#this may be one of the most raw and honest posts I have made on here

[skywalking-through-life]

what ship do you hate most?

LOL, oh my anonymous friend, I wondered if anyone was going to ask me this. I'm going to try to answer without opening a can of worms about my opinions that I don't know if I'm brave enough to crack open, but we'll see where this goes. This answer - even more than usual - is probably going to be long.

Okay.

I don't hate any ships.

I know that some folks may not believe me, but I genuinely, 100%, I do not. And will not!

Are there ships I don't understand, or don't find appealing, or find disturbing? Yes, very much so! I personally am usually squicked out by ships that are incestuous, ships between an adult and a child, ships where there is a clear and dangerous lack of consent, and ships that are shipped because the person doing the shipping wants to 'punish' or bash one of the characters, so they ship them with whoever will give them the worst time. I have very little patience for stories where the people in the ships cheat on or betray one another in some way as a feature of the relationship, and tend to roll my eyes when I see people use them to vent their feelings about other people's ships. I don't like ships that feel one-dimensional, and I don't tend to like ships absent passion.

But while all of that might annoy or baffle me, dislike of certain pairings or tropes isn't hate, and is small potatoes compared to what I see as a MUCH larger issue.

And that - what I DO hate - isn't any particular ship, but the culture of extreme, sometimes violent, often thoughtless and self-centered emotionalism that (unfortunately) has always been a part of shipping. Ship wars, pro vs anti ship discourse, and the idea that our feelings about the fictional characters we love and hate should somehow translate to how we - REAL HUMAN BEINGS - treat each other; all of this worries me deeply because in this I see the REAL evils of the REAL world bleeding into fictional ones. Hate is a powerful emotion, and to see it applied to real people because of fictional interests? I abhor that - and all it has historically led to - in my very soul.

Whenever I hear about people getting death threats in their inbox for liking/not liking/not having the correct opinions about a ship, whether 'problematic' or otherwise, I genuinely feel sick to my stomach. I understand loving something so much you want to defend it against any perceived attack; I understand thinking something is so evil that it needs to be spoken up against. But I do not, and never have, understood how and why so many folks apply that deep seated anger to FICTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS. Our world is a beautiful and terrible place, and is so wide and complex - wider than the margins of any book, or the frames of any film. Surely we can better spend our passions out there, on the thousands of issues that deserve our attention, our care, and our hearts, rather than in here, on each other, over things that do NOT matter at the end of all things?

And so the end - the ultimate, the core - of this issue for me is this: hating a ship, or participating in ship discourse of some kind, would require me to let fictional worlds have access to my anger, no, to my real, roaring RAGE; to the messy parts of myself and my complicated relationship to the real world that I come into fictional worlds to write myself free of. And I just don't believe there is a place for that kind of vitriol in spaces that are, for me, meant to be joyful and liberative.

[livelaughghoul]

Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg Relationship Tarot Reading

Disclaimer: This is for entertainment purposes only, nothing observed or taken away from this should be considered fact. As a reminder, I know fuck all about Formula 1, I just like fast cars and have a dumb amount of knowledge of astrology and tarot. 

Hey besties. Thank you for being patient with me while dealing with my husband’s medical issues. To be completely upfront and honest, we don’t have any resolution, and there may continue to be some sporadic posting and breaks taken if he has another episode. I was hoping that only one of us in this marriage would have a chronic illness or long-term medical issues, but turns out, that both my husband and I are trying to outdo each other in terms of our medical complications (I’m still winning, because like my neurological issues absolutely body his blood clot, and yes, I am using humor to cope with the anxiety this caused). 

I’ve done some more research and explored the lore, but I am still nowhere near knowledgeable about any of these men. What I will say is that the older ones (Lewis, Jenson, Kimi, and Mark) are the ones that have me the most feral. I won’t lie, I watched like, one video on Lewis and Nico, and guys, I am so emotional over them. I think that there is a lot of history there, and I think that history can be really hard to move on from or heal from. I made wanted to see what the cards had to say about the current and future relationship, so here is the reading for Lewis and Nico! 

Current relationship - Six of Cups 

The Six of Cups is this nostalgic card, it’s remembering what was shared between friends. It’s one of those cards that is really difficult in terms of relationship readings, at least in my opinion. The way that I look at the Six of Cups when thinking about someone's current relationship, especially if that relationship is strained, tells me that someone is still holding onto the past in a way that prevents forward movement. I think that either Lewis or Nico is unable to move on from what happened between them, that pain and hurt run deeper than what is known. They may be able to act somewhat civil when near each other, but I don’t think that there is a way to get back to what the friendship was. 

Future relationship - Strength, reversed 

I think that any friendship between the two of them, beyond the sparse interactions now, is going to be plagued with a lot of negative emotions, insecurities, and general doubts. I imagine that no matter how much healing and work goes into it, there is always going to be that rawness that is there. When I see Strength in the reversal position it’s more internal than anything, so I think that in the future if they were to really rebuild a friendship, it would be plagued with a lot of internal doubts and insecutirties. I don’t see a way that the friendship ever returns to what it was, I think that there is just too much hurt there. It’s possible though that slowly over time an olive branch is extended, but I think that there is always going to be some distance to a degree. 

[ceo-of-kimona]

Other than that one time with the tequila, what do Kim and Ramona really have that would make them a good ship?”

I bet you’re asking, well, lemme tell you. Hooo boy let me tell you.

So, first of all, they just have pure chemistry together. Even when they aren’t as high as a kite, they completely hit it off together. Every time they’re together they just have so much chemistry. They’re honest with each other, can open up to each other really easily, and always have a lot to talk about. Hell, look at the scene before they get wasted at the party. They have one of the most real and chill chats in the entire series, talking about the glow as well as a bunch of other personal stuff and reading each other’s emotions and boundaries perfectly.

Also- when they’re together, Kim almost always has a slight smile. Now I know this sounds inane on its own, but keep in mind that Kim isn’t exactly beaming out a smile 24/7. Usually her eyes are low and her expression ranges from flat to angry (which is very gender of her but I digress). So someone getting s smile out of her is a massive deal, usually reserved for significant others like Jason or Scott. So Ramona so consistently getting her to crack a smile, joke around with her, and even let down her harsh exterior means a huge amount.

These two have made more real conversations and connections than any other two characters in the entire series. They are so damn raw with each other and it works so well. Ramona never judges Kim for her talking about her thoughts and feelings, no matter how sharp they may be. Likewise; Kim never judges Ramona for her past and immediately stops pushing when Ramona sets a boundary for something she doesn’t want her to know.

This is just the beginning, the surface level stuff, the foundation of their relationship. There’s a lot more from here, but I’ll save it for future posts.

[aceghosts]

Uquiz Roundup

Alright, I've been tagged in several Uquizzes lately, and I'm just going to do them in one post. Here are the links to said Uquizzes:

What kind of suffering are you?

Tell me of your heart and I'll give you a (tragic) love archetype and some advice

what are you doing here?

I've been tagged by @inafieldofdaisies, @voidika, @carlosoliveiraa, @nightbloodbix, @marivenah, @theelderhazelnut, and possibly others.

Since most people have done these, I'll send out a few tags to @bbrocklesnar, @alexxmason, @amalkavian, @captmactavish, @captastra, @clicheantagonist, @fourlittleseedlings, @socially-awkward-skeleton, and @mishwanders. (In the future, if you want to be tagged, feel free to like this post.)

Rooney Shepard

Lonliness

Your heart feels full of the connection you feel you lack. No matter how many people are around you, strangers or not….someone is missing. You don't know who, what, or if you'll ever find them. You're unsure if there's a person out there who'll really satisfy your life, so really what's the point of continuing to look?

(They definitely feel lonely at times, due to expectations placed upon them by themself and others. But I do think Rooney wishes occasionally there was someone who could understand what they're going through.)

04. SUB ROSA

Love is a game of here and there to you. Whether catching glimpse of another's neckline or grazing a knuckle between knocking shoulders of passing by. You have learned to adore in secrecy, the rawness of an outright confession to be spoken a foreign terror. There is ease in pursuing the unavailable, to remain within the space of possibility and nestle the fuzzy words another could say to make or break your day. Instability spun itself into mysterium and while the certainty of love in aging isn't to be forced upon anyone, there is a miniscule part of you testing the limits of ambiguity. Hold down the feeling and settle in the leather seat of a car, kiss the corner of a mouth and say how you feel. Your affection in its vulnerability is to be seen, lift the veil and do not fret when an honest word turns into all you have secretly yearned for. You are meant to be noticed and openly loved.

