#wicked references

[stevenrogered]

please watch this, in its entirety, up to the very end. no gifs will do it justice and I promise you won't regret it lol

[wickcipher]

You've Been Portal Jacked! Part 4

[Prev] [Masterpost] [Next]

He definitely saw this coming

[ichiwashername-o]

A funny idea of what would happen if, after even being revealed as a liar, a fraud, a con-artist, and just generally pathetic whelp of a human being, if the Wizard wasn't immediately ousted from his role as ruler of Oz and instead was chosen to lead despite his glaring inadequacies.

But good thing that's fantasy and just make-believe and wouldn't happen in real life! (:

There is no political implication at all in this comic (:

I'm doing great, why do you ask.

[ladyantiheroine]

Elphaba: You’re shirtless? Fiyero: nods Elphaba: And covered in… oil? Fiyero: Well you know how you always say I never glisten? Elphaba: Listen. You never listen. Fiyero: Oh.

[artsy-alice]

lan wangji is in his commitment era 💚💙

(or, nie huaisang: an emotional journey)

happy bday lwj good luck w all ur endeavors! 🥳

the series tag: ★ | wallpapers: 1 | 2 | 3 | printable: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | snowglobe

[kimeoshi]

I love you spy churin, I'd let you play hot wheels on me

[artwah]

i fear i am feeling the gelphie and wicked hype just like everyone else…! also i enjoy these outfits… #lines

[notearsnora]

Ariana Grande wearing custom Thom Browne for the Los Angeles WICKED premiere.

[hipsternumbertwo]

Favorite Angela Moments 48/∞: Angela's love for Wicked

[ask-lu-wild]

Four Ref 2024

Slightly redoing all the Links. Honestly I think Four's design is the most drastic. I can't stand seeing him in just the tabard, he needed some pumpkin pants. Also in the past I drew him with a chubbier body with a thin neck, which didn't look right. With the thin neck and double chin, I'm very happy with his body type.

Author Update: If you haven't heard, I graduated college! That gives me much more time to work on ALUW for now. But I also need to focus on other projects. For now, I hope you'll enjoy the coming reference pages of our favorite Links!

And if you're interested in supporting me, ko-fi here

~A

[darlingod]

So badly I wanna see how awkward and painful it was for Cardan and Madoc to work together when they had to get Jude back from the sea, especially since Madoc knew that Cardan was under Jude’s command.

[yet-another-heathen]

On the topic of realistic conditioning/deconditioning,

If the trigger is something whumpee wouldn't hear often when they're with caretaker but whumpee still wants to break it because they might hear it elsewhere (like kneel being taken as a command)

Would whumpee ask caretaker to casually trigger them so they have the opportunity to challenge it in their own head and in a safe place? Would this be a good idea for recovery?

And of course being there with the praise everytime whumpee makes just a little bit of progress, or comfort when they don't.

Heads up, anon: your ask was an EXCEPTIONALLY good one, and I ended up writing another mini TED talk (~3-4 min read) in response. Thank you so much for sending it in!

...on Conditioned Whumpees - Part 3

[ Part 1 - Part 2 ]

That is a very, very good idea! You're spot on with all of it, particularly operating in a safe environment where whumpee is ultimately calling the shots. Having that comfort/support readily available will make a huge difference in how well whumpee can tackle the matter. And while the process isn't fun, approaching desensitization with this much intent is much, much more likely to result in success.

I can offer a few pointers that can add another few layers of realism, as well as some other things to think about while tailoring it to your story:

if whumpee is actively working through their conditioning in this way, memories of their trauma will become closer to the surface. As a result, all of their other PTSD symptoms will be elevated during the course of their practice sessions, as well as for at least a few weeks after.

flashbacks are a very common experience during times like this. engaging with triggers like this is going to cause their flashbacks to become more frequent and intense.

during such flashbacks, it is almost a given that whumpee's mind and body will enter a similar state to the one it was in during the time when the flashback was taking place. By that I mean that the fear they felt in that moment, where it was physically located in their body, will echo into their body in the present moment. Same goes for other all other emotions, and sometimes even phantom aches surrounding any injuries they received at the time...

