#well my big idea is too ambitious for me now so i might as well tag them

[solidwater05]

[ID: Bullet points that read:

Great at problem solving

Smug annoying asshole

High energy

Great at coming up with bullshit

Its ability to cause drama compensates for their terrible lying

End ID]

Mystery OC (who is also my favorite. They are so silly)

(They/it)

[strangerthingsfanworkrecs]

Artist Highlight: Jo-Harrington

This week, we're highlighting @jo-harrington! All recs this week will be for her work. @jo-harrington writes for the Stranger Things Fandom, with a special focus on xOC, and xReader fics. She's also a great beta-editor and design all the graphics for her fics! We're highlighting Jo for her incredible world building and strong OCs.

You should check out her Store Manager Verse fics for some great fluff and top-tier retail angst Jo answered some questions about her creative process and her work under the cut

Why Stranger Things?

I’ve been an avid ST Fan since the beginning. My old Store Manager and I watched the first episode in the backroom of our store while folding t-shirts and rest was history. Fic-wise, a certain Metalhead Dungeon Master brought me out of a fanfiction posting hiatus and I haven’t looked back since.

What's your favorite ship (platonic or romantic) to create for?

Platonic is always going to be the Hellfire Club boys. I love writing their adventures. Their friendship is epic and deserves to be explored and celebrated. Romantic…EddiexOC or EddiexReader. I mean, I’ve been an xOC girl since my first fandom. xReader is new for me but it’s almost an extension of xOC. I always joke that I’m allowed ONE epic borbo obsession love of my life per decade and I’ll give them one canon pairing but the rest are OCs.

What's your typical writing process like?

I have an idea, I write it down, I get sick of working on a chapter, I don’t edit, I post. (Which is funny because when I beta, I am a lot more detailed. But for my own work I just need it out of my head.) It might not be the best. It could probably read better or have less typos or mistakes. But it’s always from the heart.

How do you come up with your OCs?

I sit there for a long time and figure out how I can put a part of myself into a story. Oops was I not supposed to say that? Sometimes you think of a character that you just can’t help but want to write. But even if they aren’t a manifestation of your physical self or your personality, they almost always end up being an extension of you in some ways, or something you aspire to be. You also need to add some attributes you hate into them, so that they’re not too perfect and you can throttle them around and make them suffer and not feel too bad/let it become a self hatred thing.

What has been your favorite project so far? Why?

Store Manager Verse. (EMxReader) Retail is who I am and who I’ve always been. I had a mall romance irl that went south. So it was a way to rewrite my past with my comfort character…and also give said comfort character a happy ending as well.

What has been your hardest project so far? Why?

As Above, So Below. (EMxOC) It is a passion project, it is a beast, every chapter takes an emotional toll on me and it takes a month—if not more—to recover. But it has been the single most fulfilling project that I’ve worked on in the 20 years I’ve been writing fanfiction. I've been working on it for about 2 years now. 3 more chapters til the end…I’m gonna be very sad when it’s over.

Have you ever had a creative block? How did you get over it?

My brain is just a beehive that I shake every now and again to get the bees angry. Honestly, the bigger block I get into is self-doubt. I have no problem finding the words, it’s the courage to put them to paper I struggle with at times.

Is there a big source of inspiration for you? Books? Art? Games?

Yes all of the above. But in all seriousness, life experience is the best inspiration. There’s only so much research you can do. Truly for me, the canon characters are the source of inspiration. Then I take from things I’ve done, things I’ve read, places I’ve been in order to take an idea to a fully formed plot.

Is there an upcoming project you're particularly excited about?

Eddie Munson Big Bang. I know you’re gonna hear that a lot. I love creating really ambitious AUs and I think this one is really testing my abilities as a writer. It's a crossover fic, in a way, but with a lot of original plot folded in. I hope I do both fandoms/universes justice.

Is there anything we didn't ask that you'd like to add?

I’m from the Midwest, so thank you for listening to all of my long-winded answers. Haha.

[blackaquokat]

First IF MCs Post!

So I've been playing IFs going on five years now, but I think I've only ever made one post about who they are, like, a year or two ago. They mostly only exist on the discord discussions or DMs with fellow IF fans because I also have no art skill (though I should post the Infamous fics I have in my drafts eventually--).

All that to say, getting a shoutout from @loveandleases herself (STILL RIDING THAT HIGH) has finally given me the kick I need to post about some of my MCs. This might open a floodgate for MANY of my OCs that I still yet have to talk about, so everyone beware!

(Picrews used will be credited at the bottom of the post)

First up, my Cam-mancer, Peridot "Dot" (last name tbd)! (Might change her eyes to hazel, but I'm keeping this picrew image for now.)

She started out very similar to my Infamous main, Genevieve, but now she's come into a life of her own. Has been hopelessly in love with Cam for most of her life, but resigned herself to just happily being his best friend (not knowing, of course, what the rest of us know about Cam--). Chris and Jade's betrayal stung, especially with what it solidified about the kind of people those two are, but I think a big part of her arc is realizing that she's not as heartbroken as she thinks she should have been about it. Then it's just her reconciling the years lost.

Anyway, she's a quiet, sweet woman, who normally doesn't mind not having attention on herself, but she's mostly become that way because of Jade demanding so much. She's also an artist, often preferring to spend evenings in the quiet, painting and sketching. I think she definitely has a stash of paintings she's made of Cam's pictures that she gives to him on bad days or his birthdays. She's a passable cook, but a far more enthused baker. It's mostly a calming activity for her when she's stressed, though her friends and loved ones certainly enjoy the results. The Clarke parents still talk about her pear custard recipe, even after the breakup.

She's still relatively new, along with the other MC I'm about to share, so I'll probably think of even more details as they grow and as the game progresses!

Anyway, now for Jumana, my G-mancer!

Jumana (last name also tbd) goes back to my usual trend with making MCs: she's of Lebanese heritage. She's a departure, however, because she's got grey eyes instead of brown like I usually give my Lebanese-coded MCs. She also met G during her goth phase in college (it slowly just turned to grunge), so this is the look that eventually grabbed G by the throat. She's not afraid to throw punches, but will try to talk people down first. Unless she's mad. Then all bets are off. Someone will be thrown across a desk. She is Very strong, and Very scrappy and she will not be fucked with.

Anyway, she's also a Literature Nerd and is almost always reading, especially in inconvenient spots. It drove G insane, because they never seemed to see her study in public, so HOW was she keeping up with their grades--

I do think, however, she's not a particularly ambitious person. I think she got high grades like G and that got under their skin and their reaction tickled her so much that she just. Kept trying to get high grades so she could keep getting a reaction out of them. Honestly, if G hadn't been there, she might not have tried so hard in college. But she definitely had a crush on them well before they probably realized their own feelings. Losing G gutted her, they were It for her. Chris was absolutely a rebound, and maybe a bit of self-punishment. Maybe a terrible part of her hoped being with Chris would one day get G angry enough to come back to her life, tell her to be with them, not Chris.