(So true! It's hard for Rooney to be honest about their romantic feelings.)

drowning (for the sake of it)

You are restless ambition and caffeinated nights. You are dancing-in-the-rain and record-player-breaking-down and god-I-knew-this-would-happen. The world made you the cynic and you cursed the world. You stomped in the mud and now you shout at the sky, but fear it not because you are so much stronger. You must persevere, and survive this night. The next and the next. By and by. You are so much stronger than you think you are. You have a purpose to find within yourself, and it doesn't come from the work you're doing now.

(This feels particularly true for their Cyberpunk universe, especially at the beginning of CP2077 where they feel very jaded.)

Hunter Delaney

Yearning

The pain in your chest bubbles knowing that what you want may never be yours. You're lost in a fantasy world, or consumed by what you wish you were or had as opposed to what you do. It's hard to appreciate what's around you when you're appreciating the hope of what could be instead.

(Spot on. After dying, Hunter yearns for their old life. Eventually, they learn to appreciate the new one.)

07. FATHER'S SON

Breathe down your own neck, it's the sound of smashing fist against furniture in another room again. The wringing hem of cloth and pattern of an escalating heart. Love is tumultous to you. There is grief and disguised forgiveness to damp down the yearning. A permanent fear of tender flesh spilling out, still- you must refrain of growing attached to the fear you had installed into you. Let go of the notion that love is still to be cherished with a hole in the head. Scrub crimson ancestry off wooden floors and try again tomorrow when your hands don't shake cold from the blood loss. Love isn't a fist to escape. Fill the hole in your head with cotton and know you are to be adored. You are deserving of an embrace without flinching.

(Eh, not so sold on this one for Hunter.)

atoning (for someone else)

You are sweet, sweet sorrow. Parting ways at an intersection, an angel's footsteps walking side by side with your own, the shadows of the past looming, looming. You are apologetic-moon-light and loiter-at-the-back-of-the-classroom and stilted-silence and rich-with-life. You are stepping-on-eggshells your way through life, be less careful. Be less careful. You make mistakes, you made mistakes, and you will make mistakes, but imagine growing from them without the wish to go back. Stop restricting yourself. Take a breath of the clean air. Stop breathing in your own secondhand smoke.

(I think this is kind of true. Before dying, Hunter was holding back a lot of themself. Although, now they're more murder-y. So, uh, Good for Them?)

Riley Callahan

The Giver

Your energy depletes as you hand it out to anyone passing by your basket. People walk by and take, but no one ever leaves. You're constantly running on low when people keep asking you to give. You'd give your soul away for free, and then what left do you have of yourself if you can't say no?

(This tracks.)

03. CUPID'S BROTHER

You have been love adjacent all your life. The faint spill of another story that softly grazed your shoulders when stood too close. Whether by design or not, you have yet to build a clear image of what love means to you. The interlocked weaving of a picture locket bound to strand of hair when hugged to tight, the sunpatch that meets your soles in glaring sun dried fields when running with a friend. You are not far from love, but moving between line of collision and avoidance at all times. A faint glimmer on sea lake surface of what could be. There is time to find what you want, find whether it's enough as is. Love is in you, breathing in another day. Continue as you are, realizing the love that is slowly blossoming in your life as it sharpens and clears in brushstrokes.

(It takes Riley a while to realize they are in love. So yeah, this feels pretty on brand.)

shining (for the world)

You are sunshine. You are too bright for this world and you know too much for your experiences. You are not naive, but you are not a cynic. You are not an optimist, but you don't see the point in pessimism. You are bright bells of energy and great pealing laughter and coffee-shop-dates and meet-in-person-lunches and you draw people to you like a magnet with the way you shine. You are bright and drained, drained, drained. You are restless nights, heavy days, broken moons. You deserve a rest. You deserve to release. You cannot carry the weight of the world alone. Share the tasks, be the light, and create the connections.

(Yeah, this absolutely nails Riley.)

Emerson Wright

Despair

The tunnel never had a light. You wish for nothing because you know you'll receive nothing, and your hopes died out long ago. The only thing that keeps you going is the thrill of emptiness you feel when things don't turn out your way. It's bitter. It's proof. Proof that you don't feel this way for nothing.

(Ouch, but yeah, this tracks for Emerson.)

06. CANíBALES; DEVOURER

Love's a knife to skin to you, a vein to woven muscle, blood puddle before you. You listened to all the promises of a stranger's relief and feel the drain of a shower head running it all down again. You committed another murder; kissed and bruised skin with a clench to a quivering wrist and went home in the defeaning quiet of a taxi. There's mold covered rage within you. If to take a heart home with you, you'd bite your way through muscle and ribcage first. Pleasure comes, but there will be no devouring past it. There is fear in settling down and being seen. There is a glass screen between these bodies and you. Relax your tight jaw and feel the real canine fear beneath that scabbed up cavity. The sacrifice of opening up is needed if to be loved as you deeply wish inside. Desire doesn't discriminate between hands or spoken word. Why should you?

(Again, on brand for Emerson. They would rather eat glass than open up.)

drowning (for the sake of it)

You are restless ambition and caffeinated nights. You are dancing-in-the-rain and record-player-breaking-down and god-I-knew-this-would-happen. The world made you the cynic and you cursed the world. You stomped in the mud and now you shout at the sky, but fear it not because you are so much stronger. You must persevere, and survive this night. The next and the next. By and by. You are so much stronger than you think you are. You have a purpose to find within yourself, and it doesn't come from the work you're doing now.

(Interesting that they got the same result as Rooney for this quiz. Emerson is pretty cynical, and I feel like this fits them pretty well.

[theywontletmebeprincipal]

The necrophilia question has me thinking tho. Cause like, what is it about necrophilia that IS unethical?

If your argument is “well that’s a dead body and being attracted to one is disgusting” then you’re relying on your own personal ick scale to determine morality, which is exactly the ideology bigots have used as their footing for as long as bigots have existed. “It’s gross” is not a fair metric of morality.

Then is it a lack of consent? A dead body can’t consent. Unless it can. In the zombie example, a zombie fully capable of informed consent is, mentally, a fully functioning person whose body is just decaying. If a thinking thing wants to have sex, have at it.

In the real world, dead bodies don’t think, and can’t consent. That’s where the immorality of necrophilia comes into play. But if consent is our only argument. What if the body isn’t actively thinking, but consented, regardless?

Take for example, two known creepy sexy freaks. Morticia and Gomez Addams. In his will Gomez writes “Cara Mia, if I should ever come to an untimely demise, I want you to make love to me one last time, once I am beyond the grave.” A few days after the funeral, Morticia digs up Gomez’s body and has sex with it. Gomez very explicitly consented. Is it ethical?

This is all probably beyond what you had in mind when you made that poll, but it just got me thinking.

1. you are braver than any us marine for sending this off anon

2. here’s my legitimate view on it — I think that what happens with someone’s dead body is fully for them to decide while they’re still alive, n that’s what should be honored by other people after death. sure, for most people that’s “cremate me” or “just dump me raw in a conservation burial ground” or “donate my body to a medical school”. but for some other people it might be “carve a nice set of cutlery from my bones” or “bind a book in my skin” or, yes, “have sex with my corpse, if it is safe”. n that, to me, is fine regardless of how uncomfortable it might make most people. the number one thing that’s important here is that the person who’s dying knows exactly what’s going to happen with their body n is able to comfortably dictate their wants without the risk of them being disrespected. but to be honest, it’s not weird goth leatherworkers or even creepy sex freaks who are misusing dead bodies most of the time — it’s the military industrial complex. when somebody says “use my body for science”, they’re imagining it’ll be given to medical students as a practice cadaver, or used to study diseases they may have had. not that it’ll be used for weapons testing, which is often the case with bodies donated to the vague concept of “science” as opposed to specific medical schools/research orgs/etc. I’m way more worried about the overt dishonesty within our funerary system n the ways it can be used to prey upon people who are uneducated about post death rights than I am about the nebulous idea of necrophilia. not to even fucking mention the million ways not knowing enough about death can totally fuck over the deceased’s living family/friends. why would I be scared of Vampires when Funeral Poverty is right there

