#this is how they make fancy coins btw

[marginal-notes]

Okay, what you do is get a block of wax. Then you get a brush hooked up to a cartridge that lets out ink at a steady pace. Clip that brush to a metal arm with a pick at the other end. Every move you make with the brush is copied by the pick at the other end of the stiff arm. Push the block of wax under the pick. Place your seal paper under your brush. Draw out your seal while the pick copies your movements in the wax (idk, there’s gotta be some balance between softness and thickness so it can still carve a shallow line when you lift the brush). Harden the wax or transfer the imprint to a metal copy.

Set up a new arm with a roller ball instead of the pick. Follow the imprint saved in the wax/metal with your brush on a fresh sheet of seal paper.

Mass copy seals.

[idwl]

how to add gradients to your symbols for ur flags! another shitty tutorial by idwl 💜 this is meant for ibis paint, but there might be similar ways to pull it off in other programs!

theres step by step instructions, as well as a video at the end in case my explanations are confusing ^_^ i hope this is able to help

btw im using a hastily made example flag, sorry if it looks shitty. anyways ok so step 1: have your symbol on a separate layer

then add a layer above that, and clip it to the layer below. i circled the clipping button for those who might not know where it is. it just makes it so everything on this layer only appears on the pixels of the one below it

then youre going to exit out and go to filters, and then go to draw. youre going to select parallel gradation

when you select parallel gradation youre going to see a bunch of fancy shit. dont worry its not actually that confusing, ibis paint is just pompous with its ui. keep all of the sliders the same; what youre going to focus on is the scale with colors. these babies. the diamonds

now, youre going to double tap the diamonds and change them to the color you want. im using the same colors as the top and bottom stripes for this flag. you can also add more colors by tapping anywhere on the scale. when youre done fiddling with the colors, press the checkmark.

it should look like this now. but like, your version of what i did

"idwl, that doesnt look very gradiented! this is shit!" shshhsshhh. shhh. shut up. im not done. be quiet.

so what youre going to do next is youre going to open the layers back up and hit this little weird cross button.

thats our friend, the transform tool. it can do all kinds of weird wacky shit. right now, youre gonna make it your bitch. open it up

when you open it, again, do not be afraid. ibis just has a pompous ui. ignore all of the other sliders and head straight for zoom, and slide it down until the blue lines meet the symbol. now, the colors should look like this.

and if you want to be more precise...

you can change it to perspective form, so you can fine tune it yourself. dots will appear, and you can stretch them and move them. move the top and bottom dots until they meet your symbol.

heres a video of me doing all of that, if my steps were hsrd to follow

"idwl what if i dont want an up and down gradient :(" remember the sliders from earlier. theres a slider for you to change the angle 👍🏻

be free internet dwellers. be free. make flags

; tagging . . @radiomogai; @noxwithoutstars; @daybreakthing; @flutteringwings-coining; @rwuffles;

@scr-ppup; @smilepilled; @floraeth; @the-astropaws; @somniabyte

[pinkiemachine]

Hi, it's me again, I'm sorry if I'm already boring you with my questions, I just have so many of them.

I would like to know how the Bat Cave and the Fortress of Solitude will be shown in your projects?

Will we see a giant penny coin, a tyrannosaurus rex, a huge joker card, showcases with weapons and armor of enemies and many other interesting things?

Interesting question… 🤔

Now, I wish I could just draw both locations for you and let those pictures speak for themselves, but sadly, I am not a background artist 🥲 so I will do my best to roughly explain what I had conjured up in my big brain.

The Batcave was once a simple, ordinary cave underneath Wayne Manor used briefly as a part of the Underground Railroad just before and during the American Civil war. Bruce began to retro fit it, and over the many years he would be Batman, it would gradually become more and more high-tech, and more and more filled with momentos from his capers, such as the giant penny and T-Rex. Yes, there will be an armoury, and lots and lots of fancy gadgets. Btw, I really want to solidify exactly what it is Bruce has in his utility belt at all times and keep track throughout the series. I want there to be a steady progression of tools and how well they work. I don’t ever want Bruce to just magically pull out exactly what he happens to need on the spot with no warning.

The Fortress of Solitude will be interesting. Due to the nature of Krypton being a cold, icy planet (for the most part) I figured that Krpytonian technology should be entirely based around the Crystal. So anything they make—hologram projectors, spaceships, medical bays—all of them will look crystalline. Including Jor-El’s ship which Clark hides in the North Pole. It starts out small at first, being one ship and all, but Crystal Tech has the added bonus of being able to grow. Using the recorded tapes and the A.I. Jor-El, Clark was able to figure out how to construct several things—like a Kryptonian medical bay—using just the supplies on board. Over time, the Fortress would grow and become a safe refuge for the great Superman.

Does that answer your question? :)

[bloodfail]

i like thinking of and writing down little post-game scenarios and i wanted to post them somewhere so why not my blog literally dedicated to my oc. this one came to me while i was reading a book ab the harpers, most of it taking place in waterdeep (elfsong by elaine cunningham btw). neither morgan or astarion are harpers but i figure jaheira sometimes utilises them for harper business (since she trusts them and they travel around a lot). at least until she realises that they aren't very good at it. this scene is long before such a realisation.

_______________________________________________________

“Some spoils for you, my lord.” Astarion empties the pouch and coins fall out on the desk, along with a modest silver chain and an ugly brooch. Morgan gives a mock applause. “You missed a spot”, she says and rubs her thumb at the speck of blood near the corner of his mouth, despite him trying to stop her.

“Alright, alright”, he sighs, swatting her hand away. “Enough now.” “Why so moody? Was the hunt not to your satisfaction?”, Morgan asks, dragging out the desk chair and sitting down to sort through the meagre loot. “He didn’t taste so good, that’s all… Weirdly acidic”, Astarion says, leaning his shoulder against the wall and observing her. “Put aside four silver for a bath. You need it.” “And you don’t?” “Not as desperately, no.” She shakes her head, but makes a neat stack out of ten copper pieces and three silver. “We’ve already paid one gold piece for this room. Four silver is too much for a bath. See, this is why I despise Waterdeep.” “Oh please, you did not despise it when we spent hours in that horrific tavern. You said the taverns in Baldur’s gate were, and I quote, ‘dull and uninspired’.” “I thought you liked the Underdark.” “I never said I liked the Underdark, and I especially do not like a poor mimicry of it. And besides, the actual underdark doesn’t stink of piss. What?” Morgan is staring at him, and her expression is too horrified to be about his mockery of a themed tavern. She is holding up the brooch. It is shaped like a goat’s head, made out of tin with eyes made of yellow glass. Nothing fancy. He almost didn’t take it, but he figured Morgan might like it.

Apparently not. “Was this victim of yours wearing this?”, she asks unnecessarily. “No, I also had time to do some grave robbery and there it was. Of course he was wearing it!” She looks at him as if he’s made a terrible mistake. “And I suppose you didn’t read the missive Jaheira gave us?” “Well no, you were so adamant that we go to that tavern that I simply couldn’t find the time”, he sneers. “Why?” “I think you killed our informant.” Astarion pauses, searching her face for a sign of a facade. “You’re trying to fool me”, he nonchalantly says. “No, I’m not. It said he’d be wearing a brooch just like this one.”

Morgan reaches into the pouch in her belt and pulls out a crumpled up paper. Without smoothing it out she thrusts it into his hand and for a moment they stand in awkward silence while he reads. He doesn't have to read far before the goat is mentioned. He crumples the paper back up.

"Gods", he says. Morgan sullenly throws the brooch on the table. It bounces into the copper piece stack, some coins sliding off the desk and clattering down on the floor.

“Why didn’t you tell me?", Astarion says.

“How was I supposed to know he was prowling the streets at night?”, she snaps, well aware that he's trying to avoid taking the blame.

“The missive didn’t specify he was a mediocre robber?”

“Read the rest. It just said he was going to report about some attempts at forming a thieves’ guild.”

”I’d say thieves’ guild and prowling at night goes hand in hand, wouldn’t you?”

Morgan makes an exasperated gesture.

 ”I guess, but isn’t it a little sad that he didn’t have better things to do than attacking fake noblemen? Or did you go for a challenge because you were bored again?”

Astarion raises his hands in defense. “He looked and acted like an amateur if you ask me.”

Morgan sighs and rubs her face. “You hid the body right?”

“Do you think I’m stupid?”

“Alright, I suppose we’ll just tell Jaheira he never showed up. People like him disappear and die all the time, right?”

“Yes”, Astarion agrees. “And if he is ratting out the seedy underbelly of Waterdeep to the Harpers he’s bound to have enemies. I don’t think we need to worry.”

“Right.” Morgan sighs again, but this time it sounds more like it is from relief. She slumps back in the chair and lets her head fall back, closing her eyes.

“But Jaheira will kill us”, she mumbles. Astarion shrugs. "It wouldn't be the first time she tried." "No, but maybe the first time she actually does it." Morgan picks up the brooch again, holding it up to the candlelight and watching as the fire reflects through the glass eyes.

“I suppose we have to get rid of this”, she sighs. “A shame, I really like it.”

“I knew you would, dear. Don’t worry, I can probably find you an equally ugly brooch.”

“Don’t pretend you’re not a little relieved that you don’t have to be seen with me wearing it.”

“Of all the things you wear, this would probably be the least of my concerns.”

