#with a special introspective

[season-77]

@jessieren I found another utterly resigned one-finger cup grab: "Damn, I got a mug with my name on it for appearing in this crap. Could I sink any lower?"

In honour of the upcoming art exhibition including some of Shaun’s work, I thought it would be timely to present my very own introspective.

I’ve called it:

‘The way Evans holds glasses (and other drinking receptacles..)’

As you might imagine this has required some significant research and I am grateful for the many and varied contributions that others have made to this work over a period of many months (i.e. I’ve mined everyone’s post, photos and gifs…).

Here are some examples of Evans and cups/glasses of various liquids. All with the standard two finger hold...

Including this poetry in motion…

This technique is apparently also applicable to bottles…

There are however some notable exceptions…

The ‘fuck this is hot…’ three finger hold

The left handed four finger hold

And the loose women full hand grasp of mortification….

Here endeth today’s lesson

[yuesya]

Douma snaps open an ice-fan and flutters it in front of his face, hiding the growing smile that stretches across his lips.

Oh, how glad he is that he decided to check in on Gyutaro and Daki! Douma hadn’t known ahead of time if the demon slayer he was interested in would be here, but he’d thought that there would be a chance –Gyutaro was another Demon Moon, after all, and surely any demon slayer who found themselves caught in a fight with a Demon Moon would call for reinforcement?

Reinforcement, such as the girl who’d killed Upper Moon Three?

The young lady does all the rumors surrounding her justice and then some. She’s quite pretty, and Douma is someone who can appreciate beauty. The last Flower Pillar that he’d killed had been a lovely little thing, too –the expression of fear and anger that she’d worn when Douma had wounded her fatally especially so. A pity that the sun rose before he’d been able to devour her.

But here and now, the night is still young, and there are long hours to go before the sun rises.

Douma is much more interested in this new little Pillar than he had the Flower Pillar. She’s strong, of that there is no doubt –Douma had figured as much when Akaza died at her hands. But it’s one thing to know that, and another to see it in person. The ice sculptures that Douma created using his blood art are creatures that have killed Pillars on their own before, yet they shatter swiftly beneath the gleam of this young girl’s blade.

She does not use any breathing style. How curious. It’s even reflected in her sword –a nichirin blade that does not possess any particular color at all.

However, Douma shamelessly admits that the main reason for his interest in her is because of her eyes. Douma himself possessed eyes with a unique coloration –his human parents had proclaimed him to be a child who was able to hear the voices of gods, solely based on the rainbow shimmer of his eyes.

If they’d seen this girl’s eyes, then would they claim her to be a blessed child as well? Or would they prostrate themselves and kowtow in supplication?

There had been a light shiver that ran down Douma’s spine the moment he’d looked into those dark, abyssal eyes, for no reason at all.

He wonders how those eyes would taste, once he popped them out of her skull one by one and brought them to his lips.

Well… he wouldn’t have to wonder for much longer, hopefully. The ice created from Douma’s blood art is lethal to those who inhale it. And that lovely little demon slayer has been fighting his ice sculptures for quite some time now. Douma had deliberately chosen to engage her using his ice puppets instead of fighting her directly; considering what she’d done to Akaza and the fact that Gyutaro still wasn’t healing from the wound she’d inflicted on him, he’d figured that it would be safer to fight at range.

Just until the poor thing tired herself out. Then, Douma would finally end her suffering.

Almost in tandem to his thoughts, the white-haired demon slayer stumbles, coughing on a cloud of poisonous ice-dust that bursts in her vicinity.

Douma smiles.

[aventurineswife]

Hi! Just saw the Valentine’s prompts and I wanted to request Ratio for Promise Day if it’s still open? Hope you enjoy your holidays if you celebrate <3

A Vow in the Starlight

Summary: On Promise Day, Ratio shares a rare moment of vulnerability with you. In a quiet, starlit observatory, Ratio makes a heartfelt vow to stand by you forever, surpassing even his passion for knowledge. As you both exchange promises of unwavering support and love, you share an intimate and emotional moment, strengthening your bond.