3. yeah gomez was so real for that

[sinistersinister]

dragula finale liveblog, under the cut. i'll just make one post and type in it as i watch.

warning: spoilers ahead

first thought: a lip-synch? may the best monster win? this is just goth rupaul i guess.

second thought: the boulets are gorgeousssssss i LOVE their headpieces. anna-varney CUNTodea more like

skipping most of the confessionals. i want to be surprised. but i did catch nio's and it's like hoso's, part 2, but it's an important message and it still feels fresh.

love throb's filth idea.

ork remains colombian tommy wiseau. "my filth look is inspired by this... fucking GROSS slug... i found one time in a bathroom."

ork is such a sweetheart. i do not get why the fandom on reddit seems to hate him. i think it's probably classism and maybe a bit of racism. he's like what jay kay said they were-- up-front and honest and 'telling it like it is.' unlike jay kay, ork can actually dish it out AND take it, it seems like. (i do not dislike jay kay, but the way they were portrayed on the show made it seem like they were immature but not in the fun way. i do love a shit-stirrer but i like someone who's more incisive and self-aware about it.)

throb is very sincere and a bit socially inept. which i find charming.

i would have loved to see more of blackberri beyond 'nicey cutie with a beard.' like that weird tangent a few episodes ago about the christian traveling puppet show. like what? hello??? that was FASCINATING? she spent too much time being the producers' friend and not enough time being blackberri. imo.

at this point (~20 minutes in) i think nio's taking the crown.

FILTH TIME!

first thought: ork needs more goop for his slug to be gross. it's just cute, not filthy.

second thought: oh. oh THERE'S the slime. i am literally gagging so that's a good indication this was a 'successful' look. not the first time i've seen that pose from ork tho. nonetheless i would have liked more slime. it's a 'fucking GROSS slug,' so i want slimes and goops!

first thought: blackberri doing some christian puppetry callbacks with that suit. i think that's a good idea. playing to her strengths. it's kind of cute and menacing in an '80s mascot costume that was left in a warehouse and is now mildewed and spooky' way.

second thought: insufficiently filthy. ohhh you ate a raw fish. and? and? put more gross trash in your mouth! nose fell off too!

first thought: throb is also not sufficiently gross. but i love the lewk.

second thought: nvm i am again litcherally gagging. i have a thing about bubbly fluids and i was never more glad for 'switching tabs and looking away.'

fist thought: NIO OH GROSSSSSSSSSS. nio proving that the filthiest thing......is racism U___U. also slopping around in rotting food. that is also very nasty.

second thought: idk there was more potential for nio being gross. she came out so strong and i was underwhelmed by how gross she didn't get. make soy sauce come out of the pig foot strap on!!!!

winner: throb. i think a filth look is successful if it makes me feel sick.

post-show: oh, i didn't know ork was trying to literally puke. it would have been SO good if it had worked. next time put some ipecac on that tail, ork!

HORROR TIME

woah ork has great taste in obscure scary movies!!!! blackberri has a great taste in classic horror movies!!!! the girlies have done the reading!

nio: this could have been a glamour look. giving TITTYcut follies. i think the bodysuit was underwhelming though. same with the hairography.

blackberri: LOVE the idea and i think the execution is 80% there. the glittery blood is SO good. i just wish the skin looked more like skin and less like a trash bag? also lol at the silly little heels.

ork: jesus christ

throb: eh, whatever. why the pregnancy? i liked how unwholesome and distended the belly looked. maybe they could have leaned into that more?

winner: ork. i mean. come on. runner-up: blackberri based on concept alone.

GLAMOUR

oooh i just noticed the boulets' glove nails. we looooove

nio: best face, absolutely the most glamorous face. the bodysuit is good but i think it needs more rhinestones, or encrusted jewels from the sea, or something.

blackberri: nice but not especially glamorous? idk. i need more. and i haaaaated the necklace. it felt so out of place and like something i could get on aliexpress for 10 bux (and not in the ork "make something that cost next to nothing into art" way).

ork: i don't think it's uhhhh glamorous in the conventional way. i like it but i don't get 'glamour' from it. i think the number one ork critique (he can only do one thing) applies here.

throb: lmao this IS goth rupaul. complete with rose petal reveal. weird chest piece too. but unarguably glamorous. face was so good. also, they had the best performance. you can tell they were a burlesque performer. also, their gags finally worked :3 yaaaaay!

the music reminds me of the birthday massacre. nostalgic, to me.

winner: tie between nio and throb. this glamour section was probably the weakest of the three sections.

alright. all the sections are over.

based solely on the floor show i stand by my original assessment that it's nio's show to lose. throb (not memorable but quite good at what they do) and ork (one-trick pony, but that pony can fuckin PERFORM) tied for second. blackberri should not have made it this far. i do not think there should have been a top 4.

judging panel boulets again steal the show. i adore the wigs with the spiky sparkly gelled (?) points, and the luxurious big fluffy (feathery?) collars.

why tf are they hyping blackberri so much? what kind of dirt does she have on them? did something get lost in translation? is it something you have to see in real life and you're missing something otherwise?

aw at the boulets being nice to nio.

love the final lewks. my favorite is ork's because it's a callback to the dbz-looking thing he had for the blacklight challenge. nio's underwhelms me but it's a smart choice for if you're dunked in blood. the makeup is killer. throb's is ehhhh. blackberry's is quite glamorous and put together but insufficiently goth/weird for me. i do like the face pearls though!

YAAAAAAAAAY I WAS RIGHT NIO WON. and ork clapping his flippers in delight again :3

anyway. good season i guess. i hope jarvis is in a mental space where he's good to compete again for titans. and i hope there's nothing terrible that happened between nio and ork.

[ruiniel]

Prickly thorns, tender roses

Fandom: Castlevania series (2017-2021)

Rating: Mature🔞

Relationship: Alucard/Original Female Character

Characters: Alucard, Original Character(s)

Summary:

Set after the events of Castlevania (Netflix) Season III. After the betrayal of his young apprentices, Alucard feels barely alive in his lonesome castle. Days wear on, chipping away at his mind and sanity. And what is the son of Dracula to do with this unwanted visitor, suddenly come at his doorstep? Often the prickly thorn produces tender roses - Ovid

Chapter tags & warnings: Inspired by Castlevania, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, POV alternating, Post-Castlevania Season III, Non-Canon Relationship, Paranoia, Not Canon Compliant, Angst, Personal interpretation of post-season III Alucard

PART I

Also on AO3

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XIX. Rue the day

The night was dewy, her steps were swift and floundering. The lone figure traversed the forest path leading away from the castle, her gaze ever watchful. This was, after all, a most surprising country in its savagery, as Ravenna had discovered firsthand. But even though she was afraid, need and fury drove her more than anything else. A need to fly and be away, one which not even her fear of the night and its terrors could suppress. But anger was the most potent of them all: she’d been somewhat of a fool.

Her boldness had been daft, and it was a foolish err to think she could have anticipated him. But most of all, Ravenna felt the greatest idiot for thinking she could help someone like him, in any way, shape, or form. A part of her still wondered what had driven her to act as she did. She pondered on what had made her goad him so shamelessly into intimacies he clearly had no intention of pursuing? Ones she herself had no notion of, apart from sparse teachings and forbidden writings. All of it had brought about such distress that Ravenna thought he may actually harm her, such was the insane spark of resentment in his eyes.

Hateful. Ravenna bit back a sob as her steps gained in speed. But not at first. At first, his mouth had been warm and welcoming, his body so perfectly arrayed to hers, his touch so unexpectedly nourishing and enveloping. And it felt so right to meld into him and all that he was; so honest and raw, as if his own life force surged within her through some arcane sharing... Her brow furrowed.

The blood.

Of course, there had been surely something he did not tell her, either from reluctance or an aversion to delving deeper into what was an uncomfortable topic. Ravenna figured it all had a role, but it was not the primary cause. More fool you, for dreaming of valiant deeds, of caring for vampires and shapeshifters.

In her hasty flight she’d taken nothing except her dagger and the clothes she now wore: a pair of worn leggings and a long knee-length tunic, which she cinched with a leather belt. She’d also taken a dark hooded cape from the few abandoned garments found in her borrowed bedchamber.