Now that Chris and Jade have royally betrayed her? Well. Jumana has ideas for making their lives miserable without her actually getting involved with them again, and that goes for her parents too, for their own betrayal--

I'm sure I'll think of more as time goes on, but in the meantime, these are my gals! Can't wait to see how they fit into the game!

Picrew used for the images:

[riizebabie444]

𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙫𝙞𝙗𝙚𝙨 𝙥𝙖𝙘 🌠

🌠 ─── hello and welcome, today’s tarot reading will be a sort of vibe check, basically what vibes me and my cards are getting from you at the moment.

🌠 ─── picking your pile: take a deep breath and allow your soul to centre itself. when you feel your mind balanced and cleared, allow yourself to be drawn to an image. your eyes may gravitate to one, or you may close your eyes and feel which image is calling out.

🌠 ─── be sure to check out my other readings and don’t forget to share and give feedback. disclaimer: all readings done are for entertainment only. please do not use my tarot readings as a replacement for legitimate advice.

🌠 ─── masterlist. paid readings. exchange rules.

donations. games/events. feedback.

𝙥𝙞𝙡𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙚 🌠

firstly, i'm getting pile one that you are in creative energy right now. you could be experiencing a bout of inspiration and expressing yourself creatively, such as with art, writing or music. it could also be creativity with problem solving or coming up with a project idea. but i'm sensing there is something playful and personal to you, whatever creative thing you are doing or are planning to do is something you will enjoy. perhaps it is something you did when you were younger. it's going to bring out your inner child, help you understand your deepest passions. it's very nostalgic.

for some of you, you may be spending too much time daydreaming. you have a vast imagination which is a wonderful thing but too much of your time is being spent on what if's and unrealistic desires, such as fantasising about your life as a celebrity when in real life you have homework due that you've not yet completed. like i said, it's great to have a wild and creative imagination, but this is your check in to get control of your mind because it's affecting your productivity and efficiency. you can be ambitious, but be practical also instead of doing things in your head but not in real life.

𝙥𝙞𝙡𝙚 𝙩𝙬𝙤 🌠

for some of you who chose pile two, you may be feeling like your life is chaotic right now. i think for a number of you, not all of you, you may have experienced some conflict recently. perhaps an argument with a family member or falling out with a friend. because of this, you feel like your life is falling apart. for the most part, you guys are going through a strengthening experience. you're stronger than you've been before, and more confident. you may also be struggling to adapt to a new change in your life.

overall, there is shifting energy, like changes are happening in your life. they could be big or small but the majority of you will get through this quickly. even still, you're feeling quite balanced. some of you might be learning something also, or getting ready to learn, such as preparing for the new school year or investing in personal classes. you might be feeling restless, like in an excited way but still nervous for something new. but again, you're handling your anxiousness well. i'm getting calm and balanced energy, but for some of you, you need to get over this tower moment before you can find balance and clarity again.

𝙥𝙞𝙡𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙚 🌠

some of you are stuck in a shell, others are coming our of your shell. have you been feeling introverted lately? those kinds of moods where you don't want to leave your bedroom or home. you kind of just want to wallow in your own energy and avoid people and situations. i feel like most of you who chose this pile are homebodies anyway so you don't mind being stuck in this energy. but at the same time, you're looking forward to a positive energy shift. you're ready to finally leave your bedroom and see the sun. you're energy is being renewed, you're ready to let go of the loneliness and gloominess.

there is enlightening energy walking away from this isolation. i think some of you might be feeling disconnected from the world and from the people around you. maybe some of you got caught in this energy because of a breakup or a falling out. there is separation involved with some of you which has caused an imbalance in your life but you are slowly finding that balance again and putting effort into making things up to yourself. i don't feel this energy is too depressing, or too sad. however, it's definitely lonely and the decision to escape isolation is in your hands. make those plans you've been thinking about all week. focus on those projects that have been begging for your attention. it takes one small step start the shift in energy.

𝙥𝙞𝙡𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙪𝙧 🌠

are you preparing for something right now, pile four? quite ambitious about something, you're excited for it. i feel like it's taking up your mind for most of the day. you've been looking forward to this. i think for some you're feeling quite practical and productive. i'm getting starting a new job or starting the new school year vibes. you've been looking forward to it. you feel confident. you have in your mind the exact type of person you want to be. you're excited to learn new skills and accomplish what you've been wanting. but you may be having issues with concentration.

for some, i think you have an exam or a project due but you've been neglecting it and it is making you feel frustrated. it's immature on your part. you've also been very materialistic lately, like you want to buy the new trendy thing you saw on the internet or you want to buy a new tech product like a phone or a laptop. you're having thoughts that you won't be happy until you own that thing but the problem is that materialism is like an addiction. you can't keep buying new things that aren't worth the money, it will hold you back. start asking yourself if you really need these things or if you need to start controlling your urges and take time off from the internet.

𝙥𝙞𝙡𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙫𝙚 🌠

pile five, i think you are feeling quite stubborn art the moment. are you refusing to apologise for something? do you feel like others are ganging up on you? you're very determined but you are experiencing energy that is overbearing. it could be you're attitude to others, or others attitude towards you, or even your attitude to yourself. you want to get away from it all. you're feeling quite detached, however you are also feeling great awareness. you understand that with freedom comes vulnerability, but still, you're willing to make sacrifices as long as you can get away.

the energy and thoughts you are having are very much a double edged sword. for example, you're thinking of doing something which will benefit yourself but at the cost of those around you. be mindful of your ambitions because they can be damaging to yourself also. there is a hint of betrayal here, it's not for all of you. are you feeling defeated? do you feel like you're being forced to surrender? it's quite heavy energy, i think you're really going through it, pile five. but my message to you is to not stop planning for your future. despite all that is holding you back, you need a plan for if you ever decide to make the move to get away from it all. things will brighten up eventually.

𝙥𝙞𝙡𝙚 𝙨𝙞𝙭 🌠

i think some of you are entering a celebratory period. it doesn't need to be for you necessarily, perhaps you are celebrating for someone else's occasion. but i think those who chose pile six are in a mood to be social and meet with friends and family, maybe dance to music and so on. some of you might be feeling weary of others' intentions. perhaps you don't feel comfortable with the way someone is treating you or you're getting a weird vibe from someone. you shouldn't doubt your intuition but at the same time, don't let it hold you back. go forth and meet with your people, celebrate whatever it is knowing that if anyone tries to hurt you, it's a reflection of their own insecurities, not yours.

as much as you want to, don't go picking for drama or calling people out. remain comfortable in your own wise energy and focus on the positivity in your life and of those around you. that is what will make them shut up, because they know their negativity or toxicity can't affect you. you have dreams and you want to reach them, so go for it. don't let anyone hold you back. let things remain a mystery. you don't need to know every single thing. i'm feeling that you want to be a high energy/high vibe person but you're not cutting out the things and people that lower your vibe. you're feeling afraid but just remember, you'll have so much more to celebrate when you do.

