#would love to hear ‘em

[highabovethecloudssomewhere]

My novel is in the beta stage now and on one hand I would love to lease it out to a couple people online to get more eyes and opinions on it but I’m also pretty freaked by all the AI stuff not to mention the amount of times my fanfics have been illegally listed on Amazon. I guess I’m a noob with all this beta stuff. I do have a couple people irl who’ve been willing to give me honest feedback but I’d like to broaden the pool if I can. I don’t know if there are sites out there that are safe for a thing like this or how one goes about it. I don’t have many published authors in my day-to-day life.

[breadstickms]

@/miseraou on twitter drew eva as muu, which i thought was absolutely brilliant. naturally, i had to then sketch my own take on a p:eg milgram au lmao

[luck-of-the-drawings]

EDYN TIDESTRIDER, CHALLENGER OF THE UNDERSEA, RIVAL OF THE DEEP. WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOUR BROTHER WAS CHOSEN TO BE A WEAPON OF THE GODS? HOW WILL YOU UNDO WHAT THEY HAVE DONE TO HIM?

[robinfollies]

KEEP THE DANGER OUT // KEEP THE DANGER IN

[sergle]

idk if this is a question for you or for Maya Kern or if it's even a polite thing to ask (I'm sorry if it's not!!) but like. have you ever considered/would it be possible to do skirts with the pattern covering the entire thing, rather than just around the base of the skirt? I love love love your pattern art and I was just thinking that the tomato pattern in particular would be sooooo extra cute as a seamless pattern covering all the fabric 💕

firstly: totally an okay thing to ask!! I don't mind skirt questions at all, I think this kind of thing is probably okay to throw at either of us, but her inbox is frequently blowing up! I've made mostly hem designs so far, but I absolutely do wanna make some skirts w allover patterns!!!! adapting the tomatoes (and maybe other designs?) into pattern grids is something that I think could be so fun. the tomatoes in particular, I thought this was such a good idea so I did a mockup for it:

so that's not a greenlight for putting it on clothes-- but it's a fun good idea that i want to keep in mind for later, because I *do* like the loop :3 aside from that, i already do have some skirts in my mind that are all-over designs, though they aren't traditional pattern loops! these were some skirt drafts from my last batch of pitches, and maya helped me pick a couple of the landscape designs that i'm workshopping!! so there's also that!

[snowpuff79]

Simon the wishmaster au : baking

I liked that one fever dream Marcy has in Stakes with em ... so let them bake !!! *yes in the silly aprons what do you take me for?!!*

If Prismo can make pickles then the god of chaos can bake a sweet red velvet with her husband .

Gotta teleport the goodies to their buddies back in Ooo ^-^!!! Kinda wish we saw em a bit more in f&c.

@whatawonderart .

[sluckythewizard]

YOU JUST HƎARD IT FROM [HIS MOUTH] FOR SURƎ!!!

[naturepointstheway]

Vienna 1989/90 giving me that tasty Tuggoffelees juice at the end of Mistoffelees' number. Love how Misto just spins Tugger away. It also actually reminds me a lot of a very similar duo spin dance at the end of this number that happens in Zurich with Lindsay Chambers' Misto, but instead it's with Munkustrap rather than Tugger.

And in Zurich's case, well, let's say that this Misto has a very different experience to Valentin's (who reminds me a lot of Tim Scott's Misto, especially with the makeup), and Munk is more showing he has accepted him fully.

@absolutehumandisaster - hope you don't mind me tagging you as I feel you'd be interested in my "little" tag ramble/thoughts on Valentin's vs Chambers' Mistos and how Valentin's is Chambers' Misto once he is fully accepted and has grown exponentially in confidence by the next Jellicle Ball.

[deconstructthesoup]

Okay, everything about this finale made me ricochet through a thousand different emotions (and seeing the Cathilda art was just the icing on the cake), but what it did give me, first and foremost, is a concept for a season with the High 5 Heros.