When Ravenna fled from an irate and feral Adrian, she ran straight to her room, and as she became engrossed in her hasty arrangements, the gifted manuscript caught her eye. She recalled herself standing still and gaping at the tome for a good few moments, open as it lay on the bed where she had left it.

How could he think I did it all to use him, when I had not even the slightest idea this existed?

He could not have been more wrong, but what was the use of wondering about it all anymore? Unfortunately, this creature was clearly lost, whatever he lived through bursting violently against any attempt of connection. Pridefully, Ravenna at first made for the door, intent on leaving his gift behind if only to prove her mettle. But then she recalled the higher need which drove her, and the principal goal leading her weary travels into this godforsaken land. For better or worse, it had been a gift. And she had nothing to prove, despite those delusional and hurtful accusations. It would be put to good use, for his own redemption, among others. No matter that he would never know of it. She took the tome.

Now, as Ravenna trudged through the forest, she turned her head up to the sky, only to feel drops of wetness caress and tickle her skin in sharp cold beams. Wonderful. Just what I needed.

She pulled the cloak and hood tighter around her shoulders, and grasping her dagger closely beneath the folds of her garment Ravenna pursued through the forest. She would not rest, she could not afford to. Firstly, it was perilous to linger, and secondly, she wanted to reach a human settlement as soon as possible. She had very little coin left, but it would have to do. Her return journey would not be an easy one, but what mattered was for the tome to reach master Ovidius. Ravenna would have needed more time to read it here, matching with other information she still had to sift through from the vault. But as things stood, even a partial aid was better than none.

She walked for most of the night with a mind full and an aching spirit, fortunately encountering no setbacks of any kind. Well, there must be some balance, Ravenna considered her luck. She only stopped to rest for a short while, taking shelter beneath thicker crowned trees when the downpour became stronger. It was yet predawn when her wearied eyes caught a flickering light in the distance.

The rains returned. A curtain of mist veiled the view of the world from the castle, and the sound of water striking against its stone walls hammered its tune savagely into his mind. Alucard closed the book which had failed to capture his attention, and rising, replaced it onto the shelf. There was peace, there was quietude. And then there was the half-empty beat of his heart, yet to be free of a burden he never asked for.

Why this place? Why, out of all the places and people sent on one quest or another in this whole damned world, did it have to be her? He still felt her presence a day after her departure. Or perhaps it had not even been that long.

As his feet took him to the study, Alucard tried and failed to forget and bury the trembling words thrown at him before he angrily sent her away. They milled and ruminated, leaving him more confused than he ever recalled, and more wanting than he dared to admit.

I feel for you.

And the dreadful irony of it all was that the moment the words left her mouth, he believed them. Alucard had wanted to believe the truth of them, but still failed to go past the wall so suddenly raised between them—one of his own making, at that.

His tired gaze flitted to the window, and the dhampir went to lean with his palms against the pane. Well, she was gone now, and there was nothing he could wisely do about it. Nor did he want to, no matter how vividly her taste lingered on his tongue, no matter how much he wished to feel her hands on him again. Alucard had hoped this was all mainly owed to the remnants of her blood still wreaking havoc on his insides, but the stubborn feeling of loss and need persisted. He’d done it only to protect himself, to keep it all from spiraling into disaster again.

And this is so much better, his divided mind quipped, and he grimaced before lowering his head. Alucard turned and looked to the narrow table, where two wine glasses still sat. Hers was yet half full.

Pride had never been his major sin, and so that prevented Alucard from savagely rejecting the following thought. Had he made some sort of mistake? He could not run after her at the time, with his mind yet on fire and his spirit confused. The damage had been dealt and there was more harm than good to come of it.

It mattered little now. Once the darkness had receded from his manner that evening, he’d sought Ravenna in her chamber, though what for, he knew not. Alucard may have wanted to speak with her further. He may have wished to at least retract his threat and give her more time. But when there was no response, he saw that the woman had kept to his conditions. She was already gone.

With his thoughts as torn and being pulled apart by doubts akin to ravenous wolves, Alucard left the study to pace through the castle. The structure had regained its aura of pressing emptiness, and his ghostly steps were the only ones discernible in the gloom. The castle was barren, its gates barred once more. There surfaced a wish to be free of it, to leave the confines of its walls, where yet another memory of loss now dwelt.

Alucard hastened his stride, and wearing his long coat and sword, went outside. The heavy rain dampened his hair and garment, and he raised his head to the skies, allowing the cold droplets to fall and drench his fevered skin and eyes. He began walking again, straight toward the Belmont Vault.

Once there, he pulled the lever which kindled the lights. What struck him rather unexpectedly was that even here, she still permeated the air. The memory of red forest berries and wine, and something of her on his skin nearly caused him to curl in on himself, such was the longing to taste it again. What have you done to me? Alucard wondered dryly, knowing full well it was unfair to think so. The blood... it’s only because of… the blood. Soon it would weaken, and he would be free of it. Or so Alucard hoped as he absently touched one tome, still spread over the reading table Ravenna used during her time spent here.

Have I made a mistake?

The stubborn question formed again, just as his eye caught another remnant of the past. Not far stood an object that made him frown: a tall, cracked mirror with an unknown script carved into its frame. It was the distance mirror he and Sypha had used to find and capture the castle of his father, once upon a time. It all felt like ages ago.

Alucard tried fighting it. He really did. But the hellish question remained, as did the torment of a longing he failed to completely smother. But there is no other choice. And it was all his doing. He approached the mirror, another thought brimming with ruthless insistence.

If only to know she was alive, if only to see she was well. He removed his glove, and using a clawed finger, etched the required arcane symbols into the metal frame of the mirror. Alucard propped his hands against the metal edges. He looked downward with a sigh, a last moment of hesitation.

“Show me the Styrian,” he spoke the brittle words unto the mirror, and before his eyes, colors and patterns seeped through the reflective surface in uneven waves.

And then there was her face, the eyes Alucard had always found so unnerving and intriguing. His chest burned like a raging inferno, consumed by the vivid image of her so far and out of reach. The longing in his heart quickened, creating a raucous storm that crashed against the walls of him. The scent of longing filled the air, mingling with the bittersweet taste of unfulfilled desires. She was cloaked, and there was resignation in her tired gaze. Alucard could not see more as details blurred.

His hands trembled, and he rued the day she set foot into this tomb. The realization that his fear had gotten the best of him struck its blows, and guilt began its torture. Deep within himself now lay the ruined remnants of a possible friendship. Alucard rested his forehead against the cold glass. His sigh misted the mirror. His hand came splayed over the surface, fingers clawing over the vision of her face. “If only you had less pride, and I more sense...”

I would never harm you.

Alucard stepped back from the mirror as if burnt, and the image disappeared. He placed his head in his hands, and under the weight of his mind, heart and the added burden of his choices, his knees buckled and he fell. But she was alive. She survived the night, and as he had guessed and hoped, this woman seemed to thrive on willpower alone. She would make a successful return and continue her work. She had to.

Now all was well and good, if only he could cease thinking about her. Alucard rose after a good while, wanting to busy himself with the mundane work of arranging items in the vault, an attempt to keep his mind anchored into the present.

No sooner had he turned away from the mirror than a shrieking sound filled his ears. Screaming. There was struggling. And then his heart was beating wildly, as when faced with impending peril. No, these sensations, though alive and real, were not his.

He swiftly approached the distance mirror again, placing his hands on either side. He took a deep breath, and before he could change his mind, spoke the words.

“Show me where she is.”

PREV NEXT

[the-vixxen]

No, Lana Del Rey's Music Is Not Anti-Feminist: A Defense of Female Vulnerability

Lana Del Rey, the enigmatic songstress known for her dreamy melodies and haunting lyrics, has been a subject of controversy and criticism within feminist circles throughout the years. Critics have accused her music of perpetuating anti-feminist ideals and romanticizing female submission. The Vixxen, dear reader, has to disagree.

Now this may be old news, but it was a phenomenon that always intrigued me. And as I intend this blog to be about the female experience, giving voice to our longings, something Lana has made a career of, I believe this is the perfect subject matter to do so.

In this blog post, I aim to defend Lana Del Rey's creative process, arguing that it is a powerful exploration of the female experience through fantasy, delving into themes of longing, and desire.

Fantasy as a Means of Exploration

Lana Del Rey's music is a rich tapestry of fantasy and nostalgia, providing a safe space for listeners to explore complex emotions. Rather than adhering to the politically correct notion of feminism, she chooses to delve into the darker, more mysterious aspects of the female psyche. This approach allows women to confront their own vulnerabilities and desires without judgment.

