#who are all these hypothetically attractive people who lack a 'sense of humor' such that it becomes a noticable factor

[elainemorisi]

the general People's definition of attractive qualities is perplexing, man

[thejournaloffox]

Why was it so hard for Fox to handle awareness or the revelation of attraction that represented no threat to her relationship?

Perhaps because it had destroyed her previous one. It was so easy to feel eclipsed by the presence, or even the sight, of another woman who was fully and tastefully clothed, let alone one in a sexually explicit context. Let alone one who was vibrant, intelligent, and full of humor and wit. Sometimes Fox was that woman, and sometimes other women put her in that exact position of feeling a relative lack and an envy of the attention she commands—whoever “she” is. Fox felt it, the other women felt it, and all of us collectively resent the woman who is the most comfortable with being Seen and Desired because it’s what we can’t have. It’s what we can’t take without being the next in line for ritual humiliation. So why do we even crave it? Perhaps because many of us realized this was our only hold on our partners.

It’s an artificially created space. We are not really comparable to one another, and Fox resented the implication that attractive young women deserved some special treatment when they were in a crowd, as opposed to all the beautiful and unique people who felt ugly, old, or any other sense of self that made them resentful of people like Fox, oft put in one position and feeling on the other side. It waned with familiarity, and all that was left after that was obscurity. She had felt more punishment than reward from this position, and indeed, she did not have friendly feelings towards the women she placed there in her mind. Which was why she understood that being envied and being attractive was a dangerous and an ugly place vis-à-vis another woman.

In Fox’s previous long term relationship, she had gotten used to being forgotten in the presence of other women he found attractive, and they never seemed to run out. They were everywhere, and Fox had learned to identify them purely by how much his attention lingered and how. It made attention given to other women feel intolerable to her where before that relationship she remembered having no such feelings. She had only ever felt jealous when she had been given reason, and unfortunately, eventually she had been given reasons in each relationship—but in this one, it became a perpetual function that she no longer remembered how to switch off.

Fox loved women. But she feared them, too. It wasn’t their fault. She also knew to her core that she could trust the Lion, and that should have made this so much easier. But something inside her was still broken in this regard, and she had no idea how to heal it. She didn’t want to be apprehensive, suspicious (especially justifiably), and exhausted around women. She felt constant pressure to keep up appearances before them in ways she didn’t feel with men, but she also refused to respond to it, making her a dangerous element to a lot of them. But she couldn’t force herself to be anything she was not, even if it earned their scorn and derision.

Even after hypothetically getting comfortable with women, Fox wasn’t sure where to go from there. She didn’t know how to feel just yet about the possibility of sexually involving another woman even when Fox had a chance to experience it without repercussions. Part of her wanted the experience, another part remembered how wounding this question had been in the past. It was a different time with a person who had had selfish interests, and that was revealed by the fact that he had only been interested in sharing Fox with another woman, never another man; in other words, he wanted permission to involve other women for himself. He had also immediately felt jealous when Fox had suggested she would take him up on his offer but without his involvement, all by herself—and she still viscerally remembered that painful split in her heart when she realized she would never be enough for him. In fact, he acted all the time as though he resented her—but at the same time, he wouldn’t let her go. She had to be the bad guy and end things before he felt like he had permission, in fact, he was entitled, to betray her.

Her dream had been about that. He had shown up and told her he got bored with his present situation and she was really still his; the mere suggestion filled her with such awful feelings of despair and other ugly feelings that she still shrank away from the memory. Only with distance had she seen her situation for what it had been—and she was terrified of that place, of that person he had become, and of those feelings and notions manifesting to haunt and torment her. The dream then switched to the Lion, which was an incredible comfort, and she somehow defiantly communicated without words to her ex that he could go fuck himself and eat his claims. She belonged to the Lion. All was well. Then, the Lion was leading her past an establishment that offered sexual encounters with women, and he suggested to Fox that they could go in if she wanted to. She didn’t feel resentful, afraid, or any other negative way, which was a relief, although not a surprise—she instinctively felt the vast difference in quality and motivation behind his words. But she also felt she wasn’t ready, and she steered him away. And he was fine with it.

Fox felt like they would revisit this subject again. But for the moment, she needed more time and space to heal her relationship with other women, to rebuild her sense of self where others were concerned in a way that she didn’t feel so defenseless and raw around them. She felt similarly apprehensive of other men, she still found it difficult to appreciate them in the way the Lion could appreciate attractive women he encountered. She didn’t think he spent his time hunting for girls to ogle, at the same time, she knew he had a healthier attitude towards allowing himself to look—she didn’t feel at home in this at all, although she wanted to be able to recognize the beauty of others again, and she wanted them to be on equal footing. She wasn’t sure why everything that had happened to her made her stop appreciating people, although she suspected it had something to do with the unequal treatment all her previous partners had demonstrated in this regard: they were free to hang posters of naked women on their walls and would argue with her if she dared bring it up, but if she even spoke to another man, they had felt threatened—she always had to hide even feelings of friendship from men. But she was perversely encouraged to get much friendlier with her girlfriends than she was comfortable with. The double standard burned her insides. And they punished her for their insecurity in so many ways, and so many times over.

Attraction was exhausting—being attractive, being attracted, all of it had a tainted quality in her mind. How could she cleanse herself of these feelings?

These were the things Fox speculated about. She didn’t have answers, but she kept asking and probing, turning it around inside her, experimenting with thoughts and content to spark an inner renaissance.

[marshmarrowsans]

Attraction is supposed to be the easy part. Love is supposed to be the hard part.  But it's the other way around for Sans as he comes to terms with feelings for you he hadn't thought possible. Especially considering he's lacking certain parts.

Sans was in love with you before he was ever fully attracted to you. It was a little ass-backwards, wasn’t it? That’s what all the rom-com anime and movies out there would have him believe.  There was supposed to be some moment when you first met where he just stared at your face, saw an angelic glow around it as angels sang in the background, and experienced total tunnel vision to everything but you.  Seeing you in a swimsuit, or seeing your skirt hike up just a little too high on your thigh, was supposed to make him forget who, what, when, where, and why, and—he didn’t have a nose—but his nose was supposed to bleed, or something. None of that happened.  When he first met you, what he noticed about you was the sound of your laugh.  Not the way your hair framed your face and shined differently under different sources of light.  Not the softness, color, and curve of your lips.  Not the expressiveness and detail of your eyes.  And definitely not anything to do with your body.  Not yet. And when you wore that skirt on a day you hadn’t expected to be so windy, he just felt bad for you.  You were embarrassed. He didn’t want to sneak glances.  The urge just wasn’t there.  All he’d wanted to do was avert his gaze and guide you to the nearest clothing store to grab a pair of shorts for you to wear under that ill-advised choice of garment. And that’s exactly what he did. And when you brought him to that water park, he hadn’t given your socially-acceptable half-nudity a second thought.  His mind had been occupied with thoughts of two-person rides, overpriced junk food, and how nice it was to see you splashing around and having so much fun. And to be honest, he was more worried about what was going through your mind as you looked at him, a short, stocky skeleton in swim shorts, though he didn’t realize at the time why he cared so much—why the thought of you not liking what you saw made it feel like his soul crumpled up and died a little. That wasn’t to say he didn’t think (or, the more accurate term may have been, realize, because it was an objective fact) you were pretty.  He was asexual, not blind.  He saw your face, your skin, your eyes, your hair, your lips.  He saw your body, where it curved and where it straightened, the swell of every muscle and collection of fat, the outline of bones under your flesh here and there.  Oh, he knew you were gorgeous. But to be attracted to someone carries an underlying intent.  As he understood it, being attracted to someone meant, that at least under some hypothetical scenario, well…  you wouldn’t mind taking your clothes off with that person and doing the no-pants dance with them.  Or even if not that, it at least meant a certain fixation with looking at that person.  And he saw you and all, but he wouldn’t say he ever, italicized and bolded, looked at you.  Not for a pretty damn long time. Not that it was easy to tell whether or not he was looking at you in the way one does when one has certain intentions. Hell, he always got the feeling that love was supposed to be this big, confusing, indescribable thing—but only one of the cliches about it ever rang true to him, and it was that he knew it when he felt it.  As quiet as he was about it, he knew when he fell in love with you.  Even something that he could never hope to put into words was more clear-cut to him than the issue of sexual attraction. When did he cross that line into sexual attraction?  Was it when he caught himself acting like an absolute fool just to get you to smile, because he was kinda obsessed with it?  Was it when he lost track of what you were saying for the first time because he was too busy staring at your lips?  Was it when he rested his head on the side of your bed, watching over you like you’d asked him to do as you were out cold sick with one of those human illnesses, and felt an ache in his soul that kept him up all night when he thought about combing his fingers through your hair? Romantic love had been described and exemplified to him a million ways over the years.  Even when he hadn’t yet attained it for himself, he’d seen its ins and outs and heard it expressed in countless different words.  Of course he knew it when he felt it.  Something so visceral and all-encompassing and universal was easy to identify.  But sex and sexual attraction?  Not so much. Everyone got so coy about that kind of stuff.  There was an eternal undercurrent of shame to it.  Some tried to compensate by making it sound too flowery and spiritual and much the same as love itself…  which was nice, and he liked it, but he wasn’t naïve to the fact that they were separate things, closely tied as they could be for some people including himself.  Some just avoided the issue of it, which didn’t help at all.  Some spoke in euphemisms, either demure—to sleep together, to make love, to pleasure—or just downright hilarious—to choke the chicken, to gargle somebody’s marbles, to do the no-pants dance, as aforementioned.  He’d thought it was all something he simply wouldn’t and couldn’t ever understand, as someone who didn’t have genitals and wouldn’t really know what to do with them if he did. And yet, somehow, at some point, without even meaning to, he did understand it, and for the life of him, he couldn’t point to when.  Was it when you decided that you were good enough friends that you didn’t mind changing clothes with him in the room, and he couldn’t take his eyes off you?  Was it when you wore that suit to your first official date with him, and his patellae felt all wobbly as he, inexplicably, couldn’t get the thought out of his mind of you backing him up against a wall with a dark, simmering desire in your eyes?   Or was it only when he spent another sleepless night, the magic flowing through his bones so hot and excited and aching with a need he couldn’t fulfill, because his last memory of you that day before you went home was your lips pressing frantically and affectionately to his face, your hand creeping up his sternum, and your voice whispering that you loved him?  You loved him.  You loved him.  You wanted him, clear as day.  And whether it became true that night or in any one of countless gray-area moments before it…  he wanted you, too. But there was an issue to come back to here, and a major one—he still did not have genitals.  The excitement he felt flowed evenly through his body and overwhelmed all of him.  There was no identifiable point in which it concentrated, no part of his body that ached to be touched any more than any other part of him.  And it wasn’t like he didn’t try.  It was embarrassing, just how much he’d tried.  To put it lightly, he watched some videos, not because he was titillated by their content—he found them kind of weird and goofy, actually—but to try and figure out what he was supposed to do to himself to reach that sweet relief everyone seemed to be chasing when they felt the things he felt.  There was nothing between his legs to wrap his hand around, so anything involving that was a lost cause.  The idea of teasing his fingers along the slit narrowly separating the two pubic crests of his hips seemed promising, but ultimately proved fruitless, not to mention personally humiliating.  He knew this was completely private, and nobody else would ever know, but he felt a sense of crushing self-consciousness anyways.  He wasn’t getting any closer.  It was just bone.  Just touch. It wasn’t working, and he felt like shit for it, like maybe he was broken.  He tried sticking his fingers through the gaps in his ischia.  Wedged a pillow under his coccyx and sacrum and wriggled back against it like a bear scratching its back on a tree.  Turned over on his stomach, bent the pillow up into the curve of his body, and desperately, almost anguishedly mimicked that forward-and-back motion he knew worked for anyone, anyone else. For all the effort he put in, all the straining and rutting and soft, muffled pleading into his mattress…  all it did was make him ache more painfully, turn him into even more of a mess, his entire body and the soul at its center begging incessantly for the impossible.  Until at last, he admitted defeat, slipped his shorts back up, consumed with shame and mortification, and laid still on his side as the heat in his bones slowly ebbed away on its own, unspent. He didn’t sleep a wink that night. Because he knew what had to come next. It was no secret that you were—among a billion other wonderful things, of course—kind of a sexual person.  At least, you were open about your sexuality. You joked about hentai, talked casually about ‘turn-ons’ and such, and a couple of times, downright flippantly referred to the fact that you masturbated sometimes.  Even before he started feeling the way he did now, that all had never bothered him.  It was a strange sense of humor to him, but one that made him chuckle nonetheless, and if you were comfortable with all that stuff that most people got uncomfortable about, then more power to you.  He admired it about you, even. But it took on a whole new meaning now. You…  knew this stuff.  All the things that eluded him, his whole life and even now that these feelings had emerged in him.  The ins-and-outs (haha, in-and-out, another stellar euphemism for the scrapbook) of all of it.  You knew how to pleasure yourself, and how to pleasure others, and even though he was a special case, he felt certain that if there was anybody in the entire world who could figure him out, it’d be you. Not to mention the fact that he’d sooner personally bring a wrecking ball to his happy place, his favorite place in the world, Grillby’s, than ever speak a word of this to anyone but you.  He’d never understood the shame around this stuff, and yet now it was hitting him as hard as it hit anyone else, if not even harder. How could it feel so wrong just to want?  He didn’t know, but he couldn’t stop it.  That’s just the way it was.  He couldn’t look you in the eye for a whole day after he tried to give in to his urges. A few more days passed.  The feelings returned often, unexpectedly, and sometimes unwelcomingly.  When you joked that his voice was sexy.  When you slipped your hands under his jacket as you kissed him.  When one of his jokes made you laugh, in that wonderful way he’d always loved so much.  The very first thing he loved about you.  Suddenly, it had this effect on him that it never had before.  He felt so dirty for it he forgot to laugh along with you. You didn’t notice.  But he knew it was only a matter of time before you did. So, he knew what had to come next. He had to tell you about it.  All of it.  As best he could.  And he just had to hope that you could help him through it, like you helped him through everything else in his messy life.