She grins and fastens it to her harlequin-patterned doublet. “I’ll wear it to bed then. Just for you.”

[slimylittlemaggot]

Btw I bought the big dlc thing for hitman with all the things so now I can get hit items like:

The gun that makes you need to poop

The grenade that makes you need to poop

Gold bar

Bomb that explodes when near someone holding a special coin

A kickass green hoodie that's really fancy

Crossbow that flashbangs you if a dart it shoots hits you but it only affects whoever it hits somehow

A SMG made out of actual literal garbage

Cane that summons coins

And finally, a sniper that is kinda sorta ok debatably but also looks absolutely amazing so who cares about effectiveness

Only three of these are actually used by pros. The rest are next to useless

Guess which three

(suit and sniper are disqualified for either just being a outfit or being a silenced sniper. Those are good but also not what I mean)

Wait a second, what exactly was that first one?? Did I misread that??? How????

[elizabethplaid]

A quick list of (free) yarn patterns

Trying to gather stuff to make for the craft fair, or at least plush patterns to try. I am aiming for knits, as crochet hurts my hands a bit more; seems like most of 'em are crochet, though.

Anything I've already tried, I'll mark in bold. And these are just links to @agalmacoppelia posts, so you gotta click through to get to the patterns themselves.

Of the projects in this image, I'm only willing to make another bikini cat, aka Cat Days of Summer by Gabrielle Ryan

I can't upload the individual pic of that cat, so you get a group shot.

non-plush

c - DIY Pretty Coasters by Maize Hutton

c - Lemon Crochet purse by spookydonuts

k - Baker Street Scarf on knitty

k - Hespera cowl - on knitty

misc plush

k - Grumpasaurus by JustCraftyEnough

c - baby dragon by Rainbow Reverie

c - Amigurumi mouse cat toy by Lion Brand Yarn

c - Teeny Tiny Lobsters pattern by Maggie Menzel

c - DIY Little Snails by Natas Nest

plush cats

c - Cat Days of Summer by Gabrielle Ryan

c - Three Fat Cats by Sara Lyons

k - Cat knitting pattern by Natural Suburbia

c - Sleepy Kitty draft dodger by Lion Brand Yarn

c - Amigurumi cat (rectangle) by Lion Brand Yarn

k - Parlor Cat Pattern by Sara Elizabeth Kellner

plush owls/birds

c - Austin Owl Amigurumi by Allison Hoffman

c - cute amigurumi owl by fukuroucrafts

c - Mr. Murasaki owl by Craft Passion

k - Autumn Wreath, owl - by Lion Brand Yarn

========== There were def more in the archive. Some of the owls looked derpy. Others looked too complex for the task. There were some stitch motifs and patterns that would make for nice (non-hooded) cowls or scarves. Didn't mark those, though.

I've already talked plenty about the scarf and cowl. They're such good patterns, and I really love wearing the cowl.

Regarding the crocheted lemon purse, I want to adapt that motif to make coasters. If I get ~fancy~, I'd make a little coin purse out of 'em, complete with zipper. There's a watermelon slice version, btw. Could probably poke a hole with scissors, rather than using that specialized too.

I have already made (or partially made) multiple cat-toy mice. It's such a great pattern; very small and quick. Bikini cat is another fav, though I haven't made new ones yet. No buttons on those, though. Just embroidered faces.

As for the other bolded patterns, I am only willing to subject myself to the mini lobsters. Solely because I'm in Maine, and lobsters are A Thing (TM). The snails weren't that much fun, but neither were the lobsters. Grumpasaurus is cute, but I still haven't finished sewing mine together, and he's been "done" for years. (Might need to knit the tail still, but the limbs are done.)

I also have this long-legged cat thing I've made. Here's how he looked while still in-progress, in 2014. He needs a face, still.

So yeah, that's all I've got for now.

[nulltune]

plots please maybe?

plots please,  open !    @resolutepath  ♡

SCRATCHES OUT THAT MAYBE BECAUSE CHAAARLIEE i'm always down for plots with u!!! ❤️❤️ you're always providing be with such great ideas so it's about time i get 2 return the favor!! >:3c

i am not up 2 date with genshin at all but i stare respectfully at your genshin muses always (me always learning more abt them thru ur portrayals and just absolutely loving it 🤧💖) and I RLLY ENJOYED READING YOUR HC POST ABT FREMINET WAHHH it made me wanna interact with him so bad!!! and also pat his head but i think that'd make him feel comfortable so i shall refrain u_u🙏 i think they both struggle with expressing their feelings and while freminet has the ocean hakuno has nothing- so methinks she'd be really curious about that! i read from the wiki that many people would ask freminet if he could do things for em so how would he react to someone who's just genuinely interested to know about his feeling about diving? 🤔 and i know absolutely want to explore emotions with them because i see some bits about freminet wanting(?) to be like an unfeeling machine and that'd be interesting to explore with hakuno who's more of the opposite- she wants to be more emotional and more human. add in their reasons for being like this and i just think it'd be really neat to explore!!

i've seen some stuff abt lyney and 👀✨️ (BASSBOOTED) CHARLIE AND LYNN BACK AT IT AGAIN WITH EXPLORING IDENTITY ?! listen i saw his line about the "real me" and i went So Bonkers. the one who knows his true self but can't express that and the one who doesn't know herself but wants to find it??? idk i feel like there's sooo much to unpack there and i am extremely intrigued!!!! on a lighter note though! wow lyney pls show this moon lady your magic tricks because i just think she would be so fascinated by it! 😳✨️✨️ it doesn't have to be anything fancy either! he could just take a coin from her ear and she'd be like O_O How Did You Do That. her expression is stoic but i feel like he could see her eyes all sparkly like ooh... ✨✨✨

thiis is gonna sound kinda wild but i want hu tao and hakuno to talk abt death!! :D SVJCJWFN HEAR ME OUT- hakuno's someone who very strongly does not want to die (even though she has no reason to live either </3) so interacting with a funeral director? it could be rlly neat! hakuno's living status is Weird(TM) but i think it'd rlly help her to understand that it's how you spend your life which is important- and that she should live it to the fullest! hakuno tends to be on guard and serious all the time so being around someone as playful as hu tao could really help methinks! 🥺 and for how calm and reserved she is, hakuno's got a pretty mischievous side so her pulling a (hak)uno reverse card and pranking hu tao for a change? very possible! and it'd when she least expects it too ✨️

charlie you were so gigabrained about bringing up bosacius btw... it'd be super interesting to see em interact with someone in the same boat and i especially wanna know their differences when it comes to this!!! i'm also peeking at your misc hcs for him and first of all I LOVE HIM 😭😭🫶🙏💖💞 ( and second of all- i love the difference in vibes?? temperaments?? whatever you call it!! bosacius having those naturally welcoming presence and hakuno just being so aware that she is not like that at all. for all her efforts to do so, she really struggles in making that personal connection with others and always feels isolated on some level so :,) i just wanted to say thaaat </3 there might be some comparisons that she unintentionally makes between em methinks, and she'd definitely admire him in a way + think he's much better than her 🥹✨️

i'm staring at kai and his genshinverse (but i'm also down with exploring other verses too >:3c) because as the darknight hero's no. 1 fan i need hakuno to somehow stumble on him fighting and seeing the similarities between his fighting style and diluc's!! and from there i really want em to talk about why they fight ??? hakuno only does it when necessary and she doesn't care about strength and all that- she really only fights out of self-defense/self-preservation or to protect something and idk i feel like that difference in attitude also reflects their approach to interpersonal relationships 🤔🤔 idk but i just think it'd be pretty interesting 2 explore! and ough man i just think if she someday found out about his past and upbringing then 💔💔 IT'S GONNA HURT and hakuno would have a lot of Thoughts(TM)

i also want to talk about elio real quick because i adore their interactions so far and i just think the concept of fate or destiny in general would be real interesting to explore with these two!! elio being like a slave to destiny has me all 👁👁✨️ and it definitely seems like a heavy weight to carry?? i can't even begin 2 imagine it 🤯  but i want to know more abt it!!! hakuno def would be curious too ! and like- her whole character is about identity and the free will to be who you are so i think she'd definitely wonder- if everything is predetermined then what's the point of making choices? definitely would be lots of mixed feelings abt that concept! on a sillier note, if hakuno finds out that elio has a black cat form then she would be 👁👁✨️ Especially Intrigued (<- cat luvr)

i read lynx's line about how "In the Landau family, things are quite simple: If you want to do something, just go ahead and do it." and the hakuno muse just went what i want to do... do i even have something like that....? 🧍‍♂️🧍‍♂️hakuno does have a tendency to overthink things though, so i think that kind of simpler way of thinking could be pretty good for her mayhaps! also maybe have em talk about socialization because hakuno would think that "aren't all socialization necessary..?" (<- girl who really wants to properly interact and connect with others) alsoo methinks hakuno would def ask lynx for some wilderness survival tips!! 🫡🫡✨️✨️ i think she'd be interested in seeing in exploring more of the world and it definitely won't hurt to be better at surviving! and imagine them exploring the snow plains together 🥺 could be fun methinks!!

also this is getting pretty long already BUT I JUST GOTTA SAY- i rewatched bnha recently so i'm staring respectfully at them 🥺✨️ big yes to the ideas from your post from a while back (ALWAYS BIG YES TO ALL DA PLOTS WE'VE TALKED ABT OKOK 🫶 I ADORE EMM) and i'm grabby hands at kirishima in particular just bc he is so your brand methinks!!! i think they both have issues with self-confidence and deal with it by doing their best to help others ..... idk just yet but i think that'd be p neat to explore!!!