© riizebabie444 — all rights reserved. please do not copy, steal, repost or translate my readings on any site. any act of which will be classed as plagiarism.

[bonefall]

Golfy is literally one of my favorite cats of all time and I adore the way you’ve characterized her!! Any fun tidbits to share? I want to know more about the woman

There's a sketch of her floating around if you want to go on a treasure hunt! I don't have time to look for it right now (I am currently in the trunk of a clown car), but I've actually drawn a beta of her design and her big mane

Also note: BB!Goldenflower is part of the Doekin line. Speckletail's perception of herself and her family is tied strongly to being Doestar's niece. This association dies out with Thornclaw in BB!OotS as he's the last one to strongly value this legacy.

Golfy's mane is so poofy, unmanageabley poofy. She keeps it braided

Lionheart just surrendered to entrophy on that one lmao. "Dirt happens."

It's my little way of trying to show the difference between the siblings.

They're both proud and honorable, but Lionheart is more calm and patient. He's a Que Sera Sera kind of guy.

Goldenflower is more fond of the expression, "Fortune favors the prepared."

Note to self: Clanmewnize these expressions. Que Sera Sera is notably quite RiverClannish... Golfy's phrase is definitely from early ThunderClan

Not to get too distracted but I recently got this FANTASTIC idea for how to close out Book 3 of BB!DOTC on a bittersweet note, involving The First Boarhunt and Clear Sky being delightfully devious as always. Maybe it would be cool to put that phrase there... anyway.

She had three siblings total, Lionheart, Mistleclaw, and Snowkit. It's really difficult being the last one; family was extremely important to her.

Mistleclaw wasn't even a year out of apprenticeship; you're really considered an ADULT adult after being on your own for a year. Losing her was like losing a sibling who's college-aged. That was to the plague, before Firestar's arrival.

Smallear was openly the father of all four of them, but Goldenflower hesitates to call him Ba. Him and Speckletail had a really toxic on-again off-again thing.

Smallear was closest to Mistleclaw, who coincidentally looked the most like him. Goldenflower is like... "yeah thats what i expected of him, that fish-eared loser"

She's biased in favor of her mother though. Lionheart was more chill with Smallear; not CLOSE but, neutral-positive.

It wasn't entirely Smallear's fault that the relationship kept falling apart though, to be clear. I use toxic in this use very much on purpose, it wasn't abuse, they really cannot get along.

So when Goldenflower eventually picked a mate, she REALLY just wanted a stable lifepartner that would not be like that.

I would describe her relationship with Tigerclaw more in the terms of an "arrangement." Fishing for romantic information from her is VERY funny because she just like. Doesn't "get" romance.

Brambleclaw: "Mom... what did you... like about dad?"

"He was large, we were both very large. And he was a responsible warrior, respected and ambitious. Well... at the time we believed that. And he spoke with great confidence. He had a way of making you feel like you were both safe and powerful by his side."

It will not even click for her that most people don't open the answer to "why did you love x" with "he was tall like me"

(VINE BOOM AROACE FLAG)

She wanted kits and a partner. She doesn't regret the relationship, she regrets what he made her believe.

On Tigerclaw's end, it was mutual. They both liked each other as trusted Clanmates. He was attracted to her and reciprocated when she proposed a mateship, but I don't think he ever really got over Spottedleaf romantically.

Plus, getting into this family was a smart political move. Having Speckletail's approval was VERY useful.

I might stick Goldenflower as Head of Hunting through TNP to early Po3, until she trains a successor, since there's no rush. I have an allegiance list floating around but I can't remember off the top of my head if she's where she should be

She's actually super disappointed in Tawnypelt for her choice. I don't think they ever reconcile this, they're both too proud

So she's kinda iffy on that alliance with ShadowClan. Not to the point of spite, but she does easily believe stereotypes about them.

"A bunch of holdouts of TigerClan and duplicitous fiends over there."

Both Golfy and Tawnp miss each other a lot, but again. Neither one is going to apologize to the other or say the other was even slightly correct.

And Golfy wouldn't accept it if Tawnp even did. She made her choice. They're in different Clans now. She chose her father, who killed Swiftpaw and Lionheart.

And for that, Golfy will not forgive her.

If they ended up in a battle, neither would hold back. They both know this.

I'm really fond of her. She really is Speckletail's daughter and the whole family has a special flavor of pain and pride.

[dead-girl-prolific]

Writing Projects + Project Updates

So, I'm back from hiatus, as previously stated in this post. and I want to create again, but one of my biggest barriers is... I can barely write relationship adjacent work. I struggle with writing anything involving a relationship (friends, romance, familial, etc) it's mainly just awkward for me, I can write pretty much anything else though, I think this year I'm going to work on getting out of my comfort zone, and hopefully by the end of the year I'll be much better at writing. I'm also going to post more random art/doodles. I might make a separate blog for that, I'm not entirely sure of that idea yet though, but I'll definitely post more art.

I'm going to attempt to join in more challenges and events (for art and writing), but I won't push myself too hard. I do burn out easily. I'm going to be more lenient and forgiving towards myself as well. I'll be taking more breaks. I won't be giving myself strict deadlines. I am the biggest priority right now.

anyway — here's two lists I've made for projects I'm going to be working on either eventually, through-out 2025, or currently working on, and things I'm considering, as well as projects I've completely dropped/paused

2025 Projects;

Organized in order of currently working on

(Second list is for the more ambitious/overwhelming projects that won’t be made till 2026)

(?) - considering , will be at the very end of the list.

The Limbo Remake/Rewrite (currently working on)

CRP creatures/cryptids short horror stories (list of creatures/cryptids made already, just need to brainstorm story ideas)

Backrooms survival horror series (this will be ongoing throughout the year after I complete the creatures/cryptids short horror stories.)

Masky/Tim head cannons (this is something I'll do for fun as a little break, I'm not sure when I'll start it or post it)

list of character head canons (favorite songs, food allergies, heights, styles, etc.) ((this is something I'll do as a break as well. I'll probably make this after I finish the Masky/Tim head cannons. if I'm not too crammed with other projects.))

CRP AU mansion Headcanons (mansion description, mansion residence, relationships in the mansion) (I'll be writing these when I'm done with the two other headcanon lists and halfway through the list of creatures/cryptids stories.)

CRP AU separate living AU (characters who would live together, characters that canonically don't know each other/(head canon-) relationships between characters). ((These will probably be posted after I complete the other AU and finish my creature/cryptids stories completely or close to finishing them.)) 

individual character headcanons. (very, very back of my mind; I won't be working on these till I finish everything but the Backrooms survival (duh, lol)).