[fallout4holmes]

Nuka-World 6

We had a visitor the next morning. Mags Black left her two cronies at the base of the artificial mountain as she took the lift up herself. I don't know what she said to Gage to get him to stay put on the ground, but he wasn't happy about it.

Holmes had just finished his morning cigarette and a minimal breakfast. He stood as she stepped off the lift, "Ah. Ms. Black."

The raider boss raised an eyebrow, "Miz? It's like you're trying to stand out. You're the Overboss now, Mister Holmes, you get to be on a first name basis with everyone."

Holmes lit another cigarette and said with exaggerated politeness, "To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"

Mags smirked, "You can blame it on giving the Disciples The Galactic Zone. I don't know what you're planning, but I want my people to come out on top at the end."

"At the moment, avoiding the animosity of an amusement park full of raiders is my primary concern."

"Bullshit," she said pleasantly. "You're the General of the Minutemen, the frozen vault-dweller that destroyed the Institute. I heard about your almost-war with the Brotherhood too, how you kicked them out of the Commonwealth after destroying their toys." She gestured to me, “Most of the raiders in Nuka-World are from west of here, where the Institute never had a presence. They think your friend is just a nifty robot bodyguard. Creepy, but nothing more. Those of us from the Commonwealth though?” She smiled, sinister, “We know exactly what he is. William and I know better than most. You never did find that janitor that went missing, did you Nick? What was her name, Amelia?”

“Annette,” I corrected, tried not to rise to the bait. “Not usually a fan of kicking folks out beyond the Wall, but in the case of you and your brother I’m glad Diamond City did.”

“Funnily enough, so are we. This suits us much better.” She said it smoothly, nothing but charm, but you don’t last long in my line of work if you can’t tell a bluff when you see one. She turned her attention back to Holmes, “Either your rumored nobility is all an act to get you into a place of power, or you’re going to throw a wrench into the fragile gears of this place. If it turns out to be the first one, you may want to consider showing my people a bit of favor before ugly rumors of synths and interfering Minutemen start circulating the park. If it’s the second one, well. Just know that every Operator in this park is watching.”

Holmes glowered, “I don’t respond well to threats.”

“As long as you respond,” Mags said, and took the lift back down.

As soon as she was down, Gage came up. "Mags pissed?"

"A touch upset," Holmes offered me a cigarette, which I took. "I was a little surprised she remembered you, Valentine."

"Guess it's hard to forget a face like this," I said dryly.

"What the hell are you two goin' on about?" Gage sighed.

"Nothing important," Holmes said, "just the Operators being unhappy with me. They can have the next park, it doesn't matter."

"Giving 'em the next park might look like you were intimidated," Gage said.

"What is the next park?" Holmes asked.

"Figured we'd hit Dry Rock Gulch."

"Hm, the American 'Old West' theme. A fake gold mining operation should suit the Operators, don't you think, Valentine?"

I chuckled, "I think the implication is gonna go over their heads, but we might as well check it out and get it over with."

Holmes agreed and we headed off. We made it to the park’s gate when I heard something moving through the earth, sort of like the sound a mole rat makes just before it leaps out and bites you. Only these weren’t mole rats.

A handful of big red worms with mouths that took up the whole head attacked, surprising the hell out of me and Holmes and earning an annoyed growl from Gage. They weren’t much of a fight, but, “Well that was unpleasant,” I said.

“You never seen bloodworms before?” Gage asked, skeptical.

I shook my head, “We don't get these things back east.”

“Better get used to ‘em, they’re a fucking menace around here.”

Hopefully we wouldn’t be staying long enough for me to get used to them, but I kept that to myself. I glanced around as we entered the park, the Old West frontier outpost aesthetic turned kitsch.

“How’s it go,” Gage sarcastically drawled, “This town ain’t big enough for you and me… ah, never mind.”

Holmes chuckled. “Let’s ask the local law enforcement for information,” he pointed to a protectron wearing a sheriff’s hat.

“Hope y'all are having a good day here at Nuka-World. Ready to saddle up and ride into the old wild west?” the protectron said.

“Great,” Gage grumbled, “More dumb robots.”

The protectron was unperturbed, “I'm the sheriff of these parts, and I need your help getting rid of those no good outlaws holed up in Mad Mulligan's Mine!”

“This is why I hate robots,” Gage huffed. “They don’t even know the world ended, this playtime shit is annoying.”

The protectron’s park personality programming stopped, “Processing: Hostile visitor. Ignore and continue explanation for the sake of the other guests.”

I laughed.

The sheriff continued his job, “The door to Mad Mulligan's Mine is locked up. I got a spare key in a safe by the theater, but wouldn't you know, I plum forgot what the combination to the safe was! You'll need to talk to my three amigos: Doc Phosphate, One-Eyed Ike, and the Giddyup Kid. Prove to them you're tough enough to take on the outlaws, and they'll give you their part of the combination. Good luck, little doggie! And don't forget your complimentary deputy uniform, courtesy of Nuka-Cola!”

The sheriff handed Holmes a costume, who promptly handed it to Gage, who scowled before realizing, “You got a weird ass sense of humor, boss,” and tossed it away. As we walked he asked, “We really gotta do all that, talk to three other robots just to get a key?”

“I suppose we could simply hang a banner and be done with the place,” Holmes said.

Gage shook his head, “Not with the bloodworms. Gotta torch the nest first, otherwise whoever moves in is gonna be pissed to hell you gave ‘em an infested base.”

Holmes made casual eye contact with me. He’d been hoping for a raider-bloodworm showdown.

“I mean,” Gage was still talking, “why do we need this fucking key in the first place? Can’t we just blast the door open?”

“I try not to do anything rash if I can avoid it,” Holmes said, “and surely you don’t think we’ll be bested by a few challenges designed for children?”

“I’m starting to second-guess making you Overboss,” Gage grumbled.

“Perhaps you should have considered that possibility before enthroning a stranger you know precious little about, against his will,” Holmes steely replied.

“I can deal with an ass of a boss,” Gage played it cool, “as long as he gets done what needs to get done.”

We did the tasks for the park protectrons, fighting bloodworms, overgrown crickets, and giant ants along the way. Once we had the key, we headed for Mad Mulligan's Mine… a roller-coaster.

Gage had kept pretty quiet til then, "People actually stood in line and waited for this crap?" He scoffed, "Bunch of suckers."

"Roller-coasters were a popular attraction,” I commented flatly, “though I can’t say I ever saw the appeal.”

Holmes gestured for quiet as we headed into the ride. The lobby held a souvenir shop and the entrance to the tunnels that would lead folks to the boarding area, decorated to look like you’re walking through a mine out of a Saturday morning western. Back then it probably lacked the dead bodies, of course. Holmes and I had heard rumors of traders who hid from Colter’s raiders in Dry Rock Gulch. We found ‘em. Bloodworms saw to it they didn’t have long to enjoy their freedom.

The boarding area was a massive pit littered with brahmin corpses, bulging with bloodworm larvae. In the middle of the pit was the massive queen herself.

“I believe we’ve found the nest,” Holmes said.

“No shit, boss,” Gage scoffed.

“Valentine and I will take care of the queen, you exterminate everything hiding in those brahmin.”

Gage nodded, “Sounds like a plan.”

I might be getting too old for fighting overgrown monsters in caves… but every time I think that, I know it’s not really true. Or it is, and I’m too stubborn to admit it. Anyway, we got the job done but the queen did a number on my leg. At least we know that Nuka-Town’s got a competent mechanic. I could walk, which is saying something, just going to have a limp until whatever got whacked out of place could get realigned. Gage was going to make a remark, but wisely shut up when Holmes glared at him.

We let the Sheriff know the job was done, got paid, which was a nice surprise, and Holmes climbed up to the top of the theater to hoist a flag with a black heart in a bullseye, bleeding gold.

“Gave in to the Operators after all, huh?” Gage said once Holmes was back on the ground. He didn’t sound accusatory, which was kind of weird, just like he was making conversation. Which was also kind of weird.

“If I have to secure Mags Black’s silence with a token gesture,” Holmes said, “then so be it.”

Gage shrugged, “Just let ‘em know you’re the Overboss, not some do-good General.”

“Gage, you conned me into this mess for the purpose of bringing the gangs together, yes? How does strutting around threatening violence serve that purpose?”

“Because we’re raiders?? That’s the language these idiots speak. You gotta treat ‘em right, but make sure they know you can end them at any time.”

Holmes made a considering sound and headed out of the park, “I often thought that if raiders could ever organize, they would be a force to be reckoned with. It seems I was right.”

“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you!” Gage exclaimed, relieved as if Holmes had finally come around. He didn’t know that every time the topic came up, it was followed with a list of possible ways the Minutemen would eliminate that threat.

Unfortunately, none of the hypothetical scenarios ever involved the General and his partner effectively being held hostage, with no way to call for help.

[aurorawest]

ten faves

Rules: name ten favorite characters from ten different things (tv, movies, books, etc.).

Thank you for the tag @thegirlwholied!

Loki (Thor, The Avengers, general MCU)

I mean...obviously, right? He’s got it all. A sympathetic villain with a tragic backstory, a snarky, sarcastic sense of humor, The Smart One, but also, complete and utter trash fire, emotional wreck; just wants to be loved. His redemption arc hits me right in the feels and I’m here for the disaster of a relationship that he has with his big brother. His angst and dramatics make him an utter joy to watch and write about. V pretty, too; makes me wonder if I am in fact just a little bisexual. 

King Candy (Wreck-It Ralph)

YMMV but another villain with a sympathetic backstory. The way he turns on a dime from goofy and fun to kind of straight-up murderous is great. Another one where there’s a rich trove of angst and pain to explore in fic. Alan Tudyk’s spot-on Ed Wynn imitation made me fall in love with this guy before three words had left his mouth the first time I saw Wreck-It Ralph.

Stephen Strange (Doctor Strange, general MCU, yes I’m cheating because this is 2 MCU characters)

Okay, so my soft spot for Strange admittedly came about because I ship him with Loki, but I’ve come to love him in his own right. He’s a smartass and a jerk—plus magic! How can I not like a guy who has all the terrible qualities I love in a character, but who dies over and over and over again to save humanity? And in a weird twist, I vastly prefer Benedict Cumberbatch’s American accent to his actual English accent.

George Weasley (Harry Potter)

Though I came to be a huge Snape fan later, my first loves in Harry Potter were the Weasley twins. And George is the one I keep coming back to. Who doesn’t love the Weasley twins, right? But I appreciate kinder, gentler George, and imagining his life after Fred’s death has resulted in thousands and thousands of words of fanfiction.

Weyoun (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)

We stan one Vorta clone who presided over a genocide, got his neck snapped by Worf, eats pizza with chopsticks, and had to put up with both Dukat and Damar. Another villain for the list here. Weyoun (and the Vorta in general) are fascinating and it’s a crime that we never got to learn that much about them. The DS9 writers seemed to think we all wanted to know more about the Jem’Hadar, but I just wanted more of these weird, purple-eyed gremlins. Weyoun trying to appreciate art despite his lack of aesthetics? A+ moment from a guest star in a series that was full of them (both A+ moments and guest stars).

Megavolt (Darkwing Duck)

Ah Megavolt, the character that I’ve loved since 1991. He’s crazy! He’s definitely committed murder (he’s been sent to the electric chair multiple times)! And yet there’s something kind of sad about Megavolt; high school bullies turned into who he is, his memory problems are...a hindrance. He’s not all bad either—he has a friend group and sometimes he even works with Darkwing Duck.