Authenticity Over Girl Power Branding

It’s no secret that feminism is continuously commodied for profit. Women in power abusing said power and masking their exploitation behind a false veneer of empowerment has even become a meme by now. In this onslaught of kitschy phrases and empty slogans on t-shirts made by children in third world countries, Lana is an honest breath of fresh air. Her music does not brand itself as a platform for girl power or empowerment slogans. Instead, it offers a raw and unfiltered portrayal of female pain, longing, and the quest for love. Her willingness to showcase these emotions without sugar-coating them resonates with many women who appreciate this genuine exploration of their inner worlds.

Exploring the Need for Male Validation

 Lana Del Rey's music fearlessly delves into the complex psychological phenomenon of seeking male validation. Rather than dismissing this aspect of female experience, she provides a space for women to confront and understand it. Her songs reflect the inner conflicts and contradictions that many women grapple with in a world where societal norms often dictate their worth through male approval.

In Lana's Words: Addressing the Criticism

Another point of contention is the accusation that Lana glamorizes female submission. But isn't there a distinction between exploring a concept through an artistic lens and glorifying them? Lana Del Rey's music provides a space for women who’ve often found themselves on the submissive end of gendered power dynamics to reflect on their own feelings, even the ones that may be considered less "empowering" by societal standards. 

Something Lana said, that was completely misconstrued and taken out of context to the extent it was used to frame her as a racist was “There has to be a place in feminism for women who look and act like me - the kind of women who are slated mercilessly for being their authentic, delicate selves.”

Along with her mention of other female artists, this was misconstrued as an attack on women of color. Though I’ll remind you that Ariana, a white woman, is mentioned alongside the others. If most of the women mentioned happened to be women of color that is simply because they tend to dominate the genre. Many comments called out that women who look like her- white and conventionally attractive, have not been historically excluded from feminist discourse. 

This would have been a valid point- had this been a different conversation altogether. The statement Lana Del Rey makes in this is not a racial one, but an identifier of feminine traits that are often seen as indicators of weakness by misogynists and feminists alike (and wrongly so!). These feminine traits can and do apply to women across racial identities and cultural demographics.

Lana Del Rey's music is a testament to the power of authentic vulnerability and artistic exploration. It allows women to engage with their deepest desires, insecurities, and romanticized longings without judgment or the confines of mainstream feminist branding. By dismissing the pressures of pandering to a "girlboss" culture, Lana creates a unique space for women to embrace their vulnerabilities. Her music provides an escape into a world of dreams and fantasies, a contrast to the harsh reality of how women are often perceived and treated. In a world that often demands conformity, Lana Del Rey remains a bold and unapologetic voice for those who appreciate her sincere exploration of the complexities of the female experience.

I you agree, if you respectfully disagree, leave a comment down below. This is my first post and hopefully its given you a snapshot of the kind of subjects I am interested in exploring. If these subject matters interest you, consider following my content <3

Signing off, xoxo

~The Vixxen

[yoylechess]

alright.. finally, here is my hot freaks forever "review" this is my first i guess "formal" review so BE NICE TO ME. also most of this is just me attempting to make my original notes from my very first listen not completely incoherent, so that incoherent-ness may fade into the current post sitting in front of you.

now, i adore hot freaks. they are one of my top bands NO DOUBT with their debut album being one of my absolutely favorite albums. so you can imagine my pure excitement at a new hot freaks album! well.. i started my listen and... eh.... i dont hate this album, i CANT hate this album... but i dont love it... i suppose i shouldnt have gotten my hopes up for more of their previous music, its been YEARS since theyve released anything for god sakes! and to be completely honest im unsure of what i wanted at all, or at least i couldnt possibly put it into words. despite my disappointment with this album i still have been enjoying it! it has certainly grown on me...

i will be going through each song, briefly talking about what i think, and then giving a rating outta ten as this is the easiest way for me to talk about the album.

starting off with together above, i love the floaty vocals here and this plucky instrument (that i am unsure on the name of) being played after the chorus. i also like the electric guitar here, and the introduction of a violin is a change that surprised me but i welcome wholly! also im not a fan of this twinkling at the end here. im generally not a fan of glitter-esque sounds in music but i really dont like it here.. also music video was released and it.. is a music video! nothing to write home about 6.5/10

lets start a country: inoffensive simple catchy pop song that while doesn't bring too much to the table i still enjoy with funny lyrics and a catchy chorus that makes me want to get up and bounce around. i wish that the lyrics were a tad stronger but otherwise in terms of doing its job of being a good pop song it works very well! also music video is fine i like the tedx stuff and its more interesting than together above's 4/10

end of the night: ...bland its genuinely hard for me to think of anything else to say not bad but not necessarily good no other comments 2.3/10

stuart little vibes: what is happening with the lyrics in this song?? what is going on??? what is that tts voice?? that instrument??? is that a fucking harmonica???????????????? i dont like this song i really dont 1/10 (chorus does trick me for a second into liking this song though) this song makes me want to ram my head through drywall i got angry THINKING about this song the other day i hate this stupid mouse fuck i dont care enough to fix this one up you just get my raw original note. they put the trumpets in to try to appease me but its not working

not concerned with everything: this early instrument feels out of place and the vocals feel offset(?) in the beginning like as if this song was a picture the vocals are slightly off center in certain places. i like the new vibe to this song! was starting to sound a little repetitive the violin really shines in this track it made me really appreciate its presence. the breakdown at the end is just fantastic just great 8.5/10

boyfriend: kicking the dirt at my feet.. i do like the track.... i listened to it a lot before i was able to sit down and listen to the full album. and yes i think its simple and maybe the most boring uninspired song in the album taking in the full picture but im all attached now..... my long time friend.. boyfriend by hot freaks.... my dearly beloved... also what the hell is the ending what was that (/silly) 7/10 🎵oh you are my boyfriend come get me after work~🎵

for nothing: why does it feel like a song from a children's cartoon im forced to sit down to watch with my 3-4 yr old siblings (/neg) i like its bounce and slight new sound for the album. however, they could be doing so much more give me MORE please im on my hands and knees hot freaks im groveling get me out of poorly animated children's cartoon land. violin is of course a highlight of this song 3/10

i want you to be my daddy: strong opening to this track! makes me think of gorillaz, was expecting to hear damon albarn start singing in my ear for a second there tbh. big fan of the vocals here and of course we have to have a horny hot freaks song it is MANDATORY and it is good !!!!!! its so good!!!! makes me pine for hsbf these ending vocals are just a delight i love this track a ton man. horny hot freaks song on top 8.5~9/10

lioness: unfortunately after iwytbmd this track has a lot to live up to for me. but not a bad track at all! reminds me of puppy princess i dont have much to say about this one here 6.3/10

what can i do: just like the end of hot freaks (album) the final song feels entirely disconnected from the rest of the album in topic. hollywood machine may have been attempting to obscure its meaning a bit compared to this straight forward song that doesnt even attempt to hide anything. however, hollywood machine had its distincter sound to hold it up when compered to the rest of the album, while this track seems to sound way too similar to hot freaks forever to stand out in any meaningful way to me. the start's sharp violin sound and harp are unusual and im not all that in love with it. the harp is fine the other times its used i guess but its just not the best. and as usual, (minus the beginning) the violin can not be trumped as it is also pretty good here. 5/10

overall thoughts: of course the vocals preformed by leo vondracek are stunning as is customary for hot freaks but i feel the album leaves a lot to be desired if youre going in expecting something similar to their previously released music. hot freaks forever feels a little lost confused by its own meandering love songs with a bland uninspired beachy vibe. the tracks all feel bouncy which is fine i like bouncy but i would also like it if they mixed it up a little bit more. it feels as if they are desperate to keep inoffensive as to stay in the new spotlight their work has (rightfully) gained as of late. i hope that in the future we can get another album more like their debut, and i dont doubt that we can, i can absolutely see it happening. i just want them to do MORE and give me MORE in terms of sound. i enjoy how they play with their lyrics but i need them to play with the music now please. i do like the new violins though theyre fantastic im a big big fan of the violins. 6/10

my favorite track: i want you to be my daddy (not concerned with everything is a close follow up however!)

my least favorite track: sturat little vibes i hate the song i hate it so much i hate ot oh my god

[gr33nbull]

Hello Everyone,

It’s certainly been quite a while. The last time I was here was well, quite frankly a devastating day if you’re a Sebastian Vettel fan. Which is pretty much 95% of the F1 world I would say. 28/7/22 was the last time I was here and well. Yeah.

