#this story was supposed to bE FUN AND CUTE

[chanceofwhat]

You can also share something mundane that happened to you in your life recently! You can lie about how recent it was if you’d like!

If you have a pet, anything about the pet is always good. “I got my dog a new toy the other day, and she absolutely loves it, it’s the cutest thing.” “Yesterday, my cat came up and drank out of my water cup right in front of me, like I wasn’t even there!” “My friend got this pet hamster recently, he’s so cute!”

Otherwise, TV is a good choice. Preferably something popular, but it can be something niche as long as you stay vague about it and are careful not to be in explaining mode for too long. You can even say you rewatched something that you know everyone likes! “Have you been watching the new season of Squid Game?” “I rewatched Home Alone this past Christmas— such a good movie!” “I’ve been rewatching a lot of marvel movies recently. Have you seen many of those?” These also tend to transition well into questions, such as “What have you been watching?” “What’s your favorite show?” “What’s your favorite Christmas movie?”

Just make a statement about the weather, “It was very windy this morning.” “It’s colder today than it was yesterday.” “It’s supposed to storm later this week.” “It’s sunny right now.” Or the day of the week (Monday is bad, Friday is good, weekend is best, compare other days to these) “Ugh, it’s Monday.” “It’s almost Friday!” Etc. Statements like this encourage others, especially neurotypicals, to comment/share their opinions.

Usually, with those, they’ll match your tone, or if you’re neutral, they’ll give you an easily predictable tone cue to follow. Sometimes they won’t, or they’ll even disagree with you. “I like the cold!” “I don’t mind the wind.” “Not as sunny as I’d like it to be.” “Actually, for a Monday, my day’s been pretty good so far.” Etc. This is okay and normal. It doesn’t mean they’re unhappy with you, it’s not a negative reaction, it just adds dynamic to the conversation. You can either concede and ‘realize’ that they’re right (“Yea, wind isn’t so bad.” Or “Actually, my day’s been alright too!”) or you can continue to disagree (“I don’t do well in the cold.” Or “That’s good for you, ‘cause my day’s been dreary.”) Either of these are correct.

But in the end, a generic question is often best. “Did you do anything fun this weekend/lately?” Or “Got any fun plans this week/weekend?” That allows them to talk about whatever they want to talk about, often enabling them to launch into a story. They want to tell their story. Be interested, nod, match their tone, they’re not looking/listening to you very intently during their story, they just want to tell it to someone. They’ll be ecstatic if you match their tone correctly at the climax.

Small talk is a form of connection. They’re making sounds at you and they want you to reciprocate. The words themselves aren’t the important part. I know, it’s a strange dance, but the neurotypicals really appreciate it, and it’s vital if you want to form and keep base-level connections with people. Not everybody wants to engage with you philosophically, but that doesn’t mean they don’t want to be your cordial work-friend, etc. You can do it! I believe in you!

I'm trying to figure out a good way to say "you really should actually learn the basics of small talk" with sounding like I'm biased against autistic people.

[fortunxa]

「 ✦ first position, first impression ✦ 」

Jinx x ballerina!reader / modern AU

─── ballerina masterlist ˖ . ݁𝜗𝜚. ݁₊ // first position

summary: In the quiet of the studio, you were all precision and grace—until chaos herself walked in, grinning and uninvited, ready to flip your world upside down the same way she flipped the spray paint can in her hand.

contents: modern AU, opposites attract, meet-cute (kind of)

author's note: me? writing a ballerina fic? who would’ve thought.

The ballet studio was supposed to be empty. You had made sure of it. No prying eyes, no unwanted interruptions—just you, the mirrored walls, and the steady rhythm of your pointe shoes against the polished wood floor.

You loved these late-night practices. They were your time to breathe, to refine, to let your body tell a story words couldn’t. Tonight, the story was one of frustration—rehearsal hadn’t gone well, your instructor’s criticisms echoing in your mind.

More passion. More presence.

You stood at the center of the room, your feet perfectly aligned, arms curving into the first position. The music from your phone swelled, something classical and haunting. You’d been at it for hours now, the soreness in your legs creeping in, but you refused to stop.

Perfection doesn’t allow for breaks.

Your movements were precise yet flowing, each step a piece of something larger. You didn’t notice the faint click of the door unlocking or the light shuffle of boots on the floorboards. You exhaled deeply and moved into a pirouette—the rotation was smooth, but your landing faltered, your weight wobbling slightly. A sharp sigh escaped your lips as you returned to your starting position.

CLAP. CLAP. CLAP.

You stumbled, spinning around to face the sound. There, leaning against the doorframe with a grin so wide it bordered on mocking, was a girl.