while the emotions tend to be identical to the ones felt during the trauma, in my experience, the pain comes out distorted in a similar way to the way it does in dreams: less intense, and more "blurry" and imprecise in location. When we say that someone having a flashback is "reliving the moment", we mean that their body literally feels as though they're in the same immediate danger that it was in back then.

this is true even though they'll be aware to at least some degree that they're presently with caretaker and safe.

the flashbacks don't always happen immediately after the conditioning trigger is used. Often they flare up hours or days later, sometimes without warning, sometimes as a result of encountering a different flashback trigger. The whumpee's thresholds for what counts as a trigger will drop, which is part of what causes the flashbacks to happen more often. Something they could normally ignore is going to affect them much more while they're like this.

your whumpee is more likely to experience severe mood swings while in this heightened state. Especially feelings like irritability, frustration, anger, loneliness, and grief. This stuff ain't pretty, folks. Even your sweet cinnamon bun is most likely going to lash out at someone as a result.

PTSD episodes are also exhausting. your whumpee is going to feel mentally, physically, and emotionally drained. And, to add insult to injury, being tired amplifies the emotions listed above.

Now all of this said, your whumpee may or may not know that this is to be expected. If they've worked on processing their trauma before this, they'll have figured out that one often leads to the other. They'll go into the deconditioning practice knowing this is coming, and will approach it carefully, but with a fairly level head. Knowing that it'll suck, but they'll come out the other side okay.

If not, they're in for a rather nasty surprise.

For the latter, they will feel at first that the deconditioning practice is making everything worse. They're suddenly struggling the way they did when the trauma was fresher, and it can be tempting to stop and refuse to touch it again because the mental/emotional pain gets so intense.

If they do give up at this stage, it will make trying again far more daunting in the future.

But the trauma being stirred up is actually a sign that it's helping. It means that the whumpee is starting to process what happened to them, which is a fundamental step in being able to heal.

Note: All throughout the process, crying is a very good thing. It lets them physically get rid of a lot of the brain chemicals associated with these surges of emotion. Letting themselves cry over things they couldn't cry about back then can actually help them let go of those feelings in a similar way to if they'd been able to process them in the moment. [Which is the basis for much of EMDR, a specialized tool used in trauma therapy.]

Okay. So now we know what other effects can cascade from the actual deconditioning practice, now we have some things to consider.

First off, what time parameters are whumpee and caretaker working within while deconditioning? There are three basic options:

they sit down together and practice repeatedly using the trigger for [X amount of time; usually <45m at once] back to back. Once that time is up, caretaker will no longer use the trigger at all, the excercise will end, and they'll get up to do something else.

whumpee sets a specific window of time [X number of hours] within which caretaker will use the trigger word at random points. Once that time has elapsed, the exercise is over.

over the course of days, caretaker uses the trigger word at random points without giving warning. the excercise only stops after being ended by whumpee.

Now why is that important? Because of something called hypervigilance. It is another symptom of PTSD which, to put it into the simplest words, is whumpee waiting for the other shoe to drop. It's a heightened state of tension and wariness in which whumpee is expecting that something bad is going to happen, and is constantly searching for any sign to indicate when it's coming.

It is beyond exhausting.

Imagine knowing that someone is about to slap you as hard as they can, and you have to sit there with your eyes closed, waiting for it. The breath-holding, the flinchiness, the rigid tension in your body as you strain to listen for when they're coming.

Only now, stretch that moment out into hours. Days. Weeks. That is hypervigilance.

A hypervigilant whumpee is not going to be able to relax. Or rest. Or decompress. Or readily trust much of anything around them. They're MUCH more likely to flinch at sudden movements/sounds. They might start biting their nails or showing other signs of nervousness and distress.

These methods above have a gradually increasing chance of setting off whumpee's hypervigilance. If they know exactly when the next trigger is coming, as in example 1, then their 'waiting for it' tension will be low. But the more uncertain they become of exactly when it's going to happen, as in examples 2 & 3, the worse the hypervigilance is going to get.

The trade off is that the later examples are more effective in desensitizing them toward the trigger. The more their practice mimics encountering an unexpected trigger in day-to-day life, the easier it will be to fall back on that desensitization when the time comes.