Tags: Ratio x Reader, Valentine's Week Special, Promise Day, Established Relationship, Romance, Vulnerability, Fluff, Introspection, Emotional Depth.

A/N: THANK YOU AND YOU TOO!! HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS!!🤭✨💖

It was a quiet evening, rare in the life of Dr. Ratio, whose work rarely allowed for indulgent moments like this. Yet tonight was special, and nothing—not even the pursuit of eradicating ignorance—could pull him away from you.

You stood by the arched window, gazing out at the stars as they glittered like diamonds scattered across velvet. Behind you, Dr. Ratio’s distinct footfalls echoed softly. He had changed from his usual formal attire into something more relaxed.

“I see you’ve found my favorite view,” his smooth, confident voice broke the comfortable silence.

Turning to face him, you smiled, your heart swelling with the warmth he always seemed to radiate despite his often-brusque demeanor. “It’s breathtaking. I can see why you love it here.”

Ratio’s eyes softened as they met yours. He reached out, taking your hand in his, his touch both steady and grounding. “The stars, though remarkable, pale in comparison to you.”

You laughed lightly, shaking your head. “Still the charmer, I see.”

His lips quirked upward into a small smirk. “When it comes to you, I can’t help it.”

The two of you fell into a peaceful silence, gazing at the stars together. After a moment, he stepped closer, his free hand gently lifting your chin so your eyes met his. The intensity of his gaze was unmistakable, and your breath hitched slightly as he spoke.

“Promise Day,” he began, his voice quieter now, laced with something deeper—vulnerability. “A tradition as old as time, a day to pledge what truly matters.” He paused, his fingers brushing against your cheek. “I’ve made countless promises in my life—to the universe, to knowledge, to the ideals I strive for. But this one, to you, eclipses them all.”

You blinked, caught in the raw emotion shimmering in his eyes. “What are you promising?” you whispered, your voice barely audible.

Ratio took a step back, only to kneel before you, a gesture so uncharacteristic that it left you speechless. He brought your hand to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to your knuckles before looking up.

“I promise to stand by you, through every storm and every starless night. To celebrate your triumphs and soothe your sorrows. I promise to never let my pursuit of knowledge overshadow the brilliance you bring into my life.” His voice wavered slightly, the candid sincerity a rare departure from his usual confident tone.

Tears pricked at your eyes, and you knelt to join him, cupping his face with both hands. “Ratio… you don’t have to promise me the stars. You’ve already given me the universe.”

He let out a soft laugh, pressing his forehead to yours. “Then let this be a promise that endures beyond the cosmos—a vow as infinite as the knowledge we seek together.”

In the starlit stillness, you kissed him, sealing a promise not only spoken but deeply felt. A vow that, like the stars above, would guide you both no matter where the journey led.

As the night stretched on, Ratio pulled you close, murmuring against your ear, “You are, and will always be, my most profound discovery.”

And in that moment, surrounded by the endless expanse of the universe, you knew his words were the only truth you’d ever need.

[daily-hanamura]

[ariemfox]

just going to put this out there... so many of the doctor who fan theories about ruby's origin story before the finale were so friggin creative. a lot of them seemed more legit than the canon, lol. would've loved to have seen one of them come to life in the show. this fandom truly possesses the greatest minds <3

[ratatatastic]

(In concerns to goalie interference)"The first is—There's like four layers to this.

The first is gonna be: Robbie Tallas, who is our goalie coach—he's on the headset for that reason. So he looks [at] it from the goalie's point of view.

Then it goes through our video guy. Does the video show it? 'Cuz sometimes you just can't see enough on the video to make the decision.

[Then] it comes to me. And I just... the first one is a gut feel. Do I feel that's goalie interference?

And the last one is all context, and what I've seen recently. I will think about things differently in the regular season than I will in the playoffs.

I also will take care of my goaltenders in that if Sergei [Bobrovsky]'s sour about it, I'm probably calling it regardless of whether I think he's right or wrong.