[arttsuka]

Hi! I saw your post about a platonic date. It's probably too parasocial of me, but I'd like to take you on a platonic date!!

I think we are in different countries so a lot of stuff is probably different but hmmm.... Id probably start by having us go to a cafe? You seem like you'd enjoy a really small quiet cafe. I used to have one down the street and every dish they used was like a unique vintage one, it was so cute! And they had good pastries.

Then if the weather is nice, maybe we go on a picnic in the park? And bring our sketchbooks and doodle? We could have premade some sandwiches. Maybe we went to the store and bought some fancy stuff to put on the sandwich you wouldn't normally buy. Like caviar or something crazy lol. Or maybe we just do the classic cute fruit and whipped cream sammies that you see on Pinterest. Lol that's probably a lil silly. Idk lol the vibe would just be to celebrate being alive and being friends. So we're just trying to keep it low-key and do something fun.

If the weather was bad (it's rainy as hell here), I guess we'd just spend the time indoors? It would be fun I think to maybe do something silly like make a pillowfort and watch TV. You could show me squid games season 2 and talk about toxic yaoi lol or maybe I'd have you watch some of my fav Star Trek next gen episodes to see if you like them as much as the OG series.

Id probably leave you with a gift of chocolate and tea bc everyone needs that and then go home I guess lol.

Idk that's all probably v silly. I hope it came across as cute and not weird???? Idk I like taking people on platonic dates is a lot of fun and I really like your blog and we've chatted a few times in the replies and rhisjridjshdje I know this is super parasocial of me, but idk I hope it made you smile a little?

Idk just know if I knew you irl we'd be friend and idk how weird and awkward u are bc I'm weird and awkward too lol.

Anyway, happy Valentine's Day and I hope you have a good day!

Giggling and kicking my feet this is so cute

Sure let's roleplay a platonic date :)

We're definitely in different countries but that's ok, internet magic. You can talk to people across the world (mind blowing if you really think about it)

We don't really have a working park here where you can sit with blankets for a picnic etc but we do have a harbor so we could drink something by the sea. We could also sit in a bench to watch the sea (not a lot of options here, just sea). We could still have sandwiches

Real image from pinterest that I found on Google of these aesthetic sandwiches

God I'd hate them so much I can't stand fluffy whipped cream textures but I want to try them :////

And after we spend all our outdoors time by the sea because there is nothing else worth doing here, we could go to my house and I'd show you my yugioh card collection, my coin (euro coins tho) collection and my pin collection (I love collecting stuff).

We could watch tv and I'd trick you into watching strangers from hell (real dialogue btw this happens)

I hope you have not very short hair because I will massage your scalp/playing with your hair and I don't like short hair (I do the thing with the nails. People like it when I do that and it's the only way I usually contribute when I'm with others. Kinda sad ngl they don't want to include me in the conversation)

Yes I have photos for everything

If I have time I'd bake you cookies 🍪 as a gift and I'd give you a little drawing (little as in, regular sized but all my drawings are 'little' so yeah)

Anyway, the whole thing is silly but in a fun, whimsical and kind-hearted way. Happy valentines 💝

[conartisthaiji]

hey lyz! sending you this ask because you reblog enough kpop to be my designated kpop mutual and i was thinking abt giving it a try.

no need to answer this or put effort into it, but if you want to share, do you have any groups or artists you recommend? especially to a beginner? (i have never been into kpop ever...)

also! hope you are having a nice day! <3

hi clem! thank u for your patience! i wasn’t sure how i wanted to go about this since my normal go-to, loona, is currently out due to boycott reasons (general reminder for everyone else to stop listening to them on spotify/apple music/youtube and any other streaming platforms btw). 

anyways!! i picked some of my favorite groups and sorted them in order of most well-known to least known :) then i picked just a few songs from each group to help give u an idea of what the group’s vibe is. 

twice: i feel like you can’t do a kpop introduction without them...they’re iconic in every way. TT, What is Love, and Fancy are their three most popular; personally i really love Feel Special and Yes or Yes. 

seventeen: my current boy group...Aju Nice is iconic!! i also really like Rock with You, Don't Wanna Cry, and Cheers. 

red velvet: this was actually my first kpop group ever...they are so special to me. most popular tracks would be Psycho, Bad Boy, and Peek-a-Boo; i’m a huge fan of Really Bad Boy and Feel My Rhythm as well. 

stayc: they made a splash when they debuted with So Bad and have continued to make waves with their good music! personally I’m a huge fan of Stereotype and Run2U. 

billlie: they’re sooo underrated in my opinion like have you heard about billlie? no? well you should. Gingamingayo is probably their most famous track; personally i adore Ring Ma Bell and flipp!ng a coin as well. 

h1-key: my nugu girlies <3 they debuted last year with Athletic Girl and they just released their first mini album, rose blossom! the title track, Rose Blossom, is really pretty. they also released Run last year, which is a really fun summer-y song imo. 

[deakydeaky]

HC of you meeting of of the boys(preferably Ben or Joe) before COVID and when it hit you stayed with them because you were far from home. Is this too much? Btw I love your posts and just want you to post more again 💀

How it started:

You were traveling around a lot before it was finally after the holidays

You were in New York, staying in a hotel when the news about COVID was getting big

In your final days you were going to a shop everyday, just to grab what you needed for the day

That’s when you ran into Joe. You knew you knew him from somewhere but didn’t say anything until you saw him there the next day

“Are you stalking me?” You would ask as you grabbed a bag of chips. He would let out a loud laugh as he looked at you

“Yeah actually, what gave it away?” People sworned around them.” This is crazy huh?”

“Yeah, I gotta get home soon if this keeps up.”

“Or stay in New York? Maybe run into each other before we turn into zombies?” He joked. “Totally.” You would agree and leave it at that

You two saw each other a few more times and gave flirty smiles through out the week and some small talk. He told him about his place and you talked about where you lived

A few days later when you realized that things weren’t going to get better you packed your bags. You first stopped at the shop to grab a few things because you didn’t know what the airport could be like

When you walked in, you saw Joe with a big shopping cart

“Oh my god, I totally started the zombie apocalypse.” Joe said when he saw you

“I won’t tell if you don’t.” You told him as you walked down the isle

“Are you going to be comfortable staying in a hotel?” You would give him a weird look. “I’m heading to the airport.” You told him with a laugh. “All of the airports shut down. No flights anywhere right now.”

“Oh my god. Oh my god.” You would start to call every hotel as Joe was checking out. Everything seemed to be booked or they were taking anyone new. How caught you outside as you stood by the cab, calling places

“You okay?”

“Everything is booked, Damnit!” Joe would hate to see it. “S-stay with me.” You gave him a look. “You could be a murderer.” You told him before he laughed. “I’m not and I’m serious. You can’t be on the streets right now and I have another room. And I think I have more reason to be worried, get in the cab crazy.”

You stayed in the guest bedroom, and even alone you felt awkward. You thought you should just try to call someone willing to drive all of the way to get you but you couldn’t ask anyone to do that and you didn’t think they would

The next morning you woke up to him pouring coffee. As he gave it to you and started small talk you stopped him.

“Stop. This is super nice but weird. I will call someone and leave. I- I think I should leave but this is great. If you start a bed and breakfast I will def give a good Yelp review.” He would laugh at you.

“Please don’t. Just stay until something opens up and you can safely be on a flight or a hotel. It could be fun. You could tel you kids about it one day or something. I swear I’m not a creep and I really would feel bad if I left you ok your own.”

Staying:

You called your family and told them you were staying with a friend and to not worry

It was awkward at first because either of you knew how to be comfortable with the other but it got better

Making breakfast for each other, being a good house guest, watching a few movies together a week, all around stuff

After two weeks of being in a house together, you thought it time to know each other and started to cook dinner. But horriblely messed up and Joe called his mom for cooking tips

“Mom I’m not joking, no she didn’t add water.” You blushed heavily as he talked to her. He ended up cooking for you which made you feel even worse

“Why were you cooking anyways?” He questioned. “I wanted to be something nice. We’ve been in the same house now for two weeks straight and I don’t know you. You could still be a murderer.”

“I’m an actor actually, pretty sure you knew that. I’m a Virgo, I play bass-“

“And you like long walks on the beach? Real stuff Joe! Also, I guessed Virgo, your earth sign energy is crazy, what’s your moon?”

“I- I don’t know. Ask me something then, anything.”

“Do you like coffee?”

“You crossed the line.” He told you, making you both laugh

Through out quarantine:

Going through 2020 together was the most chaotic thing that happens to you

Watching just about every show on Netflix

Everyday something worse happens you two take a shot and then put a tally on a peice of paper

Having 2020 bingo cards, literally

Ordering a lot of games to pass time

Making bets about what next month will hold

Getting to know Joe in weird ways

Having to explain to where you work that you’re now working from New York

Joe being the most chill person, even with the things that are happening

Him trying to make the days better

Joking about separation anxiety with each other but lowkey if one of you goes to the store for too long the other ones is worried

“What day is it?”