That day sucked. And when I say sucked. I mean really sucked. I’ve been a fan of F1 since 2004. I fell in love with Seb in 2007 and not once did that waiver for me. Through all the highs and lows. He was my number one guy always. No matter who came in. It was always Seb for me.

When he announced his retirement last year it absolutely shattered me to pieces. It honestly hit me harder than I ever thought. I’ve never really had to go through that process of seeing your favourite band break up, or seeing your favourite athlete retire or someone you’re a huge fan of being hurt or passing away. I’ve not had that, until Sebastian.

I always thought people overreacted when they got upset over stuff like that. But I completely get where they’re coming from now. When you’ve grown up watching and loving someone for so long like that. Showing unwavering support. It really does punch you in the gut when it’s over. I’ve never been so upset in all my life. It broke me if I’m completely honest and it really broke my love for this sport.

We say we love this sport in general, but no matter what there’s always that one driver that just sucks you in and you unconditionally support. Sebastian was that driver for me.

I just couldn’t face being here. I was mentally in a bad place anyway and that was the final nail in the coffin for me. Albeit it wasn’t the best couple of seasons he’s had and there was so much heartache. Watching Seb was my escape from the real world and my happy place. Now that’s gone. I just had to get off here. Seeing his face upset me so much.

If I’m totally honest. That hasn’t really changed either. If anything, the build up to this new season just made it all the more real for me that he’s really not racing anymore. Abu Dhabi made me sob like crazy, but I’ve found myself yet again getting so upset because I can’t see my favourite guy race ever again. I know it’s totally on me for being so attached to Seb and this sport but I can’t help it. He was my source of happiness.

As the Season opener looms. I’ve been toying on what to do. If I’m completely honest, my love for this sport has vanished. AD 21 really knocked my love for it then Sebastian retired which just sent it to a whole new level. And unfortunately if Mercedes don’t perform well this year, I do believe this could be Lewis’ last year aswell considering he hasn’t signed a contract. All of my era is fading away, all my favourite drivers and I honestly don’t think I can take losing Lewis and Seb in the span of the year. I’d be well and truly done with this sport.

With that being said. I have, like Seb, decided to retire this blog. I may come back periodically, I may not. Quite frankly I just lost motivation for this sport and I miss Seb so crazy seeing his face just makes me feel all sorts of sad. I can’t bare it, it feels so raw and wrong now the season is starting without him. It’s just a bit too much.

I will be watching this season to support Lewis. But there’s a hint of fear, sadness and extreme anxiety. There’s alot riding on this W14. If she doesn’t perform I feel like this year could be very upsetting for me. And I just don’t want to be online and seeing everyone’s posts making me feel worse than I already do.

I will obviously be keeping the blog up. Incase I do pop back. And of course the memories of Seb on here. And if there’s any chance of seeing him in the future. You best believe I’ll be back cheering him on because that’s what I do best.

I will say, I’m glad he’s happy, he’s done what he believes is best for him and his family and I’m sure he’s loving his retired life. His happiness is what’s most important. But that will never change the fact I miss him so incredibly much. His impact on me and my life has been immense. It hurts to lose that.

So guys, for now, I’m gonna go. If you do still follow me, I just want to say a massive thank you to those that followed and who I interacted with. My time on here has been great (and tense lol)

I hope you all have a great year, I hope you all enjoy the season and most of all I hope you’re all well and safe.

Thank you guys so much,

See you around 💚

Kat. 💕

[scribbleseas]

okay, that was a whirlwind of events. THE DIRECTOR'S HUSBAND?? i wish i could say i saw that coming, i was 50-50 on that. and omg the dance scene, i love the details pertaining to how emotion goes into a dance routine. i just love it. and ciel standing up for us?? i felt some type of way after that 😳, him being roughed up about it. mhm i'm liking him already. thank you for another great chapter, i do hope you got some rest after writing this cuz you deserve it ^^

- your sweet anon

Hello Sweet Anon!

Sorry for the delayed response! I wanted to give everyone some time to check out the new chapter before I posted my reply.

I’m so happy you enjoyed the dance scene! I had a lot of fun writing it and doing the research. I referenced a couple of interviews with actual principal dancers who have played the dual role and talked about what it’s like to have to be both Odette and Odile! (I have never touched a pointe shoe in my life.)

As for Ciel standing up for the reader…that wasn’t actually planned! Alexander was going to be an ass, but then halfway into the scene I realized that Ciel wouldn’t just…let him be an ass and get away with it. I made the appropriate changes and we got that giggle-inducing part ahahaha.

I did get some good rest and now I’m ready to crack my knuckles and get some writing done. I think the next update will be for Beyond the Walls, just because I need some extra time to iron out some issues I’m having with the outlines for chapters 5 & 6 for Straight Laced.

I also need some time to figure out which Ciel fic to premiere after Straight Laced concludes! We will be halfway through it after I publish CH5, and outlining any new fic will take me about the length it will take me to finish writing the series.

But of course, the problem is which one? Out of my six baby Ciel x Reader fic ideas, it’s between three of them. They’re three very different MCs, different plots, and different vibes. I can’t decide which is best, so I might have to make a poll so you all can help me pick one.

Here are the vibes:

1. the story is dark crimson and black. it’s mature and it’s about the deadliest version of enemies to lovers you’ll get from me. featuring a y/n who takes no prisoners. It’s time the Underworld has a Queen— will you surrender or must I force you to, Ciel Phantomhive? (crime boss!y/n)

2. the story is navy blue and periwinkle. it’s softer and it features an abundance of both raw emotion and some comedy in there. it’s probably the most…spiritual subject matter I’ll dive into. featuring a brutally honest y/n who doesn’t know how to lie. There are so many spirits calling your name, Lord Phantomhive. (Medium/psychic!y/n)

3. the story is beige and ballerina pink. it’s lighter and social, focusing solely on business and some strong social commentary for the 1890s. it’s a battle of wits, pretenses, and how far one is willing to go to achieve their goals. featuring a serious y/n who has been training for this her entire life. If you become an investor for my corporation, Lord Phantomhive, I may consider a waltz with you (heiress!y/n).

Thank you for all the support!

- Your Dan

[sugareey-makes-stuff]

I posted 3,365 times in 2022

That's 2,962 more posts than 2021!

105 posts created (3%)

3,260 posts reblogged (97%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@akindplace

@danpuff-ao3

@crazybutgood

@awesomedig

@veelawings

I tagged 2,315 of my posts in 2022

Only 31% of my posts had no tags

#hp fanart - 451 posts

#drarry - 439 posts

#hp fanfic - 324 posts

#art rec - 318 posts

#signal boost - 296 posts

#yesss i love this - 232 posts

#hp fests - 222 posts

#harry potter - 218 posts

#draco malfoy - 184 posts

#drarry fanart - 171 posts

Longest Tag: 39 characters

#and it shouldn't always have to be free

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

I’ve got one more character portrait I wanted to get out of my system before I need to work on other projects, so here’s Derek for ya! I honestly wasn’t sure how Sourwolf was going to turn out, but he actually exceeded my expectations. He was thankfully easier to draw than I thought he would be (the grumpy characters I do draw are hard AF to get right), so he was a breath of fresh air. I could definitely get used to drawing him more (and maybe doing some really cool things with his eyes). Also, swooning over that facial hair and the shadows, and this general colour palette was really great to work with. You can view Derek as part of the work Snapshots of Time on AO3. Thinking about maybe working on Scott or Lydia next, but we’ll see!

191 notes - Posted September 18, 2022

#4

What were the words that you said to me that made me feel so special now? Here’s my @sterekweek-2022 contribution for the “Sing Me A Song” prompt! This art piece went in its own direction, and I just followed the path it took me. Lyrics are based on Finch’s song, “Stay With Me.” You can also view Makes Me Feel Alive on AO3.     Folks who are familiar with my work know I live for anything inspired by songs and lyrics, so I obviously had to see what I could come up with for Sterek. Thankfully, I have a gazillion songs and lyrics that work so well for them! :D Drawing an almost kiss scene was fun since there’s something raw and emotional about this moment Derek and Stiles are about to share. I loved drawing Derek’s leather jacket, and Stiles’ plaid button-ups have been teaching me new ways to work with patterns and simple clothing. And the way the mixed media spread ended up really embraces the October and spooky feels. I may have another Sterek surprise for ya for Halloween, so stay tuned!

