#yo if u have any ideas for other characters in this au I’d love to hear em. please help.

[m1ckeyb3rry]

LMAO no in between either cute or majestic where are the horses with the goofy ass names at (just an example but imagine someone w a horse named sock)

AHAHAH YEAH compared to karasus otoyas bfb has a lot more crack in it LOL lowk before discovering you whenever I saw crack it was usually like….brainrot crack where the characters would fully be like “OH MY GERD WHAT JN THE SKIBIDI SIGMA” “LMAOO DEEZ NUTS IN YO FACE” which personally had me clicking the close tab button asap I’ll be forever traumatized your crack content is the Goldilocks zone of crack

Imagine instead we just form a bllk au where the entire setting is the same we just bring justice to characters who need it LMAOOO people will be like bllk au? Aren’t they already in bllk?????

I’m fr just waiting to see the end the last few chapters have just been “hmmm who’s getting revived this ch?” Instead of who’s being thrown into the Sukuna fight arena shdgshshs yeah I have NO clue what’s going on tbh I thought higuruma was a confirmed goner alr but ig not??

I wanna see an expansion of the Barou aiku rivalry….like wdym we see them on the same nel team but we never address that??? Cmon…

Also PAUSE SPEAKING OF WE MANIFESTED OUR PRAYERS ANSWERED EGOIST BIBLE V2 RELEASING AFOUND S2 START TIME!!! Will be dropping translations ofc drop your requests here…there’s apparently a new ranking for “top 3 [insert category here]” so I’ll def do that along with any profiles we don’t have

I remember immediately getting rid of moves like leer and growl LMAO ofc if there was an obvious type disadvantage I’d bring appropriate pokemon (like gym leaders) but otherwise it’s kinda just brute forcing my way through with an op pokemon I liked

The way I completely forgot some of the teams you listed already Im gonna have to like copy it and paste it to the side so I can reference it faster shshshs imagine she traded that away and then later was like lmao u scammed me so this is my gyarados gimme the skrelp back /j wait that’s so funny LMAOOOO you fr had that trading business down…but on that note was there demand for phione for a particular reason….like did they just think it was manaphy….bc now that I think about it I fr cannot remember any significance to phione…

Mcs team sparking the whole uprising talk about girlboss!!!! Her exposing the govt plot on live tv stop that’s such a good idea (I’m crying the kids do everything trope is so funny thinking back on the pokemon plot)

No bc I was about to say I definitely feel like something similar happened in the plot (now I distinctly rmr some like clefairy moon tribe ep..?? Trust we’re definitely thinking of the same one) IM CRYING Reo finally getting gallade only for the competition to be over is SUCH a pokemon plot I can fr see it happening in canon like ash runs back asking where everyone is only for the worker to calmly be like “oh it’s over” and ash falls to his knees screaming LMFAOO but I DO RMR THAT we know my memory’s kinda shit though so idk exactly which pokemon ash brought (was it primape??? Idr tbh)

LMAO THE REVERSE OTOYA TEAM I kinda love that the unexpected trips are lowk my fave like you get ready to battle hiori fully expecting like, a Mareep and maybe a lanturn or a azumarill but no metagross and luxray you really cooked crafting mcs team though I could never LOL

AHDHSA gagamaru having no contact info is so funny he runs a elusive ifykyk business yuki having his Alakazam telepathically track him is so real

Nagi tweaking over the aegislash and having an unspoken sort of one sided Karasu rivalry is actually hilarious if this au actually comes into existence I will fr be laughing my ass off in this arc WHIMSICOTT NAGI SO REAL

LOLL fall is hibernation time that’s still only a quarter of the year idk how you do it

Ok time to merge asks before the other one gets too long and then your blog is fr flooded with these

NAH BC STEVEN STONE WAS JUST THE IT BOY/DUDE IG??? I’m ngl I see a lot of Steven fans around too idk there was just something so charming abt him….

Me conveniently forgetting the teams you talked about even after I fr sent in info about said pokemon on that team but hiori embodying “I can fix it” for that ducklett and succeeding and then Karasu losing it like “wtf wdym it can do shit” would be so hilarious

Gyarados being flying never fails to make me scratch my head but wtv it’s pokemon logic but i love lowk inner team pokemon dynamics swanna and nidoqueen having beef LMAOO SWANNA MEETING BAROU IN HELL IS DIABOLICAL LMFAOOOO ig now you know where the pokemon universe gets it roasted fowl dishes from

Im ngl kangaskhan is fr like the otoya of the pokemon world it’s fr just kinda forgotten (by myself too) i totally forgot it can mega evolve LMAOO mega houndoom is fr cool as hell though (imagine mc and Barou got their houndoomite together SHDGSHS) galvantula being the secret ace of the team is so funny i bet everyone’s like “bro u brought this random ass spider” and then proceed to get decked

LMFAOO in your prev response I was fr gonna respond with Pablo’s last name but I couldn’t rmr how to spell it and did not want to look it up so I just left it bc lowk he’s not that relevant generally either I was almost gonna write “ca-“ and just dip

OOOOH LMK WHAT TEAMS YOU END UP CHOOSING

- Karasu anon

well i did know a miniature horse named boytoy KDCBSHSN idk if that quite counts as goofy in the way you were describing but it’s definitely up there in terms of craziness 😭

oh i have definitely seen those kinds of fics and agreed i’m not a huge fan…MY version of crack is just the characters being sassier than usual with each other and ending up in kinda ridiculous situations that are treated as completely normal in-story LMAOO tbh it’s basically just me writing in the comedy genre instead of doing angst/character studies but that doesn’t sound as fun as calling it crack does

HELPP bllk but it’s miraverse au…everyone reading is like “wtf does miraverse mean” BAHAH like no just trust the process your mind will be altered by the way each character is written TRUST

no literally it’s such a reversal from the sukuna fight that i’m just like 🤨 it feels very…not gege…idk like wdym this is the same guy that wrote shibuya?? honestly i wonder if he’s under pressure from his editor or smth to change the story/ending from what he wanted because if so that’s kind of sad

nah because so much could’ve been done w barou and aiku tbh idk why they made lorenzo try so hard to be friends with barou that role could’ve easily and more sensibly been filled by aiku 😭 also OMG NEW EGOIST BIBLE LET’S GOOO pls the top 3 categories are always so funny especially the little snide comments if you happen to translate those def send them in ‼️ and yess hopefully more characters will get profiles!! or the current profiles get updated with more silly stuff

LMAOOO I WAS EXPERIENCED WITH IT i think it was mostly people trying to finish the pokédex?? because you can’t catch or get phione in any way but the manaphy breeding trick so before most people figured that out i was able to get a bunch of cool pokémon in return for my fresh out of the egg level 1 phiones and then other people caught on so the market got saturated and they stopped being in demand 😒 so i had to differentiate myself and started using tms and training them up which worked for a bit but eventually even that stopped working 😓

no because pokémon is INSANE w the kids doing everything trope like wdym the literal champion is telling MY ten year old ass to go and fight a literal god?? is that not their job…anyways yeah i think this method allows for the e4 and all to maintain their notoriety and authority as well as showing the flaws in kids doing everything (because reader is lowkey reckless for confronting the entire govt without a plan and she got lucky that the e4 + gym leaders has smth up their sleeves or else she would’ve been done for) so i like that route a lot!! also the image of reader and houndoom standing there exposing the government to a defeated mr mikage while the camera quality slowly gets blurrier and shakier and right before it disappears into static entirely there’s just a shot of her and houndoom abt to be attacked by govt pokémon and then there’s a region-wide blackout does cook a little i fear

yess it was the mt moon episode!! but ash misty and brock had a researcher w them iirc meanwhile mc trio is literally just the epitome of yolo 😭 they’re honestly like living their best pokémon journey vibes (especially reo and chigiri because nagi does get dragged into reader’s bs with some frequency so he’s not as relaxed as the other two) LMAOAO like while reader and co are fighting corruption and processing grief and enduring trauma mc trio is just fucking around getting gym badges and completing side quests HAHAHA they’re so stupid i love them 🥹 and yeah i think it was his mankey/primeape i forget if it had evolved at that point or not

i think it’s so funny that hiori just wanted nice pokémon to play with and he ended up with a super well balanced team which includes a pseudo legendary, a dragon type, and a prehistoric pokémon revived from a fossil meanwhile otoya wanted a cool strong team and he just has really cute pretty sweet pokémon 😭 although in his defense his pokémon are all really strong as well it’s just a matter of the aesthetics not matching up with the vibe he was hoping to curate 😩

to be honest i used a website that allowed me to input my team and it told me its weaknesses and i just messed around with that until i got to a team that didn’t have any glaring holes!! i’m super happy with it especially because of how unique some of the choices are…like let’s be real how many people are picking DONPHAN for their pokémon ocs 😭

LMAOAOA pokémon au confirming the yuki x gagamaru bestie agenda fr 🤩 nah because lowkey maybe gagamaru’s just in hiding because he’s scared ness will come after him if he becomes a genuine competitor (not a wrong thought to have tbh)

THE AEGISLASH ARC IS SO HILARIOUS like out of context it’s just like “did mira forget what story she’s writing” but when you know what’s happening it’s so so funny especially the way nagi and reader decide to approach it 😭 “oh i GUESS we have to get married for uhhh the plot” “yeah i mean if i HAVE TO i’ll risk my life for you uhhh i mean the plot yeah the plot” (<- two idiots who will one day be madly in love) DNDKLSJDS nagi def wakes up afterwards like “damn dream me is so rizzful good thing i don’t act like that irl because i don’t even like anyone like that especially not y/n 😰” (not that they were really flirty or anything it was more of a “i’ll die for you if that’s what it takes and if it means you live and get to go home then i’ll even do it happily) and then he sees aegislash and is met with the horrifying knowledge that he did in fact try to rizz reader up and furthermore he might actually like her 😩 HAHAA the karasu beef is so funny too because when they’ve first been “isekai’d” reader’s like “yeah ok let’s just follow the plot of the world and get married or wtvr” and nagi’s like “what about karasu 😱” and reader’s like “uh idk what about him” and nagi’s like “aren’t you guys dating won’t he be mad 🤔🫣” which prompts reader to be like that one tik tok sound that’s like “EWWW no he’s like my BROTHER he’s so UGLY this filthy disgusting creature why was he even BORN” (i hope yk what i’m referring to HAHA)

no because steven is literally the ideal man like he’s smart…rich…pretty…strong…talented…shy…sweet…i’m realizing he’s lowkey a nagireo love child but we shall ignore that!!

HAHA to be honest swanna isn’t rlly a great pokémon competitively plus hiori has 0 interest in battling so i can rlly see him taming swanna just by being like “oh ya idrc if you don’t fight” and ducklett/swanna is like “oh fr okay” and decides to just be chill with him (imagine it tweaks when it sees karasu though he’d be SO offended)

swanna and barou #bestiesfortheresties 😜🤩 LMAOAO agreed some pokémon logic is kinda crazy but oh well!! and agreed it’s fun to give the pokémon personalities too!! within reader’s team we have houndoom who’s super loyal and cuddly but also strict w the other pokémon, galvantula who’s really sassy + has a napoleon complex + is besties with houndoom, dragalge who’s mostly rlly shy and keeps to itself but seems to like otoya’s greninja, aegislash who goes from supervillain to mild prankster after getting the beating of its life from houndoom (there’s no beef there but aegislash def has a healthy respect for houndoom and sticks close to gyarados after that), and gyarados who is CONVINCED that it’s still a baby magikarp that should be carried around by reader even though it’s ENORMOUS now (kinda like those huge dogs that try to cram themselves into your lap)

okay because hear me out…baby reader + barou find a really pretty rock when they’re playing so they break it in half to keep as like mementos of each other when they’re apart?? but it turns out to be houndoomite…and in the final battle both reader’s houndoom mega evolved so it kills its iwn brother as well as barou while wearing the proof of reader and barou’s love for each other…the way reader’s love for barou gives her the mental strength to command houndoom to destroy his body (out of respect to him/accepting he’ll never come back) and it also gives houndoom the physical strength to overpower its own brother and put an end to things no matter how hard it is…just thinking yk…haha…😭😭😭😭

LMAAOOA the galvantula downplay always goes crazy especially because a tried and true reader combo is sending out gyarados to use rain dance (100% accuracy for electric moves) and then she returns it so naturally her opponent is like what pokémon could she possibly have that’s scarier than a gyarados but then she sends out galvantula HAHAHA the opponent cracks up but they’re not laughing so hard when galvantula absolutely annihilates them w a combo of sure-hit electric moves and sneaky bug attacks 🤩

according to the wiki it’s cavasoz so that’s what i’m going with…anyways i THINK i have the teams down!! and i managed to avoid repeating any pokémon (more difficult than you’d expect) although if you see any repeats lmk so i can change it!! anyways in this au i’m going w the theory that the gym leaders have diff teams that they use depending on how many badges the challenger has (tbh this might be canon from pokémon generations or smth idk it’s miraverse canon) which is why some of the gym leaders seem noticeably weaker!!

gym leaders:

first gym leader — dada silva — ground-type

cubone + diglett

second gym leader — adam blake — normal-type

furfrou + sawsbuck + purugly

third gym leader — anri teieri — psychic-type

meowstic + slowbro + malamar

fourth gym leader — yayoi karasu — flying-type

hawlucha + skarmory + braviary + gligar

fifth gym leader — pablo cavasoz — fairy-type

wigglytuff + mr. mime + togekiss + dedenne

sixth gym leader — julian loki — electric-type

heliolisk + magnezone + stunfisk + electivire + emolga

seventh gym leader — leonardo luna — poison-type

tentacruel + roserade + scolipede + crobat + nidoking

eighth gym leader — jinpachi ego — ghost-type

mismagius + froslass + chandelure + golurk + trevenant + sableye

elite 4 members:

first e4 member — lavinho — bug-type

beedrill + shuckle + butterfree + scizor + heracross + volcarona

second e4 member — chris prince — fire-type

magmortar + camerupt + simisear + darmanitan + magcargo + blaziken

third e4 member — marc snuffy — fighting-type

medicham + scrafty + throh + mienshao + toxicroak + poliwrath

fourth e4 member — noel noa — steel-type

aggron + klefki + excadrill + bronzong + empoleon + bisharp

[syndicatesoot]

Space pirate AU >:)

Some more stuff I haven’t drawn yet:

Quackity runs Las Nevadas, a hidden criminal haven. It’s basically a huge ship-turned-city that Quackity built up himself, it moves position once a year to avoid authorities.

Dream is authorities. He owns the SMP and is trying to crack down on pirates n criminals. He got Sam to build the prison, but Sam works behind his back a lot.

The Eggpire is an evil empire that is trying to take over the SMP. They have a main base/ship that is a giant egg :)

[ghoste-catte]

multiples of 3 ✌🏼-sgmdrcklee

@sagemoderocklee you’re really trying to kill me lol

This got long as heck so I’m throwing it behind a cut. Read on for answers and fic recs! (Mostly the fic recs)

3. favorite line/scene you wrote this year

This is a tough one to answer for me generally because I tend to spit words onto the page and once I have written them I no longer remember writing them. And 2020 has stretched on so long that as I’m looking at some of the stuff I wrote in the beginning of this year, I hardly remember what’s even in it. I think at one point someone (@goblin-draws maybe?) mentioned a line in Sleeptalk with Me where the innkeeper calls Kankuro “chubby boy”, and I was like “Oh ... did I write that? Yeah, sounds like something I’d have someone say to Kankuro ...” 

It might be easier to talk about this in other terms. One of the scenes I worked the hardest on this year was the fight scene in Chapter 3 of Skeleton Key. The original draft of the scene was a lot shorter, and a lot of the backstory for Misaki’s revenge quest was elided. The scene as originally written was clunky, confusing, and as my lovely wife/beta put it sounded “like a Naruto villain” was doing the dialogue, when previously she’d found Misaki sinister and intriguing. Which wasn’t what I wanted. I basically entirely overhauled the scene and re-wrote it several times. I wouldn’t call it a ‘favorite’ scene (I hate writing fight scenes generally; having chosen to immerse myself in a fandom about ninja where much of the drama comes from battle is my eternal regret), but it is a scene that I put a lot of effort into, and I’m moderately satisfied with the improved product that resulted.  

6. least popular fic this year

By far my least popular fic by kudos ever is Pitch Perfect. Which makes complete sense to me. It’s a fic where I’ve written 2 characters who are men in canon as cis women, which pushes a lot of uncomfortable buttons for a lot of people. It contains F/F smut, which is something that a lot of people who choose to read GaaLee probably aren’t out there looking for. And people comment and kudos less on smutfics, I assume because they don’t want their username attached to porn or because they’re embarrassed (which I totally get, no shame there). It’s a modern AU with a sports twist, and AUs are often less popular than canonverse in my experience. I will say though that it has a surprisingly high number of private bookmarks compared to other fics with comparable hit and kudos counts. So I assume people are just a bit more shy because the premise is so ‘out there’. I will say as far as my fics go, it’s one of my personal favorites and probably one of the most intimate and true-to-life things I’ve written? So it actually is a little comforting to know that something so vulnerable has relatively little attention. 

9. longest wip of the year

If we’re going based on stuff that’s partially published but not complete, my Gaara-adopts-Shinki fic On My Way Home is my longest in-progress fic at just over 20k words, although technically I started it in 2019. It will probably end up being right around 40-50k when it’s complete, which might end up situating it as my longest fic ever? 