But when you get into the playoffs that's not true. I'll look at it, and think, 'Am I gettin' a missed call or am I not?' and then I'll make that decision."

florida panthers @ colorado avalanche pregame interview | 1.6.25 (x)

[localcryptic]

For the oc question thing

🎹🥊🧠 for Ripley and Taliesin? I wanna know more about your sidesteps :)

(i'm deeply amused by the fact that i did interpret this emoji combo not as "these correlate to specific questions on the ask game i reblogged!" and instead as "mm yes Brain Fighting Piano makes sense")

🎹 - Do they have any hobbies?

Tal: i've said it before but i think if they weren't trying to be a supervillain they would make the most insane synth music you've ever heard. they like music that is loud and crunchy and keeps your brain from being able to think and they're the right kind of nerd to teach themself music production for fun. not quite a hobby per se but it's also been my headcanon for a long time for them that they've been learning ASL, so i think they practice in their downtime, maybe take online classes if they got the chance.

Ripley: ripley collects stupid novelty lighters. he loves shitty horror movies and would love horror games if he had time for gaming between his previous commitments of "Beating Up Superheroes" and "Enduring The Terrors". despite his temper, he really likes working on meticulous technological things- he's the kind of guy to build his own PC and do all his own repairs on it, for better or for worse. i'd say he could get into robotics, but he's Also the kind of guy to tape a knife to a roomba and call it a security system, soooo. (oh god, in an ideal world, ripley would compete in those battle robot competitions, he would LOVE that shit.)

🥊 -What do they love to do? What do they hate to do?

Tal: they love escaping from themselves, feeling like they've made a tangible difference, and taking their time to drink their coffee in the morning. they hate making snap decisions without being able to understand the bigger picture.

Ripley: he loves working on a DIY project, spending time around dogs, cleaning, and telling people No just because he can. he hates being told what to do, lying, giving in or giving up.

🧠 - What do you like most about the OC?

Tal: i love their strong principles, exploring their complicated moral compass, and accidentally giving them a different hairstyle every time i draw them and saying "fuck it, that's canon now"

Ripley: i love his terrible bastard attitude, the power he holds just by being himself, and drawing his shitty choppy DIY haircut <3

(thank you for asking!!! the oc ask game questions are here for anyone interested :3)

[kijosakka]

and the thoughts taunt me yet again. its just becoming commonplace at this point to ramble on tumblr before i go to sleep uhhh

theres gotta be like, a liiitle bit of established characterization summed up beyond a mess of multi paragraph behemoth rambling posts in a rb chain to rehash canon properly um,,

^ general idea is of noah knowing chris and chef before TD is even conceptualized and growing up in the industry bc of it, if only ever behind the scenes and watching in < all of the posts are actually more character studies about being Wary of the Cameras than anything else but id like to look at canon if only just to try and puzzle out/outline developments and whatnot.

starting out pre-island and segueing into his little time on island (and still being majorly character study-y):

chris, with TD being a new show and all, has trouble filling out the cast, and being fussy about the specifics of his show, is willing to scrape the bottom of the barrel to find those three castmates to pad it out. hence; duncan, ezekiel, and noah

^ duncan and ezekiel both did send in audition tapes, while noah did not, (i'd imagine here something about the TD website having everyones audition tapes release once theyre eliminated as 'bonus content'. everyone, of course, except noah.) cause, you know. up until this point hes only ever been known in The Business as 'that snappy but has surprisingly good insight into the Business kid noah who accompanies mclean', but now hes being asked to join this show he wants no part in. hes perfectly willing to help out behind the scenes, wheres hes comfortable, but chris insists -- and eventually, noah gives in.

the caveat is that he goes into the show both knowing about the resort after elimination and hyperaware of the reality tv aspect. and since, in his mind, hes elimination fodder there to make sure they have a full cast roster, he delegates himself a background character and acts as such.

hes not meant to last long, so he singles out some traits and ideas and detaches his person from them. for the length of the entire show, noah knows he wont be a person. he'll be a character made up of one-liners and quips with no character motivations or involvement in any real plotlines, someone who you see how early they get eliminated and you go 'yeah, that makes sense' and then never think about again.