Vinny Santorini (Atlantis: The Lost Empire)

(with bonus Audrey Ramirez, because I’m not going to lie to you, it was hard to choose between the two of them)

Vinny is the snarkiest on this team of looters and he blows stuff up, so how can I not love him? Atlantis does its best to give us character development for its ensemble cast but it can only give us the broad strokes (its runtime is only 96 minutes. 96 minutes!), but it’s hard not to see Vinny as someone who uses sarcasm and humor to cover up a pretty big heart. In a way, a character with a minor redemptive arc, since the team betrays Milo.

Benjamin Linus (Lost)

The first thing you need to know about Ben is that he spent the majority of Lost looking beat up, which is a really attractive quality in a character. Ben is another one of those villains with a sympathetic past and a redemption arc—though unlike many of the villains I love, he actually survived! So he’s an exception to redemption=death. I loved Ben, I think, from the moment he hypothetically detailed how, if he were an evil Other, he would have tricked Sayid, Ana Lucia, and Charlie and lured them to their deaths, and then looked up at Locke and asked with that dead-eyed stare over his cereal, “Got any milk?” He was the one character who continued to get interesting on Lost as the rest of the show was falling apart.

Telemain (The Enchanted Forest Chronicles)

So I couldn’t find a photo of the back cover of Calling on Dragons, which actually features an illustration of Telemain, so you’ll all have to trust me that he’s My Type. His description from the Enchanted Forest Chronicles wiki: 

Blue eyes, dark hair, and neatly trimmed beard and mustache

Plus he wears knee-high black boots and a giant, useless belt with a bunch of stuff hanging off it? Might I point you to another wizard on my favorite characters list. Telemain is a know-it-all wizard who doesn’t understand how to talk to others like a normal person. He’s very smart, fiercely solitary, and very snarky. Hm.

Éowyn (The Lord of the Rings)

How can you not love her? The absolute shit this woman has been through. Her parents are dead. Her brother is banished. Her cousin is killed. And her uncle looks like a ghoul and is going crazier by the day, all while she’s got freaking Grima Wormtongue undressing her with his eyes at every opportunity. I love Éowyn because she’s basically in the process of having a constant meltdown but dammit, she’s going to keep it together because what else can she do? And I mean, obviously, “I am no man.”

I’ll tag...ummm @iamanartichoke, @mareebird​, and @thelightofthingshopedfor​ but no pressure! And anyone else who wants to do this definitely should! Consider yourself tagged, I’m always interested to know what characters other people like!

[caughtontape3-blog]

The certainty concerning the Supernatural

Cochise What is actually the "The supernatural"? The idea means from the Latina: super- "above" nature concerns entities, forces or trends which are regarded by simply a number of as beyond mother nature, for the reason that they cannot become explained in the notions as well as laws from the everyday globe.

Cochise

Supernatural topics are frequently WRONGLY associated with marvelous and occult ideas and are generally a classification for reasons which invoke explanatory constructs that in principle are generally beyond human conception, knowing or verification. A the greater part of super-naturalists of just about any given religion merely think in a very filter subdivision, subgroup, subcategory, subclass of all unnatural explanations involving reality whenever all the great thinking of all religions, prior and present, are this.

Instances of super naturalization; From the Hebrew Bible, effects and also other misfortunes are defined as indications of God's fury or vengeance. All way too often in theological posts, I hear the phrase mysterious bandied about, and also most men and women on both equally sides of the discussion tend to accept typically the nebulous term as the sensible idea (whether or maybe not they recognize which supernatural events perform exist).

Miracles such as walking around water are first looked at as impossible by the nonbeliever given that they violate the rules connected with physics; then often the believer guards the assert by labels the celebration supernatural as if this kind of magically transforms into explanation for unbeliever, From generally there the topic turns to no matter if or not that wonderful event actually occurred.

Exactly what does someone mean if they call something super-natural. This means that any event that may transpire is natural; within fact, issues can end up being said to simply along with the category of the actual earlier this means of unnatural given earlier mentioned.

The solely thing left for great events to be usually are points which could by no means be observed, could possibly certainly not in any way influence us all. We can existing countless, in fact infinite, feasible supernatural items (for instance, that our whole world is available as the super-fast blink of a subatomic molecule in most other unreachable meta-universe you can never interact along with; or that many subatomic chemical in our market composes an entirely separate world itself), but we get zero reason to feel any of them applies, and such views tend to be not the slightest bit verifiable, along with so they are unreadable.

Creation is in by itself magic of planing in addition to input of God. Typically the only chance I notice left is that particular number of absolute natural physical legal guidelines to our universe (whether not really we know associated with them for sure correct now), and supernatural occasions are events that carry out the truth is happen (hypothetically visible in order to us) but that contradict these absolute regulations.

Which suggests all evidence inside favor of any mysterious event is always circumstantial. And in my watch, circumstantial evidence is in no way adequate to be able to validate wonderful events. I truly do concede that will there must be many point where a human body of circumstantial evidence may be so great, in which perhaps accepting that some sort of unnatural event happened may be fair.

Are great events popular. John Wesley: An innately honest male, retained a new child-like visibility to all varieties of organic and supernatural probability. Human being Curiosities, Natural Curiosities, All-natural Events, Supernatural Situations, Individual Curiosities.

It was expected that one who came while extensively as Wesley might encounter unusual persons, their very own achievements, and all their eccentricities. (Journal, 1790) With regard to Wesley, the particular natural as well as the supernatural were being a good extension of each various other, and never hesitated for you to assign, to divinity activities this individual knew were component of the normal purchase as well. (Journal, 1773) Some experiences were, naturally , beyond scientific explanation.

WHAT / THINGS WE DO ABOUT Haunted houses and places? Have you considered Ghosts?

Conjuring and secret HAVE ALWAYS BEEN VIEWED AS supernatural along with a remaining form of magic, the fact remains that conjuring and miraculous are using God developed issues called "WORDS" sprained like a curse. Words are usually the standard formula this God employed to create typically the universe, phrases are often the framework by which as much as possible consist which is the actual REAL EXPLANATION SATAN change and pervs the ideas of conversation and precisely what we hear in your day-to-day lives!

Believers fight further more that just as scientific research has evolved from beginning, puny attempts to make clear natural situations (such seeing that spontaneous technology and the particular doctrine of humors) straight into a much more reputable modern-day science, religion offers evolved through early weak attempts to elucidate supernatural functions (such because animism) in the much more trustworthy modern religions.

Believers be aware that the vast majority regarding humanity, of all competitions, religions, and ages, consider and have always assumed in mysterious phenomena involving one form or any other.

Believers conclude that while a lot of people have invented religions to help these groups cope with frightening and also inexplicable phenomena, others include come to rely on wonderful phenomena through intellectually trustworthy means, having been asked by reason, evidence, along with experience that the galaxy should not be explained by naturalistic explanations on your own, but will be best understood by means of recognizing the Supernatural.

Believers likewise note that while a few many people denied the presence of supernatural craze by way of intellectually honest signifies, obtaining been persuaded by explanation, evidence, and experience that this supernatural does not can be found, other people have denied typically the unnatural out of the deep worry that great forces may possibly exist in addition to have a real as well as tangible impact on each of our lives, and also a fear which the universe could possibly be much more complex than their hypotheses allow.

By its individual classification, science is unable to function properly of looking at or examining for the lifestyle connected with the supernatural. Thus, believers in supernatural phenomenon carry that scientific methods may not detect them; therefore often the insufficient evidence does not really matter.

Scientists counter-top that will if this is and so, subsequently believers in excellent naturalism themselves would always be incapable of seeing almost any supernatural phenomenon, since man senses themselves run in the laws of physics, and can only feeling events developing in the actual natural, physical planet... However our senses were created to help commune with a mysterious God so it is usually possible that people can see as I possess EACH super and UN-natural occasions.

John Drane publishes articles in which "science is perpetuating "intellectual arrogance" when it is not going to accept the possibility associated with supernatural activities and miracles"

But what regarding A short while ago and Haunted Residences?

The haunted house can be a constructing that is a facility with regard to supernatural occurrences as well as paranormal phenomena, but precisely why? Effectively, The bible tells you regarding demonic strongholds THE TWO in Spots and Men and women throughout it's internet pages and also their is NO unknown in order to why these spots and the ones are "Haunted" together with a profile from the particular past, if you recognize the full story behind the idea!

Often the supernatural can send to cognizant magical witchcraft's, religious awareness or unfamiliar forces (Familiar Spirits) this cannot normally be observed except by their consequences in the all-natural world.

Some examples of "supernatural phenomena" are miracles executed by God, ghosts that happen to be merely Demons IMPERSONATING THE ACTUAL PERSONS THEY ONCE LIVED IN IN LIFE in buy to deceive the human race concerning life in the hereafter; psychic abilities like psychokinesis and telepathy are a great deal better classified as paranormal when compared with supernatural because they bargain with "the mental realm" BUT there are actually spiritual pushes at work RIGHT BEHIND ALL THESE SO-CALLED ABILITIES. Just how do i learn?

I spent 6 decades involved in Wicca then as a black witch doing many evils when all those I hated along with about myself untold strain.

As a result experience I right now believe that Husfader in addition to Eve had selected mind and physical capabilities CONSIDERABLY BEYOND those we now have these days but lost a chance to employ them over time SOON AFTER the tumble. This really does not mean that all of us are likely to use these people today, only why these skills are under the exterior waiting to be INDUCED BY SIMPLY SPIRITUAL MANIPULATIONS VIA VICES IN ORDER IN ORDER TO DECEIVE AND TRICK ALL OF US.

The term supernatural is definitely contrasted with the expression healthy, which presumes which several events occur regarding to attract wealth, and other folks do not, because that they are a result of forces outer to dynamics. But the item must be understood that will Satan and all vices will UNDER THE AFFECT OF THE SPIRITUAL REGION, THEY ARE "DEAD SPIRITS" can not draw from The lord's highly effective realm so many people do the things we do when we all find ourselves in a situation involving lacking abilities... THAT THEY SIT ABOUT THEIR REAL ELECTRICAL POWER WHICH IS SIMPLY "DECEPTION". Vices simply use typically the "Natural Laws" of often the Universe which Satan has learned BETTER that any kind of people scientist because having been presently there as God's proper side angel at the development.

The demonic realm bottoms it's existence upon the actual natural laws of design as well as "twists and forms this to form whichever will con and operate human facts weather in which is "Spiritual or even Natural" in manifestation.

Various other persons assert that situations this appear to us to become supernatural occur according to be able to attract wealth which we accomplish not yet comprehend (This is just what My spouse and i have simply said, Satan will use ATTRACT WEALTH IN WHICH SCIENCE HAS NOT STILL FOUND OUT ABOUT TO BE ABLE TO DECEIVE THE PARTICULAR WEAK ORIENTED TO BELIEVE ALONG WITH PROCESS FALSE WORSHIP. ).

Throughout contrast to super- naturalists, naturalists assert that almost all things work according for you to a law connected with evolutionary nature not seeing that Our god created these laws and regulations to help work with Spiritual rules of religion. In contrast in order to atheists, super-naturalists announce which God, miracles, or perhaps different supernatural phenomena are generally actual, verifiable, and portion of the legal guidelines of nature that individuals complete not yet understand, (this is true to any point since it would possibly be silly for ANY RESEARCHER TO SAY THAT SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH POSSESSES ALL THE ADVICE. After all, using savoir record of injuries and also down right silly statements of the past what makes they?

O. K. can your supernatural be seen basically as being a human coping process? A number of believe that human being beings ascribe wonderful qualities to purely organic functions in an attempt to be able to cope with concern along with ignorance.

Since the perception in magic is really outdated and held some sort of great electrical power over the particular minds and creative imagination associated with earlier generations before typically the concept of experimental scientific disciplines which you'll only believe in case you don't observe a number of evidence out there with regards to forbidden scientific finds amid so-called ignorant savages in the past. He BELIEVES often the supernatural does not are present, while most people regarding most ethnic categories with most points in record have got claimed otherwise, is actually merely for you to perpetuate the actual intellectual cockiness of past generations involving Western thinkers, and far coming from delivering an answer to the particular inquiries raised by story that merely begs much larger and even more important questions in relation to the character of European intellectual traditions. Much connected with what we call technology nowadays was once presumed to be supernatural.

The actual control of electricity, typically the make of steel, stereo swells, all were as soon as viewed as beyond the court associated with nature, and consequently supernatural, through conventional researchers. As such, what on earth is considered to be supernatural right now might be completely explained another day.

A lot of claimed supernatural occasions might be studied by often the scientific process; however, when the physical regulations simply by which an event happens grow to be known, the affair is no longer grouped as 'supernatural'. Fundamental unnatural hypotheses are difficult to help specify, let alone analyze. Where research is ready to address issues throughout dispute, to correct issues regarding fact, or in order to call in to question promises of power grounded with history, it has from time to time been able to ease antagonisms based on rivalling supernatural states.