12. favorite character to write about this year

Okay, this is an easy one. I love writing Kankuro. I think he is hilarious. He is the devil on my shoulder and a creature of pure id, and every time I write a line of dialogue for him it’s the summation of my rudest thoughts about a situation put in the crudest possible terms. If there were a megaphone directly from my unfiltered brain giving running commentary, that would be Kankuro.

15. something you learned this year

I have learned SO much this year! This is only my 2nd year properly ‘focusing’ on writing fic and investing any substantial time into it. I think the biggest thing I have learned, though, is how to overcome a lot of my self-consciousness about writing stories with NSFW elements in them. Starting out, I was so extremely shy and mortified about writing fic at all, much less things like hugging or (god forbid!) kissing. So taking on the smut prompts I took this year and really buckling down on learning to write the mechanics and emotions of sex has been a massive learning experience. (And sorry, by the way, if I haven’t gotten to a prompt you sent me in January yet. I do intend to write all of them eventually!) 

18. current number of WIPs

Ah. The call-out question. My general fic process is idea -> outline -> wip -> edit -> ready to post (where the final draft sits in my docs until I gin up the courage to actually post it). So skipping fics that are just “ideas” on the big mega-list, I have 3 fics in the “outline” stage, 13 fics in the partially written “wip” stage, 1 fic in the “editing” stage, and 2 that are complete but yet-to-be-posted. So, like, 19 total in the offing. (The “ideas” list is even worse lol.)

21. most memorable comment/review

This is such a difficult question because every single comment I get makes me do a little dance for joy. That’s not an exaggeration btw I really sit there and like bounce around in my seat for a moment before I open the Ao3 email. I am not an especially emotive person irl, but there have been times I’ve been brought near tears by comments. I’ll also occasionally show them to my wife like !! look at this nice thing this person said !! and she’s indulgent enough to actually read them. There have been a couple comments that have really stuck with me, that I starred in my inbox and return to frequently, but I don’t want to bring attention to someone else without their permission. I will say there was one person recently who mentioned (not in the comments on one of my fics) that they had found someone who does physical binding of fanfiction and they were about to ask my permission to do that, but then the person who does the binding only does certain ships that she likes ... so that, just, absolutely floored me. The idea that someone might actual want a physical copy of my stupid little ninja fanfictions is, like, so truly immense and completely overwhelming?

24. favorite fic you read this year

You can’t make me pick just one!! (For reference, I have bookmarked right around 180 fics in the past year, and that’s not including fics that I just read, really enjoyed, but didn’t think I could ‘handle’ a second time around.) So, skipping over the ones that AREN’T Naruto ... here is a brief sampling of some faves:

Silica by deepestbluest (rated E, GaaLee, ShikaTema, and Kankiba) - An absolute emotional powerhouse of a fic that manages to skillfully interweave three complex relationship dynamics, satisfactorily resolve them, and give you ALL the sandsibs feels in just over 10k words. 

Childhood Not-Friends (series) by MegaWallflower (rated G, KakaGai) - @megawallflower is a KakaGai god for good reason. Absolutely adorable relationship development fics (five of them!) with the premise that Kakashi thinks he and Gai have been dating since they were kids ... Gai just hasn’t been clued into it yet. These stories will give you heart-eyes.

The Bright Side by gidget_goes (rated T, GaaLee) - This is the Buffy AU I never knew I needed, because I’ve never seen Buffy the Vampire Slayer. But truly you don’t need any Buffy knowledge to enjoy this fic. @gidget-goes command of imagery is masterful, and the way they manage to snap from snark to tugging at your heartstrings is awe-inspiring. Gaara breaks my heart in this. And did I mention Kankuro wears a 10-gallon hat? Because Kankuro wears a 10-gallon hat. 

Nature vs. Nurture by Bidiza (rated T, GaaLee) - So introspective and so poetic. This looks like a WIP but it’s actually multiple oneshots, although by the end of the second one you’ll be dying for the rest of the promised series. 

I’m a Fool to Want You by BeelieveRosemarie (rated M, GaaLee) - Turns out @tuttiefruttiegaalee isn’t just an amazing artist, they’re a writer, too! Slow-dancing that will break your heart. Listen to the Frank Sinatra song while you read this for extra tear-jerking effect.

Let Love be Known (series) by TenTomatoes (rated G, GaaLee) - This is the twist on the arranged marriage trope and Beauty and the Beast that I didn’t realize this fandom was missing. I’m absolutely obsessed with their concept of Gaara as the Beast

I Could Be by LilacNoctua (rated T, GaaLee) - I know I big up @lilac-writes Worthwhile series a lot (deservedly so, because it’s so good it makes you look at the series and go “Why the fuck didn’t Kishimoto make this canon exactly like this?”), but this story made me absolutely die between the butterflies in my stomach and how hard I was laughing. There’s one line--you’ll know it when you read it--that absolutely bowls me over every time I re-read this. 

And Then Continue by EgregiousDerp (rated E, GaaLee) - Obviously I’m biased because this was a gift, but @egregiousderp writes some of the the best characterized porn I’ve ever read. You will read this and go “Wow! This is exactly how it would happen!” It’s such a tender, beautiful exploration of Gaara’s insecurities and a very real feeling first time, for all its soft edges. 

Cake by citronelle (rated E, KanKiba) - I don’t even know what to say about this one other than ... phew, this is extremely well written, extremely hot, and extremely in character. Just read it. I promise it’s worth it. 

Saudade by YumKiwiDelicious (rated M, GaaLee) - I’ve run around reccing this to just about every person on the face of the earth at this point. If you’re in the GaaLee Discord you probably saw everyone salivating over every new update of this fic and with good reason. The twists and turns of this fic will have you on the edge of your seat, second guessing every single moment. And it will break your heart in the meantime. What more could you want?

the love potion commotion by floating_cats (rated T, NejiSasu with background GaaLee) - One of those fics where you wish the author’s sense of humor was your own. So many hilarious moments in this story, and it brought me a new appreciation for a ship I never would have even considered. 

Finger Lickin’ Good by whazzername (rated E, GaaLee) - Whazz is another one of those authors where I literally want to rec every single thing she’s ever written, she’s just that good. (Speaking of which, if you haven’t read Fools Rush In and its sequel Degrees of Separation, you’re missing out on the best possible Metal origin story of all time. Don’t deprive yourself of this.) But this story is just ... so incredibly in character for a situation that reads like crack. It’s handled with the utmost straight-facedness and it’s so. freakin’. good. 

heart lines by winterberry_holly (rated M, NejiTen and GaaLee) - I don’t even have the words to describe how perfect this fic is. It’s a truly beautiful exploration of Tenten’s relationship with her palmistry hobby and with the people in her life. My heart ached with every single line. 

Standing on Ceremony by kuroashi (rated E, GaaLee) - This is just ... such a beautiful wedding story. So lovely, like getting the best possible warm hug from someone you love. If that love one was slightly strange and socially inept, because, well. It’s still Gaara doing Gaara-things. @baphometsss is another one of those authors whose handling of smut scenes is so stupendous it makes me wildly jealous. 

Thrall by RokiRiot (rated T, GaaLee) - Idiots-to-lovers with a magic AU twist! This is such a wonderful story, and Gaara’s internal monologue is absolutely amazing. And Lee is Deaf in this fic, which I never ever get to see and which absolutely made my entire day/week/month/life. 

Make-Out Consequences by LuxaLucifer (rated M, KakaGai with background canon Boruto ships) - I laughed so hard reading this that I had to take a breather to stop crying. That’s not an exaggeration. The characterization in this fic is impeccable and the humor is to die for. Naruto’s buffoonery truly shines here, and the author’s wit is just beyond anything I could even properly summarize. Hysterical. A++. 

Thirteen Strokes by Luna_Lee (rated T, GaaLee) - Again, like, if you aren’t reading literally everything @sagemoderocklee writes, are you even really a GaaLee fan? But this fic is beyond even for one of Eeri’s incredibly excellent writings. The worldbuilding in this, the cultural notes, the imagery ... it’s all so lush and so fulfilling and so beautiful. It’s a story about love and it’s a story that you can tell has love poured into every single line. I can’t recommend it enough. 

Checkmate by shadowstrangle (rated G, GaaLee) - The pettiness vibes ... this is so funny. Such a cute story and I love Gaara’s sense of humor here. Not a lot of writers give him a sense of humor, but I love how @shadowstrangle gives him a slightly odd, slightly left-of-center take on humor that still manages to be so funny. 

To Court a Village by FanFictionEngineer (rated G, GaaLee) - Another one where my bias is perhaps slightly obvious, but the premise of this fic is amazing. I love cultural misunderstandings, and the idea of Lee trying his hardest to court Gaara ineptly is just so perfect. 

affliction of feeling by theformerone (rated E, SakuHina) - One of those ships that it would never have occurred to me to seek out but that absolutely works with how the author’s set it up. The dynamics here are delicious. It’s so rare to find good F/F porn but this is one of them for sure. 

Tried and Tested by twentysomething (Rated M, KakaIru with background canon Boruto ships and GaaLee) - Iruka’s narration in this story is just incredible. I haven’t laughed this hard reading a fic in ages. And the concept alone (that Naruto can’t be promoted to Hokage until he passes his chuunin exams ... as an adult ... and Sasuke gets dragged along for the ride) is just brilliant. Amazing concept, amazingly executed. 

a fireside waltz by winterberry_holly (rated M, GaaLee) - I really tried not to rec a single author more than once here but for this one I had to. I got about halfway through this fic and immediately started running around ringing the town crier bell like READ THIS FIC! READ THIS FIC! An absolutely smoldering Regency AU with such beautiful, intimate dance scenes. My heart was racing every single time their fingers brushed. If you don’t read anything else on this list, at the very least read this. 

27. favorite fanfic author of the year

I really can’t pick just one. I am lucky enough that @egregiousderp passes me her drafts under the table before (or without) publishing, and getting to read those is a private treat of unparalleled proportions. Some of my favorite things I’ve read this year I can’t even rec because they’re her unpublished stuff. 

30. favorite fandom to read fic from this year

This is gonna come off strange because I just wrote such a long Naruto reclist, but I recently watched What We Do in the Shadows, and found an incredibly talented group of authors in that fandom with really amazingly good dialogue and narrative voice. I also read a lot of fic for the new It movies (even though I couldn’t watch the 2nd one for ~reasons~), and damn if there isn’t a talented crop of authors in that fandom, too. And finally with ATLA making its way onto Netflix, I had the chance to start watching that for the first time and found a ton of really good fic there as well! 

fanfic end of the year asks!

[millennialzadr]

WHY I LOVE ZADR!!!

HEY GUYS WHASSUP? LMAO

So this is a whole ass giant long post of me absolutely spewing my feelings of love for ZADR, it was the very first thing I wrote when I made this blog and I think it’s a nice, positive thing for my fellow shippers to inhale and enjoy 👌👌

it was originally a reply to mitarashiart’s post about why HE loves ZADR (link in replies) but I decided to delete that and make my own post since MY WHOLE ENTIRE TEXT WALL WAS SHOWN IN THE REPLIES and drowned out anyone else who was trying to talk (thanks tumblr mobile u fuckin idiot)

I had also posted a summary of an AU that I’m working on in the original post, but decided to remove it since it just about doubled the length (I’m thinking about posting it separately along with the wips I’ve been putting together, we’ll see 👀)

But ANYWAY, here is about a million reasons why I think ZADR is the fucking best, so if you like reading gushy gay ship feelings, please enjoy ❤���❤️❤️

[Posted June 2019][WARNING, LONG ASS THOUGHT BARF]

SOOO, holy hell y’all my journey back into this fandom has been a wild and unique experience for me, i went from adding invader zim to my bookmarks on kisscartoon, rewatching the series, finding out theres a movie coming out, finding out there was a shitload of content i’d never seen before (commentaries, lost episode scripts and audios, panels, the COMIC, episodes i’d never seen because the dvd i used to watch was scratched!! and a FUCKLOAD of quality modern fan art like oh my GOD) and finally curiously googling ‘zadr’ (which i was way into when i was maybeee 13/14) to see if there was any interesting new art, and holy hell, mita (the artist above) singlehandedly THREW me down the hole into modern zadr hell, first with his absolutely stunning IZ art (all his art is dope tho check him out yo), then reading the above explanation put the final nail in the coffin like, 100%

so i wanted to add onto his post here on why this ship got me so fucked up, both for anyone who might be wondering why on earth i’m shipping two characters from a kid’s show (i’m very aware how weird that is at first glance trust me) and also so i can get some ideas down for possible future reference (will i ever draw them? maybe)

(first of all, a disclaimer, and this is not pleasant to write but it’s important to address for clarity’s sake: I have no interest in romantic or sexual relationships between minors, and do not ship zim and dib as they are presented canonically in the show (as children). what i’m interested in is the conceptualized relationship they may have as modern adults, and i view zadr more as taking the concepts of existing characters and experimenting with them with different interpretations, which i personally think is a constructive and fun creative outlet, especially if these characters hold personal significance for you (childhood faves of course). growing up together is an important facet of their relationship, and certainly they were important to each other even as children (see: mopiness of doom) but as an adult i’m personally curious about what kind of adults they might’ve become, and that’s the focus of my interest. i’ll still be reblogging regular IZ art because it’s dope but if you see shippy looking art of them as tiny lil beans its either friendship or chibis (and i personally headcanon zim as getting taller with dib but some people stick with his canonical height when drawing them as adults, which is super short. it still doesn’t mean he’s a kid). aaand i wish i didnt have to write this and it would just be obvious but we live in a sick sad world and it is sourced from a children’s cartoon so i feel its necessary. end of disclaimer)

NOW THAT THAT’S OUT OF THE WAY

- ok, first reason’s a bit obvious - the nostalgia. holy hell, the feeling of rediscovering a ship that was popular when i was a preteen during the mid 2000s and discovering a totally new perspective on it as an adult comes with an almost totally overwhelming sense of nostalgia and comfort, as well as inspiration!! the kind of art that seems so common for zadr, these sketch pages of scenes and expressions and visual gags where artists would just scribble every idea they had and LOVE doing it, this was exactly the kind of art that made me so passionate about drawing as a kid, and it still sparks such a powerful feeling of love and admiration for me to this day. fan content of iz and zadr is simultaneously achingly familiar and totally new and fascinating, and it just makes me SO damn happy to consume, it is most definitely my new comfort content. and just, GOD. THE ART!! SO GOOD. FUCK

- now for the characters themselves: for some reason i just really love the thought of a mid twenties, modern Dib?? lanky goth dork, disaster bi, depressed as shit, uses bad sweaters and memes to cope?? when i was a kid i didn’t even LIKE Dib, but now i totally sympathize with him! he’s just a hyper obsessive nerd wishing there was more to life than the situation he got stuck with, how wildly relatable. he was a pretty big asshole as a kid (even to people besides zim) but he was also totally isolated and constantly bullied, so there’s a lot of room for growth. i feel there’s a lot of juicy character development potential for that boy, and there’s always been a special place in my heart for characters who are totally sad and screwed and hopeless, but there’s one thing, or person, that means the world to them and could possibly save them…

- aliens. Zim. i love nonhuman characters, i love monsters, i love aliens, i love characters that don’t understand human shit (and thus have much less room for shame or fear bc theyre just totally oblivious the negatives of modern society) and need guidance (bonding!!) from their human. i also love morally grey characters and characters with skewed logic, they’re always really interesting, and Zim himself just has such a unique personality and set of mannerisms, he contradicts himself a lot and you can never quite expect how he’ll behave, and i love that in a character, it makes them super versatile and fun, especially since there’s so many different possibilities for their development. Also, Zim is a gremlin, a little shit, and a disaster. I also love those traits in a character. And don’t even get me started on his character design?? big sparkly eyes? expressive antennae? monster teeth? complimenting colors? he’s adorable.

- mutual obsession. for someone like Dib, who seems almost repulsed by how boring and slow the people around him are, Zim quite literally personifies Dib’s  escapist fantasies, both as an inhuman entity from beyond the stars, and as a person who’s knowledge, charisma and mystery far exceeds that of anyone Dib has met in his entire life. (so basically what i’m saying is that for a shunned, jaded misanthropist, an actual alien is terribly alluring, even if said alien is dangerous, stupid, and possibly insane). not to mention Zim vindicates Dib’s entire life passion, the supernatural! Even when their relationship is totally negative, there is not a single inch of room for Dib to get tired of Zim. as mita explained, they validate each other. for Zim, WHO AGAIN, IS TOTALLY SHUNNED, ISOLATED, AND HATED BY EVERYONE HE KNOWS, Dib is the only person in the universe who gives a single shit about him!! he gives Zim credit as a threat, a capable invader, which if you ask me is the sole thing Zim is after (he’s hellbent on his mission because it would win him the approval of the tallest, all he’s ever wanted is recognition from the people he thinks so highly of). He literally gets depressed when Dib isn’t around to pay attention to him, not even the tallest were enough to motivate him before Dib came back. these two have no one and nothing without each other, and while lifelong nemeses is fine and dandy, i personally prefer friendship, affection and love, cause i’m a softie like that. how could they possibly get there after years of actively trying to kill each other?? well, i think under just the right circumstances it could become a possibility after a long, long time.