Therefore, it would be a very good idea for a whumpee who's new to this to start with number 1, then gradually progress to 2 & 3 as time goes on. They should be the one to decide when the next step is made, and if/when they need to dial it back.

Other questions to ask yourself while plotting:

how mentally prepared is whumpee for worsening symptoms? what about caretaker? did either of them know it was coming?

how much of this heightened PTSD stress can your whumpee take before it becomes too much? how do they react when they do hit that tipping point?

if caretaker feels that whumpee is getting too distressed during practice even though they're not tapping out, would they call it off themself? Or would they ultimately leave that decision to whumpee?

based on the answer, how would whumpee feel about caretaker's decision? Relieved? Belittled? Betrayed?

does whumpee have any grounding tools they can use while practicing?

how does caretaker handle the mood swings and instability that come with whumpee's heightened PTSD? You should consider both their internal and external reactions on the matter.

how does whumpee prefer to decompress after a practice session? what things would help them calm down and recover?

how long do they need (hours or days) before the next attempt?

Even with all I've just written, there's far more to the resulting hightened state of PTSD than flashbacks and hypervigilance. PTSD symptoms that they're most likely to encounter in the background while doing deconditioning practice include:

Flinchiness, anxiety, panic attacks, nightmares, exhaustion, emotional mood swings, outbursts, crying spells, depression, executive dysfunction, dissociation, numbness, racing thoughts, freeze responses, tremors, inappetence, muscle tension, and heart palpitations.

Yes, usually many of them at once, even those that contradict. Your whumpee is going to have a LOT going on at once, and it is not going to be a fun time. I recommend looking up any of the above symptoms you don't recognize, and looking for whump inspiration in what you learn.

(Because everyone experiences PTSD episodes differently, there's a lot of wiggle room in which ones whumpee will encounter. Don't feel pressured to use all of them, find what you want to write and have fun with it!)

Thanks again for the incredible ask, anon. And again, I want to congratulate you on how spot-on your original ask was. You nailed it. I know this was a lot more than you asked for, but I hope this provides helpful context for your whump! My inbox will always be open if you think of anything more <3

[angelzhark]

is that an ultrakill reference!!!

[tomwambsgays]

pink goes well with green 💋

[achromatophoric]

Wenclair Week - Day 3: Cursed Lover

In the Addams family armory, a confession is made as two girls gear up.

Enid: *lacing boots* Babe, I already know all about it. One love, all-encompassing, madness or death if not returned—it’s totes fine!

Wednesday: *checking knives* This unfortunately does not concern my family curse.

Enid: *looks up sharply* You have a different curse?

Wednesday: *adjusts bandolier* Quite so. There was an incident with a fairy godmother of the morally corrupt variety. I required her hair.

Enid: *gasps* You did not!

Wednesday: I certainly did. Needless to say, she was less than pleased. Gloves?

Enid: *passes a pair of gloves* So what does this curse even do?

Wednesday: To be concise, it breeds suffering and misfortune whenever I experience a state of venereal rapture.

Enid: *scrunches nose* Venereal? Uh—ew! Next time, please just say orga— Ohmygosh.

Enid: *stifles sudden giggle*

Wednesday: *peers at Enid while adjusting gloves* What is it?

Enid: *blurts out* Wednesday Friday Addams, are you telling me you have WOEGASMS?!

Wednesday: *goes deathly still*

Enid: *triumphant wiggle*

Wednesday:

Wednesday:

Wednesday: *through gritted teeth* Yes, I suppose I am.

Enid: That is SO you, babe! *giggles delightedly*

Wednesday: *sighs*

Enid: *grabs a spear* Okay! I am totes ready to take on today’s horde of giant toad demons.

Wednesday: *flourishes dual machetes* As am I. Let’s go.

The two head for the mansion exit, bristling with weapons and sheathed in protective gear. When they reach the doors, Enid shoots her fiancé a curious look.

Enid: Hey babe, I was wondering. Why did you bring up the curse?

Wednesday: Ah. Well, do you happen to recall when our toad problem first arose?

Enid: Wasn’t it the day after the Wicked-themed Rave’N, senior year?

Wednesday: *subtle smile* Correct. You made for a most ravishing Glinda.

Enid: Thanks to that amazing wig you got me. And your Elphaba? Sexy AF! That dress of yours was absolute fire.

