#you complimenting my music taste has me in shambles

[hyruleforests]

AHHHHH I SAW THR ASK YOU SENT ME I SWEAR YOUR BLOG IS SO SO COOL??? NOT TO MENTION YOUR MUSIC TASTE IS ACTUAL PERFECTION WHAT THE HELL?!??? <333 you sound so so interesting let's be friends :D

AHAHHRHWEDH OMG THANK YOU SO MUCH...... you are so kind oh my goodness 🫀🫀🫀 new friend you are getting your own tag

[reiarcher]

So, I'm nonbinary and gynesexual (attracted to feminine features, not just females) and I grew up in a very religious family. The first ten twice years of my life were spent going to church every Wednesday and Sunday. I never realized how little and how much it affected me at the same time. I've always struggles with being the "weird" kid, or the "interesting" one. Weird taste in clothing, food, music, entertainment, you name it, I was the weird one for liking the stuff I did. But, growing up in that environment, it tempered that strangeness. Everyone complimented me and focused on me when I dressed a certain way, acted a certain way.

I liked it, who wouldn't, but it just didn't feel like me. I didn't realize exactly why until recently, but, I'll get to that in time. For a while, my family stopped going to church. The one I'd grown up in was falling under. Sermons were lacking, the youth group was in shambles, and there were less and less events every year.

Of course, me being the idiot I am, have been, and always will be, I asked if we were going to church one Sunday morning. That's how I ended up being dragged to church every Sunday morning no matter what, unless I was sick, until I was eighteen. So far this is all normal, happens to kids everywhere in the U.S. Nothing special. It's just indoctrination, after all. Then, when I was about fifteen, I figured out that I'm not straight. And that's where everything went out the window.

Now I was suddenly that much more different, that much more strange. So I leant into that image is built up for twelve years even harder. Cowboy boots, jeans, zip up hoodies, "cool" t-shirts, face constantly in a book. Then I started listening to the sermons. Really listening. And I started seeing just how stupid it all was. I has never been a devout christian in any way, but, now I was finally starting to see how morally bankrupt religion really is. Purposely making people dysphoric. Purposely making people uncomfortable with their sexuality. Treating women like objects, men like gods, and marriage like a way to control women.

One of the girls in the youth group, who, at the time, I had a crush on, shared her confessional (basically a conversion story, for those not in the know) one night, and... Well, I couldn't bring myself to even talk to her after it. It took her one sermon to go from a bisexual with a long time girlfriend that she was in love with, to being "straight" and homo, bi, and transphobic. After hearing that... Something in my mentality shifted. At the time, I thought I was pansexual, and I promised to myself that I would never leave someone over something as stupid as religion.

Fast forward a bit, to when I was seventeen, and the LGBTQ+ community was starting to grow in both size and volume. Of course, my parents being who they are, started to make nearly every conversation they had involve the community somehow, just so that they could bash it over the head with whatever stupidity they could muster. And that's a lot. Then more and more people started coming out as trans, and they couldn't leave that alone.

Of course, with how horrid my parents were being, I had to vent quite a bit to my friends. And, through that, I realized that I couldn't remember a single verse of the bible. And yet, a single line, from a song if only heard a couple times was stuck in my brain on repeat everytime my parents started talking about the LGBTQ+ community. "One page of the bible isn't worth a life." Such a simple line, yet, every time I hear it, it hits just as hard as it did the first time I heard it. That single line had a bigger impact than an entire book of bigoted, disgusting ideas.

About seven months ago, I figured out that I'm nonbinary, and it just made listening to my family so much worse. Now that I'm nineteen, and I've got a job, I'm trying to get as far away from my family as I can as quick as I can, but, I think we all know how that usually goes.

Tldr: Religion is stupid, parents are stupid, I'm an idiot, but not stupid, surprisingly, and I'm bad at trying to keep my stream of thoughts in any way readable.