Otherwise, (for example) the actual politics in addition to morality of the scientist usually are as opinion-based or while reliant on assumptions regarding the supernatural seeing that these of anyone else -- and lastly, individuals may make a decision to remain sometimes passively agnostic about each and every problem that cannot be screened or actively hostile to be able to claims of authority that will cannot be scientifically warranted.

There are many attempts for you to validate claims of great tendency scientifically. Many activities after accepted as mysterious are understood as indications of your natural, explainable characteristics which are misinterpreted. People in which believe in wonderful situations accuse those who usually do not of naturalizing genuinely unnatural events; people that perform not trust supernatural functions accuse who have do involving super-naturalizing honestly natural occasions.

Believers can easily rightly act in response to the many cases of super-naturalization by arguing the fact that super-naturalization usually takes place does not refute the existence of the particular supernatural any more in comparison with the fact that experts often make errors refutes the existence of typically the natural whole world.

The principle of the supernatural provides intrigued people of just about all cultures for hundreds of years. Most instructors of the normal savoir such as biology, physics, or neuro-science would almost certainly state, if asked, this there was not a such issue as the great. Just what is it about often the natural savoir that potential buyers people to deny the presence of the supernatural.

The saying of modern science, by simply indicating that ALL conduct conforms on the laws connected with nature, absolutely rules away all probability of a mysterious even to help occurring within the natural entire world. Along with what would a wonderful being be if the idea endured but could PERFORM very little (I'll tell anyone, it would be demonic, since they CAN CARRY OUT NOTHING BUT DECEIVE).

Cases of the effect associated with scientific research on mysticism as well as miracle abound; eventually the item is luring to think that ALL testimonies regarding the supernatural can become defined scientifically. Therefore, regarding not enough proof otherwise, many of us must let the possibility which a supernatural occasion might take place. We may possibly ask yourself what, if certainly not the laws and regulations of mother nature, might cause a new unnatural event to occur.

Organic beef wonder whether a sealed group of laws exists this kind of that inside supernatural activities these rules are never ever violated. The problem on this idea is that, hoping this sort of set of "supernatural laws" is present, there will be nothing that prevents the actual grouping together of the particular attract wealth with the meant supernatural legal guidelines to application form a closed pair of regulations to which all behaviour in the universe adheres. Normally stated, a fixed of "supernatural laws", when it existed, would assist the central axiom involving science rather than contradict this. This does not necessarily, however, mean that great events as observed throughout the information world cannot end up being caused.

The particular Bible educates that The almighty (who is usually of course the mysterious being) always will keep The promises, so many connected with the incredible things They has done via Christ Himself and throughout the bienheureux may be said in order to adapt to a pattern with that context. However, that will does not mean in which every single supernatural occurrence is definitely an "act of God", nor would it mean this every"act of God" is actually done according to any assurance He has created.

There are outwardly by no means ending arguments among a lot of theologians, mystics, parapsychologists, non secular leaders and the loyal with regards to Supernatural Manifestations, Clairvoyant Power, Prophecies, etc. Regarding those who tend not to trust in supernatural events for those who doubt typically the truth on the Scriptures.

Possibly if we would will not recognize the Sacred Scriptures as Divine Revelations automatically merits, then, through often the extremely laws proposed by means of Parapsychology to explain apart supernatural déclaration, the truth of the Sacred Scriptures would then be validated and confirmed.

Rational gentleman is quick to lower price any supernatural manifestation INVOLVING ANYTHING BECAUSE IF THIS INDIVIDUAL CONFESSES THAT THE MYSTERIOUS EXISTS HE OR SHE MUST ADMIT THIS GOD IS OUT THERE AND HE OR SHE CANNOT DO THAT, HENCE THE ONLY OUT IS Any ALL-NATURAL EXPLANATION.

Let you explore what exactly may always be behind these rejects associated with supernatural manifestations. In the event that guy cannot deal with wonderful manifestations, man will neglect them. So what is right behind the much spoke about, and sometimes denied, unnatural events with the evil dynamics.

To the start eyesight and observant head that should be evident which there is some sort of coherent relationship between the first teachings of the Religious Scriptures and Miracles, which usually are the legit marque of the supernatural, to be able to wit: The infinite strength of God may be seen through man, through trust since accordance to the actual Will regarding God, for you to over come virtually any thought of or real limit within whatever circumstance he might get himself.

1: The reason why right now there such an insistent to be able to secularize and/or deny amazing things and other supernatural symptoms to the issue of attempting to help neutralize the particular Divinity

only two: Do the adversaries involving the supernatural and, as a result, of true mysticism have got a vested interest in typically the throughout the world consequences that their own ideas, philosophies, and theological instruction will have? Models in the great sector are closely linked to principles in religious spiritualty, metaphysics. The supernatural strategy will be generally identified with certitude or other belief methods - though there is usually very much debate as in order to whether a mysterious is definitely necessary for religion, or maybe that religion is needed intended for holding a notion of the wonderful because religion is merely men made reflection of exactly what God intended and NOT NECESSARILY the truth reality of their presence.

Individuals denying often the plausibility from the supernatural normally claim that really the only situations which cannot be analyzed scientifically are those which often are not perceived by just about any means.

If an function claimed to be unnatural genuinely has happened, the idea can as a result be researched scientifically and is definitely not supernatural. Some examples connected with great phenomena are products and also ghosts. The Holy bible is rife with descriptions of mysterious functions and divine remedy inside human affairs.

For you to a super-naturalist, the place is not whether wonders are supernatural or not really, however whether they happen at all. You will need to be aware that no matter which will philosophical predictions one decides to read the seen scientific data, either naturalism or super-naturalism, are every bit as unscientific. But for the concern of whether science makes it possible for for intelligent cause away from nature itself rather compared to the impaired process associated with naturalistic evolution, Could scientific disciplines explain phenomena with regards to smart agents. Can the wonderful can be observed as well as not.

Evidently, the Holy book is full of webpage of supernatural events along with experiences. That is certainly not to say that unnatural beings or occasions tend to be observable. But it will mean that the simple fact that some great activities are observable presents all of us reason to believe that will supernatural beings exist, and also the fact that we can not view them is a new consequence of the limitations, quite than any incompetency upon their part.

This is actually clinically, scientifically documented throughout various reports and information, and is a great visible change brought on simply by opinion (or appeal to) mysterious causes. Yet possibly this may suggest that, beneficial or damaging, prayerful elegance to the wonderful, Lord or Satan possesses seen results. Life by the unnatural, or by way regarding a naturalistic mechanism to get evolution, are generally equally untestable, and unobservable.

Other Arguments are that particular supernatural reason cannot be famous via another. This presupposes in which all supernatural explanations are indifferent. It implies that invoking the actual supernatural is the blanket clarification (An explanation for popular ignorance).

In which supposition presents another capability of the doubt alone: it is based in materialistic naturalism, which thinks a previous that no great celebration can ever take place by any means. While for any single event it can be difficult to distinguish between distinct supernatural explanations, the similar thing will also apply to natural details. Distinguishing involving different information, whether all-natural or mysterious, requires frequent events consequently that a style could be observed (Isn't this particular the job of technology? ).

In this situation there are different sightings that match each hypothesis for instance studying a ghost's habits so we recognize between 2 different wonderful explanations with regard to ghosts (An intelligent haunting or 1 that seems to complement the living surroundings as though to interact with individuals who are living there as opposed to. a continuing haunting or even one that takes on the particular same thing over in addition to over as if reliving a life that features transferred.... Both can possibly be explained by demonic activity).

There are difficulties with generalizing supernatural explanations yet that does not indicate that it is extremely hard. Difficulties in generalizing unnatural explanations can result by numerous causes: Rarity involving a great event will be one such as typically the Reed sea parting regarding Moses.

Some supernatural situations never happen frequently plenty of (maybe only once) to be able to make a generalization achievable, but the same matter can occur with healthy functions, if similar occasions will not occur frequently ample to look at more than some sort of few occurrences. If identical supernatural events are not necessarily effectively observed then generalizations could be impossible because connected with the lack of data. Many supernatural events evidently involve intelligent entities as well as the behavior of intelligent choices would be hard, nevertheless not necessarily impossible, for you to generalize, particularly when interacting with one or more nonhuman clever entity. Many events the moment thought to be mysterious are now known to help be natural. This sort of activities were deemed to get wonderful because nature ended up being terribly understood by those that produced such claims. On the other hand a new scientific application of unnatural explanations concludes that organic process are inadequate, definitely not because of lack associated with knowledge although because regarding the actual inability involving chance and natural legislation to provide an satisfactory explanation for example the creation connected with the Universe compared to Progression.

It is possible this a great explanation could possibly be replaced by way of a normal one if a lot more files becomes available (i. electronic Proof of the contrary having occurred), but often the reverse is also probable. Finding the natural leads to of stuff, does not really totally negate mysterious will cause and purposes (For illustration God can and contains EMPLOYED the Natural to provide concerning his plans my spouse and i. at the. Jesus' death about the get across to deliver salvation to man). A few aspects of Quantum physics suggest that even all-natural reasons have underlining wonderful brings about.

A supernatural description can simply be postulated by simply eliminating most possible healthy explanations. This particular objection presupposes that unnatural explanations are usually magical just as if simply invoking the great is a explanation; this is certainly not the lens case. A proper mysterious explanation would certainly explain precisely how the event took place, however simply not be limited by the natural laws associated with our actual universe. With other words creationists are generally quick to point out there that the wonderful is usually the cause for the actual existence of lifestyle as well as natural laws to retain it.

However simply simply because the particular supernatural has produced life it will not mean which it cannot supersede typically the natural laws governing generation. He might conclude, given that this actions violates organic law, that will something through outside place time (supernatural by definition) is triggering the space time period fold.

If a supernatural affair is studied long sufficient or perhaps multiple supernatural situations ended up studied, some specifics about often the supernatural lead to might be deduced, merely as is done having silent and invisible natural objects similar to subatomic particles. This resistance leads the supernatural in order to irrational belief, but the a couple of are not similar. Quite a few events in World's historical past require a super-naturalistic notion system before they can certainly be accurately interpreted or maybe understood. Wear them in the actual definition of science in which precludes a supernatural speculation.

In fact, many regarding the scientific daddies who all created the very research still in use currently conuted on God or the supernatural keen force this created initial and endured that formation with normal laws of physics, hormone balance and mathematics to oversee it.

The denial in the supernatural that is portion of naturalism is any purely philosophical and also primarily atheistic position. By simply eliminating supernatural hypotheses coming from thought, materialists eliminate out of control some sort of large body of likely answers for past, current along with future phenomena. Within beginning and historical study, an overall denial of the particular supernatural will result in grave fault where unnatural events get indeed taken place; therefore great explanations needs to be considered exactly where appropriate.

Eventhough it might look obvious flood which these kinds of an event had happened whether you believe within super-naturalism or not, the item is important to acknowledge typically the depth and width on the strata covering often the Earth ahead of a man or woman can understand the dependence with this interpretation upon one particular presupposition belief system as well as the some other. Given the actual volumes involving rock concerned, it simply will not become possible for any territory animal to survive a new ton able to make the entire geologic section without supernatural treatment, in addition to yet the world is definitely filled with various vulnerable lifeforms. I believe that will supernatural events are all-natural events that we usually are not sophisticated enough to be able to explain in the perception a supernatural God employs his or her advanced knowledge connected with natural regulation to carry out something in our sphere that seems at the particular time for you to beyond character but is basically just ahead of time of our know-how about all these things.

If we had been to go back again 3, 000 years ago as well as clone a sheep, it could be considered a supernatural occasion by many of typically the people as a result time interval would it not? Many of us by natural means survive death and also the just supernatural point about it is actually most of us don't fully understand this yet but when all of us get at this time there we will certainly automatically know even as tend to be known by Jesus today. I think the skeptic calls them supernatural as it helps them to independent these matters from the healthy order of things and this also protects their belief technique, after all its all of about whatever you work therefore hard to tell yourself NOT THE FACTS THROUGHOUT FRONT OF PEOPLE WHICH MATTER..... RIGHT?. Really the only mysterious thing about clairvoyant potential and life soon after loss of life is that we no longer fully understand them. That they normally are not being debated below along with can't be as opposed to supernatural functions individuals claim to observe.

Fundamentally: 1. ) Supernatural occasions are excluded deliberately inside science. Originally the basic principle could very well have been implemented (in early Greece) due to the fact it was a considerably more fruitful way to realize the universe than super-naturalism. This does not signify supernatural events may not necessarily be looked at as scientific research. "Supernatural" activities can end up being either subsumed underneath people ultimate laws, or even scientific disciplines cannot be fruitfully given to them at all.

two. )Those asserting the happening associated with supernatural events in addition to agencies usually describe these individuals as and have been observed or perhaps experienced revolutionary, a verificationwitness being so exclusive in which they cannot deny it took a little time for place as in this circumstance having experienced situations so deep in witchcraft that no person can convince us otherwise instead of the Atheists who else have experienced SIMPLY REFUTE EVERYTHING.