Updating my about me (creator/writer) post (this is something that I'll get around to; I don't have an exact date on it, but it will be updated and posted again)

making a new playlist for the blog (?) (I'm not really sure if I want to make another playlist, but I'm thinking about it.)

- Not including any events/challenges I might join to better my writing skills. (fluffbruary, genre-specific challenges, daily word counts, AU August, Sicktember, whumptober, etc.) (I'll probably make a list of challenges/events I'll (probably) join this year and post it after this.)

- Not including any random rants/rambles I decide to post, I want to continue writing random psychology "essays" as well.

Big projects;

(?) - considering will be at the very end of the list.

Ticci Toby x Clockwork Slow Burn Fanfic (This is the end project as a little reward for when I reach my writing goal.)

CRP AU (zombie/monster apocalypse) ((very, VERY big project that I honestly probably won't get around to this year.))

creepypasta character origin story rewrites(?) ((still considering; probably won't work on this till 2026 because I have a lot of ideas for several characters, and it will just be very time-consuming.))

projects I’ve dropped;

Jason the toymaker fanfic (dropped completely)

fluff oneshots (paused?)

If you’ve made it this far thank you for reading! I hope I can post again soon! <3

[kosmicdream]

the way i think of the "3 arcs" in ffak (i am not sure i will end up with 3, btw, its possible i might cut one in half or something else..) is basically that.. arc 1 was the unplanned improv adventure that developed everything, taught me how to draw comics, write a story, ect. arc 2 is the ~actual~ story that i "originally intended" to tell with FFAK (although a lot of that is also in ARC3 too), before it was made into this big sprawling story - and has developed all this time and taken me years to write and prepare for. so im excited and interested in reactions to that. and arc 3, well, arc 3 is something else entirely, but i don't want to say too much about it yet.. it is weird to have the entire story written out though. it feels both big and so small vrs the days id spend building up more and more for the world. i don't think about it like that anymore, even though i think about it a lot every day still. I feel pretty satisfied with how the first chapter of this arc has gone and I hope the next four of this arc will also go well too. yes, im only planning this arc for five chapters. can i do it? idk. it wont be a big deal if it needs more. in a weird way, it means more to me to finish the 2nd arc than the entire story as i've waited so many years to draw the scenes in it. its kinda amazing how long it takes just to develop a story, and in a way 10 years does not seem that long at all. before FFAK, i basically gave up my dream of making comics/writing because of how "disorganized" and crazy my ideas felt.. it has always been the story that FFAK was kind of something i threw myself into, but since it worked at all i was not going to ever let go of it. Still haven't.. yet. But i feel ready to let go when its time. Now, I feel like the work of making a comic its not all that hard even if it is very tedious. sure id love to draw and write better, but that feeling will always be there. I am just grateful to see the ideas come out at all feels a lot better than being creatively constipated and feeling miserable about it, like its bad to have "too big" of plans and be "too ambitious" like its a negative thing, cuz it might not be achievable - what? i love to try. just a sad place to be as an artist, to shame yourself for your own natural creativity and curiosity and pity yourself for not being good enough to make a fool of yourself for trying. pride is such a stupid thing to stop yourself from drawing your own ocs LOL. either way, id rather have it out than just have them sit inside and not ever be shared or seen for myself. every time i think i could have done something better, in the end i just feel relief i managed the miracle of making it at all. its weird to think that i can see an end to this story too and im still getting used to that feeling. i can see all the stories i want to get to beyond it, but Im patient and i know they can wait. i am going to really enjoy my time with it while its all still here. Just felt like sharing some of my feelings as this chapter gets closer to its end and i finish the first step of this new adventure of FFAK!

[breelandwalker]

hi, i'm currently potted plant witching as well (just planted my first crop of veggie/herb/flower seeds & got some more containers & soil today for more planting this weekend) and i would love to know more about your garden this year; would you be willing to outline your plans? any special herbs or projects? Thanks!! <3 love your blog!

🌿🌿🌿 HYPERFIXATION ACTIVATED. 🌿🌿🌿

OH I HAVE SO MANY PLANS, LET ME TELL YOU.

This is the first year that Ragnar and I are doing actual work and sweat equity with the yard at our new place. Last year things were just too chaotic and we didn't have the time or the energy to do much of anything. We trimmed occasionally and I harvest some wild plants, but that was about it.

This year, it's Go Time.

Last weekend, I finally busted out the gorgeous barrel pots we got for Christmas and spent my April market earnings on potting soil, garden tools, and seedlings. When we lived in the apartment, I had a pretty hefty window garden with herbs and flowers and a few vegetables, so I'm eager to recreate that in an outdoor space where the plants can really thrive. (I mean, I grew cherry tomatoes and three kinds of peppers in 10" pots indoors and they got pretty big, so I can only imagine being outdoors will go even better with fresh air and rain and pollinators.)

The potted garden has Napoli tomatoes, poblano and cayenne peppers, green sage, and rosemary, along with something I've never tried growing before - blueberries! I'm planning to add additional pots and more herbs later on, but I felt like this was a really good start. If I can manage it, I want to grow a huge planter of nothing but spinach and sweet basil so I can make pesto this summer.

We've also started clearing and tilling a space out in the yard proper for a raised-bed garden. Nothing too big or ambitious, just something we can try some larger veggies in. We're hoping to try the Three Sisters model with hybrid corn, snap peas, green beans, and kabocha pumpkins. I was also hoping to put in napa cabbage, but there are quite a lot of slugs in the yard when it rains, so perhaps not. I'm toying with the idea of planting some late crops for fall and winter harvests as well. I have sugarplum visions of strings of peppers and braids of garlic hanging in our kitchen with many jars of preserves and sauce in the pantry.

We might also try some other fruits if things go well, maybe raspberries or grapes, but that's more of a Next Summer project. The fence and the ground around it needs some work first and we don't want to overdo things the first year. (I'd really love to put in a little serviceberry tree, but that might be pushing things a bit with regard to space.)

There's also a side garden that's in need of some TLC where I'm vaguely tossing around the idea of climbing flower vines (clematis or morning glory or trumpet flower maybe? something local) and maybe some ground cover in the form of periwinkle. There's also a downspout that really needs a rain barrel, so that's next on the list.

There are sections of the yard that we've deliberately left wild as well, hoping to encourage native plants and pollinators. The clover patches are massive and produce lots of four-leafers and blossoms, so the bees are having a field day. There's also wild dogbane sprouting up now that the vetchweed is cleared and wild plantain (aka white man's foot) starting to come in along the walkway. If I have my druthers, I'll be planting more wildflowers this summer.

Have some pictures and tell me about your garden!

[ballinandcantgetup452]

I Genuinely Do Not Know if Gege Akutami is a Good Action Writer

Don't get me wrong, when Gege works, he REALLY works. The cursed energy power system by ITSELF is proof that Gege is bare minimum a genius when it comes to worldbuilding. But, I don't think that Gege Akutami knows how to write a story with a big cast using that system.