194 notes - Posted October 30, 2022

#3

Welp! I’ve been sitting on this for quite a while, but I can now scream and squee about the gorgeous Perciver art @rxbbits made me for Where do we go from here? !! This very art piece inspired me to finish There’s a guiding light (on AO3) Since that fic deserved a follow-up and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to write something inspired by this beautiful art, I just posted a ficlet that links to both of these pieces. Title: I’m always by your side (<- on AO3) Rating: General/Teen WC: 1.5k Tags: The Burrow, Post-War, Established Relationship, Developing Relationship, Friends to Lovers, Honesty, Patronuses, Fluff and Angst, Reassurances, Conversations, Summer, Angst with a Happy Ending, Doubt, Memories, Oliver Wood-centric Summary:  In this moment, they existed. In this moment, they could truly appreciate each other’s company as the sun went down. [Or: Oliver and Percy have an honest conversation for the first time in ages and find comfort when two silver guardians make appearances again.] The ficlet uses @wood-you-rather-challenge prompts On the count of three, travel and Everything that kills me makes me feel alive and rarepair_shorts Rare Pairings Challenge 2022 prompts the Burrow and second chances. ANYWAY, my gods, I love the art that goes with this so much. I can stare at it all day because it reminds me why I love these two. They’re soooo precious!! Eeep! XD A BIG thank you to Matteo for listening to all of my ideas, talking all things Perciver with me and making this piece truly come to life. Make sure to check some of Matteo’s other Perciver art pieces or support his work! <333

268 notes - Posted March 28, 2022

#2

Well, it looks like I can finally share this, after not being able to say anything for...I don’t know for how long?! Anyway, here’s what I made for @hd-wireless this year, which is my first Drarry fest piece of the year so far! Drarry has been with me through and through for a long time, and if you were to look at my Drarry playlist, Three Days Grace’s “I Hate Everything About You” is 10000% in there. I’ve loved this song for ages, and it sums up Harry and Draco’s relationship so well, it’s not even funny. I am so glad @sunflower-swan prompted this song so I could snatch it right up! More rambling about how I came up with this piece are in my notes. Cheers, and I hope you enjoy! Title: Every Feeling That I Get (<-see the full work on AO3) Rating: Teen Medium: Digital art Content and Tags: Mirrors, Hands, Love/Hate, Sectumsempra , Fiendfyre, Getting Together, Snogging, UST, Shirtless, Gryffindor vs. Slytherin Rivalry, Feelings Realization, Memories, Post-War, Growing Up, Angst with a Happy Ending, Hogwarts Eighth Year, Enemies to Lovers Summary: The events from their malicious past somehow bring Harry and Draco together in a new way.

272 notes - Posted August 16, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Since it’s spooky season, this has a perfect time to delve deeper into more Teen Wolf and lore. So far, it’s been really fun to geek out over monsters, mythology and all things supernatural again. To do that (for a fandom that’s still newish to me) has helped me loosen up my expectations, look forward to trying new things, and I’ve been slowly getting back on track to finish up current art and fic WIPs. I guess this was the breath of fresh air I needed get out of that corner of roadblocks and feeling stuck. It seems to be working! I’m still getting my feet wet with Sterek (a ship I didn’t know I needed and one I adore sooo much). So, here’s a little something for @averysterekfall! I may have let this one run away, since there’s art AND a triple drabble that go together. :D If you like Teen Wolf and Supernatural references/crossovers, this might be your cuppa. Cheers and enjoy! Title: It’s Enough For Now (<- on AO3) Rating: G WC: 300 (w/ art) Tags: Autumn, Blankets, Comfort, Huddling For Warmth, Feelings Realization, Uncertainty, References to Norse Religion & Lore, Episode: s01e11 Scarecrow (Supernatural), POV Stiles Stilinski, Monster of the Week, Exhaustion, Pagan Gods, Mixed Media, Digital Art, Triple Drabble Summary: “You know, I could get another blanket,” Stiles points out, breaking the silence. “Or let me grab my hoodie from the couch—”   “It’s fine,” Derek interjects in a low voice. He tugs the blanket gently, pulling Stiles closer. “Stiles…” [Or, Stiles and Derek end up sharing a blanket after coming back from the pack's latest supernatural adventure.]

314 notes - Posted October 8, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[news365timesindia]

[ad_1] Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal across the net one last time.Credit X The last chapter in one of the most fascinating tennis rivalries, between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, was played out in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday night. Forget the result, as Djokovic won 6-2, 7-6 (7-5) in the Six Kings Slam exhibition, for the tennis was riveting. For all those who have raved about Nadal’s ravishing forehand, it was on view, again. If one thought an exhibition match would only be about pleasantries, this one still produced sparks and tears. And when Djokovic said in an interview after the match: “Don’t leave tennis, man,” it was straight from the heart. This was not pretence or Djokovic faking it. He has been one of the most honest tennis professionals, and his words were almost like a plea to Nadal not to go away. Why? Would not the Serbian, who holds a 31-29 record against Nadal, be happy that his bitter rival is leaving? No, that is not the way these two competed on the ATP Tour and in Grand Slams. These were raw emotions, coming straight from the heart, as Djokovic knows that he too will not be there too long. For some belonging to this generation of tennis fans, who may have missed a few contests where the two superstars won a combined total of 46 Grand Slam titles, the farewell exhibition was laced with emotion. Djokovic was almost in tears when Roger Federer retired in 2022. He has always shown massive respect to opponents who troubled him. “I have the utmost respect for you,” he told Nadal. “Incredible athlete. Incredible person. I’d like to congratulate all your team and family on the amazing career.” These lines were not rehearsed. For his part, Nadal kept his emotions in check, fully aware this was his last meeting, his last dance, with a rival who has pushed him so hard. Tennis rivalries become even more beautiful when the combatants play with different styles – right hand and left hand. The contests between Nadal and Djokovic were spread across surfaces – hardcourt, clay, grass, and even indoors. Each was a test of skills and supremacy. The last chapter was not about the result, but how two players who defined grace and elan on court could produce dream moments one last time. “I’m going to miss almost everything,” said Nadal before he was presented a tennis racquet made of gold. “It’s been a dream come true to be able to play for almost 20 years. Having the chance to play in the best places in the world. It’s something I watched on TV as a kid. At the end, I realised my dream to become a pro tennis player and be a successful one. I can’t thank enough the support and love I received all around the world.” The Spaniard will play the Davis Cup final in Malaga next month, and singles may be out of question, given his dropping fitness levels and injuries. So, for all those who wanted to see the artist play singles one last time, Riyadh was fortunate to be the last destination. Missed it? You can still catch moments on YouTube. Also Read:  The post “Don’t leave tennis”: Djokovic pleads with Nadal after exhibition match in Riyadh appeared first on Sports News Portal | Latest Sports Articles | Revsports. [ad_2] Source link

[news365times]