[windup-dragoon]

Tonight I tried something different! I created a more modern AU. Everything is about the same, the Scions and Warriors of Light are working to uncover Ascians, to stop the threat of Primals, and put an end to the Garleans reign. Kugane and Doma have been completely under the Garlean rule when Hien’s father is killed and the prince is assumed dead. The magitek soldiers are more machine than man and act as security throughout Kugane. 

Thank you @ishgard​ for the prompt! Probably not what you were expecting but I wanted to change it up a bit after writing last nights piece. 

【Ｈｉｔ　ｏｒ　Ｍｉｓｓ】

Hien x Kirishimi 

Word Count: 2,189

It had definitely been a day. Her body felt sluggish as she weaved her way through the bobbing crowd of hopelessly lost youths. To music with bass that could mimic a heart attack and ear splitting electronic tones they swayed and danced, as if kelp in the tide. Beneath a cloud of glittering smoke and lights that made her eyes hurt. Just how she wanted to spend the remainder of this dismal day. 

Heels clicked as she marched through the throngs, all but stomping along illuminated tiles on the floor to reach her destination. A large bar with an endless expanse of colored drinks lining the wall. Beneath the dance floor lights each bottle seemed a vibrant neon, poisons with fruity names. One day she would know the taste bottled inside each one that lined these shelves, surely she was already half way there with how often she frequented the club. 

Kirishimi leaned against the glass top bar, drumming agitated fingers against the rhythm of music. “Mix me somethin’ strong tonight, Isho. I’ve had a rough one.” Miscolored eyes shut as the music shifted and sent the crowd into a delighted frenzy. 

“My apologies,” A soft voice spoke out to Kiri amid the chaotic drumming. Kiri immediately shot the bartender a look of bewilderment. Instead of her typical contact, a hyur male with raven hair stood in the Au Ra’s spot, cleaning a glass as if it were business as usual. “Isho isn’t here tonight. What can I get you instead, my friend?” 

She squinted against the dizzying lights. Many of her months now had belonged to this club and its patrons. Although ultimately under Garlean control and influence, Kirishimi found it a prime location to gather information. Occasionally, when wayward guests would find themselves enticed by silken words and gilded visions of a grand future she would intervene. The Garleans and their ilk had found new ways to replenish their ranks in a diminishing army. All it took was empty promises and a single dose of Black Rose, the latest ‘medical’ advancement magitek corporations could offer. Those charmed by such beautiful words would be rallied into their army of mechanical soldiers, no longer themselves and replaced with metal. 

But of all her time frequenting this location, never had she encountered this particular bartender. Her contact had always been Isho. No matter the time, no matter the date. He had always been her safety net when things went south. So then, who was this fresh face? 

Despite the lack of fair lighting she could visibly see various patterns of ink scribbled across both his arms, tucking neatly beneath the rolled cuffs that came to his elbows. Thick ebony hair, longer than her own, and a clean cut beard trimmed close to his jawline. Certainly not a difficult sight on the eyes, if she were being honest. Even the scar over his left eye, splitting his eyebrow at a slant, seemed rather charming. Or perhaps this was just her type? 

Kirishimi blew out a sigh after taking in the mans features, two fingers rubbing her temples to shoo away a rapidly approaching migraine. “I’m not your friend. Where’s Isho?” 

The man chuckled. “Actually, I believe he put in his resignation and quit this place.” The cup in his hands squeaked as he continued to clean it. Kirishimi quietly wondered if he knew that only scratched the glass. “As should you. It isn’t safe for a pretty face.” 

The woman blinked but kept her attention to the various bottles of liquor displayed just out of reach. “...Is that a threat?” 

“Ah,” Another laugh slipped. “No, you’re misunderstanding my attentions. And normally when someone calls another ‘pretty’, it’s a compliment.” 

“Get to the point, kid.” 

The tone shifted, as did the music as if on cue. All bass with the tiles of the dance floor beating in rhythm. Almost matching a heartbeat. The bartender at last set aside his glass and splayed his hands across the bars pristine surface, leaning close to her. An air of rosewood and sake tickled her senses. 