^ and this is very apparent from his first onscreen appearance -- it takes a good minute for the boat to go back and forth picking up contestants even if most of the spare footage is cut, and as people arrive, even if the camp is a disappointment there's a shared sense of wonder about being the people who made it onto the show they all collectively want to be on. they chat and share excited pleasantries and theres a sense of personality that is immediately apparent to their peers because of it -- except for noah. noah has his one back-and-forth with duncan and then lets himself fade into the background from there on out.

and at first, its a kind of deal where its just like 'alright. hes shy, thats alright!!", but then it continues into when theyre all sent off and distinctly off camera. you try to chat with noah, and he gives you a non-answer or a one-liner than would be great for an audience!...if anyone were watching.

the walk up the mountain for the first challenge is much of the same: no input on the speculation about the challenge, just unnerving blankness. his facial expression is unchanging, not like he was unphased by the challenge, but more like he just isnt there for it. like the plot doesnt demand his presence.

again and again the first impression they get of this guy is a weird, offputting uncanny valley sensation. he doesnt come off as a real person, he comes off as robotic and lifeless. and its weird. i'd imagine in terms of character relationships, a lot of characters would be weirded out by him and completely write him off, while some of the nicer would insist on giving him a chance to get used to everything.

the second challenge comes -- he has his whole fake-faceplant thing that hints at something more, but again. hes a collection of ideas, and one of those ideas could just be potential, overridden by his apathy and laziness; two other key ideas.

noah doesnt touch any of the food provided during that second-first-half bit, just stands blankly off to the side like hes being used for background filler. of course he doesnt, the cameras are right there. (does no one else understand that?)

^ [*]awakeathon comes and goes; noah falls asleep, and that's.... it. no scheme, no strategy, he just separates himself physically from the cast by a few feet, and gets cozy to sleep. and then he wakes up. no insight into the character like with, say, courtney or justin. no plotting like heather. just banal averageness. a play to be overlooked.

and what was he to do? there were no real opportunities for any of his 'collection of ideas' to slot in, so he fades into the background and lets everyone else take up the screentime.

[*there is, i imagine, a kind of alternate version of events where the kiss with cody does happen and can be used as further/a more clear incentive for the events of dodgebrawl to happen.

the reason ive cut it here is because just in the context of noah sticking so hard to his hyperawareness, i would imagine he would know of and preemptively try and take measures against any Sleep Shenanigans that may happen, or may even avoid sleeping for longer because of the possibility.]

and then its dodgebrawl; he sees his chance to really flaunt his non-substance. [*]noah hates physical activity, thats one of his main Ideas in his compartmentalized collection. which better challenge to utilize it in than this one? again, hes elimination fodder. as far as he's concerned, this works out perfectly.

[*this would kind of give you a reason to change his lack of athleticism if you so wished. theres an alternate-alternate version of canon keeping this same noahs background that i might post about on here at some point, but in said AU hes more physically adept bc of his past in behind-the-scenes work. whos to say he hasnt helped carry heavy set pieces or ran around during busy hours?

it could serve to be a) self indulgent to some degree, and who doesnt love that, but also b) further alienate him from his cast, where even one of the barest traits he exhibits is just flat out wrong.

or you could just keep it as-is, and alter his attitude towards anything physical while keeping his unathleticism. or it could just be one of his chosen (truthful) traits that he decides fits with his on-screen character. its pretty ambiguous]

he gloats and inserts his quips where he can, the book hes carrying really just there to really sell it -- in terms of the cast and their thoughts, its again strange.

hes saying Words, but theyre Detached from the character and demeanor. hes putting on a performance and hes selling it pretty well, but its still hard to shake how off something seems about it. but noah does sell it and he gets voted off, off to his long vacation stay which he is absolutely looking forward to.

he arrives at the island, he gives his character interview full of non-answers, and then -- well, thats it. or it would've been it had he not noticed the obscene explosion of popularity the show had from its debut. the general public loved it, and you know what happens to shows that people absolutely adore? they get approved for second seasons.