“Thursday.” Joe would question everything he’s done all week but can’t remember a single thing

Becoming rather close and very chaotic

“This is everything we need to do after it’s over.” You would tell him

“An aquarium?”

“Well it’s that or we could get high and watch Jaws, your choice.”

“I’m glad we aren’t those people that go on walks and zoom with their families, that’d make us seem way to normal.”

Trying your best to pass the time, April and May being the worse

Getting a lot of little arguments

“You called me a child when I bought them, and then you took HALF!” You would yell

“You’re fighting with me about this?”

“Yes because you made fun of me. You either get more or we fist fight.”

Neither of you know how to shop for food in the beginning because everything was being taken from the shelves

“You bought two packs of energy drinks?”

“Everyone was taking the water and soda, I had to act fast.”

Catching yourself falling for him

How could you not? He took you in, cooks dinner, helps ease your pandemic anxiety

Him being the biggest goof

“Joe, it’s 1am, I’m not making a fort with you.”

“Why not?”

When the summer came you two held out hope for better things to come but they just seemed worse

Meeting the boys over zoom

“Sorry, we’ve all been really surprised when we heard the story. It’s very Joe but we were scared some weird things would happen.”

“Yeah, I don’t watch him sleep or anything like that.”

“Really? I’m a beautiful sleeper.”

Making him tea

Hearing him over sing in the shower

After the summer with numbers rising again, going home seemed like a dream

You didn’t want to risk your family getting sick but staying with Joe more seemed too much

Wishing you had met at another time because it seemed too weird to make a move. You were getting almost a middle school feeling crush. This ended up in a debate with yourself, talking about pros and cons and leaving and all of the things you have wanted to say since March

“You can do this. You are a strong woman, you are to the point and the worst thing he could say is no and that’s okay, you’re still that bitch.”

“Who’s saying no?” Joe asked you as he came in

“No one, maybe you, I don’t know, wanna watch a movie?” Joe would look at you as you stood awkwardly.” Don’t look at me like that.”

“What’s happening right now.”

“I’m sorry, it’s not you. It is but it’s like your fault but I also have some blaming but you did it.” Joe would nod his head, trying to make sense of anything that was happening.” I have developed, a sorry of, very tiny and minor, crush. That I’m sure it just because another man hasn’t looked at me since March but at the same time I think it’s because you’re a really great person and now I’ve made this awkward and we won’t talk about it ever again.”

“A crush?” “I just said we won’t talk about it.”

It worked out because he ended up liking you back but it was definitely weird for a little

You two felt more in the way or each other than living together

But after a few weeks you two realized how weird you were being and figured out it was nothing

“Trump got COVID.” “Shots?” “Yep!”

As you two were drinking you looked at each other and laughed, spitting the drinks everywhere.

“Wanna order in? Act like this week didn’t happen?”

“Yeah.”

Felt like you were living out a literal movie

Making the best of 2020 although it was weird

Dating:

The same as before but now it’s this new part of Joe

He’s more romantic but still funny and himself

Having “date nights” once a week. That just meant he would light candles and turn the lights out and pretend it was a fancy restaurant

Finding out a lot about each other

Him telling his family about you and how it’s been with you. Making you freak out a lot on the inside

The boys all telling him they were calling it

“You can’t just threaten to lock yourself in the bathroom just because I said I didn’t want pasta tonight.”

“Watch me!”

Still tiny agruments but nothing serious, ever

“It doesn’t matter why! He just did!”

“Then where did the hammer go when he left! He took it with him but when he came back old all he had was the shield!”

Planning out where you two would travel next

You two having the weirdest comfort level with each other

Talking about what would have happened between you two of the pandemic didn’t happen

Game nights becoming twice as better now that you’re both more comfortable with each other

Making both of your guys friends join a zoom to play with

Flipping coins to see who makes dinner

Whenever you don’t eat what he makes he always threatens to never cook again

“Have peanut butter and jelly everyday, I don’t care. You’re missing a real Italian man right now!” He said, coping an accent

Coping each other all of the time just to see what the other one will do

Having the most fun you’ve ever had with him, even with you two stuck in a house

Realizing the a pandemic made you find the love of your life

[askmyboys]

I’d call these more, my own interpretations instead of just OCs

I’ll tell you how this happened tho, i was literally just comin back from a l o n g ass road trip listenin to the musical and my tired lil brain started thinkin bout these boys and i was like ...what if i just,, made my o w n versions of em? What if I just,, and then boom, out popped well, this-

| Names: Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde

| Nicknames: Jekyll doesn’t much care for nicknames but Hyde calls him Jek, Hen or Hen-Hen, or Henny which he REALLY hates. For the other, it’s either Ed or just simply Hyde ...Jekyll has given him many ‘nicknames’ mostly they are hateful ones tbh.

| Genders: Henry goes by he/him and Hyde goes by he/him and it/its

| Ages: Unknown but they are both adults

| Heights: Jekyll is 5’7” and Hyde is like 6’6” for sure (even tho they inhabit the same body, fuck it, im makin the rules ..andchangingthemfromtheogthing but i say height changes when Hyde’s in control)

| Species/Races: Henry’s a human ofc and Hyde? Honestly, idk what this thing is, all i can tell you is he’s stinky

| Eye Colors: Jekyll’s eyes are a Baby Blue color and Hyde’s eyes are Blood Red (ooh e d g y man)

| Hair Colors: Jekyll’s hair is honestly a messy curly undercut and the color of it is a dark brown and he has gray on the sides meanwhile Hyde’s hair is Black and in a spiked quiff style and he also has gray on the sides

| Skin Colors/Body Types: Jek’s a BIT pale but Hyde’s a much more- his skin is definitely more so a Whitish Gray kinda color so it’s definitely more noticeable than Jek’s skin if you look close enough at that (things do have to change when a certain one is in control of the body, can’t be EXACTLY the same or else it might give away that their the same person hehe) and their body types don’t really change- Jek’s body type is skinny (nothing TOO bad ofc, just a tad bit) if Hyde had his own body he’d definitely be a more average kinda bulkier build.

| Appearances: Okay first things first- they both have circle beards EXCEPT Hyde’s is a LOT more scruffier (he also has thicker sideburns btw!) and a BIT more grown out than Jek’s which is trimmed a bit more and groomed perfectly.

Jekyll usually has the typical lab coat on and a baby blue turtleneck underneath it, he also has blue pants that he wears with it as well and some oxford shoes that match the outfit, he also wears circle glasses as well (they help him see a lot better p much whereas when Hyde’s in control he doesn't really need em actually) Henry has a GOOD amount of scars all over his body, whether it be by accident, inflicted on purpose, or something more… It’s partially why he keeps his turtleneck on mostly and the lab coat helps as well- he’s ashamed of the scars and he tries to hide them especially so no one will worry about him, also for some more minor details- he wears a black watch on his wrist as well (he has no piercings or nothin like that) that’s p much it for Jek tbh, his features are p much 100% human so uh yeye

Now onto Hyde’s outfit- And yes, keep in mind- he’s still kinda,, an entity or whatever the fuck he is inside Henry’s body essentially but he DOES change his clothes when going out- his main one for going out is usually a black cloak he wears around himself (the outfit underneath is a black suit vest with a long dark red tie (his shirt underneath the suit vest is a dark red long sleeved shirt), he also wears black pants, and dark red oxford shoes, and of course he’s got a black top hat on (the band on it is red, definitely keeping a black n red themed appearance here aint he?) (his other outfits, hm I can leave up to the imagination tbh this is just for when he’s travelling around and so other people don’t spot him nearly as easily, especially when it’s n i g h t t i m e…) he’ll wear whatever the fuck he wants, and it doesn’t have to be fancy in the s l i g h t e s t- he has a variety of options.

He also has pointed ears, razor sharp teeth (got them bear trap teeth but not only that, he’s got a lot more s e c r e t teefs than that ;) he’s a lot more monstrous on the inside than the outside i’ll say that much, Jek’s n Hyde’s anatomy does change and transform depending on who gains control ...honestly it probs hurt to have your body transform and shift like that ouchie) he also has multiple tongues, he has claws that he painted black and red for the a e s t h e t i c s ya know- and hell at this point he might as well have tentacles ...He might- but I mean if you really wanna know, fuck around and find out for yourself and fuck it- he also has a dark red devil style tail since he wanna act like fuckin Satan himself smh

...I made him a lot more monstrous than originally planned but eh its fitting- bc this is Jek’s body even with a LOT of changes in these regards, he’s got the same scars n such as that, he also wears black and red spiral gauges in his ears (I should also say, he can technically hide these features to make himself appear more human, i didnt originally intend on giving him any actual monstrous features except maybe sharp teeth, claws, n the pointed ears but here we are, he still gotta not arouse suspicion around him too much tho) also his eyes have dark circles around them, not because he’s a tired man he’s just a fucking- hellish bastard who loves to look intimidating.

| Personalities: Let’s uhh start off with Jekyll because he’s better and nicer and not nasty and gross n smelly looking- He’s kind, sweet, compassionate, caring, honestly wouldn’t hurt a fly himself- could never willingly hurt someone! A sweet babey man! He’s very intelligent- I mean,, he IS a Doctor after all, he takes pride in his work but it’s not that overbearing narcissistic type pride, he’s just proud of the breakthroughs he’s made ...Granted, there is one “breakthrough” he wished he could take back .. -glancing slowly at Hyde in the reflection of the mirror- ahem- but he’s always been pretty outgoing but a lot has changed since, that abomination came into his life, sure he still tries his best to be a good person, he tries his very damnedest to find some sorta way to separate or better yet a way to destroy this evil vile beast that plagues his and everyone else’s lives! He’d rather destroy Hyde than separate from him because even then, it's still back to square one only with worse damage since he’d be of his own free will now.