“You’re one of the Warriors, aren’t you? Well, word on the street has it that some big wigs are here tonight. They’ve got hounds that want your head.” 

Kirishimi tilted her head to better gauge the mans expression, noticing much too late just how close he had gotten in order to whisper over the music. “And why are you tellin’ me this and not Isho?” The whole situation seemed off. A set up perhaps? Not even Alphinaud had mentioned hunters on the prowl. His information was often straight from the source. There was no way he wouldn’t have heard about it. Unless...? 

Her eyes widened as a sudden urgency stirred in her breast. They had found him out. Not just Isho, but traced the roots all the way back to Alphinaud and his ragtag crew of information suppliers. The gods were determined to make the day even worse for Kirishimi it seemed. Fools. 

The man offered a small smile before drawing himself away. “Don’t worry, your secret identity is safe with me. If you don’t mind working for me.” 

Kiri huffed and spun on her heel, her back leaning against the bar now. Over the vast and endless sea of the dancing crowd she could see them. Crimson eyes that pierced through the strobe lights and mechanical bits that sparked with reflected light. Magitek soldiers. Often they were disguised as everyday bouncers but not these particular models. If she had to bet, they were fresh off the assembly line. No doubt armed to the teeth with fun toys that would shred flesh like tissue paper. 

“Work for you, huh? I dunno ‘bout that.” Brushing aside stray locks of white hair, Kiri contemplated her options. For all she could tell this man was playing her like a fiddle. A Garlean spy who knew the right words. If that were the case, the situation seemed grim. No escape. The magitek soldiers would have her surrounded and he would have the emergency exit covered. 

“What do you have to lose? You said it yourself, you were having a rough day already, right?” Without granting the man even a curious glance she could hear the smile in his voice. A fool trying to play at chess. When she failed to answer, she heard the gate of the counter click and lift from its lock. “Time’s ticking, Warrior. You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours. Deal?” He moved beside her, an idiots grin tugging at his lips. 

But it was his movement away from the counter that now drew the attention of the very guards they so despised. A whirling of clicks leaked into the speakers, static that disrupted the music. None of the party goers seemed to take notice however, and simply adjusted to the new diluted sound. 

“Get us out and I’ll consider it.” Kirishimi shot the man a dangerous look. If it were all but a trap, she wouldn’t go down without a fight. A cornered animal is often worse than one found in the wild. 

“Perfect! You really have that ‘I’ll kill you’ look down to a science, huh? Or am I special?” The man teased. But before she could grant him a response, his hand latched around her wrist. Warm and worked, his palm calloused. Just who was this man? 

His right hand raised in the air just as the automatons flooded the floor, guns and various blades drawn. A spark of light ruptured from his outward facing palm and extended in an almost straight line, just a touch longer than his arm. His fingers clutched the burst of light and it shattered, materializing a katana in its wake. 

Alerted buzzings and panicked alarms rang out now from the soldiers at the sight of a drawn weapon. Chaos unleashed itself upon the couple in a hail of bullets. Bottles with intoxicating contents broke apart in tiny explosions of liquor and shards of glass. The man brandished his blade with ease, despite the lack of a second free hand, repelling the advancing forces while breaking out into a run for the exit. Kirishimi, close at his heels, kept close and ducked accordingly when swords swung out to stop them. 

The impostor bartender keenly delivered them to the front doors. Bullets ricocheted on either side of them, shattering the glass of a floor to ceiling window that held the clubs logo and Garlean symbol. Like rain in a storm shards of glass poured at her feet, clattering and crunching beneath her heels. The raven haired man knocked aside a bit of remaining glass with the hilt of his katana before dragging her through to the cool night air. 

Silence greeted them. The city of Kugane had grown empty under Garlean control, or perhaps compliant was the better word. Except for a number of night clubs like this, civilians rarely ventured out at night. Magitek soldiers littered the streets, roaches ever scouring. 