this is the fact that tips noah straight into barring himself from all interpersonal relationships, as he was already wary simply by virtue of them being his castmates --theyre on screen, on set with him. that changes a lot about your dynamic with someone. -- and that he never really knows if theyre being watched on the playa; it is network-owned at the end of the day. so both the uncertainty and 'confirmation' of a second season lead him to avoid the cast entirely. literally.

nobody sees anything of noah beyond flashes in peripherals, disappearing books from the living area, and dirty dishes -- until theyre called for filming of haute camp-ture. and while its obvious to everyone else that theyre treading lightly around him since they, you know, havent seen him at all, noah acts completely unchanged. no acknowledgement of his absence, just the same dynamic with his castmates hes always had on-screen.

afterwards, someone tries to get his attention, to be like 'hey?????', and noah dismisses them extremely flatly. like npc dialogue. and then he disappears again, until i triple dog dare you, which im going to say they just gather everyone outside and let them do their own things until someone spins them and they have to give a dare. noah sits himself on a pool chair in his swim shirt and trunks with a book and Does Not interact with the cast at all.

^ you could spin it where they get a bunch of dares from the contestants individually and just read off from where theyre listed or whatever but this would be a chance to have alternate povs noting exactly what the characters think of noahs separation from everyone

anyway theyre called on the island for the [*]finale between owen and gwen, and he lets himself fade into the background. his work is done, it has been done, and now he just has to wait for what the segue into the inevitable second season is so he can wipe his hands clean of it (or so he thinks)

[*i think it could be written both ways, one where when the cast cheers he cheers and when they scream he screams, or another where despite the frenzied emotions around him, noah remains unaffected.

perhaps it could be used as a kind of 'well even people like zeke and eva are rowdy about this' contrast where either way it comes off as incredibly uncanny; one way, hes showing distinct emotion where he never has before, while never having shown any emotional investment in the winner. and the other way, hes completely detached from the emotions around him, to the point where he acts like its not even happening; his lack of investment in the winner is offputting, esp when compared to very early eliminated contestants who still do care.]

[aroace-cat-lady]

You make your homework with chat gpt and pray the professor won't find out whereas I'm considering just straight up not doing it cuz it's specifically required to do it with chat gpt. We are not the same.

[murdleandmarot]

26, 23, and 30 for the bluest belle!!!

also hope you're doing okay ^^

Hi hello lovely!!! I’m trying to be okay, and that’s about all I can do I hope you’re doing okay too <3

23. Stability or Novelty?

Not much is ever really new for bluebelle. She’s built a little cocoon of stability in her home and with her friends, and with the safety of her routine. All change to her, bad or good, is scary. 100% stability.

26. Talent or Effort?

Effort, especially when having to do with dancing. Part of her favorite thing about dancing is the work that goes into it. You reap what you sow, and she loves seeing her efforts and practice blossom into something beautiful.

30. What would they do if they knew it would be forgiven?

Kiss Victoria. Tell her she loves her. Be vulnerable with Demeter, be honest with her. She would tell Demeter everything if she met her, if she had the chance.

[aeb-art]

i was trying to make up side characters for @8um8le's space friends and thought "every show needs a grump"

i'm not gonna finish this though, so y'all can have it now o7

[in-tenebris-et-in-solitudine]

I like being alone, but that is how I knew you were different. Because for the first time ever I wanted someone else's company more than my own.

[chelleisamazing]

I finished the Pairing! 🩵🧡

[aventurineswife]

May I request Sunday for Hug Day if that’s still available? I want to give him all the affection in the world <3

The Art of Letting Go

Summary: In the quiet of the Astral Express, the bond between you and Sunday deepens as you share a moment of vulnerability. Sunday, burdened by the weight of his dreams and past, finds solace in your embrace, realizing that he doesn't have to carry his burdens alone. Together, you find a brief respite from the pressures of the world, beginning to believe that there may be a place for both of you to heal, one step at a time.

Tags: Sunday x Reader, Valentine's Week Special, Hug Day, Comfort, Healing, Vulnerability, Emotional Support, Slow Burn, Introspection, Found Family, Quiet Moments.