- growth. i. love. me. some. good. character growth. especially for characters with trauma/mental illness, bc again, relatable. these boys have issues, and as mita mentioned, their canon stories are actually INCREDIBLY sad! but the happy thought is, they could recover! they could help each other recover, for little reason other than the two are the only source of happiness for each other. now of course this also opens the gate for angst lovers, but at the same time offers potential for comforting, uplifting content of the boys supporting and inspiring each other, maybe even to the point of becoming happy and healthy enough to create the lives they want for themselves (as in appreciating life and doing things that make them actually happy instead of the delusions of grandeur they both sought when they were younger). gimme that positive shit and let the poor beans be happy  щ(ಠ益ಠщ)

- LITTLE THINGS. LITTLE THINGS THAT ONLY COME WITH CHILDHOOD FRIENDS. WITH HUMAN/NONHUMAN. WITH THE SHOW’S WEIRD LOGIC. Zim being the person Dib knows best and vice versa. Zim having an involuntary respect/admiration for Dib because he’s tall. Learning each other’s needs, limits, and communication methods, both emotionally and biologically. Sensitive antennae. Affectionate bickering. Being less insecure bc your partner literally has no idea why you see your flaws as flaws. Laughing at the flaws they do notice because they make no sense. Zim only wanting to eat waffles and chow mein. Dib being forced to overcome his depression lethargy and stay hygienic/keep the apartment clean because Zim has a sharper sense of smell and is afraid of germs. Endless conversation about anything and everything because they’re from literally different worlds, and endless intrigue. TOUCHING. TALKING. DOING EVERYTHING LIKE ITS THE VERY FIRST TIME AND ALWAYS NEEDING THE OTHER TO GUIDE THEM. HOLY HELL THERE IS SO MUCH POSSIBILITY FOR TINY LITTLE MOMENTS THAT MEAN THE WORLD. FUCK. GOT ME FUCKED UP.

so that wraps up the why. fuck man. its just such a good ship. if you read this big ass text post, thank you for indulging me, i hope you enjoyed it! because i enjoy it very much 👀 so stick around if you’d like to for a shit load of IZ and zadr content on this blog, possibly (MAYBE) even from me!! come roll around in alien hell with me why dontcha ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ its a fun time! thanks for reading!!!

-

SO THAT’S MY MANIFESTO Y’ALL, FEEL FREE TO REPLY WITH YOUR OWN REASONS!! I WOULD LOVE FOR THIS POST TO JUST BECOME A BIG GIANT PILE OF LOVE AND YELLING!! GO NUTS! SCREAM ABOUT IT! INFODUMP! DO WHATEVER YOU WANT! I’LL READ EVERY LAST REPLY! Y’ALL DESERVE TO ENJOY YOUR SHIP BC IT’S LITERALLY THE FUCKING BEST!!! LOVE Y’ALL!!!!!!

[kinetic-elaboration]

February 23: Writing Projects - Help?

I’m really floundering in terms of what I should be writing, since I’ve finished the Clarke/Maya draft and I apparently can’t work on my Bellarke fic right now. So I’m writing out potential ideas partly for myself, and partly to outsource the process--which is to say I’m not expecting assistance but I would welcome assistance.

Any thoughts, tumblr? Anything you would like to see me actually finish and post? Anyone want to talk writing in general?

I have put this in a random order so as not to give away any of my own thoughts re: priorities.

Or Anyone Like You - Bellarke. Modern AU in which Bellarke have a stereotypical summer romance, and then later Clarke returns to the scene of the crime to Reminisce.

This is a series of writing exercises that almost has a plot. It’s supposed to be lowkey but somehow it’s been literally over a year since I worked on it.

oh well you’ve got me under your spell (chapter 2) - Bellarke. All the cliches: high school au, best friend’s brother, pining.

I loved this fic with my whole heart and fully intended to continue it but I got stuck and couldn’t unstick myself and now it’s like the Grail of writing. I have some plans/outlines/whatever but it’s not cooperative.

A Watch With No Hands Interlude - Bellarke. A canon-divergent AU in which the Ark stations come down all at once. Bellamy escapes Alpha Station to look for his sister and the rest of Prison Station, and runs into Grounder!Clarke and her peaceful, art-loving clan. Part One was my Bellarke Big Bang in 2019. It left off with Bellarke seeing flares from a potential Ark station.

The interlude is going to be two chapters and one has been written, the other outlined. I won’t post either until they’re both done. I haven’t worked on it in a long time and I’m a little intimidated by it, not just for that reason.

And They Lived: A Sleeping Beauty AU (chapter 5) - Bellarke. Clarke is Sleeping Beauty, trapped in the City of Light. Bellamy wakes her up.

I have the first two chapters up on AO3 and another two written in draft form, plus part of chapter five. There are only six chapters. I... don’t even know lol. It just feels like a mess.

The Party Fic - Various pairings. Modern/hs au. Nothing happens, I just wallow in my favorite style.

This is super self-indulgent and I don’t know if I’ll ever post any of it. Nevertheless I wrote one whole chapter of it and always thought it would be fun to write another.

Sequel to Where I’ll Spend Through Winter - Bellarke. A modern AU that’s basically just them pining for each other, a lot. In the sequel, Bellamy pines yet more, and Clarke (appears to?) move on.

This is the fic I’m fucking stuck on.

All Pair Challenge - various pairings, each stand alone. I’ve been working on this series for over a year and I’m literally 7 away from finishing.

Bellarke Bingo: Love Potion: Bellarke (unsurprisingly). The Blake siblings own a weird-stuff-and-antiques shop. Clarke takes a love potion and falls in love with Bellamy.

I have this mostly outlined but it has a lot of Issues, and I’m having a hard time figuring out both how to fix those issues, and how to start.

South - Murven. A modern AU in which Murphy and Raven take a road trip, stay in a bed and breakfast, share a bed, and maybe eventually make it to their destination.

Like Or Anyone Like You, this is in the form of a series of writing exercises, but it almost wants to become a real fic. I’m shocked by how long it’s been since I last wrote it.

Dual Timeline Fic: Jonty. Two stories--in one! A modern AU in which Monty can’t figure out his feelings and a canon-divergent AU in which both Monty and Jasper end up in the bunker and Monty still can’t figure out his feelings.

This one is straight up From the Vault lol. I haven’t worked on it in ages and I have no idea what happens next but I do like what I had.

Bellarke Exes - Bellarke. Clarke returns to town with her new boyfriend but her relationship with Bellamy remains complicated.

I’ve been working on this one off and on for a while. I continue as long as it works and then abandon it as soon as I get stuck.

The Marriage Fic - Jonty and Bellarke. Fluffy modern AU, est. relationship Jonty react to Bellarke wedding.

I only wrote one scene that I actually like but basically it’s the self-indulgent fluff universe that makes me happier when I’m sad.

Never-Contented Things! - Octaven. My original idea for the first round of Chopped 1.0. Raven works in a coffee shop. Octavia is a fairy who follows her home from work.

I have a decent idea of the Feel of this universe, plus an outline, but I want to do it justice, which is an intimidating prospect.

There’s Only One Bed!: Jonty. This is a request. I have no ideas for whatsoever other than what it says on the tin.

Autumn ‘Verse: Various pairings. Indescribable, in part because this fic has been 20 million different things over time. I realize this isn’t helpful. It’s sorta magical, maybe, and there might be ghosts?

Ark AU: Various pairings, including Bellarke, Wellven, Briller. The Ark never ran out of oxygen, and the delinquents are out of the Sky Box and trying to make lives for themselves. Some politics, some Law Nonsense.

This is a freaking epic and I’m having a good time planning it but will it ever be written? Other than the first two scenes? Idk.

Chopped: Maya and Octavia: For Chopped 2.0 Round 1 (?). Lexa doesn’t take Dante’s deal, and the Sky People/Grounder alliance destroys the Mountain. There are many casualties, but some survivors, and now no one knows what to do. I call it the “Maya and Octavia” fic because I had this idea they’d be the two main characters.

I don’t really want to write yet more MW and/or Maya fic right now but this one is tempting because I have this idea (lol) that it will be short?

Chopped: Briller: A reject from a round I didn’t write for, I think 1.0 Round 2? The one with the time loop. Farm Station takes over Mount Weather, then secedes from Arkadia. Briller are exes.

This one fell to the bottom of the pile once I decided I didn’t want to write a time loop or otherwise use the Chopped tropes for it. So now it’s just a universe, no plot. But I had fun writing Briller again recently so I’m wondering if I should resurrect it.

Frog Sounds: Jasper, Maya, Monty, Raven, Bellarke. The first four visit the last two in the woods.

I wrote this series initially just for some Atmosphere Practice / Nostalgia and then I just kept going. And then I stopped again. But sometimes I think I’d like to write more of it.

[logicalyfun]

May we play

Musician au

Characters: Patton, Logan, Roman, Virgil

This is the first LAMP ive ever made, have mercy on me :)

Sorry for bad grammar :)))

Thanks to @stop-it-anxiety for beta reading

This is a concept and idea ive had in mind for sometime now. Wanted to do this and see how it would turn out, hope you enjoy it :)

_________

'C,D,A,F,'

Logan chanted on him mind as he played the violin piece infront of him. So lost in the music, the feeling of the strings under his finger tips. It was a slow piece he was playin, obviously classical although he sometimes didn't like classical that much. But his mom made him play classical music from Paganini to Mozart to Chopin and so much more.He smiles as he played the last note of the paper. He had to practice more if he really wanted to be a good musician. A yes being in an orchestra, in the violin section, now that-.His thought were interrupted by one of his roommates, Patton. That bubbly saxophonist didn't even play classical, he just played whatever they gave him but most likely jazz, which in a way made his curious of that music style."Hey Logan what you up to""Just practicing some classical pieces, the usual".

"Boring, come on you know theres more to play, how about un poco de salsa o plena" said his other roommate called Roman. He was hispanic which you dont see around these areas sometimes. Hes pretty dramatic, is in a drama club and also plays the trumpet. They match, they are both pretty loud and both together pretty amazing.

Logan titled his head in confusion. "What is all that, some classical music I've never heard of" Logan said still confused

Patton and Roman eyes widen, "wait you dont know what those genre is" Roman said with a surprise voice. Logan shrugged and said no.

"Well you only know classical, how about we show you the rest" Patton said.

"I can't I need to practice, i dont have time for silly games"

"But you have time for word association game don't you" Patton said.

"Dont you dare mess with my favorite game"

Roman meanwhile had an idea. "Say Logan how about we take you to the music room and there we can show you what do yo-"" Roman i told you i dont have tim-""But you can practice there too" Logan stopped and thought about it. He did want to learn more about music and he had to admit that it was getting kinda boring just playing classical so..

"Alright ill go, just lets do this quick" Logan said grabbing the violin suitcase and following to Patton and Roman who was talking to someone via phone call.

As they opened the music room, Logan saw some big and small cases, some drums and percussion around and a piano. He had been here but only for a short amount of time.

"Roman took you long enough to get here" and there appeared Logan third roommate, Virgil. Virgil was pretty dark and had his ways but also very dedicated to his instruments. He played guitar, drums and some wind instruments.

"Virge, its an emergency! Specs here doesn't know any other genre other than classical, and we are here to show him some songs" Roman said taking his trumpet out.

"Well i have some suggestion, may i go first" Patton said with his alto saxophone in his hands. Roman and Virgil nod and sit down on some chairs.

"Okay Logan im gonna play a song, if you want you can join or any of you can join" and there he started, going slowly and having a bit of a sway to it. Play every dinamic and note making it sound beautiful. Logan got his violin out and listen closely to Patton and he started playing with him

"Oh i love this song,

"Fly me to the moon

Let me play among the stars

Let me see what spring is like on

Jupiter and Mars

In other words, hold my hand

In other words, baby, kiss me"

Patton and Logan playing together with Roman singing and Virgil adding a bit of percussion. They were magnificent, Logan couldn't believe what he heard, he actually enjoyed playing it.

"In other words, please be true

In other words

I love you"

"I must say that was... good, pretty average" Logan said "and Pat i didn't know you played Jazz so good"

"Well yea, Jazz music is one of the biggest reasons I play the saxophone, it my favorite genre" he said smiling at Logan.

"I see that what Jazz music sounds like, I like it"

"Oh and we are just starting, te tocare una bolero, it one of my favorite, Virgil.."

Strumming, slow and gentle playing just before the trumpet started playing play. A slow melody not to loud or low just perfect. He swayed with the rhythm of the song.

"Besame,

besame mucho

Como si fuera esta noche

la ultima vez,"

Romans voice, so soft and slow made Logan start swaying at the rhythm of the music.

"Wanna dance" Patton extended his hand which Logan accepted.

Swaying together with the trumpet and guitar in the background. He was starting to enjoy more and more all that he was doing.

"Besame, besame mucho

Que tengo miedo a perderte

Perderte después"

"So what ya think, still prefer common classical" Patton said still dancing with him.

"I mean classical is what i live for, but this is something new in a way, but I won't let classical go that fast" he said smiling and giving Patton a spin. Patton giggled and continued dancing.

And as they stopped dancing, Roman played the last note that concluded the song.

"I am very impressed Roman"Logan said. "Well it nothin-"" I cant believe you dont always play forte, I mean i am impressed" Logan said smiling at a annoyed Roman.

"Okay okay my turn, im gonna play more of a latin pop as you could say song" Virgil said connecting his guitar.

Latin pop? Logan though, now that was something he had barely heard of. And it was starting with a rapid pace, moving his fingers so quickly and yet made an astonish rhythm.

"Para bailar La Bamba

Para bailar La Bamba

Se necessita una poca de gracia

Una poca de gracia"

Virgil and Patton sang in unison.

Such genre, was so different and made you body just fill with adrenalin, an amazing feeling he had never felt before.

"I see someone is enjoy""well actually yes, this is turning out better than i expected, Roman i wasnt sure what type of music i was gonna hear today, i wasnt even that exited" Logan said looking at Roman.

"Well, I can't blame ya, i used to only play the same stuff over and over again, it was nice i guess but I didnt feel like i enjoyed it as much. When u found out about this genre, sin mentirte me encanto, i love it and decide from now on to keep discovering new music" Roman said.

"Remember Lo, don't stay in the same place forever, embrace yourself, open youre wing and find new thing that are awaiting you" Virgil said. Logan never notice when they stopped playin but he still had the rhythm of the song in repeat.

"But I don't have wings. I dont know where to start" Logan said.

"Hey Logie, remember one step at a time and everything will be okay. Plus will be here with you if you need us" Patton said smiling and hugging him.

"Say i do have one last song called Conga, would be pretty cool to play" Roman said looking at Virgil and Patton.

For Logan it seemed like they had talk telepathically because they all just grabbed their instrument and some papers.

"A one, two and one two.."

"PA DA DAM" was the first thing Logan heard coming from his rommates. Blasting like rhythm that was sure to make you move and dance. He wondered what this genre was called. He wanted to join the rhythm so bad but didnt known it on vio-

And thats when he saw it, the piano and there he had an idea. It was worth trying but he wanted to. He sat down in the piano and listen to the rhythm and notes they were playing. Breath in and breath out...

He began playing matching the speed and the song. His finger going fast, feeling the keys under his finger trying not to play them that hard.

"Well ill say.." Patton said looking in awe at Logan as he played.

"Well why stop, come on" Logan said as he kept playing, hearing Roman, Patton and Virgil join.

Logan was enjoy the moment, he never thought he would enjoy doing this and not actually practicing. He loved it actually, the rhythm, the velocity and everything from every song. Logan smiled as he looked at his roommate, who finally open his eyes to new music.

And Logan finally understood what the others meant.

"So Logan we were talking and we wanted to ask, would you like to koin are little band as we call it" Virgil said.

"Why not, I'd love too" Logan said being attacked by hugs from his .. friends, being attacked by his new friends.

[artificialqueens]

as the stars align 7/? (branjie) - rujubees

A/N: hollywood enemies to lovers au; 5.2k - also on ao3

Brooke ended up enjoying her time in Vancouver more than she’d expected to. Life on a TV set was fast-paced and constantly busy, so there was little time to miss Vanessa or wonder what more could’ve happened between them had the timing been right.

It was certainly weird being thrust into a new role so soon after Stars, and Brooke knew that playing two queer characters so close together would raise more questions about her own sexuality, but she was used to the mindless gossip and speculation by this point.

Even stranger was working with a love interest that wasn’t played by Vanessa. Her new on-screen girlfriend was played by Violet Chachki, an actress Brooke greatly admired, but she wasn’t attracted to her despite her gorgeous looks. When they filmed their first kiss and Brooke felt nothing, she almost wanted to laugh at how she ever thought she didn’t have feelings for Vanessa, when their scripted kisses had been completely different to any other Brooke had ever experienced.

Even so, Brooke returned to Los Angeles three weeks into October, convinced that she was over Vanessa. ‘Out of Sight, Out of Mind’ had been working out well for her, having not seen the other woman for over two months, and having had barely any time to stalk her Instagram or catch up with her over text. They’d exchanged a couple of messages here and there, mostly in the form of promises to meet up once Brooke was home, but they didn’t bring up That Night, and Brooke had no expectations of it happening again.

Which she was fine with. And maybe Brooke hadn’t slept with anyone else since Vanessa, but it was just because her work was tiring and any days or nights off that she had, she wanted to keep to herself rather than share with other people. Besides, it had only been two months — hardly an unbearable amount of time to go without having sex.

It was a Tuesday when Brooke finally opened the messages she’d had stored on her phone since the day prior, having then been unable to face socialising after her travels back from Canada. She hated to admit how one caught her eye immediately.