“Here!” The man shouted, already aware of more soldiers shambling out of alleyways and opening fire upon them. With a tug of her wrist he encouraged her to follow, leading her to the street where a black motorcycle was left unattended. He released his grasp only to throw one leg over the machinery. A twist of the key left in its ignition and it roared to life. A tiger growl in the empty night. “Get on and hold on tight.” 

Sure, she could have run opposite of him now and down an alley to escape her pursuers. It would have been easy enough. But the man cocked his head over his shoulder, green eyes alight with an unfamiliar glow. His jaw tensed. No. She wouldn’t break their deal off just yet. Not until she found out what happened to Isho and if the Warriors and Scions were in jeopardy. He was her only clue to the answers. 

A bullet skimmed by. She felt the wind tear several strands of her hair before she made her decision. Kirishimi lurched forward to the bike, throwing her leg over as he had done and coiled her arms around his waist. Beneath the vest he wore and white button down, she noticed this man was no ordinary bartender. His stomach felt as hard as rock itself. Or perhaps he truly enjoyed lifting weights? 

Her thoughts abandoned her as the bike jostled forward. A feral rumble of the engine and they were off, a blur in the night that faded down the street. Magitek soldiers tried to hold pursuit and give chase. But before long Kirishimi could no longer make out their blinding red eyes in the distance. Or the flashing neon light of the club dubbed ‘Seventh Heaven’. 

-- 

“Here. Lemme get you something for that pain. It’s got to be killing your shoulder.” 

“I’m fine.” 

Over an hour they spent driving around that evening. The wind had blasted her face, leaving her cheeks red and icy to the touch. But it was in efforts to throw off their enemy, a price she would willing pay considering it seemed to work. The magitek outside the small complex staggered down the road, oblivious to their hiding spot. 

He threw open a cupboard over the sink and rattled a bottle of pills. “At least let me get the bullet out. It could be a tracker. Or worse, you’ll bleed all over my sofa.” 

Kirishimi sighed and leaned herself forward so she sat on the edge of the couch. He was partially right. Since the soldiers outside seemed unaware of their presence, she had her doubts that the bullet lodged in her shoulder was a tracking device. But the old couch would definitely be stained if she remained untreated. 

“... Hurry up then, chief.” 

“The least you could do is ask for my name. You know, like a civilized person. It’s Hien.” Footfalls approached behind her and stopped at the back of the couch. The wood of the furniture squeaked while cushions beneath her caved beneath his weight. Like a bird he had perched himself on the back, legs on either of her sides. 

“Hien...? Why does that sound familiar?” She leaned further away from Hien, lost in thought. 

“You probably know me as Hien Rijin. My father was the lord of Doma before it was taken over.” 

This news had her mismatched eyes grow wide in surprise. The prince of Doma was alive?! Kirishimi twisted at the hip to look up at her rescuer but screeched at the sight of a knife in his hand. 

“What are you doing?! Don’t point that at me!!” She wailed, snatching up a throw pillow to defend herself. 

Hien puffed his cheeks and strained against his desire to laugh at her. “I’m going to preform an operation. If the scary lady will tell me her name, there may be some pain killers to be had first.” 

Pouting, Kirishimi reluctantly gave in, even sitting up straighter to give him better access to her bloodied shoulder. “Kirishimi Yasuragi.” 

“Ah. Cute name for a pretty and terrifying lady. Now, take your shirt off.” 

Smack. 

[goodbyegoodsprings]

Diva- 14, 20, 29 and E. Elanora - 4, 17, 38, and A!

Oh hey!! I’m happy I got another ask on this (Again proving the Imagibros are the best ;u;) Anyways here’s a Silly Mage and Vampire for ya! 

Diva (Paige):

14. What animal do they fear most?

Anything found in the depths of the ocean.

Bulls, she once saw a movie clip as a kid of a Minotaur skewering his victims on his broad horns. She proceeded to look into the legend of the Minotaur, and nothing really got better. The stigma carried over onto bulls as well, as such she will avoid the running of the bulls, rodeos, and mechanical bull riding machines found in some bars. All this from a cable B movie.