I'm specifically referring to how Gege has a really bad habit of benching people that are too powerful. Now, this isn't entirely a bad thing that Gege does. When he benched Gojo, it made narrative and thematic sense. I'm considering Gojo to be the exception to this problem that Gege has. But, let's look at every character that Gege has benched for what I could see to be no other reason than they were too strong in order of most to least justified.

Fumihiko Takaba: This one is definitely the least offensive benching on this list. I can imagine that Comedian is a very tough CT to choreograph in a group setting while keeping your overall serious tone. The Shinjuku Showdown for just about its entire runtime feels tense. Comedian is not only an overpowered CT, but it's also a tonally overpowering CT. You can write Comedian to be scary if you have no idea how it works; but, that's still making the Shinjuku Showdown all about Takaba and not Sukuna like Gege intended. So, having Takaba being on the Sukuna Squad would be a lot of work on Gege to properly balance. You were going to have to bench him in some way. I'm fine with him being in charge of taking down Kenjaku. That fight was probably my favorite fight in all of JJK, and, it makes complete sense as to how and why he got benched.

Nobara Kugisaki: While I'm ecstatic that Nobara's alive, it does kind of hurt the story in retrospect, even if her return was properly built up. If Gege had simply killed Nobara, then I wouldn't be putting her on this list. Because sure, Nobara had a technique that would've allowed her to damage the soul from a distance-something that proved to be INTEGRAL during Shinjuku-so killing her could make the Shinjuku Showdown a whole lot harder, but her death meant a lot to the cast. It deeply affected Yuji and caused him to grow even more as a character. So, I was willing to let it slide. But, the fact that Gege kept her alive is proof that he knew that he had made her too powerful and he wanted to use her for later. If he had built this up more instead of one passive "well she might be alive" comment, I wouldn't be complaining. However, here we are.

Hiromi Higuruma: This one is definitely the most egregious in my opinion. The fact that he is alive significantly hurts this story in retrospect. I wouldn't even be making this list in general if he was alive. Something to keep in mind is that I'm trying to look at this story from both a powerscaling and a narrative perspective. So I get why Gege killed him. Anybody with an insta-kill weapon has to be dealt with in some shape way or form. And, once again, killing him gave Yuji more motivation. I honestly don't even get why Gege did it this time with the knowledge that there isn't going to be a JJK2. Keeping Higuruma alive exclusively hurts the story. Especially because he had already mainly served his narrative purpose in the Culling Games.

I know that this is a pretty small list. However, keep in mind, this all happened in one arc. At the very end. So, it overall hurts the package. In making this list, I have gotten to thinking about it, and, I don't think that Gege is a bad writer. I think that he does phenomenal with smaller casts. I genuinely believe that Hidden Inventory is one of the best arcs in the series. I just think that Gege got a little too ambitious and he couldn't wrap things up in time because of mangaka fatigue so he got sloppy at the very end.

[rallamajoop]

I love your Wintersberg smut fics 😭😭😭 Do you have any more fic drafts/ ideas that are bouncing around in your brain? I'd love to hear... Ethan getting his smart mouth shut up for once and getting fucked stupid is my favorite trope.

Aha, I take it you enjoyed Atypical Side-Effects? Does Medical Log count too? Either way, now I'm very amused that the last ask I got like this one was from someone who was into Ethan bantering his way through sex ‒ I mean, nice to know I'm appealing to multiple markets here! XD

I did post a list of stuff I had in the works back in September, but a lot of those have been checked off and posted since then, so maybe we're due for an update. There's not as much wintersberg on the current list as there was, but we'll see where it goes.

So, fic I have actually made progress on in the last month or two:

The second chapter of Atypical Side-Effects I've been promising everyone is with my beta now, though I cannot tell you there's much smut in this one, and it's currently second in the queue behind...

That post-RE7 Mithan fic where Mia actually gets to come clean that I mentioned in my last WIP post, which has somehow grown into a veritable monster (how tf did this thing break 15k I do not know), and is responsible for stalling progress on most everything else around it while it ate writing time. But it is at last (hopefully) done, and my beta is trying to sort out if it's ready to be unleashed on the world now.

As mentioned in a comment or two, I've also been working on a sequel to my Yuletide Lost Boys fic Pater Unfamilias. It's about halfway done now, I think?

In other misc fandom news, I've still got a couple of semi-cast-off bits of Deus Ex fic that came out of my Spare Parts anthology not-quite-finished (and which I've been promising myself I will totally get back to and finish sometime after that big one above was done). Whether they end up getting added to that story or whether I wind up posting them as their own things remains to be decided.

But back in Resi-land, I may have mentioned in that last post that I had part of a continuation of That One Where Heisenberg Follows Him Home, and that's one I'm still picking away at between other projects. Eventual Ethan/Mia/Heisenberg, just for a little variety, but it's got its teeth in me and definitely wants to go somewhere.

So overall, possibly not quite as much wintersberg as you might have hoped? Though I may have kind of promised someone there was still more of that one Beauty and the Beast wintersberg AU still very much in my plans. And one or two other things from that older list are still in the 'may get back to' pile too.

But if you’re asking about ideas that haven’t necessarily made the draft stage, well, I could always list you a few…

I have forever been toying with the idea of a post-canon Heisenberg-lives idea, where he ends up working for Chris’ outfit as a medical examiner who specialises in cutting apart whatever horrific BOWs have been brought back for study, and also in terrifying any hapless intern who so much as wanders into his lab. I mean, he’d be perfect for the job: plenty experienced in studying bioweapons, utterly un-squeamish about cutting up dead things, and as a bonus, completely qualified to defend himself whenever some ambitious specimen decides to get up again unexpectedly. Speaking of which, mundane AUs where Heisenberg’s some kind of medical examiner should really be more of a thing too (sure, mechanic works too, but is it really gross enough for him?)

Speaking of Heisenberg-lives possibilities, the idea of a universe where he survives (unbeknownst to our heroes) thanks to having bought a ‘life insurance policy’ from the Duke which involves him being resurrected via mould trickery is another one I’ve had forever. Did actually mention it in my last in-progress post (it’s the fairy tale idea titled simply ‘Koschei’), but haven’t really made any progress on it since.

Alternately, in a hypothetical Ethan-lives-Heisenberg-doesn’t AU, the idea of a Heisenberg who continues to haunt Ethan as a mould-ghost ala virtual-Eveline has to rank pretty high on the “has no-one does this? Because someone should totally do this”-scale. No really concrete ideas for this one though, so consider it very much free to a good home.

In more recent ideas, someone pointed out to me a little while ago the possibility that Heisenberg might be able to feel it when Ethan touches anything metal (which sure does cast Ethan’s own arsenal in an interesting light!) Don’t know if I’ll ever actually get around to doing something with this one, but I’ve definitely given this one some thought.