Vanessa: Halloween Party at mine next Thursday! U better come, I know ur home then bitch. ;)

Brooke laughed, excitement bubbling inside her at the thought of getting to see Vanessa on one of her favourite holidays. She sent a quick text in confirmation that she would be present, and immediately began coming up with all of the costume possibilities, feeling thankful that her hectic schedule from the last couple of months meant that she’d forgotten the occasion was so near, and subsequently she had failed to commit to any plans for the night already. She had put so much effort into convincing herself that she was over Vanessa, but still nothing could persuade her that there was any better way to spend Halloween than in her co-worker’s company.

Brooke had a rummage through her walk-in closet on the off chance that she would find something right for the event, but all she had was last years mummy costume that had worked perfectly with her ballet training. Who was she kidding, anyway — of course, she was going to use the party as an excuse to treat herself to something new and custom made. It would be the first time seeing Vanessa — and probably the rest of the cast and crew — in months. She had to look good.

It wasn’t long before the perfect idea came to mind. She only had a week, but luckily Brooke knew just the designer who would be up to the task.

—

On October 31st, Brooke stood in front of her dressing table mirror, adding the finishing touches to her lipstick, proudly admiring her work. She had to admit, she felt like this was the best she had ever looked. The luxury of having a week off meant she’d gotten tons of beauty sleep the night before, lying in before taking her time to pamper herself in the shower, spending hours carefully applying her makeup and gently curling her platinum hair that she had allowed to grow long.

She’d decided to go as Catwoman, and enlisted one of her favourite local designers, Raja, to tailor her the perfect latex catsuit that fit like a second skin, clinging to her hips and ass so much she felt explicit. She’d decided against a mask, wanting to show off her freshly bleached, tumbling locks, and settled on a pair of matching cat ears to complete the look. It was minimalist, yet sexy, if Brooke did say so herself.

“Brooke! The car’s here!” Nina yelled up the stairs, Brooke slipping her feet into slick black heels and grabbing her clutch and phone. She checked the time, noticing that it was already half nine, meaning the party would be in full swing by now. Brooke also had a couple of casual texts from Vanessa that she’d held herself back from replying to, for some reason feeling the need to play it cool as much as possible.

“Tequila shots before we leave?” Brooke suggested as she descended the stairs as elegantly as one possibly could in sky-high heels that she really should’ve waited to put on.

“Girl, oh my God, look at you!” Plastique let out as she came into view. She looked pretty cute herself in a pink Playboy bunny outfit. Brooke didn’t know the girl well, having only had brief exchanges with her during filming, but she had seemed to form a group somewhat with Shuga, Yvie and Scarlet, while Brooke had been focused on Vanessa the whole time. She thought it was about time she got to know them all a little bit more, and the idea of turning up to Vanessa’s in a group comforted her —

— hence the gathering at her house right now, the four women ready in the hall, plus Nina of course.

There was a chorus of wolf whistles and compliments as Brooke did a little strut to the kitchen — she knew that in another life, she could’ve been a full-time model.

“Who you tryna impress tonight, bitch?” Yvie asked, leading Scarlet hand in hand as the rest of the girls followed Brooke into the kitchen.

“Oooh, Brooke Lynn, please tell us!” Nina exclaimed dramatically, as if the last time they spoke in person hadn’t consisted of Brooke claiming she was over Vanessa and Nina telling her she was nuts. Brooke fixed her with a stern glare, hoping she could put her off of pulling this shit all night, but it had been a long time since her manager had been intimidated by her.

“Oh, guys, hush. It’s no one, I’m just trying to make my LA society comeback in style, that’s all,” Brooke said with a shrug.

“Well, it’s a damn waste if you ask me. You look fine as hell tonight, honey,” Shuga hummed. “You know, if I didn’t have a husband…”

“I know what you mean, Shugs. If I were single, I’d be all over that,” Scarlet teased, Yvie sticking her tongue out at her in response. “Seriously, Brooke. You can score whoever you want in that getup.”

“Okay. Why are you guys being so nice? I mean, I’m not the only one dressed up here,” — a quick glance at Plastique’s wide-eyed face confirmed Brooke’s suspicions that something was up. “Nina. A word?” she said through gritted teeth.

The other girls scurried off into the hallway, leaving Nina to mindlessly clear up the glasses as she tried to avoid Brooke’s gaze.

“I’m your manager, not your housekeeper you know —“

“Did you tell them about Vanessa?” Brooke jumped to the point.

“See? Your mind went there even though you think you’ve moved on. You totally aren’t over her!” Nina whizzed round to face her.

“I — what? I am. Clearly you don’t believe me and told them about her — us — anyway.”

“B, look, everybody knows. It’s been obvious for months, and even now, you still talk about her in the same way as before. You guys had sex!” — Brooke shushed Nina frantically — “She wants you back, I don’t understand why you’re trying so hard to pretend you’ve moved on. Isn’t this what you’ve been hoping for the whole time? Why are you trying to downplay it?”

“Actually, I don’t know that she wants that. When we slept together, I made it clear it was a one-time thing. I have no reason to think she wants a relationship or to even have sex again,” Brooke whispered.

“Brooke, you — why did you say that? God, you’re so dumb.” Nina was shaking her head like Brooke was beyond her help and she was finally giving up.

“It was just easier. She’s so young and, like, the biggest romantic I’ve ever met, and she’s the most beautiful goddamn person in the world. I wasn’t about to try and tie her down only to abandon her for Canada a week later,” Brooke revealed sadly.

“Oh, Brooke. You’re so in love, it amazes me how you don’t see it.”

“I — what?” Brooke all but yelled. “I’m not — I’m not in love, I told you, I’m… I’m fine,” she spluttered, which probably wasn’t helping her case. “I don’t even have feelings for her anymore. You’ll see, Nina.”

“Brooke, don’t make yourself unhappy to prove a point,” Nina pleaded with her. The words made Brooke uneasy. She wasn’t in love. She’d had a crush on Vanessa, sure, but she’d never let it get that deep. Nina didn’t know shit.

“Y’all, some of us would actually like to get to this party before the clock strikes midnight,” Shuga called from where the rest of them were stood waiting.

Nina sighed before trotting off, Brooke trailing behind as soon as she could compose herself, her walk lacking the confidence she’d been full of before.

—

“It’s ten o’ clock, where is she?!” Vanessa exclaimed between nervous glances at her phone and sips of her cocktail. Time Warp was ringing through her large, bustling open plan apartment, and as much as Vanessa was proud of her Halloween playlist, she really just wanted to turn it the fuck down so she could listen out for any signs that Brooke had arrived.

“Bitch, chill, you’re being too much. She’s probably on her way. You’ve already texted her enough times,” Silky huffed at her, her iffy The Wiz cosplay making her one of the least menacing costumes there.

“And she ain’t even read ‘em. What if she wants nothin’ to do with me anymore?”

“Calm yo melodramatic Libra ass down. I’m serious, Vanj, you need to play hard to get.”

In spite of Silky’s words of wisdom, Vanessa knew she’d be unable to relax and enjoy herself until Brooke finally showed her face.

She missed her so, so much.

When Brooke announced that she was going away for work in Canada, Vanessa briefly thought that maybe she would finally be given the distance she needed to move on. That possibility flew out the window just as quickly, as after she slept with Brooke, she knew that she couldn’t just move on from her. Not now, possibly not ever.

Vanessa remembered how Brooke had propositioned her, and how she’d almost hoped that the sex between them would be bad. Almost hoped that they were incompatible, since Brooke had made it very clear that she wasn’t after a relationship, or even a friends with benefits situation — she wanted a one night stand, and Vanessa wanted so much more.

But, cliché as it was, the exact opposite had turned out to be true, and Vanessa couldn’t say she was surprised. It had been some of the best sex she’d ever had, passionate and intimate and short and sweet because it had been such a long time coming. And there was no getting Brooke out of her head after that.

After a few more minutes of socialising, pretending to be immersed in conversations but really just wishing it was Brooke she was talking to, Silky pulled Vanessa aside.

“She’s here,” Silky announced like they were in some sort of spy movie. Vanessa tried to break free of her grasp, but Silky had more advice to give. “Be cool. Trust me, if you want her to fuck you again, act like you barely even remember who she is.”

“Silk, that’s ridiculous,” — but Silky was shaking her head disapprovingly, and the more Vanessa thought about her strategy, the more she supposed there wasn’t any in harm in waiting for Brooke to come to her first — “but if Brooky don’t wanna answer my texts, maybe she does to deserve to be left on read for a little bit. Like, in real life.”

Silky frowned at that, perplexed.

“It’s an analogy, bitch.”

After a few more minutes of conveniently failing to notice Brooke’s arrival, Vanessa turned around and found the woman of her affections already staring at her, though she quickly diverted her gaze after getting caught before returning it and giving Vanessa a small wave and a shrug. Vanessa smirked in response, causing a blush to rise in Brooke’s cheeks, clashing endearingly with the sexy, badass character she was portraying.

Brooke looked so hot she made it hard to look away, but Vanessa didn’t want to give her the satisfaction of thinking her newfound presence had that much of an effect on her. Didn’t want Brooke getting any impression of Vanessa waiting for hours, longing for Brooke to show up.

Even though that was exactly what she had been doing.

—

Brooke wasn’t one for conspiracy theories or jumping to conclusions, but all night she’d had a sinking feeling that Vanessa had been avoiding her.

It started when she’d arrived, when Vanessa certainly hadn’t seemed as enthusiastic about their reunion as Brooke felt. She’d given Brooke a quick smile in recognition, and then gone back to her interactions with the group of people she was currently socialising with, barely sparing Brooke a second glance.

She felt self-absorbed even thinking it, but Brooke had at least hoped she’d come over and say hi — she’d even kind of been expecting it after Vanessa had dropped her so many messages about the party. But maybe she was just being polite. Maybe she’d had too many people back out already, and she just wanted to make sure.

Whatever the reason was, it hurt more than Brooke could fathom. She became deflated and dejected, trying not to sulk as she mingled with her other co-stars and crew members, knowing that she was probably looking like the lamest, most miserable Catwoman to ever exist.

It stung to think that perhaps Vanessa regretted what had happened between them, but then again, why should she still be caught up on that night? If Vanessa ever felt something for Brooke, she’d more than likely moved on by now. After all, Brooke had.

If one good thing came out of Vanessa ghosting her, it was Proving Nina Right.

“I told you so,” Brooke said when she finally caught up with her best friend again, at around midnight. She was straddling the line between tipsy and drunk from all the alcohol she’d been knocking back in self-pity.

“I don’t know what you’re referring to, but I doubt you did. You know I’m never wrong,” Nina replied with a smile.

“Vanessa. I’m over her.”

“And have you been thinking a lot on this night about how you’re over Vanessa?” Nina laughed.

“I mean it, bitch. I haven’t talked to her since I got here. Not once, nope.”

“By choice?” Nina questioned, narrowing her eyes.

“Well. Not exactly,” Brooke scrunched her nose in response. “It’s just… I think she hates me.”

Nina huffed dramatically, seeming uncharacteristically impatient with Brooke Lynn.

“Right. That’s it. I don’t even wanna hear this. You two are the worst communicators in the world and I’m tired of it,” — she grabbed Brooke’s hand and dragged her across the kitchen and out onto the deck, where Vanessa stood, a literal angel, glowing under the moonlight.

“Vanessa! How good to see you! Love the party, dear,” Nina called loudly, Brooke feeling like a bratty child being forced to apologise on the playground.

“Hi, V,” Brooke greeted Vanessa, warmth surging through her when Vanessa grinned back at her.

“Sorry, I have to just take this,” Nina butted in, gripping her silent phone, “after all, a manager’s job never ends.”

“How was Canada?” Vanessa started after Nina had left them to it.

“Good. Really good, actually,” Brooke confessed eagerly. “How’s LA been?”

“Same old, you know how it is, girl.”

“Yeah.”

There were a few moments of awkward silence which Brooke used to subtly take in Vanessa’s costume. She was wearing a detailed white corset and bra, huge wings, and a bejewelled headpiece, plus matching stockings that made Brooke want to stare at her thighs all night long. And maybe touch them a little bit, but that was fine, any self-respecting lesbian would feel the same way.

“Brooke, about what happened between us, after the wrap party —” Vanessa began, making Brooke seize up in a panic at the elephant in the room finally being addressed.

“We can forget about it,” she blurted out, her ego unable to handle Vanessa’s words of rejection right now. “It’s no biggie.”

Vanessa said nothing, snapping her head away from Brooke to look up at the moon again.

“Sure, let’s do that. It’s for the best,” she agreed finally.

“Yeah,” Brooke whispered, at a loss for what else to say.

Vanessa faced her again, and shit, she was a terrible actor. Her eyes were wet and had she really been crying this whole time while Brooke was unaware right next to her? Not that Brooke could blame her — she was already feeling like they’d gone and fucked up the tentative friendship that had been formed between the two of them. Brooke felt her throat constricting as she realised how much she hated this. How different it felt now.

“Good talk, I guess,” Vanessa summarised, and she was gone from Brooke’s side in a flash.

—

Brooke had decided to call it a night soon after her conversation with Vanessa, no longer in the mood for any kind of festivities. She was quiet the entire Uber ride home, and was grateful when for once, Nina chose not to pry.

They couldn’t avoid each forever, though, as that Saturday they had their first press gigs for As The Stars Align. As Brooke spent the morning getting ready, she regretted how much she was not looking forward to the day’s schedule — first a panel with the whole cast, and then some paired interviews; naturally, as co-leads, Brooke and Vanessa had been put together for all of theirs.

The panel rolled around too quickly, and Brooke found herself on stage in a line with Michelle, Asia and Katya to her right, Vanessa and the rest of the cast to her left. There was an audience of a few hundred in front of them, and their moderator was a woman called Monét.

“Hi everyone,” Monét began, receiving cheers in response. She introduced each person on stage and gave out some background information on the movie before scrolling on her iPad and launching into the questions. Brooke spared Vanessa a glance, but her co-star seemed strangely out of it. Brooke wanted to bring her back to reality, check she was okay, but she couldn’t catch her eye. As a result, Brooke missed the first couple of questions, and was thankful that none of them seemed to be directed at her. She made a mental note not to watch the panel back later and scrutinise herself for a lack of professionalism that would no doubt be obvious to her own eyes.

“Katya, I wanna talk about your decision to be involved in the creative process of the movie. What made you want to take an active role in the production of As The Stars Align?” Monét asked as Katya’s face lit up.

“This project is my baby,” Katya began with a slight chuckle. “This story is so special to me and to be honest, I don’t trust these bitches unsupervised,” — the audience laughed and Katya’s eyes widened as she apologised and asked whether she was allowed to swear.

“But in all seriousness, I did want to make sure it was done right. A lot of LGBT people, especially young ones, have told me directly how much my book means to them and I didn’t want to let them down. It’s why I wanted the diverse cast and crew that we have. Unfortunately, they happen to be horrible monsters to work with,” Katya joked.

“Speaking of monsters…” Monét grinned wickedly. “Vanessa, what was it like working with the Brooke Lynn Hytes? And playing love interests no less?”

Brooke blushed slightly, turning to Vanessa with a quirked eyebrow. Vanessa looked caught off guard.

“Lemme think how I’m gon answer that,” she teased after a few seconds. “And get your camera phones out, I know y’all be recording and tagging.”

“Please, everyone's dying to know if the diva rumours are true,” Monét carried on sarcastically.

“Working with Brooke Lynn was… an experience,” Vanessa began, earning some stifled laughs from those on stage who knew their shared history. “She’s damn fierce at what she does — if I’ve had even a fifth of the career she’s had by the time I’m her age, it’ll be a blessing.”

“You calling me old, bitch?” Brooke quipped, and the audience laughed again in delight, but Brooke had seen Vanessa smile enough times to know that her heart wasn’t in the one she was giving her right now.

The rest of Monét’s questions went off without a hitch, but when they directed the line of enquiry to journalists in the audience, Brooke felt a sinking feeling in her stomach at the unpredictability of it all. One of the paparazzi introduced himself as being from Fox News, and Brooke wondered how she was going to pretend to be nice to this man.

She’d expected casual sexism or homophobia, but she almost threw up a bit at the actual words that the words left the reporter’s mouth.

“Brooke and Vanessa, we’ve had many inside sources claim they saw you both enter the same hotel room on the night of the wrap party. What I want to ask is, is there any truth to the speculation that the two of you are romantically involved?”

Monét had to hush the rumblings of the audience, giving Brooke a few extra seconds to think on her feet. Vanessa looked horrified (which Brooke would’ve taken offence to if she didn’t feel so bad for her) and was choking on air, most likely thanking her luck that they had been saddled with passing a few microphones around rather than wearing them.

“Brooke, Vanessa, feel free not to answer that. I’m speaking to the management about vetting as soon as this is over,” Monét said, only half kidding.

“It’s okay. Vanessa and I aren’t together, but wouldn’t that be quite the story?” Brooke replied, the words tasting like salt. “However, she has become a very good friend of mine, and, um, she deserves the world. All the amazing humans on this stage do.” The audience aww-ed and ahh-ed, touched.

“Y’all heard me earlier, I wouldn’t be caught dead with her senior ass,” Vanessa exaggerated, Brooke laughing despite the joke made at her expense, gratefully that Vanessa was able to lighten the mood.