Blue hair—bright, messy, and sticking out in every direction. A pair of goggles sat pushed up on her head, catching the studio’s harsh fluorescent light, her jacket covered in patches and scuffs. She had a can of spray paint in one hand, and you swore you could see the air of chaos around her.

“Well, don’t stop now,” the girl said. “That was almost good.”

“Who are you?” you asked, your voice sharper than intended.

She pushed off the doorframe, completely unfazed, sauntering in like she owned the place. “Me? Oh, I’m just the humble artist who’s about to improve these boring white walls.” She gestured grandly at the pristine space. “But now I’m thinking maybe I’ll stick around for the floor show instead.”

You frowned, crossing your arms. “This is a private studio. You’re trespassing.”

“Pfft, ‘trespassing.’ Such a fancy word.” The girl smirked, walking further into the room. “I was just passing by and heard the music. Figured I’d check it out. Didn’t expect to find you, twinkle toes.”

You straightened, a spark of indignation flaring. “I’m practicing.”

“Oh, so I saw.” She tilted her head, grinning. Was she mocking you? “Don’t get me wrong, you’re good. Very swan-like. Majestic.”

You blinked, caught off-guard by the sudden compliment. “I—thank you?”

The girl grinned again, and you instantly regretted acknowledging it.

“But,” she added, circling you like a predator sizing up its prey, “you’re so stiff. Like, do you even know how to have fun? Or is it all, like, one-two-three-four, rinse and repeat?”

“Stiff?” You echoed while the faintest flush rose to your cheeks—from the casual compliment or the taunt that came after, you weren’t sure. “Ballet is about discipline. It’s not supposed to be—”

“Fun?” she cut in, wiggling her eyebrows.

“Chaotic,” you finished, your eye twitch barely perceptible.

“Chaos is fun!” she declared, tossing her spray paint can into the air and catching it. “Here, I’ll show you.”

Before you could protest, the blue-haired girl spun in place, flailing her arms in an exaggerated parody of a pirouette. She stomped her boots loudly on the floor, throwing herself into a clumsy leap that ended with her sliding on her knees, hands outstretched like she’d just performed a grand finale.

“Ta-da!” she exclaimed, grinning up at you.

You blinked. And then blinked again.

You tried to hold onto your irritation, but the sheer absurdity of the performance made it impossible. The only graceful thing about it was her braids, flowing like water despite herself. A giggle escaped before you could stop it.

And her grin only widened. “Oh, I like that sound. You should do that more.”

“Laugh at you?” you asked, arching a brow.

“Exactly.” She stood up and dusted herself off. “So, what’s your name, ballerina?”

You hesitated. The girl radiated trouble, the kind that left a mess wherever it went. But there was something oddly magnetic about her—like she carried her own orbit and dared people to get pulled into it.

“…Y/N,” you finally replied.

“Y/N.” she tested the name, her voice turning almost sing-song. “Fancy. Mine’s Jinx.”

“Jinx? That’s your name?” you asked skeptically, although it explained a lot.

“Yep. Short, sweet, memorable. Unlike your stiff little arabesque.”

You frowned. There’s that word again. You knew she was just pushing your buttons on purpose now, baiting you. But you fell for it—line, hook, and sinker. “My arabesque isn’t stiff.”

“It is,” she stated matter-of-factly. “Show me again.”

“Why would I do that?”

“Because you wanna prove me wrong,” Jinx said, flopping dramatically onto the floor with a smirk. “C’mon. I’m here, you’re here. Might as well. Promise I won’t make fun of you this time.”

Something about the way she said it made you pause, your instincts warring with your pride. You weren’t sure if it was the challenge in her tone or the fact that this strange, chaotic girl had somehow made you laugh. You didn’t owe her anything, especially not a performance. But either way, you stepped back into position, adjusting your posture.

“Fine,” you conceded. “But no commentary.”

She zipped her lips and made an exaggerated motion of throwing away the key.

The music started again, and you moved. This time, though, you were aware of Jinx watching you. You expected to feel self-conscious, but instead, you felt… free. Jinx wasn’t judging you—she was just there, soaking it in, her sharp eyes tracking every move.

When the music ended, you glanced over at her. She was sitting cross-legged now, her chin propped on her hands.

“…Well?” you asked, against your better judgment and slightly breathless.

She just stared at you, uncharacteristically quiet for a moment. Then, she nodded. “Not bad, ballerina. Not bad at all.”

“That’s it?”

“What, you want a standing ovation?” Jinx teased, though her tone was softer now. “Okay, fine. It was good. Annoyingly good. Makes me want to build you a little trophy or somethin’. ”

You shook your head, unable to suppress the small smile tugging at the corners of your mouth. “You’re insufferable.”