It really is just the five of them now, and they're still processing Kipperlilly's betrayal and the lasting effects of the shatterstars. In an attempt to fully reconnect as friends and prove themselves as adventurers, they retake their spring break quest... and things spiral out from there.

Ruben (played by Raphael Chestang) doesn't remember anything from when he was shatterstared, but he still has all those fans who want to hear more of the emo music he wrote... and even though having attention is good for a bard, he's very upset about the fact that nobody wants to hear his real music. Ruben's starting to get a lot of self-confidence issues based on the fact that the guy that he doesn't even know but who he briefly was was so popular, and he's trying to be himself, but, well... it's hard.

Ivy (played by Mariah Rose Faith Callias) is... well, actually, the fact that she wasn't shown as often in the season means that her player can make up an arc from scratch for her, and I like that. Let's leave that up in the air. Maybe she's trying to reconcile her stint as a mean girl with her true self, or maybe her mean-girl self is closer to her true nature than we think.

Mary Ann (played by Katie Marovich) is still, at her core, Mary Ann, and I like the idea of her arc being less of an arc and more of a reassurance thing---this is who she is, she's not apologizing for it, and that doesn't mean that she doesn't deserve the same amount of respect. That'd be pretty cool to see.

Oisin (played by Joey Richter) is dealing with... a lot. Seeing as his actions led to getting his great-great-great-great-whatever grandmother killed, his family has not outright disowned him, but there's a lot of snide comments and clear disrespect being thrown his way. He's trying his hardest to prove that he's better than that, but, uh... yeah, I think it would end in a "fuck my rich asshole family" thing, much like Adaine's arc.

And lastly, Lucy (played by Ashley Johnson) is, of course, very shaken by the fact that she legit died, and spent a good chunk of her death in a hellish state. Her connection to her goddess has wavered after her experience, and she's very much in a space of doubt---maybe a space that's big enough for her to connect to Cassandra, and maybe share in Kristen's four-deity pantheon. Not to mention, it's still very hard to interact with her friends when she still remembers the night of her death, even though they were possessed.

So, uh... yeah!

[rauberrauber]

omg my little horsies....

[violentlyfeverish]

what i watched in january '25

a very solid month! i got around to shows that have been high on my watchlist for a while and ultimately found some new favourites.

see your love 看見愛 (tw, 2024)

this is, without a doubt, my favourite bl from this month and has become one of my favourite bls of all time.

i could write paragraphs upon paragraphs expressing the sheer fondness i have for this show and its elements. the complex characters, well-written romance, and themes and conflicts about communication with satisfying arcs all make for a very fulfilling and memorable show.

the attention to detail and care put into depicting shao peng's life and feelings, zi xiang's struggles and trauma, their individual growth and change is stellar. i love the way their bond strengthens as they support each other and encourage honest self-expression, creating space to be vulnerable and acknowledged for what others disregarded in the past. i'm in awe. it's beautiful. my most sincere praise and appreciation for the entire cast and crew that worked on this show. i'm gonna go watch the behind-the-scenes and keep an eye out for everyone's future projects <3

we best love: no. 1 for you (tw, 2021)

this show's primary strengths lie in the characters and the cast.

the characters, for one, have a very compelling dynamic, especially as we learn about shi de's personality. he's willing to go to great lengths for shu yi even when shu yi outwardly dislikes him. the whole "blackmail" inciting incident is an example of that, and while it felt contrived at first, i came to find the psychology of using your one-sided crush's one-sided rivalry with you to distract and help him get over his own one-sided crush just... fascinating. shi de's convoluted way of thinking and coping with his feelings, he's been wrestling with is really interesting to think about. shu yi, on the other hand, has spent many years harbouring disdain and trying to beat shi de. he's clearly very capable, so i like to think about how often he might win if he wasn't so fixated on shi de, if he didn't feel so insecure in his presence in combination with growing up under extreme pressures to succeed.