After another twenty minutes of audience questions, thankfully none as invasive as the first, they departed the stage and took a lunch break before their upcoming afternoon of paired interviews. Everyone ate together at a big table, Vanessa sat a few seats down from Brooke, and she was still being unusually quiet.

Brooke hated not hearing her loud voice soaring above all the rest.

—

Vanessa’s Halloween party had not gone to plan.

She had envisioned it so well — Brooke would arrive just as Vanessa was a couple of drinks in wearing a bomb costume; they’d lock eyes from across the room and the spark would be reignited. They’d spend all night catching up, just the two of them in their own corner, and maybe one of them would make a move.

Maybe she’d had her hopes too high expecting a grand love declaration or a kiss that swept her off her feet, but she thought Brooke would at least be down to continue whatever they started. Instead, her day had ended with Brooke telling her that she wanted to pretend that night had never happened.

Vanessa was fucking crushed.

She had never experienced heartbreak, not really — her only relationship had been Matt, and she had been more relieved than sad when it was over. But she was completely devastated to realise that her fantasies of a future with Brooke would remain fantasies. Vanessa hated herself for falling for Brooke so hard and fast, especially since the intensity of her feelings were clearly unreciprocated.

Vanessa was also, despite being a professional actor, completely terrible at hiding her feelings. When she was in character — following a script — she was mostly able to detach herself completely and convey any emotion regardless of whether it was one she able to empathise with, but when she was being herself it was no use.

She was sure fans would pick up on it, would question why Vanessa wasn’t her usual bubbly, loud self on stage. If only they knew.

Her first joint interview with Brooke was with a tall, blonde woman named Alaska, who wrote for an LGBT magazine. When Vanessa joined her in the small press room, Brooke Lynn was already there, early as ever (except for her Halloween party, Vanessa thought bitterly).

“Hi, girls,” Alaska drawled. Her questions were pleasantly thoughtful, focussing on the message of the movie, allowing them to give in depth, individual answers, though afterwards they were ordered to up the chemistry between the two of them, so clearly they hadn’t been everything the publication was looking for.

And she had to give it to her — from then on, Brooke did start making an effort to connect with Vanessa in her responses, even though Vanessa struggled to put their personal issues aside.

After more interviews that seemed to go on forever, mostly with male reporters who were as boring as they were old, they had one final discussion with a girl named Tatianna, which would be printed rather than filmed. She was more gossipy, but just as sweet as Alaska had been.

“Ladies, this one’s a little personal, so just let me know if you want to move on and we’ll cut it out. I don’t know your identities, but I was wondering whether your own experiences with sexuality have influenced the way you play these characters, and your decision to take on LGBT roles.”

Vanessa looked at Brooke, hesitance etched over her features, and it suddenly clicked that Brooke was a celebrity, and her sexuality wasn’t public knowledge — Vanessa had been oblivious before Brooke had come out to her. She didn’t know why the thought had never occurred to her before, but she realised that Brooke was most likely being intentionally private about her sexuality for whatever reasons and she didn’t want to put her in a compromising situation, no matter how frustrated she was with her right now.

“Obviously, I can’t speak for Brooke, but yeah, it definitely played a role for me. I’m bisexual, and there was such a lack of bi representation for me growing up — there still is now, and of LGBT representation in general. I always assumed I was straight, ‘cos I didn’t even really know that liking more than one gender was a thing. There was no bi figures, in fiction or the media, or if there was, they were constantly being erased… but that’s a whole other discussion, Mary.” Vanessa noticed that Brooke looked utterly engaged in what she was saying, and it was nice to feel heard and understood.

“So yeah, I was definitely conscious as a bi person about taking queer roles. We deserve to tell our own stories, you know? I feel like having a movie like this with such a diverse cast would’ve really helped the teenage me who was just trying to figure herself out.”

Tatianna nodded compassionately, before turning towards Brooke.

“I, uh. I agree LGBT representation is so important, and the way it’s handled is always an indicator on quality in a script. I feel like people of any sexuality can relate to queer roles — especially women, or people of colour, anyone who knows what it feels like to be marginalised or a minority. But yeah, there’s definitely a lot of me in my character,” Brooke confessed, smiling half-heartedly.

“Well, this has been a very insightful conversation. Thank you both for your time,” Tatianna concluded, shaking their hands.

The interviewer began talking with the behind the scenes people whose jobs were a mystery to Vanessa.

“Girl, what a day,” Vanessa yawned, hoping they would be given the okay to leave soon.

“Ness, I… I’m proud of you, you know,” Brooke said. Vanessa’s heart melted with both affection and sadness at Brooke’s gentle voice, and properly looked her in the eyes for the first time in days.

“Bitch, don’t get soft with me.”

“I’m serious… you just, like, came out to the whole world. That’s a big deal.”

“Well, not the whole world, just Refinery29 readers,” Vanessa joked. Brooke laughed a disproportionate amount.

“You ever think you’ll do it? I just realised we never talked about all that —” Brooke’s face became immediately pensive at Vanessa’s question.

“Sure,” she decided after a few moments of reflection. “I mean, I have my hang-ups, but if I got into a really serious relationship, I wouldn’t wanna hide it, y’know?” — Vanessa nodded — “but sometimes I worry that I’ve left it too late. Like, what if everyone feels I’ve been lying by omission all these years and I end up betraying both straight people and the LGBT community at the same time?”

“Ima stop you right there, girl,” Vanessa cut her off. “You don’t owe nothing to nobody, got it? If you do it, it’s gotta be on your own terms. Gay people won’t give a shit that it didn’t happen earlier, they know how it is. Trust me, if they ever find out Brooke Lynn Hytes is one of them, they ain’t gonna be mad.”

Brooke raised her eyebrows, and Vanessa wondered if she knew she was projecting.

“And I’m not done. To address your other concern. If homophobes are pissed then you’re doing something right. You finessed them and got their homophobic coin, be proud, bitch!”

“You know, surprisingly, that made me feel a lot better. Thanks, Ness,” Brooke shared with a small smile.

And Vanessa felt better, too. The issues between her and Brooke couldn’t be magically fixed, but for now, a weight had been lifted.

[resbang-bookclub]

AMA Transcript: Found It Once, You’ll Find It Again

Next up, @silly-twin-stars​ and @sojustifiable​ stopped by to answer questions about their Resbang, Found It Once, You’ll Find It Again! Here’s some of what went down:

Q: Okay I personally wanna know more about the adorable town u based this off of, bc your bang is DRENCHED in nostalgic love for this place.

Silly: Aw yeah!!! So this town is based off a real town in Maine that I go to every summer where my grandmother lives! It's a tiny beach town and honestly I changed very few details about it, to the point where sahdah actually messaged me and said "is this [name of town]?" and it WAS. It's the only place I've come back to every summer of my life, and I love it so much.

Q: What inspired you to make Soul a mechanic rather than a musician?

Silly: Hmmmmm! Well I've seen a few people do the 'Soul's a mechanic' approach and I wanted to try my hand at it! And I wanted the Old Mercedes Fan Club to be a bonding point for him and Nana so I wanted him to really know what he was talking about. Plus it will give them a few reasons... to be alone... later.... :eyes: u kno. Plot Devices.gif.

Q: I know this wasn't your original idea for resbang?? What made you decide that this was the thing you wanted to do?

Silly: HOO boy yeah this Resbang was not my usual approach at ALL. [For] every other Resbang I had pounds and pounds of notes and research and stuff months in advance, and I had planned to do that again, but the idea just got too BIG and I got overwhelmed like a week before claims. So I shouted into my server like SOMEONE HELP and I hopped in a discord call with madi and guac out of the blue, and they just sort of let me talk through other WIPs and concepts I had bouncing around up there. I'd toyed with new england restaurant AU for a while and this just ended up being the right time!

Q: What was your favorite scene to write?

Silly: I think my fave scene is the ouija board scene. It's got taped together french fries, trying to contact John Cena and secondhand embarrassment, all of my fave things.

Q: Amanda, how'd you decide what you wanted to do for art?

Amanda: When I saw the summary and saw whale watching I immediately had an image in mind for the underwater whale thing. And then for my other piece idk, the whole New England AU vibe gave such a sense of aesthetic that I knew I wanted to do more of a scenery thing than a character thing, also to challenge myself with doing a big background and architecture and stuff. I thought about trying to do a townscape but then the description of the garden for nana's house was just really vivid.

Q: Did you draw on ur own nana for her, sil? Or what inspired her? She quickly became my fav side character.

Silly: I DID draw on my grandma. She's sass incarnate and I took some of her -isms (she actually has a mug that says 'everyone's entitled to my opinion') but I also wanted Nana to have a little more of Maka's kindness and stubbornness and not putting up with bullshit-ness haha. I loved writing her. I loved being able to branch out and do whatever characterization I wanted without being tied down.

Q: What inspired all the John Cena in the fic?

Silly: HAHAH okay so. I DIDN'T… INTEND… but. So I decided when I was gonna be introducting everyone by nametag that I wanted b*'s to be illegible. And I was like [it should be an] autograph, duh. But then I was like, but how can I explain that? Who could he be modeling his autograph after? And the first name that popped into my head was John Cena, for whatever reason.

And then i was like "well let's look up his autograph, "and sure enough: https://www.amazon.com/Kirkland-Signature-Photo-Autograph-Glossy/dp/B00RIIJS3M IT LOOKED LIKE A STAR.

Q: What do you think was the hardest scene to write?

Silly: All of them? Hahahah. Like literally everyone else, I had a tough time getting Resbang written this year. I guess if i really think about it, I think the scene where they talk about Spirit was a little tougher, I'm not great at ~emotions~

Q: Are there any tunes that helped you get in the writing groove?

Silly: Mac's playlist yo!!!! https://macabremermaid.tumblr.com/post/181987046255/found-it-once-youll-find-it-again#notes

Q: Did you outline? Did anything change when you got it down on paper? Tell me about the Resbang grind.

Silly: Yeeeee i am a proud plantser. I always outline and then veer totally off course of said outline, and then I somehow always make it back on by the end lol. And this year I did Nanowrimo which was awesome so I got a ton of Resbang written during Nano, though it was like... [of] questionable quality haha.

Q: What was your favorite line?

Silly: Favorite line oh jeeeeez. Okay i'll do this one since we were just talking about it and i felt very clever when i thought of it:

“Okay,” Blake begins, eyes shut. “First, I call upon the spirit of John Cena, penman of the world’s most excellent autograph--”

“John Cena’s not dead, you dumbass!” Soul exclaims. “You can’t communicate with people who aren’t dead!”

Q: I personally love that my boys ben and jerry got shout outs. What is your ben and jerry's flavor of choice?

Silly: I really liked writing that scene too, the one where Soul and Wes are bantering in the car. Chocolate peanut buttery swirl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I die.

Q: Will there be a part 2 to this resbang? :eyes:

Silly: There will!!!! sometime!!!!! Lol. But for now i've definitely got my sights set on other stuff haha.

Q: Can we ask what's next or is it [next year’s resbang]?

Silly: Next is [more] In Plain Sight! And possibly Hybrid Theory, if I can punch my own face enough to make it happen. But yeah, IPS is for sure happening and we will see about the rest hehe.

Q: I know the typical resbang response is "everything," but if there was one thing you could go back and change…

Silly: So I would really like to just flesh out the side characters even more. Like I think Nana was p good but I'd like to explore more with Wes's motivations and Liz and Kid and even B*. But there's also just like, no time. U kno how it is.

---

Stay tuned for more transcripts!

[maychorian]

Get to Know the Author

Tagged by @eastofthemoon. Thank you!

1. How did you come up with your username and what does it mean?

“Maychoria” was the name of the main country in the fantasy novel I wrote when I was thirteen and fourteen. It means “happy land,” based on two words I found in a Greek dictionary we had in the house. So “Maychorian” basically means “inhabitant of the happy land.”

2. Which fanfic of yours has the most feedback? (bookmarks/subscriptions/hits/kudos).

On AO3, A Split-Second of Violence still has the most views and kudos and bookmarks, over 46k hits and almost 2500 kudos and 762 bookmarks. The first and second Boom Crash stories combined beat it, though, and Sell Me Your Nightmares beats it for comment threads. Over all platforms, I’m pretty sure my most famous fic ever is still Entertaining Angels, a deaged Castiel fic I wrote at the cusp of Supernatural fandom, just as Castiel was starting to get popular. I  happened to write that story at the exact right time, in the mid-season break when everyone was hungry for more of the intriguing character we’d just been introduced to, and cute deaged angel boy trying to help Sam and Dean with their respective traumas was bound to be a hit no matter who wrote it. Plus I gave him pneumonia. It’s a thing I do.

3. What is your AO3 profile icon, and why did you choose it?

Same as my current tumblr icon. Cuz Lance has the best expressions and he’s the cutest and the best.

4. Do you have any regular/favourite commenters?

I do, and I love them and appreciate them so, so much. If you comment on a lot of my fics and/or chapters, you’d better believe I notice, and I love you, even if I don’t respond.

5. Is there a fanfic that you keep going back to read again and again?

Basically anything in this tag: https://maychorianrecs.tumblr.com/tagged/personal-favorite.

6. How many stories are you subscribed to? How many do you have bookmarked?

Oh, golly. My work subscriptions at AO3 is currently at fifteen pages. A lot of those are completed or abandoned, though. No idea how many fics and authors I’m still subscribed to on ff.n, mostly in dead fandoms. I have 80 bookmarks on AO3 at the moment, but that is not an accurate representation of the fics I like and recommend others read. That would be @maychorianrecs, which currently has 681 posts and isn’t even complete even for the Voltron fandom, let alone the other fandoms I read now or have read in the past.

7. Which AU do you find yourself writing the most?

The Dream Seam ‘verse is definitely the one that owns the largest part of my brain right now, but I’m also looking forward to getting back to my DnD AU once I finish my current big projects. I tend to write more canon-divergence AUs than alternate realities, in most cases. I like exploring how things can differ across time if one small (or large) change is made in the setting we know and love. Like what if Castiel went back in time and ended up as Sam and Dean’s older brother? Love that one.

8. How many people are subscribed and bookmarked to you in total? (you can view this on the stats page)

User Subscriptions: 617 Kudos: 27064 Comment Threads: 5019 Bookmarks: 5631 Subscriptions: 2713 Word Count: 1169905 Hits: 325489

That’s insane, and it’s only in the last three or four years, since I didn’t really start using AO3 until mid-2014. I have a lot more before that on ff.n and other sites.

9. Is there something you’d like to write about but are afraid of people judging you for it? (Feeling brave? If so, share it!)

If there’s something I want to write and share, I will find a way.

10. Is there anything you would like to be better at? Writing certain scenes or genres, replying to comments, updating better, etc.

I wish I was better at action. It always takes me a lot time to sort of choreograph it in my head and then describe it in a way that makes sense. I also need to work on writing believable romance, since I want to eventually write more mainstream fiction, and it’s pretty normal for characters to have romances. I can’t just write everyone as being aro/ace or siblings, though I kind of want to. I wish I wasn’t such a procrastinator and had more energy to spare on responding to comments, because I really do love them and appreciate them.

11. Do you write rarepairs or popular ships more often?

Only if you count gen as a rarepair, which it kind of is. Otherwise, no ships for me, ever. I tried it. Didn’t much like it.

12. How many stories have you posted on AO3 to this day (finished and unfinished)?

70. Some of them are reposts. Eventually I need to get all of my fics over to AO3. It’s definitely the superior platform nowadays.

13. How many stories do you have saved in/with your writing program?

Unposted? Mm, more than five, less than a dozen. I tend to post things as soon as I’m halfway satisfied, because I crave that sweet, sweet feedback.

14. Do you write down story ideas, or just keep them in your head?

They’re mostly up in my head. If it changes by the time I start to write it, that’s fine. And if I forget an idea, a new one will come along sooner or later. I write in the now.

15. Have you ever co-authored a story?

Yes, a few times, most recently with ardett for Sewing Patches. It was a great experience.

16. How did you discover AO3?

Back when it was just getting started, I got an invite to the beta from an LJ friend. It wasn’t until years later that I got into sports anime fandom and decided I wanted to start using it, so I searched my email to find that years-old invite and used it.

17. Do you consider yourself to be a popular or famous author in your fandom(s) on AO3?

I’m well-known in the gen corner of my fandom, which is not the same thing as being a BNF in the fandom as a whole. I have no doubt that 99% of Klance fans have no idea who I am, and Klance basically IS the Voltron fandom, much to my annoyance. But I’m fine with the way things are. I interact with cool people all the time and get to show them awesome stuff and get nice feedback when I post fics, and that’s what I want.

18. Do you have a nickname or fandom name for your readers?

Nah. That seems kind of pretentious and arrogant.

19. Was there an author who inspired or encouraged you to write?

I’ve wanted to write since before I knew how to read, as far back as I can remember. As soon as I understand that those scribbles on a page meant something and told stories, I wanted to tell my own. Certainly in my teenage years I was very inspired by the fantasy and science fiction authors I adored, like Tolkien, Lewis, MacDonald, Orson Scott Card, Stephen King, Tamora Pierce, etc. I have been encouraged along the way by many, many fellow writers, as well. But as far as an instigating person at the very beginning, I can’t think of one. I just always knew that this was what I wanted to do with my life.