Those question often the plausibility of wonderful functions typically define all of them because events which can not be recognized by natural or maybe scientific senses, and as their comprehending may be said to help sit with religious, enchanting, or mysterious explanation-yet is still tightly outside of the actual realm of technology. Yet we can only be aware that a supernatural event will be impossible if we understand before hand that materialism is usually the appropriate world-view that it is not. Their one thing to propose that idea in the particular supernatural is false (as Hume said), yet we all must agree that that is feasible. Once many of us accept that unnatural causing is logically achievable, typically the question is whether we certainly have evidence for the living with the supernatural. The debate contrary to the supernatural becomes naturally poor when a straightforward believer from the supernatural converts into a lifestyle personalized testimony to the great upon witnessing something these people truly know to always be "supernatural". The genuine watch to the mysterious may make his case with the detail in which he or she talks about his account regarding that which usually he absolutely knows being supernatural.

Typically the problem of the condition becomes clear when most of us find out personal testimony involving an bank account of the event which with their surface can only possibly be classified as supernatural. This specific description of the wonderful recommends the following inquest: if this is definitely not supernatural what is the idea, natural? In case so.... SHOW IT while using same efervescencia you point out I have to prove God for being genuine. Remember that all opinions are open to argument UNTIL EVENTUALLY REAL EVIDENCE IS USUALLY DO, THEN IT'S "PUT YOUR DOLLARS WHERE YOUR JAWS IS" TIME PERIOD which is definitely where all Atheists as well as Skeptics must UPLOAD OR MAYBE SHUT UP! It is just a effectively known fact that values DEMONSTRATE NOTHING without Data in order to back them upwards and also God has granted a whole lot Evidence to backside up his says this it is sheer folly to be able to deny it's ordinary lifetime before our vision.

[peepingtoad]

Humanmetrics Jung Typology Test™

tagged by: @super-kame-love​ tagging: @hebi-noyuurei​, @lady-tsunade-hime2​, @loungingcat​, @sageheir​, @heavenlypaper​, @frogprinceus

ENFP

(This is the same result he got here, too--see link because the description is pretty perf)

Extravert(31%)  iNtuitive(12%)  Feeling(50%)  Perceiving(56%)

You have moderate preference of Extraversion over Introversion (31%)

You have slight preference of Intuition over Sensing (12%)

You have moderate preference of Feeling over Thinking (50%)

You have moderate preference of Perceiving over Judging (56%)

General Description below cut--it’s eerie.

ENFPs are both "idea"-people and "people"-people, who see everyone and everything as part of a cosmic whole. They want to both help and to be liked and admired by other people, on both an individual and a humanitarian level. This is rarely a problem for the ENFP, as they are outgoing and warm, and genuinely like people. Some ENFPs have a great deal of zany charm, which can ingratiate them to more stodgy types in spite of their unconventionality.

ENFPs often have strong, if sometimes surprising, values and viewpoints. They tend to try to use their social skills and contacts to persuade others gently (though enthusiastically) of the rightness of these views; this sometimes results in the ENFP neglecting their nearest and dearest while caught up their efforts to change the world.

ENFPs can be the warmest, kindest, and most sympathetic of mates; affectionate, demonstrative, and spontaneous. Many in relationships with an ENFP literally say, "They light up my life." But there is usually a trade-off: the partner must be willing to deal with the practical and financial aspects of the relationship, and the ENFP must be allowed the freedom to follow their latest path, whatever that entails.

For some ENFPs, relationships can be seriously tested by their short attention spans and emotional needs. They are easily intrigued and distracted by new friends and acquaintances, forgetting their older and more familiar emotional ties for long stretches at a time. And the less mature ENFP may need to feel they’re the constant center of attention, to confirm their image of themselves as a wonderful and fascinating person.

In the workplace, ENFPs are pleasant and friendly, and interact in a positive and creative manner with both their co-workers and the public. ENFPs are also a major asset in brainstorming sessions; follow-through on projects can be a problem, however. ENFPs do get distracted, especially if another interesting issue comes along. They also tend towards procrastination, and dislike performing small, uninteresting tasks. ENFPs are most productive when working in a group with a few Js to handle the details and the deadlines.

ENFPs are friendly folks. Most are really enjoyable people. Some of the most soft-hearted people are ENFPs.

ENFPs have what some call a "silly switch." They can be intellectual, serious, all business for a while, but whenever they get the chance, they flip that switch and become CAPTAIN WILDCHILD, the scourge of the swimming pool, ticklers par excellence. Sometimes they may even appear intoxicated when the "switch" is flipped.

One study has shown that ENFPs are significantly overrepresented in psychodrama. Most have a natural propensity for role-playing and acting.

ENFPs like to tell funny stories, especially about their friends. This penchant may be why many are attracted to journalism. I kid one of my ENFP friends that if I want the sixth fleet to know something, I'll just tell him.

ENFPs are global learners. Close enough is satisfactory to the ENFP, which may unnerve more precise thinking types, especially with such things as piano practice ("three quarter notes or four ... what's the difference?") Amazingly, some ENFPs are adept at exacting disciplines such as mathematics.

Friends are what life is about to ENFPs, moreso even than the other NFs. They hold up their end of the relationship, sometimes being victimized by less caring individuals. ENFPs are energized by being around people. Some have real difficulty being alone, especially on a regular basis.

One ENFP colleague, a social worker, had such tremendous interpersonal skills that she put her interviewers at ease during her own job interview. She had the ability to make strangers feel like old friends.

ENFPs sometimes can be blindsided by their secondary Feeling function. Hasty decisions based on deeply felt values may boil over with unpredictable results. More than one ENFP has abruptly quit a job in such a moment.

Functional Analysis: ENFP

Extraverted iNtuition

The physical world, both geos and kosmos, is the ENFP's primary source of information. Rather than sensing things as they are, dominant intuition is sensitive to things as they might be. These extraverted intuitives are most adept with patterns and connections. Their natural inclination is toward relationships, especially among people or living things.

Intuition leans heavily on feeling for meaning and focus. Its best patterns reflect the interesting points of people, giving rise to caricatures of manner, speech and expression.

Introverted Feeling

Auxiliary feeling is nonverbally implied more often than it is openly expressed. When expressed, this logic has an aura of romance and purity that may seem out of place in this flawed, imperfect world. In its own defense, feeling judgement frequently and fleetly gives way to humor. ENFPs who publicize their feelings too often may put off some of the crowd of friends they naturally attract.

Extraverted Thinking

Thinking, the process which runs to impersonal conclusions, holds the extraverted tertiary position. Used on an occasional basis, ENFPs may benefit greatly from this ability. Less mature and lacking the polish of higher order functions, Thinking is not well suited to be used as a prominent function. As with other FP types, the ENFP unwary of Thinking's limitations may find themselves most positively mistaken.

Introverted Sensing

Sensing, the least discernible ENFP function, resides in the inner world where reality is reduced to symbols and icons--ideas representing essences of external realities. Under the influence of the ever-present intuition, the ENFP's sensory perceptions are in danger of being replaced by hypothetical data consistent with pattern and paradigm. When it is protected and nourished, introverted sensing provides information about the fixed. From such firm anchoring ENFPs are best equipped to launch into thousands of plausibilities and curiosities yet to be imagined.

Perhaps the combination of introverted Feeling and childlike introverted Sensing is responsible for the silent pull of ENFPs to the wishes of parents, authority figures and friends. Or perhaps it's the predominance of indecisive intuition in combination with the ambiguity of secondary Fi and tertiary Te that induces these kind souls to capitulate even life-affecting decisions. Whatever the dynamic, ENFPs are strongly influenced by the opinions of their friends.

[ideahat-universe]

So we’re looking at another Youtuber and this one is special because it has almost no videos and only a few thousand subs but it has a very interesting story behind it that has to do with another topic I've apparently found myself wrapped up in. 

It all starts with a game called Space Funeral. 

Space Funeral is what I would call a Surrealist Dark Comedy about creativity with a bit of satire for the audience. 

Very little in the game makes real coherent sense if you apply it to any sort of real world logic which I would consider a grievous mistake. The strength of the game is that it’s couched in a very familiar system (being RPG maker) and thus you can kind of see the seams of what the game is supposed to be which clears up any mystification of how things operate. 

The humor of the game is that there’s no motivation for the player character to fix everything, all the strange stuff in the game is accepted by the majority of the characters and fixing it just means you've stripped the world of it’s identity. 

It’s a criticism of artists who feel there is a meta to art that they have to adhere to and while the game puts you on a path to reinforcing that meta you ultimately walk away appreciating all the faults in the game a lot more than you did when you started playing. 

The sequels to Space Funeral however were all fan creations. Space Funeral 2 is merely a tribute and Space Funeral 3 is considered a true sequel and Space Funeral 4. Well....

It’s Peculiar.

It’s done by Sqrly Jack and it’s very different to the other games. Namely it has much better artwork which curiously clashes with the theme of Space Funeral. On top of that the game introduces a lot memetic humor that isn't put through the filter of surrealism and it loses a lot of darkness as well and it mostly becomes satire although I don’t quite understand how it wants to approach the most dynamic element in the game, Bubsy. 

Bubsy was in Space Funeral 1. One of the Lions was randomly called Bubsy but this Bubsy appears to be the one from the titular franchise as opposed to Space Funeral 1.

So Bubsy is in this game and it also has furries and brony references and even references to it’s detractors although they are disappointingly made into strawmen (and again they aren't surreal or lacking in coherence when relating this to real life). 

There are also other odd aspects to the Bubsy character.

It’s um. It’s not the Bubsy Mysteriousmrtheenter or SomecallmeJohnny reviewed. Nor is it strictly the character from Arcane Kid’s Bubsy Museum experience. 

But it technically has the same past and it was supposed to be one of the main characters from Space Funeral 4, a washed up video game icon that has gone through the ringer and is in some relatively unknown game franchise as a last chance to revive her (his?) career. 

Well, that didn't go over too well. People reacted towards the game poorly. I think there is a universe where Space Funeral 4 was well received while still having the furry angle. The important bit probably required fully imitating and recycling the rest of the series while having yet another commentary on art critics that doesn't really come together until the end again. 

It would have been a lot harder to write despite it being a retread of the first Space Funeral. It also wouldn't involve Bubsy and I would get rid of the grinding. Nobody plays Space Funeral for the RPG mechanics. It’s not Persona for pete’s sake. You really only need the story and the gameplay is just an excuse. 

 But that’s all hypothetical now. Bubsy’s brief appearance is just a footnote in his return to the gaming scene which I've mentioned not that long ago along with my post where I tarred and feathered him for being the shameless, incompetent, stupid, redundant, annoying, badly designed, aberration that only exists now because he is the very remnant of the worst of the Mascot Platformer era. 

His new game isn't out yet but it looks very boring albeit more mechanically stable than Bubsy has probably ever been. 

This isn't the only Bubsy “Reboot” on the horizon. There’s also Sqrly Jack’s retooled version of Space Funeral 4 minus Space Funeral where it’s now. Um. 

What is it again? Actually I should say “what is it now?” and to answer that question I have no real idea (other than the fact that everyone in the game is renamed for copyright purposes). The basic concept of the character is transferred from the previous game and into this one which is now knee deep in development and it seems like none of the Space Funeral fans know (or care) at this point Space Funeral 4 effectively no longer exists. 

It says it’s a satire but I don’t think the execution is there. Surely they have some practice in parody?

That’s the perfect segway into looking at the channel’s main attraction if ever I heard one. 

So you may be asking at this point. “Why Sqrly Jack Oda? I know you’ve talked about Bubsy like twice but what’s the real skinny?” 

The real skinny is that there is a lot of people like Sqrly Jack in the art related social media communities. Very talented people with various odds and affinities that I don’t mind but it’s a real big thing of contention when they get discovered by the public at large and the funny thing is, Space Funeral was all about odd things finding acceptance when you realize that the alternative is just being everyone else. 

HOWEVER. Space Funeral wasn't part of a community and on that note it didn't take along any baggage or nonsense from anything it could have been associated with. 

That’s the key to it’s magic. It’s just itself. You can’t be yourself if you have all the earmarks of other things and other people and other people’s work. 

You really have to do your own thing. When you really find yourself and express that you get a lot of strange looks but you’ll find that people are more open to strange than you might originally think. 

All right. That’s all for now. Play me out Jack!

Knocked that one out. Hopefully that will be the last time I talk about Bubsy. That reminds me. I thought about doing a gag where Bubsy possesses Cool Cat in an attempt at being famous again but I decided not to because the controversy blew over pretty quick.  Man that controversy. There was like what? Three videos? 