No yee-haw here.

20. If they were asked to explain the difference between romantic and platonic or familial love, how would they do so?

Paige would likely respond with a chipper response about how all loved ones are like a family to her, including her fanbase. (Which is a convenient answer, but not exactly the complete truth of her feelings.)

She believes a majority of all relationships are upheld by a give and take system - that if someone isn’t getting something out of someone they might not stick around: 

A family wants you to be successful and get results,

A friend wants you to entertain them enough to want to be around,

A lover wants all the affection you can bleed from your heart. And more.

29. Do they usually live up to their own ideals? 

Not during those late night calls to her manager where she has to be talked through another panic attack. Her ideal is the perfect idol - someone lovely and happy with not a care in the world, someone who makes others happy just by walking into the room and smiling ever-so-gently. Not choking on air, remembering a fist closing up her wind pipe. Not how she flirts so shamelessly. Not how her own curiosity might guide her to breaking into another persons mind, shredding their privacy. But she knows she isn’t perfect, why else would her parents have left her the way they did?

E.  Are they someone you would get along with? Would they get along with you?

I remember a day when this was a self insert for your game’s webcomic;;;

I’m sure I’d like her decently, as I am easily impressed and when met with excitement I respond just the same, more excitement. I’d probably be gushing over how cute her outfit is

And on her end she would likely try hard to make me like her - she just craves validation, and wants to be liked by most people she meets. And man does she like compliments, and would probably say she liked my hair or something then ask what some of my favorite music is and try and find out if we have any similar tastes.

We’d chatter aimlessly, make plans to go to Vegas together and then likely never talk again. At best I might get tickets to a show, and flirted with.

(How flattering.) At worst however she makes me want to end the conversation early, or causes something to come up so she can leave. (;u;)

Elanora:

4. How easy is it to earn their trust?

Insanely easy, give them a cookie and they will likely think you’re the sweetest thing. And so what if she can’t eat, IT’S THE THOUGHT THAT COUNTS. Unless you’ve shown to be a shifty individual, or someone has warned her about you she isn’t hard to befriend. At all. Honestly with how she can be it’s more likely you’ll be suspicious of her behavior, most vampires have an agenda after all… Why is this Toreador so *damn* chipper and interested in knowing more about your miniature collecting hobby!? THE FIEND!

17. Are they easily embarrassed?

If you ever paw through her old sketches or works, you can see her contorting in embarrassment for every one you look upon. They aren’t particular fond of their newest piece either… When they go to show you something new it’s very possible that Elanora will start berating her own piece right in front of you - picking out details that she doesn’t like. (Here’s hoping it isn’t a portrait of you, I guess!)

39. What memory do they revisit the most often?

The day before the night of her embrace, how she had stopped moment to watch the clouds roll by in the crisp spring skies, the sun felt so warm on her skin, it was so peaceful… That memory of her last day carries her to her goal.

A. Why are you excited about this character?

They’re just so goofy and floofy in comparison to the grim world they find themselves in, they want to bring something reminiscing sunlight back to the cold, shambling husks of her newfound society in hopes it will inspire all who see it to look on the bright side, to draw communities together, to share in ideas. She’s lovely, and full of bad ideas with good intent.

Also they have a cat named Icarus

Again thanku for asking, I hope these weren’t too incoherant ^u^Today’s going by hard;; I appreciate this thanks

[zwei-the-penguin-with-a-pen]

‘Out on the Town’

“Are you sure you don’t want to change clothes first? It’s supposed to be a bit cool this evening.” Weiss asked as the two of them left their last class of the day. Weiss wasn’t all that fond of stepping out in a school uniform, even if she and Ruby both looked banging in them. Ruby laughed at her for saying such a thing.

“This is Vale, Weiss. It never gets terribly cold unless it’s winter out. Even then, compared to Atlas it would still be warm.”

“Yeah, I guess you aren’t wrong. So what movie are we going to see?”