20. What writing advice would you give to a beginning author?

Just do it. Post it if you’re brave, keep it to yourself if you’re not. Make yourself happy first. Find one person who will read and enjoy your stuff, otherwise it will get stale writing only for yourself. But first and foremost, stoke the fire in your own belly until you have no choice but to use it, to let it fly from your fingers in words and paragraphs. Once you start, keep going, even when the fire burns low. Discipline is more important than inspiration in the long term, but inspiration is how you start.

21. Do you plot out your stories, or do you just figure it out as you go?

Mostly the latter. I’ve written from outlines in the past, and I sometimes do extensive freewriting before I start something to give myself some semblance of structure, but working from a strict outline isn’t really fun for me. I’d much rather  discover the story as I go. I subscribe to the Stephen King school of writing, the idea that a story is a boulder you dig up with a lot of hard work and exploring. Granted, that doesn’t always work perfectly, and it can lead to stories that are overlong and oddly structured or dissatisfying, but that’s a risk I’m willing to take in order to enjoy the process as much as possible.

22. Have you ever gotten a bad comment on a story? If so, what did you do?

Occasionally, mostly not on AO3. My feedback there is by and large very kind and enthusiastic. Every once in a while I’ll get a weird comment on ff.n complaining about some choice I made or chastising me for not doing what they wanted or expected with the story. Mostly I just laugh and let them go, though they used to bother me a lot. Once in a while they’ll make a solid point, and I’ll think about it, and maybe change the story a bit to satisfy the issue that’s bothering me, not for their satisfaction but for my own. That’s exceedingly rare, though. I think I’ve done it twice.

23. Is there a certain type of scene that you have a hard time writing? (action, smut, etc..)

Action is hard, yes. Dialogue and emotional scenes come easily, so naturally that’s the bulk of my stuff.

24. What story(s) are you working on now?

My ongoing series and stories are all currently in posting. I have some ideas on the backburner that I haven’t started working on yet, but I’m not the kind of writer who finishes a project before posting, so there’s nothing going on that my readers don’t already know about.

25. Do you plan your next project(s) before you finish your current ongoing story(s)?

Often as I’m finishing up a long project my mind will already be working on what’s next, yes. Not really planning so much as just daydreaming and working out scenarios in my head, but I do like that I never run out of things to do.

26. Do you have a daily writing goal set for yourself?

I try to write at least 750 words every day. Not always fiction, though, sometimes it’s freewriting or a diary entry. This post will probably be my writing for today. 

27. Do you think you’ve improved as a writer since you first started?

Indubitably, since for the very first story I wrote I asked my mom how to spell the word “fan.” I was five.

28. What is your favorite story that you’ve written?

Oof, that’s hard. In Voltron, probably Bury the Sun. I keep going back and re-reading that one. It just…hits my buttons. On purpose. I did that. In all of my fandoms ever, probably Coming Down on a Sunny Day. It came together in an extremely satisfying way, and I’m very proud of it, even though the last part never got very much feedback since the fandom had moved on by the time I wrote and posted it.

29. What is your least favorite story that you’ve written?

I started writing an original fantasy fiction called Cat by Night with the idea of posting it on Amazon and making money with it. But I started it out in very YA fashion with an incipient romance, and it just bored me to tears. I hated it. I couldn’t do it. Romance is not for me.

30. Where do you see yourself (as a writer) in 5 years?

I would love to develop my original fiction and discipline myself enough to actually start publishing stuff on Amazon and eventually make enough money to live on, maybe with the help of Patreon. RIght now, though, fanfiction takes up all my creative energy, and I don’t know how I would justify making a living off that.

31. What is the easiest thing about writing?

Making characters cuddle.

32. What is the hardest thing about writing?

Getting characters to the point where the cuddling makes sense and feels in character.

33. Why do you write?

For the sake of the cuddles, mostly. Also because I can’t imagine not writing.

No tagging today because I’m exhausted, but feel free if you want to do this. 

[zacekova]

Tagged by @jaygirl987 and @k-itsmaywriting thanks ladies!

Tagging: @akai-vampire @the-universalfiction @ptw30 @ruledeargremlinchild @tierfal @kolivans @perksofbeingawaifu

1. How did you come up with your username and what does it mean?

It was a poor, ignorant attempt at translation into Japanese and I don’t even want to know what it probably actually says because I know it’s not what I meant it to be. I don’t wanna talk about it.

2. Which fanfic of yours has the most feedback? (bookmarks/favorites, follows/subscriptions, visitor hits, kudos)

On AO3 Every Hour Has Come To This. It’s a Stony fic based off of this fanvideo. On tumblr, Legacy.

3. What is your FFnNet/AO3 profile icon, and why did you choose it?

The same as my tumblr icon, because Kurogane and Fai will always be one of my favorite OTPs, no matter how many years go by or how much I get sucked in to other fandoms.

4. Do you have any regular/favourite commenters?

The obiyuki community is usually pretty about commenting, but I don’t think I have an single favorite person.

5. Is there a fanfic that you keep going back to read again and again?

Um, different ones for different fandoms.

Literally anything by tierfal for FMA;B is a delight and a half and I remain determined to read everything of hers but I keep going back to reread stuff like her Leading The Blind AU.

I’ve read the Kurofai fic Entanglement like 8 times by now. It’s sweet and sensual and full of feels. Such a nice, peaceful “ending” to the chaos that is the manga.

@sabraeal ‘s Rarely Pure and Never Simple and @superhappybubbleslove Watchtower are my favorite Obiyuki fics and I think I’ve only read them twice each but they are a delight.

And there’s like half a dozen or more Voltron fics I’ve read multiple times.

6. How many stories are you subscribed to? How many do you have bookmarked?

49 subscriptions and 114 bookmarks. But some of those subscriptions are for authors, not fics.

7. Which AU do you find yourself writing the most?

Modern day.

8. How many people are subscribed and bookmarked to you in total? (you can view this on the stats page)

20 people are subscribed to me specifically, but there’s 167 subscriptions to my works in full. 508 bookmarks.

9. Is there something you’d like to write about but are afraid of people judging you for it? (Feeling brave? If so, share it!)

Maybe, but I like reading it more. And I’m not feeling brave, I never even reblog stuff for it because I just... can’t. I’ll enjoy it in secret.

10. Is there anything you would like to be better at? Writing certain scenes or genres, replying to comments, updating better, etc.

Oh updating for sure, which basically means I wish I were better about just sitting down and writing because even if I’m not really in the mood I know if I just force myself to I can usually get a decent amount written.

11. Do you write rarepairs or popular ships more often?

I think it’s probably an even split, or close to it.

12. How many stories have you posted on FFNet/AO3 to this day (finished and unfinished)?

Fifty-seven.

13. How many stories do you have saved in/with your writing program?

Just nine, most of which are already published, I just haven’t done anything with the docs.

14. Do you write down story ideas, or just keep them in your head?

I’ve been writing them down lately since I’m getting more ideas than I can keep up with.

15. Have you ever co-authored a story?

Nope. I don’t think I could unless I felt like they and I had the same style, or that the characters we switched between fit our styles. And that I felt like we were of very similar skill levels in writing.

16. How did you discover FFNet/AO3?

FFNet came as a by product of being in the fanfiction world but I stumbled upon AO3 while looking for doujinshi. I hadn’t even known fanfiction was a thing at the time, or had such a stereotypical view on it that I legitimately didn’t understand what it really is.

It’s really not all kinky porn

17. Do you consider yourself to be a popular or famous author in your fandom(s) on FFNet/AO3?

Um, I have some of the most Harlock x Yama|Logan fics on AO3 but I don’t really communicate with the few fans and authors much. It’s a really tiny, disconnected fandom, as far as I can tell.

Beyond that, no, not at all.

18. Do you have a nickname or fandom name for your readers?

Just my name.

19. Was there an author who inspired or encouraged you to write?

Writing in general, no, not really. As for fanfiction, well... Sin_of_the_Fallen and I were chatting back and forth on a Harlock fic and lamenting the low number of stories for our favorite pairing and they said that someone needed to lead the change, that that someone could end up being me. It stuck with me and literally two weeks later I published the first chapter of what ended up becoming the most popular fic for that pairing. And here I am.

20. What writing advice would you give to a beginning author?

Don’t be shy, don’t let nerves stop you. I spent the entirety of those two weeks fretting over whether I was good enough, if I would ever finish the whole thing, if anyone would like it, etc. etc. And there’ve been plenty of things since then that didn’t go as well as I hoped but in general I’ve gained a lot of confidence in my writing, and a lot of joy, that I wouldn’t have if I’d never taken that first step.

21. Do you plot out your stories, or do you just figure it out as you go?

I am getting better at plotting things out, at least the longer stuff. With short fics I still tend to wing it based on the general idea I have in my head.

22. Have you ever gotten a bad comment on a story? If so, what did you do?

No, thank goodness. I have a fragile heart, lack of commentary is bad enough.

23. Is there a certain type of scene that you have a hard time writing? (action, smut, etc..)

UST. Sexual stuff in general, I think.

24. What story(s) are you working on now?

- Editing a few things I’ve already published, just cleaning them up.

- rewriting/editing and publishing a modern day CSI obiyuki fic

- a handful of old fics in various fandoms that I am determined to finish one day but haven’t touched in months or years

- an absolutely massive Thulaz arranged marriage AU that is still mostly in the plotting phase, figuring out exactly how I want things to go and wrap up before I commit to posting anything. Any of my wonderful Voltron friends want to help me out with plotting and beta-ing?

25. Do you plan your next project(s) before you finish your current ongoing story(s)?

Oh all the time, as you can see from the above.

26. Do you have a daily writing goal set for yourself?

Unofficially, like 500 words, but I’m so bad about meeting it that I pretend it doesn’t exist.

27. Do you think you’ve improved as a writer since you first started?

Definitely.

28. What is your favorite story(s) that you’ve written?

Currently, Another Chance, For You, an Izanayuki (Shirayuki x Izana) reincarntion AU.

29. What is your least favorite story(s) that you’ve written?

Kuro-mean. I don’t even know why I published it, it’s so dumb. I was honestly surprised it got any kudos at all.

30. Where do you see yourself (as a writer) in 5 years?

Not much different than where I am now, just better, hopefully.

31. What is the easiest thing about writing?

Scene descriptions/setting, world building, backstory.

32. What is the hardest thing about writing?

F-ing dialogue.

33. Why do you write?

Because I love creating stories and sharing them with people who will enjoy them.

[zomandfriends]

Dumb junk. Romance is hard for an immortal goblin as is.

Left to right: King Yeo, Kim Shin, Reaper Yeo

Some rant-y things about age gaps (more like age of adulthood?) under the cut

This is basically me making stupid junk when thinking about the age differences etc. in goblin and how Shin/Yeo kind of are under that category as well... seeing that Shin “loved” Wang Yeo (the 18? year old brat). I like to think that the goryeo Yeo is separate from reaper Yeo, just because Yeo at the time was barely an adult. (otherwise a 1000 year old grieving goblin could have been possible, Shin missing his lover from 1000 years ago like the sunny/ yeo storyline... which is why I’m going to write this stupid goryeo au of these two idiots as childhood friends and rest my heart haha). 

I dabble in the chinese fandom (that has tons of fics and fanart, tumblr u disappoint meeee), and there are a ton of stories with 18 yo Yeo in love with 30+ Shin and from there it’s all canon angst running the story. I like the idea of this “transcending love lives”... but not Yeo’s age lmao. Both baby brat Yeo (as I think of him) and Eun Tak are technically adults but yeahhh... I’d prefer not to dabble in Shin being parental to his s/o. So in all my doodles + headcanons Shin falls in love with Reaper Yeo and his relation with King Yeo was purely duty. (I doubt they had much contact in Goryeo in the first place, what with Park Joon Wong coddling Yeo.) 

As for Reaper Yeo being younger than Shin by 600 years, lol i guess there’s still a gap between them. But this is still different from the 18-30+ gap. I guess what I mean to say is that the age Shin’s S/O enters the relationship bugs me... I’ve had this debate in my head for a long time now, still haven’t reached any damn conclusion for myself lmao. Questions like: If Eun Tak was older when she met Kim Shin- would the way they loved each other have changed? Would it have made the love between them seem like one more worth sacrificing lives for? If 19 is too young then what’s the appropriate age? etc. etc. I definitely don’t stop anyone from shipping ShinTak or young Yeo with General Shin (not like I can stop you lol, you do you) but these questions keep bugging me ARGH. (The fact that goblin is about Shin and Eun Tak doesn’t help in quieting this hahahah i should just leave the fandom since it’s driving me crazy thinking about these topics)

Reaper Yeo is technically the same age as Kim Shin... Shin had this period between his death and reincarnation as the goblin... which means Yeo caught up to him in age before going to hell... for 600 years. Plus the 300+ years he was a reaper, he’d be 939 years old too. So Yeo’s the same age as Shin? If you count being “conscious” as time “alive”. Lol. Idk. I over thought this, I KNOW.

On another, less frustrating note. Albeit sad, is that the internal affairs team that comes to return reaper Yeo’s memories in episode 13 mentioned that “reapers are given the special amnesia tea after being punished in hell for 200 years.” It doesn’t make sense for Yeo to have spent 600 years there, unless Yeo was so guilty about killing the Kim family that he asked for more time in hell to punish himself. ;-; That’s my reasoning for the time difference at least. Or it could just be even more plot holes in Goblin’s thin plot. 

Yes, I know, I overthink things within this show that are better waved off as plot holes and bad writing. (/-\) I just adore the concept of this little world and the character’s little quirks. Someone once mentioned how Goblin seems like Kim Eun Sook’s pet project, you know, the kind where you world build this fantasy world with its own system, language, races etc. And typically, the plot is flimsy but the world is fascinating. Also, you usually grow attached to media that isn’t fulfilling, hence all the need to fill/ fix it lol. Which is my current ailing (for the entirety of the past yearrrrrrrr).  *Bashes my head into the wall*

Okay I’m done with my rant, I’m just going to make stuff that won’t make me think too deeply about these dumb old men. *cries into my hands*

What was the point of this rant? I have no clueeeeeeeeeee.

[franeridart]

you made me start shipping bakugou, kaminari and Kirishima (i forgot their ship name). They're sucha good ship and your drawings for them are amazing!!!!!!!

Oh man thank you!!! I’m super happy I could make you like them!!!!!! They got amazing dynamics, don’t they? :D

Anon said:Your ocs are always so cool and cute i love them??!? Do u have more information about them?

THANK YOU!! And yesssss I do, actually! And I’ve also talked about them a while ago already!!! If you’re looking for more info specifically about Josh and Chris I blabbered about them here!!!

Anon said:I love your art ! And I love your Bakugo, but, have you ever thought of a undercut Bakugo ??

I sure have!!!! Tho I guess I do draw him more often with a side shave haha

Anon said:This is probably annoying, but I just wanted to say that I LIVE for your art! Its so amazing and I love it so much!! You’re one of my favorite artist on Tumblr. Plz continue to be awesome

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! why would it be annoying anon!!!! Thank you so so much for the good feelings!!!!! :D

Anon said:What u think about Traitor Theory in BNHA :,)?

I find all the theories going around incredibly interesting and well thought, actually! But they all feel pretty unrealistic to me, after all, and as of now Horikoshi still hasn’t given me any reason to change my mind about the traitor actually being Tsukauchi

Anon said:Oh honey.. everytime i got a notification of your art, my day become better. Stay safe, happy and manly💛💪

A Kiri anon ;O; ohhh boy this ask made me seriously happy hahaha thank you!!!!

Anon said:I’ve been thinking about this for a while now, and I REALLY want to hear your opinion on this. What about a Bakushima Star Wars AU wherein bakugou is a badass Sith warrior who feels the pull of the light-side and Kirishima is the only Jedi Knight who actually trusts him enough to help him with converting to the light-side of the The Force. Oh and Bakugou dual wields red light sabers and Kirishima only has the one Blue saber but wears heavy armor. What do you think?? Thanks! Love your art!!

It’s a pretty amazing concept, actually? :O one I wouldn’t mind thinking about more, even though Bakugou as a sith………….. does feel pretty unrealistic to me, not gonna lie haha he’s such a good guy in the soul, Katsuki~

Anon said:oh my god i absolutely adore your linearting. it’s so neat and smooth. i hope i can achieve that kind of smoothness one day

Thank you!!!!!! A good stabilizer setting and a lot of ctrl+z might help you in your endeavor, anon hahaha my linearting is more about the patience to erase a line sixty times than it is about skills lol

Anon said:yo! have you ever watched digimon or yugioh??

DIGIMON!!! YES!!!!! My first fandom ever!!!!! I was five when I got into it!!!!!! I’m behind with a couple of the movies, atm, but I still love it a whole damn lot!!!!

On the other hand all my knowledge about yugioh comes from when I watched it on tv as a kid and from my dash obsessed with it, so I can’t say I’m well versed in the topic haha

Anon said:YOUR SERO IS SO CUTE

THANK YOU!!!!!!

Anon said:AAAAAAA I CANT BELIEVE YOU MADE A CUTE COMIC THING FOR MY BAKUGOU ASK! omg ty :‘0 and yeah, i see how it could stand for king or katsuki! seems like something he’d do lol

IT WAS A GOOD INSPIRING ASK ANON thank you for the involuntary prompt!!!!

Anon said:A FULLY COLOURED COMIC!!??!? WOW GOOD JOB!!