One of them had Adam in the thumbnail. Let me find it. 

WAIT. 

He’s been right under my nose this whole time!

[thewilytouchstone]

I really appreciate what you are trying to say, and, absolutely, people who have a hard time with social interactions or navigating social environments should feel good about making the attempt to grow beyond their perceived limitations. HOWEVER, your examples are (unintentionally, I believe) misleading.

In your footnote, you posit that "artifacts are defined by their utility, whereas living things are defined by their identity", yet every example of a behavior given is in fact defined by its utility, rather than the subject's identity. This is reductive to the person, I believe, and I think misses both the point you are trying to make and the concerns of the original poster.

I do not believe that people should be solely defined by their actions, nor merely the result or consequences of those actions, but also by their MOTIVATION. Example:

Two people give a monetary donation to charity. Both donors give 5% of their annual income, the exact (hypothetical) amount required to claim a reduction on their taxes.

Donor A makes only $30,000 a year, and decides not to file the donation on their income tax return, seeing as the charity helped them in the past.

Donor B makes $500,000 a year, and chose this charity at random from a list of government-approved claimable deductions.

Now the question is: which donor best exemplifies the virtue of "charity?" Donor B mathematically gave far more money than Donor A, yet they only did it because they wanted to save money on their taxes. Many (but not all) moral and ethical systems would posit that Donor B was not charitable at all, despite the outcome of his performative action.

Performative actions can be damaging, not only to their subjects but also their operators. While I agree that there is a degree of "fake it 'till you make it" in a lot of things we aspire to achieve, the motivation behind those actions is a genuine desire to accomplish that goal, as opposed to those things we attempt because of obligation, social expectations, or coercion.

The original poster expressed concern about the inadequacy of their capabilities when compared to their desired level. This implies that when they are trying something, it is out of a genuine desire to be better than they are. Meanwhile, those who perform actions or behaviors based on ulterior motives often express no such concerns, often motivated purely by the consequences of their action and how it is perceived by others. Regardless of the actual outcome, this is a purposeful deception.

I appreciate the above commentor's attempt to reassure the original poster, but I don't believe reducing the issue to "everyone is performinh and results only matter" is missing the point. Instead, I think we, as a society, should be placing more emphasis on motivation and less on results. The rewards for doing something shouldn't be primarily material or an external social affirmation, but self-satisfaction that you did your best and the motivation for self-improvement.

If you want to help people but lack the means to, that's okay because it shows you are kind. Don't concern yourself with all the things you can't do for others; instead, focus on what you can offer. Even the smallest gestures can make the biggest differences.

If you acknowledge that you have limits to your ability to cope, that's okay because it shows you can be emotionally affected and you aren't some sort of jaded, unempathetic automaton. We all have limits to what we can endure, and there is no shame in feeling beat down or asking for help. The way we get stronger is by surviving, so just keep surviving!

If you wish you were funnier, it means you still have the courage to put yourself put there and try (a lot of professional comedians don't even think they are funny); not everyone has the same sense of humor, but if you keep trying eventually you will attract those with the same sense of humor.

If you were wish you were more sociable, it means you believe you have something to offer to make the lives of others richer. Don't conern yourself about being uncomfortable at large gatherings or awkward at parties. We live in an amazing time where telecommunications have connected the entire world, so even if you have a hard time with physical space or face-to-face socializing, there lots of ways to be social: Post on message boards that interest you, join online communities, blog, find a random pen pal, reach put to those friends you have for no reason other than just to say "hi"... Don't ever feel like there is a "minimum required social time" to be a good person.

Trying new things is scary, and it's a certainty that you won't always succeed, but it's important to know what your current limits are and which ones you genuinely want to work on surpassing. If you wish you were more like other people whose qualities you admire, just remember that someone else in the world is thinking the same way about you. Everyone, throughout all of history and up to today, has felt the same way you do, and nobody should judge you for honestly trying to be a better person. Those that do aren't worth your time or worry.

I’m pretending all the time to be, kinder, stronger, funnier, more sociable than I am. I guess we’re all like that but it just feels so inadequate.

[rainbowravioli]

yoi characters in hogwarts houses?

Oh no, not the Hogwarts houses discourse! Anon why would you throw me on a minefield like this?

Ok, disclaimer: Interpretation of Hogwarts house traits and of character is always going to be debatable. The very system is flawed anyway and anyone can fit into more than one house (and nobody fits every single trait of a house). These are my personal opinions, you are free to disagree. Please don’t attack me over anything here.

Yuuri

My first instinct with Yuuri is to look at his noticeable Hufflepuff traits. He is determined, tenacious and very hard-working. I know it may feel redundant to call a character in a sports anime hard-working, but this is a trait that’s specifically emphasized with Yuuri. We are told he spent all his free time at the rink, he’s eager to practice and learn, he’s dedicated. He’s also patient and tolerant, we see this in the ways he deals with the people around him (just look at his entire relationship with Yurio). He’s very practical and honest. There’s also that side of Hufflepuffs where they are basically Hobbits, with the love of comfort, food, home, family and living things, that fits Yuuri too. And even though Yuuri is very close-off towards people he doesn’t know well, he has shown compassion and worry over fellow competitors he wasn’t friends with. He’s also terribly humble but I honestly see that as coming more of a result of his anxiety and imposter syndrome so I don’t really count it.

That said, Yuuri also shows a very strong Gryffindor side. He does have a tendency to get too self-absorbed when in competition mode. Yuuri is a very competitive person and hates backing down. Being around Victor I think also brought out a side of Yuuri he tends to repress. Where he is usually meek and docile (and we see this in flashbacks too with how he never went against Celestino’s decisions or fought for what he wanted), being around Victor progressively makes him show more of his bolder, impulsive side. He is stubborn, passionate and daring, and often lets his emotions gets the better of him. Deciding to add a quad flip in the middle of his routine with no previous practice was a very Gryffindor move; taking risks without thinking them through or consider consequences. Gryffindor is also the house that seeks external validation the most and wants to prove themselves. While Yuuri wants to win and that can be seen as ambition, I feel like it’s not enough to push him towards Slytherin. After all, it’s a sports anime, they all want to win. What’s important is how and why. Yuuri’s desire to win is centered on personal achievement and overcoming his own shortcomings. He also gives priority to other things, and even other people, over winning. See how he didn’t hesitate to tell Victor to go back to Japan to be with Makkachin even though it put him at a disadvantage, and how he was willing to quit the sport altogether no matter the GPF results if it meant not holding Victor back. Yuuri is also very brave in the sense that every time he goes out on the ice he is facing and battling his fears and anxiety head-on.

So I lean Hufflepuff but the Gryffindor is certainly very much there. I would say he’s a Gryffindor with strong Puff traits. 

Victor

The obvious choice for Victor would Slytherin. Now here’s someone who uses any means to achieve their ends. Victor did neglect his own life to ensure he would stay at the top of the figure skating world. He is resourceful, self-reliant, cunning and ambitious. He’s also a perfectionist and has a high sense of self-preservation. Willing to take risks and be an interventionist, but they are always calculated risks with care that it will ultimately hold high benefits  - see his entire skating career and his decision to coach Yuuri. He also has that bonus enjoyment of elegance and the finer things in life.

That aside, I would like to introduce you to the concept of Ravenclaw Victor. He actually has a lot of Ravenclaw to him, so much so that in an hypothetical Hogwarts AU I think he would be happier there than in Slytherin. Victor is very curious and he loves learning, as we see from his time in Hasetsu and his interactions with Yuuri. Loves surprises, is attracted to the new and unknown and focused on the future. He is analytical and logical, contrary to how a lot of the fandom likes to portray him, but also very creative and artistic. He is always thinking about how he can be innovative and elevate his craft. While he is a logical person and more introspective than people give him credit for, Victor also leans towards being a bit of an airhead sometimes (or absent-minded, if you prefer - see his memory problems and such) and can certainly be quirky with his social interactions when he lets loose and just acts like himself. 

I understand why the fandom tends to sort him into Slytherin, but I’ll admit I’m quite fond of Ravenclaw Victor. I think he has strong traits from both houses but would be much happier and at home in Ravenclaw.

Yurio

Yurio is literally willing to sell his soul and body for the sake of winning. That’s as ‘uses any means to achieve their ends’ as it gets. Something about our resident beloved Russians and Slytherin I guess. It’s really no wonder he would share many traits of the house with Victor. After all, the narrative does set Yurio up with be Victor Nikiforov 2.0. Ambitious, resourceful, ruthless, adaptable, willing to go to any lengths to achieve personal glory. A true baby Slytherin in the making. Yurio also carries that Slytherin trait of looking out for himself above all else but also for the ones closest to him. Think of it as his agape arc. Yurio has to learn about unconditional love, but this is not ever portrayed as an universal love, it’s love for a very closed off group of people he accepts into his life. It’s not like he ever learned to love JJ. Which is another Slytherin thing to do, not care about people he doesn’t know or who he doesn’t consider to be his peers. 

That said, if I were to pick another house for Yurio, I would actually go for Gryffindor. Yurio is very impulsive, stubborn, confident and extremely blunt. He always deals with situations very directly and is not afraid to get into fights, even welcomes them. Has a very black and white morality and that lack of respect for authority that’s very characteristic of Gryffindors. Like Yuuri, he also seeks external validation and praise and is determined to prove himself. He is also very defensive of the people who matter to him.

So I think he would be sorted in Slytherin (might even ask to be sorted there, especially in a Slytherin!Victor scenario) but he would do alright in Gryffindor too.

That covers up our three mains. It’s easier to talk at length about them and even talk about secondary houses since they are so developed. For the other characters (rest of the skaters) I’ll be much more brief.

Phichit - Hufflepuff. Sociable, cheerful, loyal, kind, hardworking and with a lot of pride in his country. While he wants to make history and prove himself, his desire to advance and win is very tied to his country. His dream is to have an ice skating show with his friends to show everyone in Thailand how fun skating can be. Very concerned with his community, even if he does show a lot of personal pride and has a very mischievous streak. 

Minami - Gryffindor. Highly emotional, extroverted, energetic, daring and honest. Seeks external validation and praise. Not afraid to confront Yuuri even though he is his idol.

Guang Hong - Gryffindor. Entirely based on his imagined scenario for himself during his free skate. He was willing to take a bullet for a friend in his imagination after all. I’ll admit this is a difficult one though. I’ve seen a few Hufflepuff sortings because he seems shy and sweet but he’s too much of a slacker to be a Puff. 

Leo - Ravenclaw. Artistic, very original and open minded, does his own thing. Could also be Hufflepuff since he seems to care for his friends a lot and just wants to ‘fill the world with things he likes’. 

Georgi - Ravenclaw. He’s too artistic, and has a very serious approach to both his skating and relationships. Focused on the future, doesn’t confront his problems directly, tends towards daydreaming. Could also be a Gryffindor because of all that emotion and passion, but Ravenclaws are not necessarily lacking in being emotional either.

Chris - Ravenclaw. Intelligent, creative (he says he designed his own programs), moves at his own pace, inquisitive, witty, individualistic but open-minded. He does have that ambition and ruthlessness of the Slytherins though. 

Mila - Gryffindor. Confident, blunt, humorous, friendly, loves to tease Yurio but is very concerned and caring for her rinkmates. 

Seung-gil - Ravenclaw. A bit too close-minded for one but very logical and analytical, more of an observer, individualistic and independent, introspective, cynical. 

Michelle - Gryffindor. Stubborn, chivalrous, passionate, hero complex, overprotective, daring, black and white morality.

Sara - Ravenclaw. Free-spirited, curious, open-minded, focused on the future, seeks to be independent. Could also be Gryffindor as she does share traits with her brother such as being stubborn and confident, and also for being extroverted and caring while not afraid of confrontation.

Emil - Hufflepuff. Friendly, hard-working, genuine, tolerant, non-confrontational and dependable. Dedicated to loved ones, cares more about cheering for his friends than for his own performance, is very relaxed about the competition.

JJ - Gryffindor. Very confident, extroverted, headstrong and blunt. Impulsive, tendency to run his mouth without thinking about what he’s saying. Hero complex, desires personal glory. Passionate, seeks external validation. He is very ambitious and prideful but he always places as much importance in his own personal achievements as he does in the support and love of his community and loved ones.

Otabek - Slytherin. Willing to do whatever it takes to achieve success, ambitious, self-reliant, resourceful, realistic, adaptable, highly selective loyalty, looks after himself and his own, values tradition and history, very selective with who he socializes with and cares about, admires strength and elegance. 

[5hfanfiction]

The small victories

Jealousy is a funny thing. You can’t control it, it strikes when you least expect it and it literally makes you feel like you’re going insane with thoughts and feelings you were hoping you’d be able to avoid or at the very least, manage.  You get attacked by this strong sense of regret, helplessness and almost anger because you think of everything you ever did wrong or all the things you never got to do or say to this person and how you two would be the best match for each other. It’s such a powerful emotion and it that brings out all of your insecurities, fears and concern regarding the possibility of losing someone that, sometimes, was never even yours to begin with.