On a related note, look, I still say the idea of Heisenberg deciding to make Ethan appreciate his genius by trapping him in a massive soldat-orgy is one I want someone else to write for me, but I’ve definitely now spent enough time explaining it to certain people that I can’t deny having given it some real thought.

In other free-to-a-good-home ideas, has anyone ever written a decent little Eveline-wins-AU horror story, with Mia and Ethan stuck playing ‘families’ with her, and only conditionally conscious of what’s really going on? Because there just is not enough real horror or fic willing to treat Eveline as the horrific little monster she canonically is around this place.

And just for something completely different, some kind of surreal Mia/Zoe thing set during RE7, with Mia constantly shifting between different levels of awareness of what’s going on, how much she can remember, and what she thinks her relationship to Eveline really is preferably with some at least R-rated Mia/Zoe smut is another of those ideas I’ve been sitting on forever now.

...and I hope that about answers your question, because that's me about out. *g*

[icarusbetide]

the time my friend argued that jefferson would be a raging capitalist today

questions along the vein of "would this founding father be a democrat or a republican", etc. etc. are impossible to answer for a lot of reasons - 18th century politics don't match up nicely with our idea of left or right. even if we really really dumb it down to big gov, small gov; manufacturing vs. farming; it gets complicated. throw in modern issues and it's a whole other deal entirely. and obviously if they were resurrected and dropped into this world today they would be so overwhelmed and irrelevant it doesn't even matter.

but as someone who believes environment has a huge impact on people, i do wonder what they would be like if they were born and raised in today's world. how many political convictions or personality traits are going to translate directly?

my fellow history geek who studies economics had a really interesting argument about hamilton and jefferson. (all of this is based off of the assumption that they were born and raised in the modern era. this was a stupid conversation we had while procrastinating, don't take it too seriously!)

Hamilton:

obviously based on history, the first thing i said is that hamilton would be a wall street capitalist dude. but my friend said that you could make a (simple, rough) argument that his economic policies were radical for the time, moving away from the existing more mercantile structure. if we're going by solely what's considered radical today, it's a different picture. and he made the point that hamilton had a focus on energetic, involved government - very clearly clashing with fiscal conversative values of free markets and reduced debt, etc. so even if we translated him as a capitalist, it wouldn't be purely fiscal libertarian/conservative.

he wasn't by any means a destitute rags to riches story, but he did face quite a lot of early trauma and prejudice. illegitimacy and being west indian aren't as stigmatized in today's world - but if he still goes through similar experiences in a modern context, in a world less bound to enlightenment ideals? my friend (again over simplistically, he wants me to emphasize that) said "okay. let's say we translate that struggle to him being raised by a single mom and a deadbeat dad, with an immigrant status? he faces the problems in the existing structures, maybe the foster system? and if we accept that he might have had feelings for john laurens, that's probably going to affect him heavily; in today's world i can see him being more of a left-leaning person politically."

we both hesitantly agreed that given some of his qualities, childhood experience, etc. the fanfics that depict a modern hamilton to be at least liberal might not be too off? he'd still be a realist, wary of perceived demagogues, etc. and always fighting on twitter. my friend very strongly made the case that "just because he created and backed a capitalist financial system in the 1700s doesn't mean he would be right-wing now. simplifying but if he genuinely believed that his plans back then would improve the lives of americans, then he might see the system we have today and hate it. because it's not working: we're falling behind in a lot of important statistics; hamilton had negative qualities for sure but i do think he was genuine in trying to find what he thought would actually improve people's lives. he wasn't entirely motivated by money, right? he cut off his other incomes as treasury secretary? yes he was ambitious but he wanted to get things done. if anything, he'd see the ineffectiveness of a whole bunch of crap happening today and hate that."

he also thinks that because hamilton dedicated a lot to working on systems (both federal governmental and economic, perhaps the two most controversial and important ones at that time) it's valid (given that earlier childhood translation as well) that he'd be very interested in social programs and economic programs today. less of the federal government thing since that's more set in stone.

so his tldr: "i know it seems like presentism and wishful thinking for me to say that modern hamilton might've been left-leaning, but i really do think it's a possibility, if we translate some of his experiences to our world. there are other founders i'd argue that would be much more conservative and or capitalist. please don't attack me."

me: "wait who do you think would be the raging capitalist?"

him: "Jefferson. if we assume he's born into a rich, rich, prestigious family today - chances are he's the son of a ceo or some corporation. and that isn't exactly old money but you can argue that any colonist family is less old money compared to the actual british nobility. and how far back is old money? if it was his grandfather who struck it big then he's still got that trust fund kid energy. so in a way, we could argue that he'd actually be the raging capitalist, probably still wanting a smaller government but for the free market and tax cuts."

this was hilarious because i focused in on his ability to hone into what the public wants to hear, and thought he'd be one of those hipster, seemingly social justice warrior people who still harbor a great amount of elitism and hypocrisy.

my friend pointed out that both can be true. he can be like kendall roy and tweet "we must overthrow the culture of corruption that silences women" while being a piece of shit with a crazy family.

you'll probably notice that this is entirely speculatory, and a lot of it is based on vibes. and we made a lot of logical jumps in terms of translating influential experiences at that time to something equivalent in the modern day. this isn't scholarly or well justified in any way - we aren't trying to prove anything but it's fun to see what aspects of their personalities we pull out. how hilarious is it to consider a hamilton raging against the financial systems and structures of america while jefferson supports big corporations or whatnot?

[macawritesupdates]

Updates 5/28/2024

A Well Executed Failure has been completed <3 A short to the point fic that was rattling about in my head and glad to get it out to the world and hope people enjoyed the ride!

CURRENTLY WORKING ON THE FOLLOWING FICS!

Careful What you Joke About: Next chapter is the Shibuya arc and it is a really big chapter and going to really lean into psychological horror for sure! Lessons in Accidental Seduction: Sukuna and Yuuji are getting married and Yuuji is going to get emotional at his own wedding and embarrass his feral bride. Enough said :b

Historically Accurate: FINALLY gearing up to flesh out the outline into the chapter proper! The story is starting to speak up about how it wants the chapter to go and feeling good about starting progress! OTHER LONG FICS Malevolence of Love: I'm in the ZONE with this fic, so you might see it update more than the others as getting to parts I've been eager to write for a long while! Mirrored Lives: Going to lock in and work on more chapters of this fic and get it more caught up and developed as I feel it got neglected. Yuuji Files: This fic is being put on the backburner to my other fics for a bit. Just having a bit of a block on it, so letting it sit in the long cooker for a bit. Feel the last chapter was a bit of a flop/maybe too ambitious, so going to hash out how I'm handling the chapters until the end.