THANKS!!! Sometimes it seems like I can actually manage to put together the patience for that sorta things too haha

Anon said:You know the bnha ending where all the characters are in this au fantasy world? I’ve been curious to know what type of mythical creature or fantasy being deku and kirishima are…? :/

Uhhhhh aren’t they just humans? Well, the fandom as a whole has decided that Kirishima’s probably the dragon, but I think the general, original concept was that most of them are just humans haha

Anon said:Kiri’s dragon tail looks fantastic!!! I love the way you colored it.

;O; thank you so much ohhhh boy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anon said:i literally l i v e for your kiribaku and bokuroteru art 😍😍😍

THANK YOU!!

Anon said:I came for the art, stayed for the wonderful person you seem to be, then scrolled down to fangirl over more art. Your art is a blessing and I hope you know how great you are! 🎉

Oh my gods thank you so much this is such a sweet message !!!! ;O;

Anon said:How do you usually find your inspiration?

Hmmmmmmmm what a question. I guess, through life? This sounds like such a bullshit answer haha but yeah, I found that the best way to keep your inspiration going is to live life and experience new things. Most of the ideas behind what I draw come from things I did myself or saw or said or heard and so on - talking to my friends and family inspires me, books inspire me, music inspires me, going out and looking at people/places inspires me, other people’s fanworks inspire me a whole damn lot too! As far as I’m concerned, inspiration is sort of everywhere - there’s days in which I’m more receptive to it, and days in which it flies right over my head and I sit there wondering where the hell it went, but in general as long as I’m living and doing things ideas in the end will come my way haha

Anon said:Hmm…If Bakugou wants to be the best at everything…would he be the best at playing the flute? :o

I wouldn’t say Bakugou wants to be the best at everything, it’s more like he wants to be the best at everything he’s interested in doing - so if he had any sort of interest in playing the flute, he sure as hell would make sure to be as good as he possibly can at it haha

Anon said:have u ever considered: tokoyami/tetsutetsu OR tokoyami/shinsou

You know, this is actually an interesting question because I’ve actually been asked about both these ships already? Are they actual ships that exist in this fandom? :O I can’t say I’ve ever thought about them - well, tokoshin does interest me in the sense that I’d really love to know if Shinsou’s quirk works on Dark Shadow, but that’s about it haha

Anon said:I really like what you said about trans Bakugou! Like…I know it’s canonically improbable but I still really like the idea of Izuku being trans, because that’d add another layer of adversity and self doubt he’d be facing while trying to become the top hero. So I think it’s neat when people acknowledge that something isn’t canon but still completely accept the headcanon of it. Love your work! Keep it up~

It’s why it’s called transformative work, after all!! If you want to keep as close to canon as you can then all the power to you, but once you start transforming the canon (shipping non-canon is included in it, of course), putting a limit on how much you can transform it would just be unfair! As long as we’re all on the same page about the fact that it’s not canon, and therefor no one can force the idea on anyone else, I don’t see a problem with it!

[velkynkarma]

Get to Know the Author

@bosstoaster has been tagging me all night :P

1. How did you come up with your username and what does it mean?

I’ve had the name ‘Karma’ for about 17 years now? I don’t even remember where it came from. The ‘Velkyn’ got added a little over 10 years ago when I decided I wanted to get back into fic writing. But I was still in that phase where you think you’re supposed to ‘grow out’ of fandoms and writing fanfiction, so I didn’t want any of my friends to know I was doing it. I was embarrassed. It was silly. I picked a different handle, VelkynKarma, which actually means ‘hidden Karma.’ Later I just liked the name and also got over my embarrassment for fic writing and just started using it everywhere.

2. Which fanfic of yours has the most feedback? (bookmarks/subscriptions/hits/kudos).

No matter what statistic you look at, Routine Maintenance wins across the board by a large margin. Parasite Knight only has 1 less subscription, though, so I guess it’s a fair contender on subs.

3. What is your AO3 profile icon, and why did you choose it?

Same as my tumblr icon, it’s one of my OC’s, Morrigu Lovel. He is a little smartass and I love him.

4. Do you have any regular/favourite commenters?

Oh for sure, there’s a few lovely readers that come back every time and always have something to say. I love you guys :) And a few others that don’t comment on every chapter or every work, but the comments they leave are always phenomenal and make my day.

5. Is there a fanfic that you keep going back to read again and again?

Depends on my mood, and I don’t necessarily read the entire fic, just the paragraphs/scenes/chapters that really stick out to me. But yeah, I’ve got some favorites I return to a lot.

6. How many stories are you subscribed to? How many do you have bookmarked?

Oh geez. This one’s hard to say since I watch stuff on AO3 and FF.net. A lot? I think a lot of those fics are dead now though.

7. Which AU do you find yourself writing the most?

Mmmm I don’t really have a tendency to stick to any particular series or AU for very long? I guess in terms of general themes I’ve done zombie AU’s the most, between Age of Heroes for Young Justice and Road Trip to End Times for Voltron...something about zombie apocalypse scenarios just fascinates me, especially since it can be done so many different ways.

8. How many people are subscribed and bookmarked to you in total? (you can view this on the stats page)

252 user subs, 444 work subs, 2039 bookmarks. I didn’t even know that until now, huh

9. Is there something you’d like to write about but are afraid of people judging you for it? (Feeling brave? If so, share it!)

There’s some character interactions that are such hot-button topics in the VLD fandom I’m cautious about approaching them because I don’t want to deal with people complaining or begging for things to get escalated. Like, I love Keith and Lance’s interactions in canon, but don’t have much fic centered around them because ship lashback is real.

10. Is there anything you would like to be better at? Writing certain scenes or genres, replying to comments, updating better, etc.

Short fic. What is brevity even? I can’t do zines or commissions because I can’t figure out how to manage a damn word count.

11. Do you write rarepairs or popular ships more often?

Nope! I don’t write any ships at all. I just write platonic interaction. Though I guess I wouldn’t be adverse to a platonic ‘rarepair’ as long as I liked the characters’ interaction potential.

12. How many stories have you posted on AO3 to this day (finished and unfinished)?

So far, 25. 23 of those are Voltron, 1 is Young Justice, and 1 is Supernatural (experimenting with cross-posting on both of those last two, some fandoms are just hard to break into or not on certain sites).

13. How many stories do you have saved in/with your writing program?

Oh boy. In progress? I wanna say 3. Notes? A lot, lot more.

14. Do you write down story ideas, or just keep them in your head?

I jot down notes! Or email myself ideas if I’m at work/out and about. Or speak them into a little portable digital tape recorder I keep next to my bed, if it’s the middle of the night and I have an idea, but lack dexterity to type.

15. Have you ever co-authored a story?

Not in a long, looong time.

16. How did you discover AO3?

Through TVTropes. Every time I finished a new series I’d swing by to read tropes pages and see if there were any decent fic recs. At first they all went to Fanfiction.net or livejournal but, over time, this ‘Archive’ thing kept showing up. I made an account to lurk or subscribe to things but didn’t actually start posting to it until at least a year later.

17. Do you consider yourself to be a popular or famous author in your fandom(s) on AO3?

Moderately well known in the platonic corner of it probably assuming people know bosstoaster and I are not actually the same person lol but probably not well known outside of that. Once upon a time I was a Big Name in the One Piece fandom, but after the timeskip I fell out of the fandom and lost my pirate king throne. That’s okay, it was fun while it lasted.

18. Do you have a nickname or fandom name for your readers?

No but you all are too kind

19. Was there an author who inspired or encouraged you to write?

In terms of ‘official’ authors, Brandon Sanderson is everything I ever aspire to be as a writer, and I take a lot of inspiration from that. For fic? My buddy BlackFriar was super helpful during the Young Justice era. More recently in the VLD fandom, @maychorian was big for just...getting me to stay in the fandom at all? One of her fics got me hooked and I stuck around, and then felt compelled to write, instead of just drifting off to the next interesting thing. And the Think Tank ( @bosstoaster @butteredonions @ashinan @mumblefox ) have all been huge for getting me to keep writing, between writing sprints and interesting discussions and a lot of encouragement, so that’s been huge for me this past year.

20. What writing advice would you give to a beginning author?

At the risk of sounding like that one video...just do it. It’s scary to put yourself out there, but just do it. You learn by doing. You also learn by absorbing new things around you, so read a lot and try new stuff; you never know when something completely random or a personal experience might actually add a lot to your story. And finally, write for you, first. Write the stories you want to see. Writing for comments/bookmarks/reblogs only goes so far. It means your motivation is reliant solely on people liking your work, which means you start writing for other people and not for yourself...and if reception is lackluster, it can kill your ability to finish a project, which hurts your practice at follow-through. It’s a slippery slope and starts to make the whole thing a lot less fun and a lot more of a chore. Write things you want to read, and if you feel like sharing them after, other people might like them too, but it’s important that you like it, first.

21. Do you plot out your stories, or do you just figure it out as you go?

Has to be plotted completely. If I try to wing it I meander or get hung up on trying to keep track of details. Turns into total garbage.

22. Have you ever gotten a bad comment on a story? If so, what did you do?

A few times, sure. Happens to everyone. Most often, it’s people begging, demanding, or insinuating that my platonic fics should include a ship, especially if the fic focuses on the interactions of two specific characters. Those are very frustrating because I’m always upfront about the fic being friendship only, and there are usually a million other ship fics already out there. Leave my platonic fic alone! I usually ignore the comments, or just politely remind people it’s friendship only and will remain that way. In one bewildering instance in a different fandom I had somebody who had been thoroughly enjoying the fic up until the climactic battle, whereupon they were furious at how it was resolved, and took great pains to tell me just what they thought. That one stung. I had to sit on it for a few days before I worked up the nerve to respond, and chatted with a few friends over it too. In the end I realized that it was more comparable to a fan really enjoying a canon work but being mad about a sudden twist that just didn’t seem right to them. It happens. I thanked them for reading, explained that I disagreed with their comments but did hear them, and thanked them for their time. Best I could do.

23. Is there a certain type of scene that you have a hard time writing? (action, smut, etc..)

I am straight-up incapable of romance, period. Even so far as to slide into ‘fake’ romance (I once got prompted for fake marriage/dating and literally couldn’t envision how to do it? It’s just so foreign to me). Or flirting. I can’t even identify flirting IRL. Basically anything in that general area of writing is completely out of my league. I can write intense scenes that are intimate in non-romantic, non-sexual ways, but those are really difficult for me to do too and I’m constantly second-guessing myself in case it’s maybe too much.

24. What story(s) are you working on now?

If I told you I’d have to kill you. But no, srsly, I don’t like to share ideas in progress until it’s almost done, just in case. Sometimes I share and then immediately lose interest, but I’ve already raised peoples’ hopes, and that’s just a dick move.

25. Do you plan your next project(s) before you finish your current ongoing story(s)?

I’ll have outlines, or sometimes need to plan around prompts. I don’t usually do series, so I never really need to plan too far ahead though. Sometimes if I’m plotting a crossover/AU I’ll obtain the source material and read/watch/play it to start gathering notes for that fic while working on a different fic, so that by the time I’m done writing the current story, the AU’s skeleton is plotted out and I have a place to slot in all the characters.

26. Do you have a daily writing goal set for yourself?

No. I’ve gotten better habits since working with the Think Tank but I still tend to be more of a ‘burst’ writer (no activity for days or weeks, and then suddenly word vomiting 100K in a month).

27. Do you think you’ve improved as a writer since you first started?

By a HUGE margin

28. What is your favorite story that you’ve written?

Oooh, that’s a toss-up between Phantasmagoria and Prince of Memory. The former because I love writing horror and it’s an idea I’d wanted to tackle for a while. The latter because it was a personal writing challenge to myself that I honestly wasn’t sure was going to go over all that well, but the response was stunning, and I was quietly surprised.

29. What is your least favorite story that you’ve written?

Caged Bird, from a different fandom. I make it a personal rule to never delete stories that I’ve posted, but ooh man, I wanted to get rid of this one really bad. I was happy when LJ gutted it. I actually don’t have any real dislike for any of my Voltron stuff.

30. Where do you see yourself (as a writer) in 5 years?

Still writing because I’d die if I stopped. Like a shark. But with writing.

31. What is the easiest thing about writing?

That flash of inspiration, when you get an idea and suddenly it’s building itself almost too fast for you to keep up. Dialogue. Action sequences.

32. What is the hardest thing about writing?

Getting started. Titles. Editing. Research. Any particularly emotional moment.

33. Why do you write?

Because fandoms are fun but I have so many questions after. “What if X happened? What if Y was a factor? Why not Z?” I try to hunt down answers to these questions in fandoms and if the fic isn’t already written, I write it. Also to challenge myself to do things that haven’t been done in the fandom yet, or to tackle things I haven’t tried yet.

I think everyone’s been tagged already so...feel free to play if you want, I guess!

[isabeau25]

Get To Know Your Author

Tagged by @eastofthemoon!

1. How did you come up with your username and what does it mean?

There’s a book called Dove Isabeau that I loved as a kid, and also I loved the movie Ladyhawk, and Isabeau was one of the main characters.

2. Which fanfic of yours has the most feedback? (bookmarks/subscriptions/hits/kudos).

Room with a View (although Can’t Take the Sky From Me was a very close second  - I had to do actual math to figure it out; I’m impressed I remember how to math.)

3. What is your AO3 profile icon, and why did you choose it?

I don’t have one. I never bothered to upload it. If I did, it would be the same as the one for this account. It’s my cat Nibbs laying on my foot not long after we found him in my parents’ backyard. I use it because he’s cute and fluffy, and because I don’t like pictures of me floating around the internet.

4. Do you have any regular/favourite commenters?

I love all my commenters! It’s always exciting to get the notice that someone took the time to comment and I go back and reread them all all the time.

@maychorian​ has commented on a bunch of my Voltron fics (almost all of them I think), and I’m always super excited when I see her comments because she leaves such excellent and well thought out ones.

5. Is there a fanfic that you keep going back to read again and again?

Hound by story_monger I come back to because it’s so well done. The writing is fantastic, and the sense of suspense is amazing, and I really love the way it dealt with different layers of trauma and wove together the way past trauma continued to impact how present trauma was processed and dealt with. Plus the team was wonderfully tender with Keith, and he got cuddles.

Hyggelig by heyheroics I’ve gone back and reread a couple times. It is an example of the ever rare, non-romantic Keith and Lance center story. Well written and even though it’s not finished, the chapters read as short stories, so I’m not left with cliff hangers. I’m always excited when it updates.

I reread pieces from @maychorian​ all the time, particularly from the Boom Crash series and the Dream Seam series (*whispers* a lot of the time I skip straight to the cuddles. She writes the best cuddles.)

The Raised by Lions series by @eastofthemoon​ I like to go back and reread. Red and her strange furless cub are super fun to read about, and then Shiro comes along and there is even more fluff and cuddles.

Basically there’s a shortage of platonic fluff and cuddles in the Voltron fandom and when I run out, I go back and re-read my favorite cuddles.

6. How many stories are you subscribed to? How many do you have bookmarked?

I have like 12 bookmarked and 4 subscriptions. I always forget that’s a thing you can do on AO3.

7. Which AU do you find yourself writing the most?

.... so many. I’ve been working on The Five Lion Cafe au lately, trying to finish up the next one (almost done *fingers crossed*), and Mermaid Rescue and Rehab Inc. is up next on my list to finish, so I’ve been picking on that. 

I’d like to get back to Babe’s in Space at some point. I have general outlines for lots of short stories in that AU, and there actually is a bigger over arching plot if I ever get to it.

8. How many people are subscribed and bookmarked to you in total? (you can view this on the stats page)

91 subscriptions and 992 bookmarks

9. Is there something you’d like to write about but are afraid of people judging you for it? (Feeling brave? If so, share it!)

Mostly platonic physical intimacy, just because I don’t want to deal with it being labeled as romantic or shippy (I guess that’s not so much a fear of being judged as just not feeling like dealing with other people’s reactions). Once something is posted, you have no control over how it’s received or interpreted. That’s just the nature of publishing something; you have to let it go (or drive yourself crazy trying to force people to see it only the way you want, which is just not worth the time or energy).

Because of that, I sometimes pull back from writing a scene as intimate as I’d like, or I choose a slightly different approach to it, just because I don’t want to deal with seeing it labeled as a ship in the tags and comments.

10. Is there anything you would like to be better at? Writing certain scenes or genres, replying to comments, updating better, etc.

Action sequences and creating suspense. It’s hard to translate the movie-like images in my head into words for action sequences. I watch a lot of youtube videos for reference when I’m trying to write them.

And suspense, when done well, is just a great thing to be able to do. It keeps the reader engaged and makes the piece more exciting.

Also replying to comments! They mean so much to me, and I’m so terrible at replying.

11. Do you write rarepairs or popular ships more often?

Not really? I guess Ronin and Tara from Epic qualify as a rarepair just because the fandom for Epic is so small. I think the idea of Ezor and Kolivan from Voltron being a crack pair (not one that ever would or should show up in canon) is hysterical, but I haven’t written anything for them yet.

I really just don’t ship much in general.

12. How many stories have you posted on AO3 to this day (finished and unfinished)?

As of December 22, 2018, I have 49 stories up on AO3, all of them finished. I never start posting a story unless it’s already done.

13. How many stories do you have saved in/with your writing program?

So, that’s really hard to calculate. For every fandom I have what amounts to a dump document where I write random scenes and stories that I’m not sure will go any where, in addition to that I have:

Epic - 14 docs, most of those are probably single stories

ROTG - 9 docs, but I don’t think I separated out many of the WIPs from my main dump doc, so there’s probably more WIP there.