[ad_1] Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal across the net one last time.Credit X The last chapter in one of the most fascinating tennis rivalries, between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, was played out in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday night. Forget the result, as Djokovic won 6-2, 7-6 (7-5) in the Six Kings Slam exhibition, for the tennis was riveting. For all those who have raved about Nadal’s ravishing forehand, it was on view, again. If one thought an exhibition match would only be about pleasantries, this one still produced sparks and tears. And when Djokovic said in an interview after the match: “Don’t leave tennis, man,” it was straight from the heart. This was not pretence or Djokovic faking it. He has been one of the most honest tennis professionals, and his words were almost like a plea to Nadal not to go away. Why? Would not the Serbian, who holds a 31-29 record against Nadal, be happy that his bitter rival is leaving? No, that is not the way these two competed on the ATP Tour and in Grand Slams. These were raw emotions, coming straight from the heart, as Djokovic knows that he too will not be there too long. For some belonging to this generation of tennis fans, who may have missed a few contests where the two superstars won a combined total of 46 Grand Slam titles, the farewell exhibition was laced with emotion. Djokovic was almost in tears when Roger Federer retired in 2022. He has always shown massive respect to opponents who troubled him. “I have the utmost respect for you,” he told Nadal. “Incredible athlete. Incredible person. I’d like to congratulate all your team and family on the amazing career.” These lines were not rehearsed. For his part, Nadal kept his emotions in check, fully aware this was his last meeting, his last dance, with a rival who has pushed him so hard. Tennis rivalries become even more beautiful when the combatants play with different styles – right hand and left hand. The contests between Nadal and Djokovic were spread across surfaces – hardcourt, clay, grass, and even indoors. Each was a test of skills and supremacy. The last chapter was not about the result, but how two players who defined grace and elan on court could produce dream moments one last time. “I’m going to miss almost everything,” said Nadal before he was presented a tennis racquet made of gold. “It’s been a dream come true to be able to play for almost 20 years. Having the chance to play in the best places in the world. It’s something I watched on TV as a kid. At the end, I realised my dream to become a pro tennis player and be a successful one. I can’t thank enough the support and love I received all around the world.” The Spaniard will play the Davis Cup final in Malaga next month, and singles may be out of question, given his dropping fitness levels and injuries. So, for all those who wanted to see the artist play singles one last time, Riyadh was fortunate to be the last destination. Missed it? You can still catch moments on YouTube. Also Read:  The post “Don’t leave tennis”: Djokovic pleads with Nadal after exhibition match in Riyadh appeared first on Sports News Portal | Latest Sports Articles | Revsports. [ad_2] Source link

[delusinaldreamer19]

Hey, I’m sorry you feel this way, but just know you’re not alone with this problem and it’s very natural to feel this way! I don’t have a solution, but here’s some thoughts I had while reading:

- Due to the fresh influx of antis in the kuro fandom, more people are hesitant to comment overall, because readers are pensive - you never know how your words may be taken and by whom

- Trying not only to please a faceless voiceless crowd but to also attempt to guess what that crowd wants is going to leave you horrendously burned out. It has happened to everyone who has tried it. There’s no way around it. You have to write what you want first and foremost. And honestly, “self-indulgent” fics are the most likely to hit someone's sweet spot because they're more honest, raw and spontaneous and people often respond to that and not to technical skill.

- That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t want and seek validation and connection! But comments aren’t the only way to get those. For example, you can try finding a beta or cheer-reader so you can pore over every word of your wips just like you want to. Finding a good discord server will get more eyeballs on your work that come from people who are already interested in you, and thus more likely to talk. Joining exchanges, bangs and other events is a guaranteed way to get feedback and traffic.

I hope you figure out something that works for you soon, and feel better about your writing!

Thank you so much for the kind words!

I was definitely a bit embarrassed about making that post, since I was worried it’d come across as whiny or ungrateful for the attention my works have been able to receive. It’s very helpful to have the assurance that my feelings in that moment were not out of the ordinary (and not stemming from only vanity, if I’m being honest). So again, thank you!

Your advice was also very helpful.

- You make a good point with acknowledging the turmoil within the Kuro fandom between antis and proshippers. It had lightly dawned on me in the past that my work is definitely catered towards only one of those parties, that being antis, which I suppose is on purpose since it reflects my own opinions. So that would definitely lower the demographic that my fanfics attract.

- Something about this made me have a small epiphany that my choice of major was definitely correct…marketing. I think I do have in inclination to analyze and collect what I can consider “data” about things to try and piece together what is successful and what’s not, since I do find that sort of thing very interesting. But doing that for my own works was not very helpful for my confidence, lesson learned 😅.

Your input was very helpful, and I’ll be sure to remember it!

[shopsofiacollection]

The Healing Power Of Water & Soft Italian Silk || ShopSofia

Alessandra covered virtually all of my body with the silk Manto (cape, large shawl) in a single smooth move, floating it over my head and draping it over my shoulders. Unlike any other piece of clothes I had ever worn, this one immediately made me feel calmer and more calm.

It all began in the water. Alessandra has spent many years immersed (sometimes literally) in water and her powerfully healing qualities as a student, practitioner, and subsequently trainer of numerous holistic healing practices that involve sound and the memory of water among others.

Drinking water, taking a bath in it, swimming in it, floating on it, and even just sitting by it have all been shown to have healing properties. Even simply picturing being by the ocean makes me feel better. The work of the late Masaru Emoto, who has greatly influenced Alessandra's own journey, is a good place to start for those of you who might still be unfamiliar with it.

The story of how water and silk mix may be essentially summed up as follows: one day, Alessandra photographed a stream of water while she was doing a walking meditation. She afterward understood how the picture still kept and emanated all the energy of the water in that unique moment since it had been taken in full presence and mindfulness thanks to her being "in the zone" at the time. Enter her enduring love of design and the pursuit of beauty, fostered early on through her family's textile company, and the notion of transferring this enthusiasm to silk soon followed.

Ah, to be enveloped in a shawl-sized piece of smooth, luxurious Italian silk dress that has been "captured" with the picture and energy of water. These magnificent Manti were created by Alessandra Benetatos, also known as Adima, and serve as the foundational piece of her business, Adima Made in Presence.

You may learn more about the meticulous consideration and integrity that went into the selection of the raw materials and the creation of Adima's Manti by exploring the Adima Made in Presence website. Adima's Manti is based on the best of genuine Italian artisan craftsmanship. Haiku, which I had the pleasure of translating into English for her, is also used to explain each shawl. The true spirit of these shawls can only be expressed via poetry. These Manti offer a sensory and vibratory experience that is totally different from other jewelry. Each performance aims to put the human being in the spotlight and encourage each participant to connect with their true honest Self.

Alessandra saw how various bodies of water in various areas had a unique vibe and personality. More images were taken, and more shawls were produced, each with a distinct vibratory signature. These shawls are best chosen from that deeper intuitive place inside, that higher, wider Self who knows just what we need, just like when choosing a tarot card or a color to get a message.

Since then, whenever I have felt out of sorts—which has happened more frequently than I like to admit, even to myself—I have worn my Manto. Additionally, I wear it during meditation, whenever I practice healing on myself or with others, and just for fun.

Since I first featured Adama's lovely home and garden in this post a few years back, I have been promising you this story for a while. However, excellent things do take some time to develop and go from the dream or inspiration level to the actual world. They demand a lot of effort as well. And for the past few years, Alessandra has been working nonstop to make her goal come true.

What you see in these photos is the lovely store Alessandra built in the middle of one of Milan's most charming and historic neighborhoods, where she has held numerous events over the past few years and introduced her designs. I have been planning to share this beautiful, light-filled area with you since my most recent trip to Italy, but Alessandra had another project in the works that needed to be finished, so I held off.

Alessandra's website, where she reveals more in-depth information about herself, her passions, and how she expresses it all, is the project in question. She accomplishes this with a wonderfully shot video tale, which I have watched repeatedly not because Alessandra is a dear friend of mine but because it is so captivating and captures so much of the spirit of who Alessandra really is. Visit this site to see it, if you'd like. The video is best watched in full screen and is in Italian with English subtitles.

I don't know about your experiences, but I have discovered that a lot may change between the time you have an inspired concept and the time you actually put it into solid creation. It immediately shifts again after that. In the last couple of years, I've noticed that this has been happening even more quickly, and I anticipate that this will continue as we enter the next decade. Going with the flow, in my opinion, will not only be a wonderful idea but also the only method to live without losing our minds.

This also applies to Alessandra's many projects, which appear to be merging, as well as Adima Made in Presence. The gorgeous Milan showroom will soon only be accessible through these photographs due to the new central location (which will be revealed) as well as several stores and pop-ups.

However, the magic shawls and all of Adima's upcoming new designs will continue to be offered in other shops, through Design Italy, and by getting in touch with Alessandra personally through one of her websites. She enjoys receiving and responding to your emails.

If this introduction to this unique project has inspired you and you would like to know more about any aspect of it, I invite you to submit your questions either in the comments or directly to me via email at sofiacustomerservice@gmail.com. I have also asked Alessandra/Adima to share her unique experience and path through a series of guest posts here on the blog. Depending on the query, we may directly respond in the comments or elaborate in a blog article.

To reach us out in offline mode do not forget to visit

SofiaCollections

2515 Washington Ave #1502, Houston, TX 77007, US

Email: sofiacustomerservice@gmail.com

Visit Our website - https://www.shop-sofia.com/