Lauren knows all of this and despite that, she still can’t help but feel so stupidly and crazily jealous over Camila. The thing she hated the most about her jealousy was the simple fact that she wasn’t entitled to it and she knew it. After all, she and Camila weren’t exclusive or even dating at this point.  They had history though and that was enough to justify all of Lauren’s feelings.

No, they never dated but they kissed a few times at parties under the excuse of excessive drinking. That’s pretty much the whole thing about those two. They weren’t friends, they knew almost nothing about each other but regardless, at every party they both went, they ended up with their tongues down each other’s throats. It was like there was this invisible rope that was keeping them from staying away from each other and the funny thing about this rope was that it only seemed to make itself  known after a few drinks. Lauren didn’t understand why Camila only had the guts to approach her and talk after having some of that liquid courage; hell, that same liquid courage almost got them to sleep together once or twice.

When Lauren thinks about it, she realizes how dumb and plain senseless her situation is. How come she has never talked to Camila outside of these parties, why doesn’t Camila ever acknowledge her in public? They’re both out and proud of their sexualities, everyone knows about their random hookups because they obviously aren’t trying to hide them; they even have a few friends in common and yet, their paths have yet to cross outside those noisy and blurry walls.

So now, almost two or three months - Lauren pretends to not be counting them because that would be just sad - later, the green eyed girl feels a little bit more for Camila than attraction. Camila has this hold over her that literally grew out of thin air. One minute they’re kissing just for the hell of it and in the other Lauren simply can’t stop thinking about those plump lips against her own or the way those brown eyes seem to glow with adoration and a hint of lust every time she looked into them or that crooked smile that is so sincere and genuine that Lauren can’t even imagine not ever seeing it again.

She does not understand how or why she would develop this kind of emotion for a person she has had no real interactions with but the truth is: she does. And that is the only reason she can find to justify the jealousy she’s been feeling every time she sees Camila smiling brightly at some boy that is clearly interested in her or any time she hears Dinah sharing with Normani how Camila’s last date with this Ariana girl went. Lauren keeps quiet though because her and Camila are nothing to each other and so, she not only feels the need to hide her growing crush on the Cuban but also to shut down every attempt her friends make to change her and Camila’s relationships by introducing them or arranging group hangouts with the both of them. If she wanted something more from me, I’d know it by now, Lauren thinks and I rather not set myself up for an unnecessary heartbreak.

Camila, on the other hand, knows how she feels for Lauren and why she feels it. You see, Camila has been interested in the older girl since she first saw her. Those striking green eyes and badass appearance drew Camila in but it was the intelligence, good values, kindness, sassiness and humor that made her stay. Camila was always one of those students that had a certain difficulty making friends due to awkwardness and a lot of self-doubt paired with a major dose of fear. So she has been able to consistently keep her distance from Lauren but being near her at the same time. Camila was an observer and she observed Lauren, a lot. She felt kind of like a private investigator because she knew a lot about the green eyed girl without asking her any questions; she’d just hear conversations between Dinah and Normani here and there, a few other between Lauren herself and Ally (another friend they had in common) and somehow, she was able to never interact with Lauren and keeping herself on the loop about everything regarding her. It was a bit stalk-ish when the brown eyed girl really thought about it but hey, a girl has got to do what a girl has got to do she justified.

Even before their first kiss three months ago – Camila has all the dates from when she interacted with Lauren saved on her phone because that’s just the kind of person she is, a weird one – she already knew what Lauren would mean to her.

Like she likes to say to Dinah “Something in me just knew. She is it for me, even if I never tell her.” 

The thing is….Camila is as shy as they come and every time she even considers talking to planet green eyes – that’s her code name for Lauren – her anxiety goes through the roof, her heart starts beating, her hands start sweating and she feels almost as if she can’t breathe. In reality, she recognizes she’s overthinking it since they’ve already kissed and she sometimes catches Lauren staring at her a little too long so she knows there’s a pretty good chance of not getting rejected. That’s the whole point though, the chance of rejection isn’t high but it is there regardless. Her lack of confidence is essentially keeping her away from the other Latina and she figures, since Lauren is the confident one, if she’s interested she will end up doing something to pursuit her, right?

So yeah, they both don’t do anything to change their current status of occasional drunk hook ups.

Thursday afternoon is when things begin to take a different turn. Lauren is aimlessly walking down the hallways of their school, heading to the cafeteria, when she hears someone sniffling and breathing heavily as if they were not getting enough air into their lungs.

Naturally, her instinct is to go try to help the person but she stops in her tracks for a second when she realizes it’s Camila. The brown eyed girl was clearly distressed, with tears running furiously down her face and unable to breath, Lauren knows she’s having a panic attack. A bad one at that.

Lauren rushes to her. “Hey, hey. Camila, what’s wrong?”

Camila doesn’t answer her because she is physically unable to and the older girl doesn’t know what to do.

Out of sheer panic, she places her hands on Camilas cheeks. 

“Look at me, okay? Just breathe with me. Focus on my eyes and just breath along with me. Breath in.” She takes a breath. “Breath out”. Camila does as she said and looks into her eyes trying to focus on the shade of green that reminds her of this tree she used to sit under when she was younger.

That tree was like her best friend simply because she spent so much time under it, reading and writting. That tree was like her safe place, it’s where she still went when she needed to think about life and things that bothered her.

They keep breathing together until the brown eyed girl manages to finally calm down, while getting lost in Laurens eyes. “What happened?”  Lauren questions.

“It’s stupid. It was nothing really.” Camila answers feeling self-conscious knowing her panic attacks were not frequent but when they did happen, she felt as if she was going to die. To make it worse they never happened in front of anyone and now she had one. In front of Lauren. Her crush. Not only that, but the reason behind it was not even a good one.

“Hey, cmon, it’s not stupid if it got you this bad. Can you please tell me?” The green eyed girl insisted. It was their first real interaction and even though it wasn’t the best case scenario, Lauren was gladly embracing the opportunity to not only get to know the younger girl but also to show her that she cares.

“It’s just ..” The brown eyed girl hesitates. “It’s dumb really. I..uhm..have been dating this girl, Ariana,”, she feels as if she shouldn’t be talking about this with Lauren out of all people since she obviously likes her and who the hell talks to their crush about people they date just because they can’t date who they really want. 

She continues though. “and today she kind of asked me if I was willing to possibly, maybe, in the future, you know, hypothetically..” she rambles and Lauren laughs, not a real laugh but more of a you’re so dork it hurts to watch kind of laugh,  “..i’d be her girlfriend”. 

The green eyed girl isn’t laughing anymore and her jealousy is slowly but surely making its presence known but she tries to swallow it and keeps her façade of not really being affected by anything Camila is telling her.

“Why were you crying then? That’s a good thing, right? If you two have been dating, it’s logical to me that sometime in the future, things will evolve. I mean, you like her, don’t you?” The older girl asks.

And that’s the million dollar question right there, isn’t it?

Camila feels a bit caught off guard because yes, Lauren’s logic makes all the sense in the world but she wasn’t expecting it and she doesn’t know how to react. How is she supposed to explain to her that she would never be Ariana’s girlfriend because she can’t see herself with anyone else but her planet green eyes, without actually telling her any of this, that is.

Her cheeks start to get red and her body temperature is rising because now she’s getting nervous about being this close to Lauren and because it actually crossed her mind to confess her feelings and now, instead of thinking of an answer to the question, Camila is thinking about how good it would be for them to be something more than what they have been and how happy she would feel being able to take Lauren on dates and kissing whenever she pleases and – “Hey, you there? You need some water? You’re really red all of the suden, are you feeling okay?” 

“No, I’m fine, thanks. Sorry, I spaced out.”  She says nervously.

“It’s okay. You don’t have to answer the question, it’s none of my business really. Didn’t mean to overstep any boundaries.” Lauren rushes.

“You didn’t, I was thinking of an answer that doesn’t make me sound like a total douchebag.” Lauren smiles at that and replies. “You are the last person I’d consider to be a douchebag, you’re so nice and good to everyone. You can tell me the truth, I won’t judge. Promise”

Even though she hates to admit it, Lauren is beyond curious about the whole situation which is weird. Camila was crying over it but by the direction the conversation is taking, Lauren feels like Ariana might be crying more?

“Well. Yes, we have been dating for some time now but to be honest, I was never really into her? I mean, I like her and she’s pretty but I was never interested in her like that. So yeah, I was dating her because I just thought I kind of owed her the opportunity and I’m really bad at saying no to people.” 

So she was essentially leading Ariana on  Lauren thinks but she can’t help but smile warmly at Camila because the way she phrased the situation made it seem like she was innocent in all of it when she really wasn’t. For whatever reason, Lauren found that endearing.

“Oh. So you basically gave her a taste of something she never had the chance to get? Kind of like you did with me, huh?” the words left her mouth before she even had time to process how bad that sounded even though she didn’t mean it to.

“What? No! I never kissed Ariana. I don’t think I lead her on. I just said yes to a couple of dates but when she asked me that question today I had to put an end to it precisely because I don’t want to hurt her more.”  Camila answers and it’s like her brain is just now hearing the rest of Lauren’s question. “And…you and i…..i mean… it’s not like you didn’t do the same to me.” 

The green eyed girl raises an eyebrow at her. “Me? I didn’t do anything. I just kissed a pretty girl” She says feeling bold and tries to laugh to hide the blush on her cheeks.

“I kissed a pretty girl too. Because, you know, pretty girls deseve to get kissed. Not that the ugly ones don’t, they do too. I mean, everyone deserves to get kissed because kisses are good and .. and….” Her face reddens again because she just rambled, again. “..i’m just going to shut up now.”

“You’re such a dork.” is all Lauren says.

She decides to drop it because sometimes you need to pick your battles and she wasn’t ready to talk about the elephant in the room. The elephant she invited to enter, by the way.

She was the one to bring it up but now she’s not so sure she wants to really address it; it’s not like she knows what to say or how to deal with it. Camila decides to also not address the whole situation since she’s already nervous just being in Lauren’s presence and she has embarrassed herself twice already.

This awkward silence engulfs them and neither one knows how to break it but regardless, they both feel happy because they don’t feel like two strangers who occasionally make out anymore. Now they’re sort of friends.

“Well, I’m gonna head home now. All the tears made me feel kind of drained. I think I need a nap.” Camila stands up and Lauren does the same.

“Yeah, hope you feel better.”

“I do, thanks to you.” The brown eyed girl hesitates before saying the next words but they come out anyways “I’m glad you were here to cheer me up. I uhm.. appreciate it.”

“You don’t need to thank me Cabello, I am here for you. Whenever you need me. In, fact – “ Lauren reaches for her back pocket and takes out her phone handing it to Camila “put your number in there and you’ll be able to reach me anytime you need me.”

The Cuban blushes once again while typing her number and giving Lauren her phone back. 

“I will text you now so you can save my number as well. Hope you use it.” Lauren winks and begins to walk away heading to the cafeteria like she originally intended to before all of this happened. “See ya tomorrow brown eyes.” She yells.

“Oh, you will!” Camila yells back.

Suddenly, the younger girl doesn’t feel sad about having to reject someone anymore. She feels happy and accomplished because now she has the number of her crush without having to have asked for it.

She always believed in fate, she always thought her and Lauren didn’t meet randomly just to walk in and out of each others lives. For once, she doesn’t regret the day before it even begins, she doesn’t feel insecure about her feelings for Lauren and she feels optimist for the future.

Maybe she might actually get a real chance at love with the one person she wants to experience it with. Most people might find it immature for her to feel this giddy about simply having the number of the person she likes because that happens every day, to a lot of people, all around the world.

The thing is: it’s not about the number. It’s about the possibility of getting to love and be loved the way she was never before.

It’s about finding and getting to be with the one person you’ve wanted for the longest time and getting to keep them. Camila believes in forever, in unconditional love and she really wants all of that with Lauren. The possibility of a shot at it is enough for her to feel on top of the world, and she does.

Author’s Note:

I have no idea what this was and when I started it it was supposed to be super angsty and jealous Lauren all around but it ended up not being like that at all? It’s not really fluff either so… yeah, idk what this is. Hope someone enjoys it though. Sometimes happiness is in the small victories , not winning the war.

Wishing everyone a great day. And listen to “Meet Me” by Mickey Valen because I’m obsessed with it and need someone to join me on this crazy train. Music does it man, it feeds my soul.

[zephirine-blog1]

Six for Gold

A response to @savagekaz and their generosity in giving me a writing prompt for my first fic. (Thank you once again!) General warnings include: alcohol and innuendo. 

This thing is just over 2.5k, so there’s a cut for obvious reasons.