COMING SOON! Two new fics are rattling around my head that are starting to be planned out and put down on paper and the first chapter of both should be coming out soon from the oven <3 Modern Sukita Fic Detective Yuuji Story: This story is being outlined and the story mapped out and plot nailed down! Working out the details, but so far, I am satisfied with the direction it is going! Final count on the chapters is still TBA as I finish drafting out the story map, but I've started to work on the first chapter! Modern Sukita short fic: This idea slapped me over the head and was inspired by a request... as I wrote the one-shot, I wanted to tell a longer, more emotional and touching story and it would NOT leave me alone. This is going to be heavy on the hurt/comfort and Sukuna is going to be taking the brunt of the hurt.... and Yuuji is going to be a complete sunshine child ; w ;

REQUESTS!! Working on them still! Hoping to get a few out soon! I've got 70+ requests right now and want to make sure I give each one some care XD going to focus on clearing out the ones from April first 83;; With a few more recent ones thrown in to mix up the vibes!

[sugurus-thoughts]

Hey I don't wanna sound crazy but I was reading your "Santa doesn't know you like I do" and I- I literally have the EXACT vision for myself. I am currently about to enter undergrad school but I have this scenario in my head that I want to become Lawyer afterwards, probably live in New York, independent and rich. And you know I am a book girly, so ofc there are times when I like to fantasize about the future that I might have in this vision, and I usually hate men but I always kind of wish that maybe in the future, if I truly ever build my life this way, I hope someone comes in my life not for sex or casual shit but to actually get to know me, and know the hidden parts of my heart,because if I am being honest with you, I have never dated any guy, and even though I am still too young, but alot of people around me have, but anytime a guy approaches, I actually cut everything off really quickly for this sole reason, because guys my age around me don't think this way, for them it's another girl, another crush (not speaking for every male here obv, just the people that have come in MY life). So I was having this fake scenario and was also wishing to write it down somewhere, which was EXACTLY like your fic.

When I started reading the paragraph where you mentioned that Y/N was a lawyer, independent but guarded, I am not gonna lie to you, I physically gasped and stayed in that stance for over 10 seconds.

It's completely, exactly like how things were in my mind. Omg I still cannot believe it, it's so strange but yeah, I loved your writing <3

Hi sweetie 🤍

Hope you are well, thank you so much for the ask, it's my second one I've received which makes me feel very grateful.

This is most beautiful way you think of your future self. Firstly let me say, I didn't even have the intention on starting this drabble like this, I earased it so many times until, I got the idea. I wanted to create this because of women like us, that feel this way. I'm just like yourself career driven, ambitious, straightforward (let's not to mention the hate men) —and it's completely normal to be that way. In any way do not feel like you should change yourself for anyone just to fit in this society, I believe that one day you will meet your significant other in a very different way, one day he'll probably have to fight for his damn life to court you. You don't even have to date now, there's no need for that at all —I'm happy you made that decision for yourself to chase after your career and be an independent, hard working woman. It's not everyday you get to see women like this, so be a big inspiration for other younger girls in this generation to become like you, like us out there.

As for the men these days I agree with you —women as well. Our generation has changed a lot which led to so many different tactics that men do, even women. It's truly sad if you think about it, but in the end it's truly rare to find that 2% of men and women that are still on that level of values which is a blessing in my honest opinion. But I truly know that your dreams will come true, you will become successful and independent, I use this quote all the time "where there is a will there is a way". So for the time being when you enter your undergradate make sure you work on yourself love—mentally, physically and emotionally to one day be your own strength of pillar.

You will make it!!

ps: thank you for enjoying my writing, I hope you enjoy much more of my future writing 🤍🫂 have a lovely day/night

[coralhoneyrose]

4, 26, and 40!

Ayy! Thank you so much for sending these ^-^

4. Where do you find inspiration for new ideas?

Talking with fandom friends about aspects of the characters or pairing that make me feel insane is a big one! Revisiting fan fics I love (of chrobin or other pairings) can help get the brain cell going too, as does reading published fiction that has writing and characterization I really admire! I find settings can work well as a jumping off point for inspiration for me too, and sometimes I’ll look through photography of really beautiful places and scenery and daydream about what sort of romantic nonsense I’d like for chrobin to get up to there LOL

26. Which of your fics would you call your wildest ride?

Ya know, I thought I answered this one in a previous ask, but upon looking at the phrasing, I realize now that it says *my* wildest ride, not *the* wildest ride, and that the question might actually be asking about my experience with creating it?  The answer is still probably PtLY though. The idea for that one arrived very suddenly and almost immediately consumed me once it did. It was originally supposed to be a lot less ambitious (like half the length, for one thing) but it kept growing new heads and suddenly it was like the only thing I'd been working on in almost two years. It also wound up getting a much more positive reception than I ever could have anticipated though, so that was a lovely surprise and one I'm still incredibly grateful for.

40. If someone were to make fanart of your work, what fic or scene would you hope to see?

Genuinely so happy I got this question multiple times and have an excuse to keep picking more scenes. I’d loveee to see fan art of chapter 9 of Half Orange, basically anywhere from the part where Chrom drags Robin out of the freezing river through when they’re talking together around the fire in the woods and are finally honest about their feelings for each other <3

[pumpkin-spike18]

✨Weekly Progress #46✨

omg I can do it, I can make it in time before the week ends...!!!

Finished aKwtD sprites

Advertised Comms (btw they're closing in a little more than a week!): details here!

Posted devlog! (it's a big devlog so I'm listing it as an achievement here lol)

Updated fan project BG

Sketched + lined fan VN sprites

drew MTNR art for some 7 hours

Various Demon Prince sketches

Things are pretty scattered this week as I make good on promises for various projects I'm involved in. Really, I think January Pumpkin was too ambitious.

A Kiss with the Devil

Sprites are done! <:

Our cute MC for Yurijam, Camille, is a shy person. But maybe you'll be able to catch one of her cute smiles in the demo!

And ofc our murderous really hot love interest, Liz! At two and a outfits, two head poses, and a number of arm poses, Liz is the biggest sprite I've ever drawn for a project, totaling 65 separate pieces to build the sprite up from!

Please look forward to A Kiss with the Devil, demo coming out for Yuri Game Jam December 2nd!

Can't wait for the demo? A prologue by Ley Klussyn has been released on itch for O2A2 jam where you can find out more about our main character...

Out of Nowhere

Fan Project Assets

I was requested to make one more BG for a fan project. (I don't remember how much of the other three BGs I showed earlier this year...)

I somehow always surprise myself with how well things turn out at the end compared to the sketch 😂

Okay spoiler for next week's devlog: I did finish all the sprites and artwork requested of me for this project!

It's no secret that recently I've become obsessed a big fan of Golden Kamuy. So naturally, I joined a fan project for a Golden Kamuy dating sim: Soft Sapporo Fall! If you're a fan of the series as well, please look forward to a demo release of the game coming in December!

I was in charge of designing and drawing the Halloween sprites for Yuusaku, Koito, Kirawus, and Kadokura (along with a few other things <:)

A preview for next week...