for the other, the two leads do a wonderful job playing their characters. i love the way sam portrays shi de's loss of control (kissing under the pool, orchestrating their night in the clinic, the "blackmail") and simultaneous repression to the point of inability to accept shu yi's reciprocated feelings. the scene where he's patching up shu yi is a stand-out, where shi de tries his best to suppress the hurt and overwhelm from feeling like everything is unraveling. his micro-expressions and physicality -- downcast eyes and purposely-casual mannerisms -- are so, so good. i was also completely taken by yu's delivery throughout the show. there were multiple times i rewound specific sentences, especially during the bridge scene, to follow how he said his lines and the reaction they elicited. yu's facial expressions, the way he says 'i like you' then throws down his bag in defiance so he can prove he loves shi de are so striking. that whole scene is honestly marvelous, with every possible emotion playing out on shi de's face as he processes shu yi's confession and shu yi getting emotional again before says he wants this to count as shi de's first kiss.

too good.

we best love: fighting mr. 2nd (tw, 2021)

i have a lot to say about the second season.

namely, i have some grievances with the plot and especially shu yi's dad. the show wanted us to laugh at his silly antics, but they were juxtaposed with genuinely cruel, abusive things he'd done. it felt like they wanted a dramatic obstacle keeping them apart but then inexplicably still wanted him to be a likeable character? mind-boggling and very sloppy. he had potential to be a serious cause of distress, further fleshing out shu yi's childhood like the pressures to live up to high expectations, etc. and i'm just gonna imagine that's what we got instead of a shockingly wishy-washy and frustrating character.

still, despite these issues with the root of the conflict, i must say the conflict itself is... really, really excellent.

the tension, the desire, the heart-wrenching familiarity and longing after so much time apart... it's no wonder they went with such a premise even when the set-up fell apart and honestly -- despite its faults -- i still love this season. the strengths from the first season continue, especially the lead actors who are at the top of their game. just absolutely hitting it out of the park, and since i knew what to look out for this time, i was able to enjoy their performances even more. their unexpected reunion had me holding my breath, their flashbacks hurt my heart, and i couldn't take my eyes off the screen when shi de shows up drunk, fully about to lose control. everything from the dialogue to the details of their micro-expressions is so well-done, and i love how yu portrays shu yi's barely-restrained anger giving in. the whole season, it's a treat to see how he attempts to shield himself, build a facade of indifference that clashes with his innate honesty so hard it doesn't fool shi de for even a second.

overall, every bit of energy and effort is poured into their making moments truly glitter, and it pays off. i wish some parts of the plot had received the same treatment, but i'll take what i can get. love 'em.

the time of fever (kr, 2024)

i'm... not exactly sure how to word my thoughts on this.

everything from cinematography to dialogue to symbolism and characterisation is so, so carefully and thoughtfully put together. it truly feels like a meditative character study focused on one of my favourite pairs of all time, along with one of my favourite types of dynamics: fraught and fragile, full of uncertainty while at the same time harbouring strong familiarity.

there's technically not much plot, but i really admire how this series lays their foundation. i went back to watch their scenes from unintentional love story and now i keep thinking about what may have happened during those two years. it's crazy how i find musing about even the most mundane moments in their relationship super, super interesting. also, that orange scene changed my life.

yep.

light on me (kr, 2021)

this immediately became one of my favourite kbls/bls set in high school. each character is given time and care to develop, the romances are all fleshed-out, and i was blown away by how well-written the dynamic and interactions between the four friends are. the latter is the best part of the show, in my opinion; i loved seeing all of their unique interactions especially when sohee is no longer an antagonist -- i really liked her and shiwoon's love/hate friendship. shiwoon's entire character is a treat, tbh.

overall, a wholesome show with a love triangle done interestingly, care and consideration for every single character, and a final get-together that's really, really adorable.