The crowd in the lounge rippled with interest as Jesper made his way to the spread of reserved setees and couches. Jesper made it a point never to walk into a room. No, he strolled, he ambled, he strode like it was the word of the day and he was a really kinesthetic learner. Shoulders back and chin up, not a care in the world except for ensuring that all eyes were on him.

And then he sank onto the couch next to Wylan, folding all his angles into the gaps between cushions and Wylan’s limbs, a silent declaration that he was off-limits to the watching crowd. It was a declaration that wasn’t always heeded.

Wylan loved Jesper for how bold he was, but sometimes he wished that his boyfriend would be a little less attractive in front of groups of people, mostly because Wylan… wasn’t. He liked button down cotton shirts and cardigans, and never wore jewelry because it got in the way in the lab. So people let their eyes glance over him, drab and friendly and easy to dismiss. It’d been that way most of his life, but in social gatherings it became especially grating.

In the high-rolling world that Jesper liked to frequent, assumptions were made; assumptions that ended up with Wylan dumping expensive cocktails in persistent strangers’ laps after a few too many insinuations that Jesper couldn’t really truly be dating someone like Wylan.

Jesper, the rat bastard, thought that Wylan was never more attractive than when he was making a scene, so Wylan had long resolved himself to overcoming fits of jealousy in public. At the end of the day, it was his boyfriend they were all ogling.

Wylan stretched, making himself comfortable around Jesper. He’d finished his drink while waiting on Jesper, and was holding off on ordering another until their group of friends actually managed to arrive. Jesper was looking over the fancy menu on the table.

“Aren’t we waiting for our friends before ordering?”

Jesper popped a stuffed olive from his martini into his mouth. “Nina and Matthias are probably hooking up in a VIP lounge that she didn’t pay for, so they’re going to be late.”

Wylan considered this. It sounded entirely likely, except…

“Isn’t Matthias being considered for an position on a Vice squad?”

“Has his job ever stopped him and Nina? Or even him from being friends with us?”

It really hadn’t, because Matthias was capable of impressive levels of double-think when it came to their little band of misfits.

“Inej left me a message earlier - I listened to it while you were getting our drinks - she and Kaz are on their way,” Jesper continued.

“I’m impressed that-”

“He’s coming at all? Me too.”

This was the first time that all six of them had met in over a year. They had seen most of their friends over the months, but busy schedules took their toll on most attempts to reconnect. Kaz was without a doubt the worst of the lot, despite the freedom that self-employment should have provided.

“Maybe he just missed us, and couldn’t bear to stay away.”

Jesper scoffed, taking a long sip from his drink. Wylan took the moment to watch him, the long slide of his throat and the golden gleam that the dim lamplight gave his dark skin. He’d tried to sketch Jesper a hundred times, but could never capture that purity of motion. Everything Jesper did seemed to end in a flourish. It was that dynamic energy that had first caught Wylan’s eye, years ago. As always, his hands itched to try again, on his tablet, on a napkin, however Wylan could manage it.

As if sensing admiration, Jesper met his gaze, and made sure to ruin the moment with an impressive waggle of his eyebrows.

“Feel free to take me now, before anyone else shows up. On this table even,” he drawled.

Wylan scowled and blushed, all sense of artistry lost. If asked, he would blame his lack of composure on his earlier drink. It wouldn’t be true, but Wylan had standards to maintain and admitting how flustered Jesper could still make him had no part in that. “I don’t believe in giving people a free show to my dick.”

“Oh?” The word lingered heavily,

Jesper smiled, all teeth, and slid closer. Flirtation and promise tied up into a glimmering cranberry silk-shirt package. Wylan eyed him carefully.

Jesper always thought that he was so damn smooth, but Wylan saw through him. He was not smooth, he was like a cactus covered with sandpaper he was so not smooth.

It didn’t stop him from being attractive.

“What’s this about dicks? Wylan, I thought you were above conversations of the likes of these?”

Nina sank into the seat beside them, with an air of expectant aplomb. Her eyes were sparkling and her hair looked artfully mussed, but aside from that there was no hint to confirm or deny Jesper’s earlier theory.

Matthias appeared after her, looming over them all. Standing at a generous six-three, the police officer loomed well. It was a talent of his specifically. He had a smear of red lipstick vanishing beneath his collar that matched the red of Nina’s smirk.

Jesper, all too happy to contribute, answered her gleefully. “Wylan was complaining about my wicked ways.”

Nina laughed, clapping her hands, uncaring of the heads that turned at nearby tables.

“Now you know how I feel! That’s Matthias’ favorite hobby,” she leaned forwards, allowing her chest to press dangerously against the neckline of her dress. By design it was low and tight, and it appeared to be losing the war of decency. Nina pitched her voice low and breathy. “We’re both terribly awful people, Jesper.”

“No hope for us,” Jesper agreed cheerily, swirling his martini. He had effected a look of noble suffering, contemplating his numerous sins.

As a general rule, Wylan and Matthias didn’t share very much in common. The cop was sombre by nature and didn’t always appreciate Wylan’s stunning humor and wit, and Wylan knew that he underestimated the other man. But in that moment, with Jesper and Nina grinning at each other like the cats who had gotten the proverbial cream, Wylan and Matthias shared a moment of complete exasperated camaraderie.

Nina sat up, and dabbed at her immaculate lipstick. If he had never met Nina, Wylan probably would have trusted the innocent look on her angelic features.

“I think,” she paused to make sure everyone was focused on her on her pouting expression, “that we need to be punished.” And then, with deliberate emphasis, she shook her ass.

Jesper would have fallen off the couch laughing, if not for Wylan’s arm across his waist.

Matthias turned about three different shades of red in two seconds, looking as if he was torn between trying to cover Nina with his jacket and hauling her back to that hypothetical VIP room.

Wylan just covered his face.

At some point he was sure that he would come to terms with the fact that this was his life, and these were his friends, but that moment was not going to come when the woman that bought him his first drink was making comments about BDSM to his boyfriend.

“You’re a witch,” Matthias scolded his girlfriend, face still bright red.

“Mmm, yes. But you adore me!” Nina dragged him down for a kiss. It had been her way of shutting him down since they started dating, but Wylan couldn’t fault Nina because it was plainly still effective.

Matthias recovered himself, and went to go place an order for another round of drinks (“And appetizers!” Nina was quick to add). Jesper glanced at Wylan, but he brushed his boyfriend’s concern off and ordered the paté and a glass of pinot. Wylan had listened to the menu before arriving- perk of going to ridiculously fancy places was that they updated their website consistently.

“Do we actually know when Inej and Kaz are going to get here?” Nina asked. “It’s not like either of them to be late.”

The crowd went hush, conversations dulling to a murmur the way they always did when Kaz walked into a room. Partly the force of his personality, partly because he looked like the type of person it was better to steer clear of, and partly because people stopped to stare whenever a person with a cane walked by.

Jesper cocked an eyebrow. “Speak of the devil and all that, I guess, but that was suspiciously well-timed”, he murmured into Wylan’s ear, careful not to let it carry. Even after so many years of friendship, he remained a little cautious around Kaz. The remnants of hero-worship or wise precaution, Wylan was never completely sure.

Probably a bit of both.

Whatever the reason, Nina didn’t share it. She leaped out of her chair to embrace Inej, compliments for her friend and happy chatter spilling from her lips easily.

She didn’t reach to touch Kaz at all, but she did smile widely at him before kissing Inej on both cheeks, proclaiming “One for you and one for him; Kaz needs all the kisses he can get.”

Inej beamed back at her, hand perched lightly on Nina’s broad hip, thumb stroking small circles.

“You look so good. I’m glad to see it.”

From the look in Inej’s eye, she’d been worried about her friend. Though none of them visited as much as they wanted or promised to, Wylan and Jesper at least saw Nina and Matthias every few weeks. The other two saw their friends sporadically at best, though Inej at least had the excuse of traveling for work. It had probably been months since the two women had seen each other in person.

Nina waved her concern off. “Thank you! Matthias does his best to take care of me, no matter how stubborn I am.”

“Very stubborn.” That was Matthias, returning with a plate of baked brie and peaches in one hand and the paté in the other. “They’re bringing the drinks,” he offered to Jesper, who was making mournful eyes at his empty glass.

Kaz nodded to the group as a whole before settling into the sole armchair, resting his cane against his lap. As always, his suit folded crisply around him, wrinkle-free and screaming of the kind of money that meant he didn’t have to try. If Wylan struggled to depict Jesper in motion, then Kaz was someone he could have drawn in his sleep. All sharp lines and careful stillness.

Kaz stretched his bad leg out in front of him, but made no indication of pain otherwise. “It’s good to see you all in one piece.”

“And in one place,” Inej added, perched on the arm of his chair. Kaz grunted what was probably meant to be an agreement, and Wylan felt a bloom of warmth in his chest.

These were his friends, as aggravating as they could all be.

Some just took more patience than others, he thought, looking at Kaz. It was easy to think that he didn’t care about any of them but Inej, but Wylan knew that they’d all felt the benefits of his high regard more than once. It was why they always invited him out, even while expecting the texts to go unanswered.

Jesper leaned away from Wylan’s side to gesture at the bar. “I ordered you a Sazerac, Kaz. They make a good one here, and I thought you’d appreciate a taste of home.”

Kaz’s lips spasmed into a quick smile. “Thank you.”

Wylan would have been jealous of the way that his boyfriend turned toward Kaz’s approval, like a flower toward the sun if he didn’t know how careful Jesper was of his affection for his oldest friend, and how much it also meant to him. But beyond that, Wylan knew the feeling of craving Kaz’s attention.

Some people were just magnetic like that, and Wylan sometimes thought that if the world was a fairer place, then Kaz would have been making history.

Nina settled back into the curve of Matthias’ arm, occasionally nudging Inej’s foot with her own. “Inej, I can never predict your taste, so I went basic and got you a cosmo. They don’t come with umbrellas here, so obviously it’s not a perfect drink but it should taste good.”

“And if it doesn’t, Nina will take it off your hands, I’m sure,” Wylan added with a grin.

Inej smiled at them all. “An act of stunning sacrifice, I’m sure.”

“More like an act of thievery,” Jesper muttered. “I love cosmos.”

Matthias stared at Inej somberly. “So do I.”

Inej blinked at them. “I don’t know what makes any of you think that I’m giving up my drink after an international flight, but you’ve clearly all lost your minds.”

Jesper sat up. “Oh, that’s right you did just get in! I forgot you were flying in today. Have you even stored your stuff yet?”

From the dark circles under her eyes, the answer was a strong ‘no’.

“He,” Inej said, nodding at Kaz, “sent someone to pick me up from Dulles, and someone to get my luggage, so I’m assuming that everything is going to be in my apartment when I get home.”

“With your door locked,” was Kaz’s contribution.

And then Kaz shifted his weight, briefly coming into contact with Inej’s hip. It barely qualified as a movement, and was done before anyone else saw what happened. But Wylan was an artist and a chemist. Watching things carefully was what he did. And even if he had missed it altogether, the proof of it was clear enough in the warmth that washed over Inej’s face.

He almost thought he’d gotten away with it, but her dark eyes flickered to his and she quirked an eyebrow. Wylan smiled, not at all ashamed at being caught. She was his friend too, and it felt good knowing that she had someone in her life that made her smile like that.

He had Jesper, and was glad for that every day.

The waitress brought the drinks over, and Nina wasted no time in sampling Matthias’, only to declare it more like paint thinner than a beverage. The five of them quickly swapped around glasses, criticizing each other’s taste in turn, before settling with their original selections. Kaz sat back with his drink, and looked as though he would take fast action against anyone who objected.

Predictably, Jesper was the first one to break the ice.

“So, are all of you as bad at cards as I remember? Anyone up for a friendly game?”

Inej frowned. “Should you even be playing cards?”

“I said a friendly game,” Jesper smiled at her, “I’ll be fine, I promise.”

Wylan was less enthusiastic. “Even if you’re fine - and I believe you that you are - that never stops you from cheating.”

Jesper’s indignant ‘Hey!’ and Nina’s drawl of “It won’t stay friendly if Matthias plays.” sounded at the same time, and instigated a wave of bickering that made the likelihood of any organized game seem incredibly low.

The familiar patterns of the argument were as familiar and well-worn as the best pair of shoes Wylan owned. He let it wash over him, and sank back into the couch, feeling Jesper’s side shake against him as his boyfriend laughed.

It had taken them a year and a day to come back together, but Wylan knew how lucky they were to all fall into place as if they had never left.

A/N: and that’s it you guys! I have a really weird amount of backstory for these versions of the characters, but given the nature of the story and who they are as general people, I figured including it would, uh. Significantly reduce the ‘fluff/happiness’ factor. (Which isn’t my usual forte anyways, which I’m sure comes through.)

This was my first time doing anything for SoC fandom in particular, so please let me know any critiques or comments. It’s also my way of introducing myself, I suppose!