Wednesday: And yet you preferred that dress on our floor, along with yours, my hat, our undergarments…

Enid: *smirks* Yeah, we spent the rest of the night defying gravity, didn’t we?

Wednesday: *fondly* Our very first time. One of my most treasured memories.

Enid: *warm smile* Same.

The tender moment lingers as the two stare lovingly into each other’s eyes, until it is interrupted by a distant croaking noise.

Enid: *blinks*

Enid: But what does that have to do with the toads?

In answer, Wednesday throws open the front doors to reveal the encroaching knot of cow-sized demonic toads and their peculiar cries of—

Tormentoads: Woebbit! Woebbit woebbit! Woebbit Woebbit! Woeb—

Enid: 😧

Enid: *aghast* You’re not seriously telling me…

Wednesday: *steps outside* Indeed. One summoned for every single woegasm you disgorge from my wretched depths.

Enid: 😧

Wednesday: Fret not, mi lobita insaciable. Be proud as you gaze upon the undeniable proof of your carnal talents—

Wednesday: *lips curl in a mad smile*

Wednesday: —and know, with the same immutable certainty of death and taxes, that last night… *glances back at her mate*

Enid: 🫢

Wednesday: Last night you, as you are oft to say, rocked my fucking world.

Still smiling, the twice-cursed seer turns and charges into battle with the reckless abandon and boundless enthusiasm of someone who has recently had their back properly blown out.

Enid: 🤭

🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸 🗡️ 😈 🔪💨

[ultravioletbrit]

“loathe” - Jegulus microfic - @into-the-jeggyverse - 485 words

“sledding” - 25 Days of Jegumas - Day 15 - @noblehouseofgay

“Please?” James asks.

“No.” Regulus tells him bluntly, not looking up from his book.  

“But… please?” James is begging.

“James. No.” Regulus says firmly.

“But… but… Reg!!” Now James is whining. “Everyone already has someone, and I’ll be all by myself.” He pouts a little petulantly.  

“I didn’t know you needed two people for sledding, Potter.” Regulus deadpans. “You just sit on the thing and roll down a hill. Seems very doable with one idiot. You don’t need me.”

James huffs. “First, you don’t roll down a hill on a thing. That’s kind of the point. You’re on a sled and you slide down the hill.” James holds his arm out and slides his other hand down it, apparently mimicking a sled on a hill. “Second, I guess, maybe, technically you don’t need two people. But everyone else will have two people which not only means their sleds will go faster, which makes it so much more fun. But also… I’ll be all by myself.” James pouts, but he does genuinely sound sad. Regulus keeps his eyes firmly on his book. He will not cave.  

“James.” Regulus starts slowly. “I don’t like to be cold. I don’t like to be wet. I don’t like the snow. I highly doubt I will like sledding.”  

“But you love me.” James says sweetly. And Regulus makes a catastrophic mistake. He looks up. He looks up into those beautiful, hazel, puppy-dog eyes… and he caves.  

-------

Regulus is on a sled with James, speeding down a hill and he hates to admit, it is a little fun. That is, until they reach the bottom of the hill and James steers the sled the wrong way and they end up sledding right into a snowbank.

James is laughing uncontrollably as he climbs off the sled and tries to help Regulus up, but Regulus bats his hand away and stands up on his own.  

Regulus is obviously covered in snow. It’s clumping in his curls and seeping through his clothes. He’s cold and he’s wet, and he thinks he might genuinely murder James right now, because James is cackling. Regulus sends him a murderous glare that obviously does nothing except make him laugh harder.   

“I loathe you” Regulus hisses and James snorts, attempting to cover another chuckle.

“I loathe the snow. I loathe the cold. I loathe sledding.” Regulus is taking measured steps towards James. “I loathe you and your very existence. I loathe it all.” He stops in front of James trying to sound infuriated and not like he’s pouting. “I hate you. I mean it this time, Potter.” He’s pouting a little. But James still pulls his lips between his teeth and nods his head quickly, doing his best to look appropriately scolded. “Stop laughing. You are insufferable!” He pushes James down into the snowbank and that does it, James bursts into hysterical laughter. “Ugh. You are so lucky I love you.” Regulus tells him as he stomps away.