Demon Prince...

As it turns out, I'm really bad at naming my BL projects because none of them have titles. So now along with "Buggy BL," "Peter Pan BL," and "Punk BL," let me introduce you to "Demon Prince BL." 😅

This was a story that I started coming up with because I was talking with Akua about how I missed designing and drawing food.

So this is a story about the Demon Prince, who got tired of waiting for adventurers to arrive and fight him in his father's castle so he decided to explore human towns in search of yummy food! And the strongest human Adventurer who's chasing after him relentlessly to... kill him? There might be more than what meets the eye.

Lately they returned to the front of my brain so I spent some nights doodling them to relax after... a full day of drawing. ...Funny how that works...

I've got a few ideas for our main character's relationships and sad backstory, but sadly the plot is still up in the air...

[shychick-52]

Fenton's Big Lift

Beakley: Well, it’s a very ambitious idea, Della- I’ll give you that. But I just don’t believe it’s possible!

Della: Are you kidding?! It's true!

Gyro: Ohhh, what is it you're making a ruckus over this time, Della?

Della: Oh, hey, Gyro. I thought you said you were going to spend a quiet morning organizing your bowties!

Gyro: [Dryly] How could anyone effectively organize anything with you talking so loudly in my lab?

Beakley: Della here insists that Fenton is enough of a powerhouse to lift every single person in the family without the aid of the Gizmoduck armor!

Gyro: Oh, Della, not this again...

Della: It’s true! Gyyyyy, c'mon, you’ve seen it too!

Gyro: Now, Dr. Intern is… fairly capable, what with utilizing the Gizmoduck armor on a daily basis, but-

Della: Ha! You agree!

Gyro: I did not say-- Della, this family includes the likes of��Launchpad and Mrs. Beakley. No one could--

Della: [Triumphantly] FENTON! CAN! LIFT! ANYONE!!

Gyro: I give up.

Beakley: Well, I simply can’t accept such a boast without proof.

Della: Oh, I can prove it! Look, here comes Fenton now! Watch this!

Gyro: What do you mean you can prove--

Fenton: [Coming downstairs from the lab's second story] Salutations, Della, Mrs. Beakley! Oh, Dr. Gearloose, I wanted to go over the latest plans with you for the-

Della: [Overlapping him, running off in his direction, leaping into the air] CANONBALL!!

[Fenton yelps, drops his blueprints, goes “Oof!” as he instinctively catches Della]

Della: TA-DAA!! Some reflexes, huh?

Beakley: That’s hardly convincing.

Gyro: Yes, I could probably lift you if sufficiently motivated, Della.

Della: And yet you never play “Throw-Della-up-in-the-air-as-hard-as-you-can-and-see-where-she-lands” with me!

Gyro: [Deadpan] We’ve talked about this!

Beakley: Well, I’m not convinced. [commandingly, Agent 22-mode] Dr. Crackshell-Cabrera! Front and center!

Fenton: Uh, yes, ma’am-

Beakley: [Snapping her fingers] Up, man! Up! Lift! Higher now-- with your knees-- all the way up-- there!!

Fenton: [Overlapping with Beakley's directions] What, oh, uh-- yes ma’am!-- [Strained, lifting] oof-- here we go-- uhf-- alrighty-- hup! [Somehow, miraculously, manages to lift her]

Gyro: [whispering to himself] That's incredible!

Beakley: Hm. Passable, I suppose. But I’m still not convinced.

Della: What the DUCK are you talkin' about, Mrs. B?? He managed to lift you up! Ooooh, Gyro next!

Fenton: [Gasping slightly, still recovering] All righty, then-

Gyro: Don’t. You. Dare.

Fenton: [Backing off] Wouldn’t dream of it!

Beakley: Besides, that would hardly be an adequate test of Fenton's strength. Gyro weighs as much as a wet paper bag.

Gyro: Hey!

Della: Oh, I know. I just thought it would be fun!

Gyro: Oh, look! Blue Nephew and McQuack! Let’s pay attention to them instead and leave me well alone! [Double-take, annoyed] Wait, what are they even doing here? Why is everyone congregating in my lab?

Launchpad: Hi, Mrs. B! Hi, Della! What’s going on?

Dewey: Hi, Mom. Can I get some money for-

Della: [interrupting Dewey] FENTON! LIFT DEWEY INSTEAD!

Fenton: Oh, okay. Up we go, then.

Dewey: Woo, I’m up here now!

Beakley: That’s ridiculous. Dewey is a child. You might as well put him down.

Fenton: Alrighty?

Dewey: [Mildly disappointed] Aaaand I'm on the floor again. Nerp- DEW-EY ME AGAIN!

[Fenton lifts him again]

Dewey: WOOO, and I'm back on top!

Launchpad: Life’s sure got its ups and downs, eh, buddy? [Pause] Uhh, but seriously, Della, what’s this game of yours?

Della: It’s not a game! I’m proving to Mrs. B that Fenton can lift everyone in the family!

Launchpad: Ohhh, why didn’t you say so? Fenton, ya shoulda started with me. Seein’ as I’m such a tiny lil' guy and all.

Fenton: [voice wavering] Uhh...

Launchpad: I mean, it wouldn’t be much harder than lifting a couple blueprints, huh? Picking up a lil' guy like me... it’s hardly even worth showin’ off at this point, when you’ve already managed folks so much bigger! But you might as well, just so you can say honestly you’ve managed the full collection later, right?

Della: If he can lift Mrs. B, he can lift anyone- even Launchpad!

Fenton: [resigned to what’s happening] Okay. I figure I can... yeah, yup, here we-- [grunting] Hup-- all right-- little more--

Launchpad: Whoa!

Della: YES!!

Beakley: Oh!

Gyro: [Openly impressed this time, can't keep his eyes off Fenton] Oh, my!

Dewey: Woo, way to dewey it, Fenton!

[One solid beat. Then Fenton collapses, taking Launchpad down with him with a loud “OOF!” from them both]

Launchpad: Wow, uh-- that was impressive, Fenton! You all right?

Fenton: [Horribly out of breath] Yep, j-just peachy, LP. Thanks for asking!

Beakley: Well, I still say it’s only just passable. Launchpad, come here. I’m going to show Fenton how it's done!

Gyro: No! I’m ending this right now! You've all wasted quite enough of my time and Dr. Intern's! Everybody, out of my lab!

Della: Fine. But later on, I want to see Fenton lift up Penny!

Beakley: Oh, honestly, Della.

Dewey: Oh, I am so recording that! Fenton, you're gonna be on my show this weekend! Don't worry, your secret identity is safe. Not that everyone doesn't already know you're Gizmoduck.

[They all leave]

Gyro: [Helping Fenton to his feet, rolling his eyes] You always did work too hard.

(For the audio source, see here)

@partycoffin 👀