to my star* (kr, 2021)

this is one of my favourite easier watches and i can see it becoming a comfort show. it requires some suspension of disbelief, but i adore the main couple and their story, how they grow closer during moments like cooking together. their touches and gestures of affection still feel like a gut-punch -- jiwoo immediately bringing taejoon's thumb to his mouth when he gets a cut, for example -- and my soft spot for loud, confident characters having underlying fragility is definitely indulged.

our dating sim (kr, 2023)

... i can't believe i forgot to include this show. it was one of my favourite shorter series this month and i love thinking about it.

the comedy hits, the characters are interesting and their extensive history is really heart-wrenching especially when we get the revelations that we do during my favourite scene. in it, they're walking around, constantly in motion, telling each other how they feel and what the separation was like on their end. it's lighthearted but grounded. heavy emotions simmer underneath, but come to the surface in moments like ki tae alluding he's loved lee wan for over seven years.

their body language and mannerisms are just really effective, and now i want to rewatch so i can enjoy their unexpected (for lee wan, at least) reunion. highly recommend. cute ensemble cast and very compelling lead dynamic.

the eighth sense* (kr, 2023)

this was the first show i watched this year. as a sucker for fraught, fragile relationships, i think this is a pretty solid drama that delivers on touching moments that feel both grounded and earned.

my love mix-up!* (jp, 2024)

this was my second time watching this show. while i had some mild criticisms about the storyline, i had a lot of fun with moments i'd forgotten about like the two eating lunch on the rooftop and ida defending aoki in front of everyone.

i hear the sunspot (jp, 2024)

this is my most recent watch. i have somewhat mixed feelings on it.

on one hand, i appreciate the attention to specific detail and can commend the attempts to include representation of different deaf and HoH people, though i feel that it could've gone further. and, as someone who's tired of the sole female character being the forced 'villain', i'm at least glad she doesn't fall for kohei and create a love triangle. i liked her brief moment with taichi, them challenging each other's perspectives was really interesting and if it made me wish we got better, more fleshed out friendships as a whole. i would've fine with that being the focus.

and while i did think the romantic resolution felt rushed, i still really liked taichi and kohei's relationship. taichi's efforts to help kohei, their mutual insecurity that they'd be abandoned once they're no longer of use, and the moments where kohei signs he loves taichi and overhears him talking in the film club room are genuinely really sweet. their dynamic taichi's empathy and validation of kohei's feelings that he'd pushed down after constantly feeling pitied, and kohei's encouragement of taichi's perceived 'annoyance' was really heartwarming.

overall, a lot of fond moments to take away from this show :)

a man who defies the world of bl (jp, 2021)

this is less a bl, more a comedic satire of its tropes and fans. i'll be honest, i watched this one at my sleepiest and more delirious, but i can still recall several moments i genuinely burst out laughing e.g. the mc yelling to stop the dialogue leading to a meet-cute, his exaggerated facial expressions, and just the absurdity of being in this world where guys are falling in love left and right based on nothing.

the ending is also pretty cute. i liked how we manage to get some development in the relationship, which sweetened the conclusion without feeling like too much of a departure from the original tone.

* indicates a rewatch

[seventh-district]

Sam: "Look at me. Hey- look at me a second. I know. I know you're tough. I know how strong you are. You have every right to be proud of that. But being able to handle somethin' doesn't mean you should have to. Least of all when I'm right here trying to help. Please let me help. If not for you then for me, because I don't like knowin' you're hurtin', especially when there's somethin' I can do about it."

Me, shaking my head, fighting back literal tears: "B-but it's gonna give you another headache!"

[coolattas]

a man and his handshake (s1ep1 !!!) lineup for kiddads SOON. constructive crit welcome + wip + id in alt text + etc etc. if you're mean to me you'll go to hell forever and ever.

[chocoloom]

Might be an unpopular opinion, but I need more crossover fanfictions in my life man there like. My favorite kinda of fic.