He shuts himself away in his Lab a LOT, as much as he can anyways to avoid going out and risking something more happening to anyone else, of course…

There is no avoiding the outside world forever, he needs things to eat and drink, he needs things to keep his body functioning and not to mention not going outside could drive him, well, more insane than he already feels he is- He just tries to be as quick as he can about it before the other takes control or tries to, Jek definitely has a lotta anxieties and fears, and ya know at this point I mean,, hell- the man’s got trauma- Sometimes he wonders if any of this is actually real, if he had just gone insane and was just imagining all this, sometimes his head hurt because of all the thoughts and potential scenarios along with their outcomes plagued his mind, he feels a lot of things he never thought he’d feel towards anyone, he feels anger and hatred toward Hyde but in a way aside from feeling so negatively toward the other, he can’t help but admire the way Hyde wishes to just simply l i v e, and even before this beast became apart of him… He was always anxious deep down and almost scared to take that jump when needed.

But Hyde? Hyde doesn’t seem to even c a r e! That thing lives it’s life without any care whatsoever, he doesn’t have any anxieties or fears at all it seems! In a way, Henry might even be a lil envious toward the other’s carefree attitude and that he’s free of anxieties and fears ...H-He still doesn’t want the other around, he still wishes to destroy Hyde of course, even with the envy and maybe a slight bit of admiration he has his morals and principals, and if Hyde continues to exist or w o r s e gets his own body it could prove v e r y perilous.

Now onto… Eugh, Hyde- The bastard man himself- He’s stinky- an evil bastard who really needs just a good punch in the face (god don't do it yourself tho, he’ll probs eat ur entire arm) Hyde’s absolutely disgusting, will do ANYTHING to get what he desires, he can be narcissistic in some regards, VERY prideful and greedy in many ways, he isn’t above committing murder like really, was he EVER above it? If he wanted, he’d literally murder you not even for a bag of corn chips but literally just one, psh- selling you to satan for one? Bah that’s amateur’s work! He’s somehow a minor inconvenience who can commit REALLY nasty and horrible atrocities at the same time if he feels like it, if he finds out something annoys you or REALLY pisses you off he’s going to keep doing it, he will literally try driving you insane just for the fun of it, really at this point it doesn’t seem like he HAS much of a goal but to just l i v e and cause chaos, destruction, and mayhem wherever he goes, he despises Jekyll in many ways, one being for trying to destroy him first and foremost but also Henny is just s o fucking weak, such a weak man with far too many anxieties, fears, etc- He’d be SO much better of a man if he’d simply let Hyde take control and STAY in control!

It’d make everything a lot easier, then Jek wouldn’t have to worry about ANYTHING ever again! No more of that pathetic nonsense! If it were possible, Hyde would absolutely l o v e to have his own body, separate from Jekyll, that way he could have his own life separate from that pathetic weakling’s! But… Even then, Jekyll and Hyde are one, in many ways they are absolutely apart of one another, two sides of the same coin, even with their MAJOR differences in personality and Hyde almost seeming like an entirely different entity just merely possessing Jekyll, after all, Hyde will admit it himself, he spawned from deep within Jekyll’s mind, he’s tried to get the other to see time and time again that he’s always been apart of the other deep down, Jek’s always had a more mad and evil side to him! Even if the other will deny this and take the denial to his grave, Hyde always persists in trying to get the other to see the truth in front of his eyes!

Aside from that tho, Hyde is just generally a dick and loves to mess with Jek and terrify him sometimes for literally no reason, hell he could be bored one day and decide “Hey Henny, fuck you, you suck” he loves to start drama, he loves to cause problems on purpose- Both of them would give anything to separate from each other, even if Hyde knows the truth deep down bout the both of them, even if he were always originally a part of Jekyll, it didn’t matter, that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t jump at the opportunity to get his own body, away from that pathetic coward of a man!

| Side Facts: Jekyll rarely ever gets to relax or any free time, he’s too worried to give himself that in fear he’ll lose control, he’s almost CONSTANTLY fighting to keep control over the other, even though he knows it's physically impossible to do so, after all, he can’t stay awake forever, sure that doesn’t stop him from trying to stay awake as long as he can before his body practically forces him to pass out and he’s MUCH weaker than he used to be, I mean hell, given how long Jekyll seems to have been around, fighting SO much and almost EVERY single day has practically worn his body down but whenever there is an opportunity for any “free” time he usually spends it trying to figure out an antidote or a way to get rid of Hyde (I will say, before Hyde REALLY started doing bastardous n horrendous things, Jek would still get annoyed with him bc he was always that way but he actually, I’d say tolerated him more so than he does by now) and Hyde even- well, he still disliked Henry IMMENSELY so, but he definitely wasn’t as bad or as awful as he is to the other now, it was more so I tolerate you and we dont have to seriously fight or struggle with each other for control and back then Jek would even sometimes let Hyde have control.

But then… A serious incident (I wont name what exactly) but a serious incident that happened caused the two to absolutely despise each other (i didnt say up there, yes, Hyde absolutely despises Jekyll but there is some heavily hidden admiration in regards to the other’s determination, his persistence, and even somewhat of his creativity, Jekyll despite being an annoying nuisance in Hyde’s way, he does have some admirable things about him) but anyway- ever since that incident occurred, Jek has tried almost EVERYTHING he knew of to get rid of Hyde, even if separation from his body would still be bad bc that could mean Hyde would obtain his own body honestly? I believe Jekyll would still take that opportunity if he were given it, if he needed, he’d try and find someway to stop Hyde’s evil, maybe it’d be easier even if the other had his own body, he didn’t know, he just wishes he could be free from all this torment and agony like gosh damn give this man a b r e a k. Give him some fruit gummies and an appy juice carton and leave him be!

When Hyde is in control he wastes little time in finding things to do, being able to be out, to see the world, the world ripe for chaos and destruction, he wastes little time in getting straight to work with whatever his devious lil mind wants to think of- also for more monstrous purposes, back up there, I was p vague with the mention of teeth on his insides- p much teeth going down his throat and hell who knows, the bastard probably has teeth on the inside of his stomach at this rate- Another not so fun fact, this man can unhinge his jaw! Yaaay so u can see sharp teefs! ...He does have to kinda set his jaw back in place though bc god forbid Jek takes control then.

Smh imagine taking back control of your body only to have a fucking dislocated j a w wouldn’t that be hellish?

Hyde rarely ever does this for a few reasons- he only does it if he’s in the mood for just takin a big chomp outta someone (big chompy) just, just please- lock this thing away- or kill it, it's a menace to society and deserves nothing good- two more things btw, tbh I genuinely wasnt even considering inhuman features at first but ya know, I compromised- he has them he just chooses to hide them more often and speaking of, while Hyde says he’s always been apart of Jekyll (well this version I made anyway) that deep down their two sides of the same coin, can you really believe him? I mean, I’m not going to spoil it and tell ya anything in that regard, but who knows, who knows what Hyde REALLY is, whether or not he’s always been apart deep down inside of Jek or just some form of entity that spawned via that wonderful little formula.

And the final thing is, their voices are p much based on the musical ones' voices- Hyde’s is that deeper n raspier kinda voice while Jek’s is much softer and ya know POLITE sounding.

[brightbeautifulthings]

Where It All Lands by Jennie Wexler

"Drew is the opening song on my favorite album. He's the song that everyone loves, the song that draws me in and makes me want to listen to the whole album without stopping. He's the catchy song with the great hook, fancy guitar solo, and soaring vocals. But Shane ... Shane's the hidden track. He's the song I don't listen to until I've devoured the whole album. He's that quiet song with the unbelievable melody. The song that makes me understand myself a bit better. Once I discover a truly special hidden track, I never get sick of it."

Year Read: 2021, 2023

Rating: 4/5

About: Once again, Stevie Rosenstein is the new girl in high school, forced to move yet again for her famous father's football coaching job. On her first day of band practice, she meets Drew and Shane, who have been best friends for as long as they can remember. She's immediately attracted to Drew and can easily relate to Shane's quiet sweetness and love for music. What Stevie doesn't know is that both boys like her too, and they settle the question of who gets to ask her out first with a coin toss. Where it lands will change all their lives. I received a free e-ARC through NetGalley from the publishers at St. Martin’s Press. Trigger warnings: character death, car accident, hospitals, severe injury, divorce, infidelity.

Thoughts: I read a YA book last year, Again Again by E. Lockhart, that plays with multiple timelines like this, and it wasn't quite as good as I'd hoped. I was eager to give it another try, and I'm glad I did because Where It All Lands does dual timelines a lot more effectively. It works better on a purely structural level, giving us Stevie's relationship with Drew in the first half of the novel and her relationship with Shane in the second half. This gives us plenty of time to get invested in both stories, to get to know these characters, and to see how with just one change, all these little events play out differently. Despite going over the same timespan from a different angle, I was never bored because nothing goes in quite the same way the second time around. The end changes things up, moving back and forth between the two timelines from chapter to chapter, and this works really well too. Endings are naturally more suspenseful, and Wexler avoids the awkwardness of a climactic ending in the middle of a book by putting them both at the end where they belong. Masterfully done.

