let me tell you, my friend, these little morsels pack a powerful punch when it comes to boosting your immunity and overall health. With the change in weather and the increased risk of catching colds and flu, it's crucial to fortify your body with the right nutrients.

One of the best things about dry fruits is their incredible shelf life. Unlike fresh fruits that can spoil quickly, dry fruits can be stored for extended periods without losing their nutritional value or flavor. This makes them an excellent choice for rainy days when venturing out to the grocery store might not be the most appealing idea.

Let's talk about some of the dry fruit superstars that should grace your tray during this season. First up, we have the king of dry fruits – almonds. These nutty wonders are loaded with vitamin E, which is an excellent antioxidant that helps strengthen your immune system. They're also a great source of healthy fats, protein, and fiber, making them a perfect snack to keep you feeling full and satisfied.

Next on the list are those chewy, sweet delights – dates. Not only are they a natural energy booster, but they're also rich in minerals like potassium, magnesium, and iron. These little nuggets of goodness can help regulate your blood pressure, improve digestion, and even enhance bone health.

Moving on, let's not forget about the humble raisins. These wrinkly gems are packed with antioxidants and fiber, making them an excellent choice for maintaining a healthy digestive system. Plus, they're a fantastic addition to your morning oatmeal or yogurt, adding a burst of natural sweetness without any guilt.

And how can we talk about dry fruits without mentioning the vibrant and exotic apricots? These orange beauties are a powerhouse of vitamin A, which is essential for maintaining healthy eyes, skin, and a robust immune system. They're also a great source of fiber, helping you feel fuller for longer and promoting regular bowel movements.

But wait, there's more! Let's not forget about the crunchy pecans, the tangy cranberries, and the sweet and chewy figs. Each of these dry fruits offers its own unique set of health benefits, making your "Dry Fruit Tray" a veritable treasure trove of nutrients.

Now, I know what you might be thinking, "Won't all these dry fruits be too high in calories and sugar?" Fear not, my friend! While dry fruits are indeed calorie-dense, they're also incredibly nutrient-dense, meaning you get a whole lot of bang for your nutritional buck. The key is to practice moderation and portion control.

So, the next time the rain starts pouring down, embrace the cozy vibes and treat yourself to a delightful "Dry Fruit Tray." Not only will you be indulging in nature's sweet and delicious treats, but you'll also be giving your body a much-needed boost of essential nutrients to keep you healthy and energized throughout the rainy season.