I like seeing characters getting thrust into wildly different situations and conflicts than what they’re used to. I like seeing characters react and compare differences between the world they’re from and the world they’re in. I like seeing characters with similar struggles getting to interact when they wouldn’t otherwise because they’re from two different worlds. I like seeing characters from different media clash with each other because they have differing perspectives on something, or seeing characters from different media learn from each other by interacting. I just feel like we need more of those, for funsies y’know?

For example, what if Edward Elric ended up in Dungeon Meshi. How would he react upon witnessing or discovering Falin’s resurrection and finding out that it worked. Other than absolute anger (which is a given with Ed’s temper), would he be jealous, just a bit, because Marceille succeeded in bringing back the one she loved? Why did she succeed while he and his brother failed and said failure has horrifically impacted their lives? How would learning about a SUCCESSFUL resurrection impact the actions he takes in the future? Would he relate to Laios, as both of them are dedicated older siblings who feel responsible for their younger siblings? Especially considering both of them feel directly responsible for their siblings becoming horrifically altered due to their actions. How does he interact with Senshi? Do they bond over similar views on seeing humans as small, but vital parts of the world’s ecosystem? I bet Senshi would love Ed’s appetite, what with him having a bottomless pit of a stomach (due to human transmutation shenanigans).

I dunno, I feel like there’s a lot of untapped potential in crossovers, both in terms of angst and in terms of just, general chaos and comedy. Like, imagine Sailor Moon in one of the Souls games like Elden Ring. Or putting Kirby in Disco Elysium? Can you imagine the insanity?! Cuz I can, it’s hilarious.

[starryskiesstuff]

So I am Aromantic Asexual, and I’ve been thinking about hmm maybe it’s worth pursuing a qpr in the future. The only problem is that while I could see myself in a qpr with a person vaguely, I couldn’t see myself in a qpr with a man or woman. I’ve finally figured it out! Along with my gender identity!

I do not want kids, nor am I romantically attracted to anyone. Since a lot of gender roles revolve around parentage to me, and I’m also not interested in the social/societal roles of either gender, I didn’t feel like I have a gender. In a way that IS true, I act how I act, more like my identity as myself supersedes any call for gender to play a role in my behavior.

I wouldn’t consider myself non-binary since while I know otherwise, the term is used like there is a cohesive gender identity behind it. Genderqueer is probably closer to what’s in my head. I don’t really like using micro labels for myself, I’m sure if I wanted to be specific I could find like 10 but I’m not that interested.

But I digress. Ok so I don’t consider myself a man or woman great, what does that have to do with qprs?

WELL, since I consider myself an identity that exists outside gender and I couldn’t see myself in a qpr with a man or woman because a close relationship with a man or woman feels inherently romantic, even if it isn’t, because of my understanding of gender performance of one that wants those who perform it fit into societal roles. One of said societal roles is close ROMANTIC partnerships and by getting into a qpr with a man or woman I feel like I would be performing a gender role, which bothers me because I don’t consider myself with gender. I am Starry and that is it.

I dunno if that makes sense but we’ll roll with it.

In this whole essay I keep saying man or woman why is that? That is because while I would be uncomfortable partnering because gender, if the other person ALSO considered themselves out of the binary with a separate role, then I wouldn’t feel like I was performing gender.

So in the future any companions I have will be genderqueer probably. I dunno how I’d label this specific kind of attraction, since a label would feel like the beginnings of a gender role but also not everyone has a 5D level of understanding of gender and romance like I do. Eh its probably easier to leave people guessing.

TLDR: I consider myself separated from gender because of aroaceness and with that separation and my understanding of performing gender I couldn’t get into a qpr with a gendered person because it’d feel as if I were gendered by proxy but I could get in a qpr with a non-gendered person because I wouldn’t feel gendered by proxy

[ongreenergrasses]

hmm. i think i want to hear your weird odesta thoughts