Okay, now that I'm done nerding out about things I find interesting in books, let's talk about things other readers actually care about! This is an absolutely delightful contemporary romance with strong characters and good writing. Yeah, there are going to be readers moaning about how much they hate love triangles who won't pick up this book just because of that, but tropes--even the love triangle trope--aren't inherently evil. Like all things, it's what you do with them that counts, and this is a love triangle (I guess--I hate even calling it that, since there's no crossover in one of the timelines and barely any in the other) put to good use. Drew and Shane bring out different aspects of Stevie's personality and force her character growth in slightly different directions. Both are valuable learning experiences, and both are good people; there's no obvious better choice for Stevie to make. (I've dated both these guys. They weren't friends and it wasn't one after another like Stevie, but it was still a bit uncanny. Team Shane, btw.)

I love the characters. This might even be a 5-star book for me after a reread. (I was in too much turmoil over the ending to pay as much attention as I should, so I'm staying at 4 for now.) Stevie feels like a realistic teenager, privileged and slightly sheltered, and just looking for a place where she actually fits. She and Drew have similar issues with the way their very successful, famous fathers don't pay attention to them, and the way that they never quite know people's motivations for befriending them, and I like the way they're able to bond over it. It's rare to find someone whose experiences so closely match your own, and Drew helps Stevie be a braver, more carefree version of herself.

But I love Shane so much more. I love that he's not the skinny, smirking, conventionally attractive male love interest like Drew, but he's the kindest, most talented character on the page. He doesn't make Stevie braver, but he does seem to bring out a more authentic version of herself, one who's more comfortable in her own skin. Since there's more time spent establishing their friendship, their romance also seems stronger, with more to base it on than plain attraction. I did wish there were more scenes of all three of them hanging out, or even more of Shane and Drew together (they're best friends, but we almost never see them together), but I don't know. Maybe it would have slowed down the pace. All quibbles aside, the concept really works, and it brings together what's probably going to be one of my favorite YA contemporaries this year.

[goldenlaquer]

joi 4 with an s/o whos completely the opposite as them but they still somehow get along? an example is like how takasugi all dark and emo so his s/o wpuld be rlly bubbly and cheery or something? Love everything anout your blog and everything you have written btw! ❤️

<3

Joui4 Headcanons:

Sakamoto Tatsuma: 

You standing next to Sakamoto has the same energy as this:

He kinda made it his life’s goal to make you crack a smile on your stony face, using various, albeit highly unsuccessful methods, such as poking your cheeks and tugging them upwards or-

“What do you call a fake noodle?” “...I don’t know.” “An Impasta! heugh-heugh-heugh-!” 

Yeah no, Sakamoto won’t be seeing your sunny smile anytime soon. That’s OK though, your indifference to his antics can only spur on his determination. 

A literal child and you’re just the babysitter. 

Takasugi Shinsuke:

ok so when anon was talking about Takasugi, my mind immediately went to this:

the one person out of joui4 that you won’t have to babysit

Funnily enough, y’all make a power couple, with your motto of ‘killing them with kindness’ and Takasugi’s motto of... well, just ‘kill them.’

You are his endless source of amusement, bumbling around with a spring in your step and gigantic smile that doesn’t know when to quit, interacting with the various Kiheitai group members who don’t know how to deal with such a carefree and open personality. Even Takasugi thinks some of your actions can be quite unpredictable, which is a lot coming from the king of unpredictability. 

Debate, debate, debate; the clash of ideals make for an engaging conversation that Takasugi hadn’t expected. Though he can’t change your mind, just like you can’t change his, he enjoys it all the same.

Sakata Gintoki:

You wish that he’d get more serious about his life and he wishes that you’d get that proverbial stick out your ass-- y’all on the verge of killing each other every five seconds; it’s a wonder how you got into a relationship with Gintoki in the first place.  

you might as well be the sugarmama of the relationship, making much more money than Gintoki does. Gintoki’s got no qualms on running out on the bill during date night, leaving beyond a five yen coin and a coupon to some random massage parlor. 

but you more than make it up by taking Kagura and Shinpachi out for a fancy steak dinner while Gintoki is at home alone with his measly eggs over rice. 

That’s not to say that there isn’t any balance to your relationship. Gintoki teaches you to loosen up and not be so hard on yourself, while you keep him grounded and reluctantly paying his bills on time (to Otose’s delight) 

Katsura Kotarou: 

You have a quick temper and he’s one oblivious boyfriend. 

Katsura does embarrassing shit all the damn time (of course). Your constant complaints and red-faced rants fall on deaf ears; In fact, he thinks what you really mean is that you want to be the co-conspirator to his latest schemes!

Katsura could be doing Jouishishi propaganda in front of the shogun palace, his megaphone on full blast as he proclaims his avid love towards you, in between his rants on the Amanto invasion and “If you call the Jouishishi in the next 30 minutes, you can get the special Jouishishi Training Course A for 50% off the original price!”-- even after you explicitly mention that that is exactly what you don’t want him to do. 

And then, Katsura will just pat your head or back until you calm down. A+ boyfriend.

[jawusa]

Goldie’s Adventures on the Moon - Day 3

Chapter 3: Is it love, when so easily said goodbye? 

Ever since Mom's passed away, I always woke up with tears. She used to wake me up for school in the mornings - something that not everyone would do. My mom was by far the best mom out there! But something was strange on that day, I wasn't thinking about Mom when I woke up. I wasn't thinking about how she used to cook pancakes with me in the mornings. I wasn't thinking about how we'd sometimes go hiking around town. I wasn't even thinking about how she'd read me to sleep when I was a little kid. On that day, I was actually thinking about... uhmm about that cute boy whom I met just two days ago? And I didn't wake up with tears, but with a stange feeling of joy! I actually woke up with a smile after such a long time of grieving! 

Dad, Rhett and I decided to go to the Lunar Zen Garden on that day! Actually, we went there... because my Dad's seen this place with Rhett yesterday while I was spending some time in Hua's clothier and they really wanted me to check that place out. They'd say it's the best place for me to find happiness! They'd tell me to toss a coin in that shrine thingy and wish something! At first, I didn't really approve of what I was supposed to do - but I guess, it really did some magic on me? Because of the things... which came about later on that day... that day was kinda strange, though!

But I really loved the garden, though! It was so beautifully decorated with those tiny bridges and canals... and those cherry trees! Oh my! I really had a great time raking the zen garden! It felt so relaxing - but forreal! 

Rhett came to check on me every now and then, but I kept on shooing him away... he just... couldn't see that I was trying to concentrate and find my inner peace? Sheesh! He was playing some mahjong - or what was that game called again? - with Dad and those natives. Sometimes they ask me whether I'd like to join them, but there was this guy I kinda thought looked weird with such a top hat and Asian looking clothing... some people know him as the Unsavory Charlatan - that name already scared me off! But Dad and Rhett were still going for the game... (btw, I couldn't take a picture of him, he'd avoid being on camera for some reason... but he was playing with those other natives on the other table!) 

Anyway, I was soo into medidating, that I completely forgot what was all around me. For one second, I even forgot where I was... I couldn't hear anything... I couldn't see anything... I couldn't even feel anything, not even the ground! It felt like I was levitating forreal! But... hold on, I felt something observing me from the other side... I felt something smiling at me... I felt... I felt something approaching me... I felt... I felt... I... "Hey, OMG you're Goldie! What a surprise to see you around here! How are things with you?" 

I... could literally just... GOSHH! Ground, pleasee, PLEASEE swallow me?! That was soo embarrassing... and when I looked around, I saw his friend (with whom he had played chess before... all the time?)! He was smiling at me... mischievously? "Hehe, I've seen you raking, then medidating..." "Ooh, so.. you've literally seen everything?" "Hey... you didn't do that bad... let's just... have this moment together!" *grabs hand OMG and then, YOU GUYS, he GRABBED my hand... OMG, I... I didn't even know what to say at that moment! At first I was afraid... I was petrified! 

"Goldie, I've been trying to say this to you ever since I've first met you... ever since I've first seen you, ... ever since Day 1, but uhmm..." 

"I think I have a crush on you, Goldie! Your eyes are so beautiful! I... I'm so into you, I can barely breathe! "Uhmm... Qiu, I..." "I've been waiting and waiting for you to make a move... before I make a move!"

And then, he really kissed my lips! OMG, that was my first kiss... and I'd never imagine it to be in a romantic zen garden... in outer space! They say you never forget your very first kiss, and now I can see why! Either way, it was lovely! "So, uhmm... now you know, how I feel towards you, Goldie!" "Awww, you're soo romantic! I think I have a crush on you, too! I was shy to tell you this as well... and actually, I didn't even know myself what was going on... because I've never been this shy before, I'm actually an outgoing girl, I never had to struggle to find the words and it's so strange... I couldn't even... " "Lemme hug you one last time, babe!" *Goldie blushes 

Dad and Rhett must have probably seen me when I had my first kiss... they smiled at me... my Dad even winked at me, but we didn't say any words. It was just this... awkward moment where nobody would talk... and all! I was getting hungry... and just asked my Dad whether we'd go for a dinner soon? Since it was already getting too late... he just nodded and kept on smiling... which was even WEIRDER than it was before!