Voltron - 15 docs, but some of those documents are for series, so there’s might be multiple WIPs in the document.

And that’s just the unfinished stuff. I didn’t include the stories that are done. I usually keep those on my hard drive too because I don’t trust the internet not to suddenly eat my work.

14. Do you write down story ideas, or just keep them in your head?

I keep them in my head way too often, then go back to stories I’ve set down for a couple months (or years) and don’t remember what was going to happen. I’m trying to get better about writing out at least a general outline for stories so that doesn’t happen.

15. Have you ever co-authored a story?

I have co-authored with @eastofthemoon and @ladydouji. I’m kind of a flake about writing though and I’m really bad at keeping deadlines with something I just do for fun, so I don’t team up very often.

16. How did you discover AO3?

Google search for fanfiction because there wasn’t enough decent stuff on ff.net.

17. Do you consider yourself to be a popular or famous author in your fandom(s) on AO3?

I don’t think so? I don’t pay much attention so I don’t have much bases for comparison.

18. Do you have a nickname or fandom name for your readers?

Nope.

19. Was there an author who inspired or encouraged you to write?

I read a lot growing up (not so much now - grad school does a really good job burning you out when it comes to reading). I loved fantasy mostly, and a little bit of sci-fi, although that’s never been a super sharp distinction for me.

Patricia McKillip is my favorite author. I absolutely love the way she writes and the way she crafts stories. I really enjoyed Jane Yolen, and Bruce Coville too.

20. What writing advice would you give to a beginning author?

I really like Neil Gaiman’s 8 Rules of Writing.

The most important thing you can do is write. Get the words on the paper. That’s really the hardest part. I like his last rule best though “Write your story as it needs to be written. Write it honestly and tell it as best you can.”

21. Do you plot out your stories, or do you just figure it out as you go?

I usually know where they’re going (in my head at least, by the time I actually start getting words on the page), but sometimes they end up taking unexpected turns or new scenes show up out of now where while I’m writing. That’s part of what makes writing exciting. 

22. Have you ever gotten a bad comment on a story? If so, what did you do?

Nothing terrible, but a few (at least one of which went over my head until years later because they were being sarcastic).

I find I have an increasingly low reserve of energy, and things like that are not worth spending it on. I just ignore them.

23. Is there a certain type of scene that you have a hard time writing? (action, smut, etc..)

Interpersonal conflict! Why would these two normally rational people who care about each other let a thing escalate to the point of them actually fighting over it, or having it damaging their relationship, or coming to blows over it? And how do I write that in a way that doesn’t sound contrived and is in character to everyone involved.

24. What story(s) are you working on now?

Right now I’m working on finishing up the next Five Lions Cafe story, and also working on the last of the Mermaid Rescue and Rehab series.

I’m also working on a story that is probably going to be called Bad Moon on the Rise, and is focused on Lance and the Red Lion’s bond (and also has quintessence vampires).

25. Do you plan your next project(s) before you finish your current ongoing story(s)?

Yes! My brain never stops planning stories. Never.

26. Do you have a daily writing goal set for yourself?

Not really. Sometimes I’ll got through stretches where I write a lot, and other times my brain just melts and refuses to make words.

27. Do you think you’ve improved as a writer since you first started?

Yes! Even just going back a few years, but I’ve been writing since I was in elementary school, so there has been a great deal of improvement from the epic and fully illustrated “There are dinosaur ghosts living in our playground” that I wrote in first grade (and tried to convince my teacher was true).

28. What is your favorite story that you’ve written?

It’s actually not even up on AO3. It’s the only Narnia fanfic I ever wrote, and it’s called Refuge. One of those things that just felt unfinished and unaddressed in the Prince Caspian movie, and I like how I addressed it.

29. What is your least favorite story that you’ve written?

*Snorts* Thankfully lost to the great ether of individual fan sites that no longer exist, I had some CATS fanfics that were pretty terrible.

There’s also some Ronin Warriors stuff, and I think some stuff from the original Voltron dub, that’s pretty terrible, but I don’t have the heart to take down because people were actually kind enough to leave nice comments on them.

30. Where do you see yourself (as a writer) in 5 years?

The same, but hopefully better at it. I don’t really have any aspirations to be a professional writer. I’m happy just doing it for fun.

31. What is the easiest thing about writing?

The stories!

32. What is the hardest thing about writing?

Putting the words on the page!

33. Why do you write?

Because it’s fun! And challenging! And it gets the things in my head out of my head!

Tagging: anyone who wants to. I think all the people I know on tumblr have already been tagged.

[lxckyclovers-blog]

SOURCE

100+ followers, aaa!! i want to say a quick THANK YOU to everybody who stuck with me && SUPPORTED me, i really didn’t expect y’all to continue following me up to now and it really means a lot! i’ll mainly be writing about people who i’ve had some level of interaction with, but that DOES NOT MEAN i do not appreciate you && your blog! and now, without further ado and in no specific order:

@relixum​ / @gctshot​ / your other 6 blogs look at where we are... look at where we started... i know i don’t deserve you gale, but hear me out, that would be enough... honestly, we talk a lot, and as much as i compliment you whenever i get the chance to, that won’t stop me now. i love your rping so much?? like, every character you pick up, cherish, decide to give attention to... i instantly know that you’re going to write them so well!! you’re talented, smart, funny, and i! love! you! we just support each other a lot mutually, and whatever happens, no matter what, i’d like that to keep on happening in the future. but right now, know that i love you and you’re always in my mind at least twenty times a day. ♥

@pixcldream​ aaaAAA meme!! i think you were one of my first interactions when i first ever created my blog, but i can’t remember that. you were always kind of approachable for me && i always wanted to be your friend and talk a bit more to you? and heck, you may not be my parent anymore but you’ll always be a parent to me in my heart. i’ve always admired you and love your nanami and headcanons!! 100/10, justifies gamer girl a lot. i also love your art!! and u better watch out before i steal your hands to art like thy- also, if you feel as if you’re dying, Just Don’t

@mxssias​ aaaaAAALEX!! our hope boys combined together is a trouble we cannot keep at bay, and i am Glad™ i followed you because i love your naegi. he’s pure and only wants to do things for the sake of kibou, and i really love our boys’ interactions! even though... a lot has to do with crack. har har. but yeah, our interactions are a+ crack or serious, and may our hope boys spread hope!

@sunnywitchesperitou​ oooh tea!! i love your sonia, honestly! you put depth into her and you clearly know what you’re going to do to make sonia a much more interesting character! i also LOVE your art, like. dang, pleasing to the eye and just overall, your art blows me away!! keep doing what you’re doing mon ami, && you’re fun to talk w/, whenever we do!!

@snappshot​ / @cantatory​ / @steinways​ inHALES... sarah!! we haven’t threaded on your koi or mai yet but i don’t need to interact with them to know that you’re absolutely amazing and rping them. i love the dis//cords you host, bc it’s such a great idea!! even tho i don’t participate in much conversation, it’s still fun, and i love it whenever we talk mi amigaaaAAAA---ur portrayals are beyond amazing, i love how much care you harbor for your characters, that always leads to mind blowing rping!

@nullverum​ / @shpionaz​ listen up you four thirteen los3r...jk jk, boss you’re chill. i mean, i haven’t seen much of your oc but we talk ooc sometimes whenever i’m actually present in the groupchats, and it’s coolio!! i like your portrayal and bro u may not be my main but i will always kinkshame committee w/ you, and even though your name is from the horror film, er, my apologies---anime, homosuk, you’ll always be my friend! (also. psst i’m always up for discussing homosuk for a blast to the past if you need it)

@ofdesperationis MY FRIEND I LOVE IT WHEN YOUR ENO HARASSES MY KO, honestly!! like tbh, he’s just so salty at her and i love writing his reaction to her. he’s just so done with her && her HANDful of puns. i love you portrayal, too!! it’s trés bien, just...mmMM!! i didn’t know what i signed up for when i followed you back, but hoo boy do i not regret it. ko might not want to be friends with eno, buT IT SURE AS HELL doesn’t mean that we ain’t gonna be spicy friends if they ain’t!!

@mendcx / @kurenaii / i think you have other blogs but AKU GOD DAMN, i love your portrayals SO MUCH, and you know this...i know you doooo. i love our interactions && i love it when your kamu steps on my ko, fulfilling his gross and masochistic wishes. your kamu has to put up with so much shit and honestly, i kind of feel bad for him agikha but yo, hit me up in dms whenever bc bro i love talkin’ to you and i’m always up to more of that ship shit if you gotta dump out some stuff and CAN’T HOLD IT IN...oh if only you know how excited i was when you first hit me up, yo, harhar. love ya my buddy, my friend, my responsible friend

@lyingforadream / @hazuukashi / @ofstarsandfists ALRIGHT, DUSTING. j’aime tu rping, parce que est trés bien et tu ne peut pas dire moi autrement. okay, i translated some of that, bUT SOME OF IT IS FROM MY KNOWLEDGE SO YOU! CAN’T! JUDGE! ME! i’m still learning french mon ami, but still! i like your rping and hit me up in dms w/e i’m on and you wanna say something to me, bro. don’t hold back! you’re really funny and GOd, i love ur jokes but man YOU GOTTA STOP KILLING ME. but yea ily bro just try not to kill me anymore tyty you’re one of the best, don’t stop now

@shinguvji iggy!! yoo honestly, i’ve always looked up to you and whenever you notice me, i’m like 000: && you’re like a role model for me! i love interacting with you, it’s fun to see what happens when you put our two characters together. i’ll never forget the story times, especially the fact that guuji is an anthropologist who has Quite the Knowledge on, well, the strangest of stories. you’re really entertaining and i love seeing you on your dash, if i see anything posted by you, there’s like a 99% chance i’ll read it, because everything you create is intriguing!!

@ongakuvoices / @anemoia-avenoir / @ketsuekicrown AAAAAND RIO! gosh i absolutely LOVE the justice you give the characters, and i super duper wish you got more attention on nagisa because your portrayal is absolutely worth it, even if we haven’t interacted much on there. i love talking with you whenever i appear in the chatroom, and whenever we plot our twinbuki au!! can’t wait to set things straight and figure out family stuff, so we could start it already woohoo---your character portrayals are en pointe and i love interacting with you on any blog, and mioda always gives me that rush of adrenaline interacting with her like whoa!! what is she gonna do next? you’re doing 100% amazing so keep it up, my friend!!

@hexapodboy​ GOSH BON, i’ll be honest with ya!! i’ve always looked up to you and you always inspire me!! your portrayals are incredibly mind-blowing and i love seeing you on my dash!! your gonta is so pure and literally doesn’t deserve any of my ko’s antics, because he’s too innocent for it all. i love our crack threads and we need to get more serious threads going, seriously, but nonetheless our interactions are still amusing and, well, interesting! i wish we talked more ooc, you seem like a rly nice person && i love your kara icons ikhgkhgr really gives off the Cool™ demeanor, yo. but!! i can assure you that not 100% of our interactions will involve bombs, gonta deserves better than THAT

@mcfiant / @swcrdleap / your other 9 blogs--- IT’s been like, ten centuries bro, my dude, my partner in *komaeda and amami voice** death o’clock---and i love our interactions! and i love your portrayal of EVERY. SINGLE. CHARACTER. YOU. PLAY. regardless if i know that character or not, because you do such a good job that i just get the sense that it’s how the character legitimately is. we don’t talk much but when we did, it was amazing and i couldn’t stop laughing. i mean. it’s not every day you see amami kicking down doors over hiring assassins. i’ll always follow you mon ami because i love your portrayals and headcanons aND a lot more. one of my faves && i’ll read anything you have to offer bc your work is always interesting, honestly. even if your character is an asshole, komaeda can take it!!! he’s an asshole to himself, after all. but yea neal ily mi amigo and i promise i’ll tell you if anything’s wrong with your links akhgahg

AND I REFUSE TO FORGET THOSE WHO STUCK AROUND! the people in this section are people i’ve had really limited interactions with, but i’m very glad decided to stick around my blog!! i look up to you, and i wish i got to know y’all better so i could give you a spot up there with my positive comments!!

@despuddle / @kxaito / @fxshionable-mxsks​ / @ayatsurii / @kibarashiartist / @mxgicxlrxd / @invegold​ / @hairhorns​ / @twintaiiled / @goodluckgoodhope / @kyoukokiwigiri​ / @hxpelessnurse / @beheadingtoujou / @bubblegumrose / @fashicnkiller​ / @positivepianist​ / @robotichxpe​ / @bestiascuro​ / @docilexdisguises​ / @pseudxcode​ / @cxruscxte​ / @artqiues​ / @sollertiis​ / @boysofbrokensouls​ / @shufukuu​ / @frosted-mermaid​ 

&& HAVE AN AMAZING WEEKEND!!!

[atobylotak]

ANSWER THE FOLLOWING FOR YOUR MUSE(S) SO PEOPLE KNOW HOW SHIPPING WORKS ON YOUR BLOG. REPOST. DON’T REBLOG.

WHAT’S YOUR OTP FOR YOUR MUSE?: lietpol and polhun and that it honestly. These days it’s less like lietpl and more like Feliks and Arūnas specifically. FelArū/ArūFel idk man lmao. But I have always had such a huge thing for the two. I think the dynamic between the characters, and its shared history, are super interesting and it is always fun and engaging to explore the different ideas, concepts, scenarios, etc. between the two characters in any given point in history! Polhun is a ship that I have always had such a soft spot for. They’re bros in the source material, and in reality. It is wonderful and so nice! I tend to imagine them being friends now, but you can’t tell me they didn’t have a thing in the 1970s. Kaj can back me up on this one.

WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO RP WHEN IT COMES TO SHIPPING?: I am single ship, and not open to anymore ships than I currently have (lietpol, and the brief polhun). But in terms of rping with the respective ppl I ship this with, I am kinda up for anything. Any time period, any genre. As long as it makes sense and works with our characters and their own personal history, along with nation history. 

HOW LARGE DOES THE AGE GAP HAVE TO BE TO MAKE IT UNCOMFORTABLE?: that is tricky bc they’re nations and like.... Feliks and Arūnas have around a century or so difference -- perhaps even more. I guess when it comes to physical attributes, I am uncomfortable with like.... a 18yo appearing person with a 14yo or smth. Even if the 18yo is 900 and the 14yo is 300. Physcially, they represent an age gap that I would not condone at all bc that is pretty much pedoph.ilia 

ARE YOU SELECTIVE WHEN SHIPPING?: Very. Feliks, and the country he represents, has shared history with some that I would not condone putting together at all. e.g. ruspol. and gerpol too. If they don’t have a terrible past, and connected personality wise, I may consider it in an au or smth. Mainverse though, strictly lietpol and polhun and both of those ships are already being done by muns so I guess I am closed for anything else.

HOW FAR DO STEAMY MOMENTS HAVE TO GO BEFORE THEY’RE CONSIDERED NSFW?: if there are some foreplay (idk dick action, nipple play idk man) then yeah I’d consider that hot steamy nsfw? I personally am ehhhhhh on roleplaying it publically because I suck at writing that stuff? But I reblog some shit so oops.

WHO ARE OTHER MUSES YOU SHIP YOUR MUSE WITH?: literally just @niekonepadarysi (Mar ilu) and @swagyarorszag (Kaj ur cool af). and Kaj’s muse is a thing in the past once upon a time, rather than a current thing. I do have an OC that he had a thing for in the 30s-40s which breaks my heart everyday bc I am a Sucker for mortal/immortal ships ayyyy y y y y cries.

DOES ONE HAVE TO ASK TO SHIP WITH YOU?: well the only way to get a ship outta me now is au -- I imagine if we’re doing an au together then we’re friends and shit. Maybe suggest it like ‘yo I wanna do an au where our muses get together’ and if it sounds like it is a cool ship and I know the mun well enough, then fuck ye my man.  

HOW OFTEN DO YOU LIKE TO SHIP?: if we consider that Feliks is currently officially in a relationship, I am lowkey shipping 24/7. But in terms of discussing ship related stuff, and I guess doing au’s with ships? Uhhh... it’s not super daily. It’s usually only Mar I discuss this stuff with? Which varies from daily to fortnightly so idk. On average more than occasionally, but not super often?

ARE YOU MULTISHIP?: Lol nope. Nothing against it, just not my style? Feliks isn’t poly, and I mean unless I know other muns well enough for this shit, I like to keep my blog basically just 1 verse. 

ARE YOU SHIP OBSESSED OR SHIP MORE-OR-LESS?: If I am in The Zone and Mood and shit, I can be pretty into it and shit. But for the most part, I reckon more-or-less. I don’t really actively search for ships, or have 10 otps and shit. But I do have a lot of thoughts and feelings for my otps.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SHIP IN YOUR CURRENT FANDOM?: screams uhm? uhhhhhh? in heta.lia Feliks and Arūnas. In overw.atch uhhhh... Mei and Mercy? But I also love the idea of Luc.io and his 5 partners, 3 guys, 2 girls, and 2 of them are omni.cs. Ana and Rein are also really sweet and lovely. also Mei having a gf outside of the cast as well pls thanks. 

FINALLY, HOW DOES ONE SHIP WITH YOU?: if we’re mutuals, and we talk and shit, hmu and we will see what au stuff we can pull?

TAGGED BY: @nastoychivost thank u mittens omg u blessed soul

TAGGING: idk who hasn’t done it just yes u reading this do it