“And you’re a perfectionist,” she countered. “Guess we balance each other out.”

You opened your mouth to argue but found yourself faltering, taking a seat next to her instead and finally allowing yourself a break. “It’s just… everything I’ve worked for.”

She tilted her head, her braids swaying with the movement and her expression softening. “Yeah. I can see that.”

The both of you sat in silence for a moment, the sharp edges of your banter giving way to something quieter, more sincere.

You finally glanced at the spray paint still clutched in her hand, curious despite yourself. “You really think this place is boring?”

Jinx looked back at you, an almost knowing spark in her gaze. “It could use some… color.”

You hesitated, lost in thought. You didn’t know what it was—whether it was the anticipation of seeing your instructor’s look of horror the next morning or the possibility that maybe, just maybe, you were actually beginning to like the blue-haired girl beside you—that prompted you to utter your next words. “Just the back wall,” you finally sighed.

And Jinx’s eyes lit up, her smirk reappearing. “Deal, ballerina.”

A chemical scent filled the studio as she got to work, and you stayed on the floor, watching her paint wild streaks of color and chaos. It wasn’t perfect—far from it.

It was wrong. Out of place.

But there was something oddly mesmerizing about it, too. And somehow, you just couldn’t bring yourself to hate it.

[taylor-titmouse]

Ngl I love the whole thing of Gundrid being very scary and powerful in his first story but then it turns out he's just a spoiled daddies boy who is only saved from getting his ass kicked by not having anyone in his weight class nearby I loved that one drawing of Wakatake getting his ass

same lol. he wasn't written with that in mind in the first book--he was supposed to be a real threat, but i couldn't help myself making him a cute loser when it came time to write his POV.

this drawing was fun

[precure1ove]

Hello! Your writing is CRUNCHY in the best possible way. Could I request I request a short story with Idia and an introverted idol reader? Hope you have a nice day!

boyfriend's favourite dj

summary : after finishing with a recording, you call you're number one fan for his reaction.

characters : idia shroud

warnings : introverted reader?, reader is an idol, established relationship, idia is your number 1 fan, fluff

a/n : this request really got my brain thinking and i had so much fun writing it!! i haven't wrote idia much so thank you for requesting<33

“Alright, that's a wrap, well done everyone!”

The director’s voice booms throughout the studio, and you feel your muscles finally relax and legs slump forward to a nearby chair, graciously taking a water bottle that was offered to you. 

At last you were finished with recording the final part of a music video for a new song that you wrote for an upcoming anime. 

Chugging the cold liquid, you pause to exchange thanks and praises with the staff members, declining any invitations to go out and eat afterwards but nobody took offense to that, they already knew your answer anyway. 

Despite being well known in the idol community for being energetic and sociable that persona couldn't be further from the truth. 

In reality, you’re an introverted mess who would rather stay locked away in your room and play games all day. Unfortunately you’re an idol but it pays well at least and you had some fun.

Unlocking the door leading to your changing room to get into more comfortable and less ‘hey i’m a famous idol’ clothes, you check your phone to reveal a bunch of notifications from Blue Nerd.

Scrolling through them as you get changed out of the tight fitting costume, you laugh at his freak out at the announcement of the music video, the word ‘traitor’ being said multiple times.

Leaving the building after nodding to the receptionist and saying a few goodbyes, you press the call button, lifting your phone up to your ear as you pull up the hood paired with a mask.

“I’m going to the ramen place near my work, do you want your usual?”

You continue on your usual route back home, listening to the faded background noise of the song you just recorded playing and quiet noises of a finger tapping to the beat.

“Idia..? Come on, you better not be serious about ignoring me.”

A moment of silence passes as you anxiously pace down the streets, underestimating the lengths your boyfriend would go to.

Until a familiar grumble was heard closer to the speaker now, and a familiar voice speaks from it.

“Traitor. Is this why you weren't able to do our daily farming sessions..”

You sigh, energy returning whenever you speak to him.

“It was supposed to be a surprise, and you always take care of my account whenever I'm busy with being a super cute idol”

His laugh cuts through the speaker at the high pitch tone you usually use for talking with fans and live videos.

 Another silence passes between you but it wasn't the uncomfortable one you got when he had intentionally ignored you.

“So what did you think of the song?”

You ask, curious for his reaction since this song was one that you worked the most on during the past few months.

“It’s a bit different from what you're usually known for but I liked it. The beat was smoothing and while the lyrics were cheesy it was..nice.”

A wave of relief passes through you and a breath you didn't know you were holding escaped.

 He liked the song, it was good. Great actually.

“A-anyways you were on about ramen, does that mean you're coming over?”

Entering the shop, you pass a nod to the owner who was already getting started on both of your usual orders, being a regular has its perks.