The soft hum of the Astral Express filled the air, a gentle and familiar rhythm echoing through the corridors of the train. You had just finished another long day of traveling and contemplating your journey ahead. Outside the window, the stars twinkled, but tonight something about the quiet, the stillness of space, made your thoughts heavy with questions, doubts, and the memories of all you'd left behind.

Sunday, who had been quiet that day, entered the room. His ethereal presence always lightened the air, his wings fluttering softly, the golden halo behind his head glinting faintly in the dim light. Yet tonight, his eyes were distant—almost lost in thought, as if caught between two worlds.

You sensed the weight of the moment suspended between you. There had been no words of formal recognition of the growing closeness, but every glance, every slight exchange, had deepened the bond that began to form. Sunday was mysterious, his mind always filled with a thousand thoughts, but warmth was undeniable while you were together.

"Something on your mind?" you asked quietly, trying to fill the silence. His eyes locked on yours for a second before looking away, wings fluttering soft as he shifted position.

"Maybe," he said, almost whispering. "Often I wonder if any of us truly are free, any of us, from these dreams that seem to shape us."

You could feel the weight of his words, the burden behind them. Sunday had a way of speaking in riddles, often hiding his true emotions behind layers of philosophical thought. His ideals, his dreams for a world without suffering, clashed with the harsh reality around him. And yet, somehow, he still held on to the belief that it was possible to achieve.

"You're not alone in your thoughts, you know," you said, stepping closer, feeling a pull toward him that you couldn't quite explain.

He looked up, his expression a mix of surprise and relief. "I know," he whispered, almost as if to himself. "But I fear that no matter how close we grow, the weight of my past will always keep me distant from others. It's... difficult, to let go."

You reached out, placing a gentle hand on his arm. His eyes met yours, with a silent question in them. Before you could second-guess yourself, you pulled him into a hug. It was gentle at first, hesitant even, as if testing the waters. But when his wings fluttered and he slowly wrapped his arms around you, the tension in his body seemed to dissolve, if only for a moment.

His head rested on your shoulder and you could feel the weight of his thoughts melting into the embrace. His normally stoic face softened, and for once, you saw the vulnerability behind the facade of the former leader, the protector, the dreamer. Sunday's breathing was steady, his wings still, but his heart seemed to be beating to something different now—something more like peace.

"Thank you," he murmured into your ear, his voice barely above a whisper. "I’ve forgotten what it feels like to be this close to someone. It’s been... too long."

You held him a little tighter, as if reassuring him that there was no need for explanations, no need to justify the warmth that passed between you.

"This doesn't need to be fixed, Sunday," you said, your voice soft and warm. "You don't have to carry all of it alone. Not anymore."

For a long time, neither of you said anything. The world outside faded into nothingness as you simply stayed there, two souls wrapped in a shared space of solace. You didn't need to explain the depth of your feelings; they were understood in the silence of the moment.

"Perhaps," Sunday whispered again, this time with a quiet hope in his voice, "I can begin to believe that there is a place for me... without the weight of all my dreams, without the pressure to save everyone."

You smiled against his shoulder, feeling the gentle rise and fall of his chest beneath your hands. "Maybe we can both start fresh. One step at a time."

A soft laugh escaped him, a sound that was light, genuine, and unburdened. "I suppose we could," he replied, his arms tightening slightly around you in a rare show of affection.

And so you clutched him close, surrounded by the hum of the Astral Express and the silent vastness of space. You knew that the feel of this embrace was more than a hug, but a bridge-step in healing, towards an understanding, and maybe even toward a future where Sunday may find some peace.

For now, though, all that mattered was that the two of you were here together in the quiet of night.

[torajira]

if i see an ad for that """introvert dating site""" one more time i'm going to shit myself

[aroaessidhe]

2023 reads

The Winter Knight

slow-building urban fantasy mystery

reincarnated arthurian legends living in modern Vancouver

follows a gay autistic college student who’s the reincarnation of sir gawain who just wants to live a normal life

and a 30-something valkyrie woman

when a knight is murdered, she’s assigned to investigate, and he’s pulled into things after finding the body

m/m and pre-f/f (she is bi ace)