Anyway, later on that day, we went to dine in a traditional tea house/restaurant! They didn't have my favorite hamburgers on their menu, but they had other fancy-looking meals... which I haven't heard of before! I couldn't really choose, because literally EVERYTHING seemed foreign to me! But I could remember ordering something... which looked like a salmon on the menu! Not that I tried it before, but it looked somewhat familiar to what I'm used to, so I went for it! The salmon was... good! Though, I wasn't sure, why Rhett decided to eat on a different table! Maybe he did that on purpose, so I could have some "daddy & daughter" time? I don't know... but Dad told me something... out of blue. All of sudden, he was like: "Girl, I'm so glad to see you happy again! I told you, you'd be happy after tossing a coin or two into that shrine..." At that moment, I understood why he kept insisting me on tossing that coin into that shrine thingy when we first arrived at the Lunar Zen Garden... 

By the time we finished our dinner, the sun still hadn't set yet, and Rhett insisted on visiting the spa & gym... he's heard that they have these hot springs, which he REALLY wanted to try out... I mean, I couldn't blame him! After all, I was curious to see what these moon geysirs were all about! Thankfully, we had a great time spending time together as a family! I just noticed how I missed that in the past, but for the first time after all of these years, I wish that Candy were here as well! Things were about to improve between I and Rhett, too! I was getting along with all of them! Back in my miserable days, I'd always reject Rhett - remember the "silly" attempts of him trying to talk to me through my childhood teddy bear... GOSH, he was trying to cheer me up and I acted like an idiot! "Uhmm, Rhett? I'd like to tell you something..." "What?" "Well, now that I think, I really appreciate all the effort you've done for me! Like... you know, to cheer me up with the teddy bear and all..." "Yeah, I remember... it was probably a bad idea. I thought it'd work since as a kid, it did..." "Well, I'm a teenager now..." "True." "But hey, at least you tried to cheer me up... and to tell the truth, it does cheer me up, now that I think you tried to do something for me! Thanks for that!" "You're welcome, but look behind you! Isn't that your new boyfriend?" 

I turned my head... and OMG, it was him indeed! It was Q! And when I looked upon him... he winked at me! "So, I bet you guys want some privacy, right?" "Daaad... I'm..." "I know what you mean, Goldie! I've felt this way many times when I had my first fling in the hot tub!" *winks at Qiu and Goldie 

It kinda felt bizarre when my Dad had to give away way too much info... and it made me feel very AWKWARD at that moment! Like FORREAL! They all were into something... all of these boys! I just couldn't... understand them! Q didn't even seem to be irritated or something... I just hope he does forget about what my Dad just decided to reveal? It was a steamy atmosphere, though... with him! But not just with him, I mean... it was literally steamy, what else would you expect at the hot springs? So... that "steamy" term applies well here! Either way... I really enjoyed this steamy moment with... uhm, him? As always, kinda... Dad and Rhett would tell me that they'd be "out for fun" again... like on the other days. They never really told me where they'd go, but it had always to do with nightlife venues... kinda? Anyway, I couldn't blame them anymore... I mean, I'm a grown-up girl now and I don't need their company all the time! As much as I wanted to be left "alone" with Q, I guess... they wanted to have some time off on their own, too! 

But... my, oh, my! Those dance moves! LOL! Even I could dance better... I mean, Rhett's got something still, but Dad, he really sucks at dancing! But he thinks he can dance, he can jive! But at least, he's having the time of his life! And I'm happy for him... and Rhett, too! In the past, I'd be mad at him for moving on too fast, but he's right! We can't be stuck in sorrow FOREVER! One day, we just... have to break free and be happy again!

If I were to choose which day my favourite day was on the moon... I guess, it'd be this one here? I just had my first kiss? OMG, how cool's that?! And did you hear what he said? He just confessed his feelings to me... and I could finally do as well! I WASN'T expecting ANY of this! This is soooo GREAT! OMG! I'm literally melting! Alright, enough is enough... lol! But I could literally be raving about him all day long! I felt SO flattered when he confessed his feelings... Oh, wait, I have to tell this Hua! And Virginia, my best friend back in Widespot, too! Maybe this would even encourage her to confess her feelings to Woddy, too! I mean, she's told me once that she's a crush on that Woody boy? Why did I forget that? HOW could I forget that?! They don't even know what just happened today! Hold on, dear diary, let me text to them real quick...

[randomguywithwords]

Thanks For The Assist: Chapter 2 (Itsuka X Neito Story)

AO3 Link: Here

Chapters: 1

Chapter 2: Acceptance

––––––––

“How was the test?” Father asked as the three of them sat at the dinner table eating. 

“Ok, I think I did fine,” Monoma said as he picked up a slice of meat.

“How were you graded?” Mother said. 

“Fought some robots. You get points the more you destroy. The harder the robot, the more points you get. The field was massive, pretty much a life-size city, and I think they had at least 3.” Monoma explained with patience, though he suspected this expositioning was boring the other audience with information they already knew. 

Mother hummed her assent. “I’m not surprised. U.A has a ton of money. More money than they need, really…” She ended her statement in a mutter. It sounded like constrained resentment to Neito. It probably was, but understandable. 

“Isn’t the ministry diverting more money towards your school, dear?” Father said. 

“Yes, I suppose. After years of appeals by the school committee. Hopefully I can obtain better equipment to teach those kids.” Mrs Monoma sighed, looking back towards Neito. “But I hope you get in, Neito. I have to admit, it’s really once-in-a-lifetime, and U.A will make you a fine hero.”

“Thanks, mother.” Neito smiled. A fine hero. The phrase did not apply to him, not in the societal nor linguistic sense of the word. A hero relied on himself to get the job done, at the end of the day. With what he had, that was an impossibility. 

“None of the other kids gave you trouble, did they?” Father asked, and Monoma winced on the inside, thinking about the events transpiring just after the test. 

“No, they were nice people,” He said. It was no lie, by technicalities. There was that girl, after all. Kendo, was it? She was nice. 

Father seemed to perk up at his answer, gladdened. “That’s good,” He gave an approving nod. “I’m glad they weren’t like your schoolmates.”

Neito waved his hand like an aristocrat at a banquet. “Nah, I think maybe those guys were just ––” He struggled for the proper word. “Lame.” He ended, and grinned internally at the apt description of his dialogue. But that smile died in the next instant when he thought about what he had wanted to say. 

Flat characters. A character with one dimension, owning a singular character trait to serve a purpose in a story. That’s what he called them, but not Mother. 

“About time kids your age learned some maturity,” She said, her ‘teacher’ side emerging. “Not you, Neito – of course. You’re a sensible boy. Apart from your silly theatrics, but you’ll grow out of it.”

There it is, He sighed, on the inside – or, aside. That was how the plays would state inner actions on the script. But Mother doesn’t like plays, does she now? 

“Neito, tell us about the fighting,” Father interjected with a smile that was a bit too wide, “What quirks did you use?” 

Neito gave a response, but his heart was no longer in the conversation, having been chilled by Mother’s own lovely warmth that she had no idea she was radiating. 

–––––

The letter came a week later when his parents were at work. Neito opened it up in his room. After all, where else would he? Only in his room could he find solace. And on his bed, comfort, so he plopped himself down and opened the envelope. 

The contents contained a disc. A holographic. Taking it out and laying it on his bed, he pressed the blue button in the centre, producing a video on the wall.

It was the scene of an office, with a mouse sitting on a chair and a cup of tea on the glass table. He recognised the principal of U.A himself.

“Neito Monoma! Very good afternoon, or morning, or night, to you – depending when you see this, of course. On the off chance you are unaware of me, I am Nezu, principal of U.A High. This video is approximately 5 minutes long, but I will save you the suspense. You got in. Congratulations.”

His heart soared, and he pumped a fist in the air, breathing a sigh in much-desired catharsis. Had he been holding that in since the beginning? 

“You are, both celebrating – I would hope, and also wondering what the remaining 4 and a half minutes are about. Please do not ignore the rest of this video, because I want to review two things: your performance at the entrance exam, and your quirk. Take a look at this.” 

The video showed clips of Monoma from a birds’ eye view, running around and using his borrowed quirks, as well as him tapping random strangers. He noted how a lot of them turned their heads in evident surprise and puzzlement at him patting them on the shoulder or arm. And then the clip played of him taking a couple of points away from those guys. 

Nezu clucked his tongue. “Many in society would deem that as ‘un-hero-like’ behaviour, as it can be interpreted as stealing, or taking what does not belong to you. Criminal acts indeed, if the deed is severe and the stolen thing valuable. But, your quirk acts on that very principle of taking what does not belong to you.”

The (overwhelmingly intelligent, Monoma realised) mouse continued, “I’ve taken the liberty of reviewing your application and academics. You boast admirable grades in your middle school, and your form teacher commented that you were a highly observant, smart and mature student. I could go on, but you know what you’ve submitted. I will continue with that presumed knowledge.”

“You must have realised by now, or very early on in your career as a hero aspirant, that your quirk is unorthodox, having no use on its own. You require allies, or foes who you can lay a finger on, to fight. And even then, you must hastily adapt to whatever quirk you have under your control, for a period of time. Lots of limitations, Mr Monoma. A lot of challenges you have faced, are facing, and will face. And when you are initiated into my school, expect more.” Nezu took a sip of his tea.