“I haven’t seen you in forever and I know you're dying to ramble about my song”-and to not make this more love cheesy-”nerd.”

Idia groans again embarrassed, you could imagine his face blooming a pretty shade of pink to match his hair. 

“Will you stay on call with me, just until I get home?”

A loud gasp shot through the speaker then silence again until you hear a familiar game loading in the background. 

A new update came out for it and you haven't had the time to check it out so Idia will probably commentate it for you as he plays through it.

“Sure, sure, sure… just until you get h-home.”

likes & reblogs appreciated

masterlist⠀ — ⠀ request here

[ask-mirage-mews]

Tea and Stories (ft. Omni from @omniandco)

[rearranging-deck-chairs]

danny talking about how resentful she became when nobody who she self-sacrificed for cared when she died and then leaving kirsch with laura and carmilla bc "if he stays with me i might lose control again and kill him" kinda confirms my thoughts abt both newly-turnedness and anger making vampires more vampiry

but also makes me think that in more usual circumstances, when the dean turned vampires like carmilla and mattie, that shes really nice at the start to temper any of that unruly anger

[silenab]

luke prematurely explaining meeting thalia and annabeth is a bit boring what happened to hints and revelations

[crimeronan]

oh i've started listening to nona btw, my audiobook hold went thru at the library after many weeks of waiting. i also realized part of why i'd been putting it off was because i know i'm gonna miss a lot of important details and characterization and implications and have no idea what's going on during the first read and embarrass myself, which is silly. not knowing wtf is happening is a Vital Feature of these stories. i do not need to retain every single page of a book with perfect clarity or absorb every single thematic implication as i read it in order to enjoy it. <-desperately chanting this sentence while gripping the sink staring wild-eyed into the mirror

SO the plan is to just casually let it play through once so i get the vague shape of the story & then, if i have enough time left on the hold, to do a second listen wherein my brain will Actually Pay Attention. we'll see.

[persephonaae]

Hrm

[evil-shadowskull]

hello wayne's sonic heroes stream watcher. you say you love sonic subathon streams, but can you survive 8 hours of everyone comparing everything in the world to sa2? live or die, its your choice

[danzainosolitude]

At this point I would’ve preferred them keeping the damsel in distress plot point for Annette. Because. Wdym she was a slave and is now a metalbender. Who the hell are you talking about.

[ishipgenfics]

Hello! This is your friendly inquiry to answer this ask with whatever you'd like to talk about right now! Whether that be a story you're working on, something you're excited or worried about, or just something random you happen to know.

All the love,

~ toribookworm ❤️

Hi! Thank you for asking me, this is so sweet. I haven't had a lot going on, to be honest, so I think I'll tell you about the little lesbian cottagecore romance that would be going on after the bits of You and Your Human that I... haven't written... (whoops).

So Your Scientist(whose name is Cavara by the way) crash-lands on a planet. Ze panics for a little bit before realizing that there is someone else on the planet. Now, I'm not sure whether ze is going to know the other person's language from television shows or if their going to have to learn from each other, but they start to get to know each other, and the other person on the planet introduces herself as Cir(I'm gonna be real I'm not sure if that accent should be there or not but ah well.)

Anyways, they start to get to know each other, and Cavara knows that in about a week, her crew is going to get worried and start looking for her. On their last night together, they're looking up at the stars and Cir tucks a piece of hair behind her ear and says, gently, "So... um... I lied to you."

"Oh?" Cavara says. Ze isn't too worried. This is Cir. Ze trusts her.

"My name isn't Cir. It's Ciralarus."

And Cavara knows what that means. Ciralarus. Cir who is rus.

She's soulmate bound.

Guess Cavara can't have her after all.

But Cir-- or is it Ciralarus now?-- keeps talking, and we find out that right after she bonded with her soulmate, he ran away leaving her abandoned on this planet. And Cavara is so, so angry because how dare he? Ciralarus is beautiful and incredible and amazing and how dare he?!

Cavara doesn't have a soulmate, and ze never will. But ze has a lover, who smiles at zer and who ze would do anything for. And that is enough.

[thecoolertails]

random images from archie sonic #60

i liked this one 👍

[loverboybitch]

hi i would just like to report that getting out of my house and being a member of society is cool and kind of rules even when its scary yeah.//.

[br1ghtestlight]

personally i like to imagine that gene and tina just go along with santa bcuz its cute that louise still believes in him and its fun, but neither of them actually think he's real bcuz obviously kids at school already know that he isnt Like a thirteen year old doesnt believe in santa and if she did she would be laughed out of her school by her classmates FJDMDMDJDJDMD

[aromanticasterisms]

imaginarium theater i love you....