“That’s not to say you will face difficulties many would describe as ‘hell’ at U.A. And neither does my previous statement imply U.A is not ‘hell’.” He paused. “Do excuse my roundabout mannerisms of speech. It is a bad habit of mine.” Nezu chuckled.

“Simply put, I have taken a personal interest in you, Mr Monoma, for your cunning, your intellect, and your quirk. Report to me after your first day of school. We will talk more then. Congratulations once more. Another letter will arrive tomorrow to inform you of the minutiae regarding your inception into U.A. Good day, Neito Monoma.”

The holographic faded out, and Neito was staring at a blank wall for a few seconds trying to process whatever Nezu had said.  

A buzz from his phone pulled him out of his hazy thoughts. He is...really smart. 

It was from Kendo. “Hi, Monoma, It’s Kendo! The girl with big hands. Wanted to ask you whether you received the letter from U.A.” 

He typed a response. “Yeah, I got a letter. What’s your verdict?” 

Fingers crossed. 

She responded, “I got in. >< You?” 

A smile spread across his face. “Same, that’s awesome. Congratulations.”

“YAY! :D We both did it! Congrats too! And I was so shocked that All Might was in the video! I nearly cried. Or maybe I did, idk. Sorry, I’m babbling at this point, but I don’t have anyone else to tell this to until my parents get home and I’m so hypeddd”

Huh? All Might? So Nezu specifically…

He typed, “It’s ok, I’m excited too. Though I don’t express it over text that much.” 

“Haha it’s ok. Can’t wait for the letter tomorrow. There’s so much to do! Hero costume, uniforms, books, all that. And term starts a month from now. Can’t wait!” 

“Wow, how’d you know all this?”

“Mainly from the internet. I was that hyped, y’know?”

He cracked another smile from her enthusiasm. It was oddly contagious, and he found himself more zealous to go to school. That was a statement he’d never think he could formulate in his mind. “I see. That’s cool.”

“Btw, if you wanna go celebrate with your family or friends, go ahead! I don’t wanna hold you back.”

“Nah, my parents are at work and I���m basically alone at home. Same boat as you. So, fire away.”

“Ah, ok!” 

The conversation continued with Kendo gushing about their new life, and Monoma passively followed along, inserting a few comments here and there. But he didn’t feel like he was stuck at a family reunion forced to endure his grandfather’s stories with a placating smile and affirming nods peppered in occasionally. She was actually interesting, and amusing, in a good way. 

The topic was centered around school and academics, with little butting into personal lives, and Monoma didn’t pry. She was still a stranger, somewhat, albeit she would be his new schoolmate – and perhaps classmate. He crossed his fingers again, hoping that Fate would tap him lightly on the head once more with her providence. 

He smiled when Kendo typed, “Hope we become classmates :D. Apparently there are always 2 first-year classes. So it’s basically a coin flip.”

“Heads.” 

“Rly? Do you always choose heads?”

“Yeah.” 

“I’m more of a switcher.”

“How do you decide when to choose heads or tails then?”

“Coin flip.”

“That made me laugh, thank you.”

“Why do you need to thank people for making you laugh? It’s a spontaneous thing.”

“That’s...oddly profound.”

“Or just a dumb statement made to sound fancy. Ah, sorry, I have to go now. But thank you for your time. It was great chatting :)” 

“Why do you need to thank people for chatting with you? It’s a spontaneous thing. Joking aside, thank you too.”

“Nice haha” Was her last message. Neito turned his phone off and lied down on his bed. A moment passed, and Neito took a coin from his study desk. It was a silly thing to do, but his room was his stage. He was performing for himself. 

He gave it a toss and caught it. 

Seeing the result, he grinned.

–––––––

Yeek, this took longer than it should have, sorry. Had a bit of writer’s block when it came to planning this thing and I wasn’t sure how to move on. Also the tone of this is especially terrifying for me because it’s definitely going to be (ironically) more light-hearted, with Monoma’s dramatic language and (side thoughts) occasionally inserted, but that brings the challenge of need. When to do that, when not to. This story is a personal challenge to change my narrative style just slightly. 

Anyway, I hoped you MonoKendo ppl liked it. A lot of people have told me it’s unfortunate the ship lacks content and I couldn’t agree more. But then again, that’s about 75% of the ships out there. (Fk it, 90%). So, here’s my contribution, alongside some other one-shots. 

Feedback’s appreciated :D

[lasteverafter]

I’M  TEARING  OFF  THE  WORDS  YOU’VE  BRANDED  ME  WITH!      ---    ANNELIESE  OF  CRYSTAL  LAKE.

i made joy and i had to pull through for the daughter of odette.

i suffer from barbie brainrot btw.

anyways anneliese where do i begin.

the daughter of the swan queen / white swan / odette.

she and joy are the same age but she’s a year under her.

her full name is anneliese hu!!!

nicknames include annie but basically no one calls her that aside from her mother.

an ever. the best of the best. the goodest of all good. the blueprint. the model student. you and your mom and your grandmother wishes they could be her.

she’s basically the perfect school for good kid.

despite that it’s pretty much the only personality she has. her mother had raised her up as this uber good and sensible kid.

as a kid her mother was always very strict with presenting good and being beautiful and all that jazz.

also going through a mid-life identity crisis.

also an only child, the princess of a kingdom called the crystal lake, housing the swan lake and many castles (although mostly old and crumbling) and some mountains and more lakes & forests. very magical and fairytale-esque.

has blonde hair and really startling bright blue eyes.

OR DOES SHE *dun dun dun*.

she doesn’t because i love giving my characters drama and issues to wade through.

she was actually born with dark hair, like a straight never-coloured black.

her mother was like nUh Uh MiSsY *danny gonzalez finger waggle* only blondes in this household.

breaking news the hu family believes in blonde supremacy.

anyways she forces anneliese to dye her hair blonde constantly with some kind of unicorn hair, lemon, sugar concoction because somehow good is always connected to blond hair.

(also odette also totally had similar hair and was ridiculed for it before turning her blonde hair permanent through some sus ways)

also of asian descent. very similar build to joy, but just a teeny bit shorter.

her hair is always tied up into a ponytail, braid or bun.

she actually didn’t like joy much at first, kind of looked down at her.

if anything she just felt pity for the girl. which is like really really annoying because anneliese talks like she’s talking to a baby kitten.

as a kid as she always taught to look down on nevers because good always defends and prevails, she was always raised to believe that good is superior to evil. because obviously! if they’re not why are they always the one to triumph in the end?

but joy is actually!!! ok with being friends.

and anneliese is like what.

we’re supposed to be mortal enemies

joy: not when i’m alive we’re not.

she meets joy at the school and actually starts becoming friends with her she’s like. well shit. mom’s going to kill me.

anneliese goes through this entire character arc that i’m NOT going to describe because i might write this or something but YES in the end she’s like

wow was i wrong.

they write letters to each other btw.

she actually really admires joy’s [REDACTED]

(also joy [REDACTED])

sorry lads i might write this haha so i’m going to keep the arcs a bit of a secret.

she’s AGGRESSIVELY good. like chaotic good. anneliese radiates ben and jerry’s energy.

ever: omg that joy kid is so evil :( anneliese: SAY HELLO TO MY GRANDFATHER FOR ME *throws the kid across the classroom*

anneliese throws coin bag at poor peasant ‘now do whatever you want with it! I don’t care!’

also conveniently and unironically good at combat magic and thus has a habit of throwing kids across classrooms or out windows when they say something that rubs her the wrong way.

anneliese having breakfast or something and thinking about peasants and then she just abruptly gets up, tells the head chef to make as much food as he can and set up free food stalls in the village square

she’s just so aggressively GOOD like it’s hilarious.

although sometimes it might come off as her seemingly treating someone like a charity case.

also a ballerina.

doesn’t waddle like joy because that u n s i g h t l y for a princess but she is stretching everywhere and cracking bones 24/7 and most of the time a puddle on the floor.

evergirls: walks into bathroom anneliese, with a toothbrush in hand and leg propped up against the wall: good morning.

joy recognises anneliese through the sound she makes when she walks.

anneliese wears these heels and she walks around like CLICK CLACK and they are really really loud.

odette: you gotta wear all these fancy pure beautiful shoes to show how good and beautiful and amazing and light and graceful you are annie: ok click clacks aggressively

her mom waking up every morning to really really loud click clacks ‘oh my fucking god it’s her again’

my godforsaken daughter’s existence was not just a bad dream

annie: OH MOTHER *raps aggressively on door* OUR BREAKFAST IS READY.

has the most EXTRAVAGANT shoe collection. sophie would be jealous.

her prized possession and the one she wears the most are these heels that make literal fire.

shhh i know its fake (i’m heartbroken btw) but its totally real in their world

maybe half of her shoes can do that so.. u never know which... keepin em on their toes...

someone: says something stupid annie: friendly reminder that i am, in fact, a fire hazard.

also the type of girl to say “no ❤️”

her mother probably only wants the best for annie but she’s just doing so in a very unorthodox way.

odette: i've been bullied bc i made friends with an never i don't want u to do the same annie: its the 21st century mom. maybe people getting bullied for what they can’t help and don’t wanna be is the problem :)