“I’ve heard great things about the new Puma Thurman movie,” Ruby suggested. Weiss was intrigued, though one thought could easily kill the evening.

“Please tell me it’s not a musical. Blake has been killing me with the soundtrack for that one lately.” Ruby shook her head.

“I don’t think it’s a musical. I think she stopped doing musicals after that one. It would have been a tough act to follow.” Ruby also loved the film in question. Puma Thurman’s take on the ‘Beauty and the Beast’ fairytale had spun into a fantastic film, although Ruby understood that her girlfriend was not much for musicals. She could get behind a Disney flick any day, but singing animals were never a bad choice.

Weiss took out her Scroll and searched for the movie to find local theater playing times. “There’s a 6:15 showing at the theater down the way from the Diamond Dust resort. Isn’t that one of those 'dinner and a movie’ places?”

“No, that’s the one inside the Diamond Dust. You have to be staying at the resort to get in there. The one you mentioned isn’t a bad spot, though. The snacks are reasonably priced, and the seats are super plush. It’s a real treat for your buns.” Ruby mentioned, saying that last bit before she realized. Weiss raised an eyebrow.

“Well, I do like to treat your buns pretty well…” Weiss smirked. Ruby could not handle that attempt at a joke; she laughed uncontrollably for a minute or two.

“Dust, that was funny!”

“Shush! Maybe I won’t treat your buns that nicely anymore.”

“That’s fine with me,” Ruby shrugged and crossed her arms for dramatic effect. “I still love your buns more than any other ones… except maybe hotdog buns. I’m all about hotdogs.”

“You’re terrible, do you know that?” Weiss rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. Ruby sped over and put one arm around Weiss’s shoulders.

“Isn’t that why you love me, Weiss?” Ruby beamed at her girlfriend. Weiss couldn’t take it anymore. She grabbed Ruby by the waist and pulled her into a kiss. Weiss’s lips were always so soft. Ruby kissed back, hoping she was doing it well. Weiss certainly liked to kiss her, so she must not be awful at it. “You taste like blueberries today,” Ruby informed her, spinning from the kiss.

“I finally ate that muffin I was saving. Did you get new lip balm or something? I caught a hint of melon just now.”

“I lifted some gloss junk from Yang. I don’t know if it looks that great, but it makes my mouth feel good. It’s pretty tasty, too.” Ruby blushed.

“Ruby, you might be the cutest thing ever.”

“I call shenanigans. YOU are the cutest thing ever.” It was Weiss’s turn to blush now. “Anyway, you said something about dinner. Anywhere special you’d like to eat?”

“The movie runs sort of long, so something filling would be great. Do you still like Ursa Major?”

“Still my favorite eats in Vale, yes.”

“Alright, we’ll eat there.” The two of them hailed a taxi and made for Ursa Major. Ruby had a fabulous steak dinner while Weiss had an incredible seared sea bass with a garden salad. They caught another taxi to the theater just in time to grab tickets.

Luckily, this one actually wasn’t a musical. Weiss and Ruby were both glued to the screen, as was anyone when they watched a Puma Thurman movie. Though they did break away to steal kisses from one another from time to time, they were usually fully engrossed in the film.

“That was an excellent movie, Ruby. I’m glad you talked me into it.” Weiss complimented as she hailed one last taxi to get them back to the school.

“Yeah, Puma’s always a great choice! Here’s hoping Blake and Yang haven’t completely demolished the dorm.” Ruby chuckled at her own words.

“Blake said they were watching a Spruce Willis movie, but you know how they are. Also, those movies aren’t very good anyway. They’re more for background noise than actually watching.”

“Yeah, they probably didn’t see anything past the first act…” The two of them laughed at that. This had been quite a nice little date.

Once they got back they found the dorm was not in shambles, much to their delight. Blake and Yang were sprawled across Blake’s bottom bunk together, sleeping softly in each other’s arms.

Once they’d changed into sleepy clothes, Weiss and Ruby crawled into Weiss’s bottom bunk together. Even after a few 'more proper renovations’ Ruby’s bunk felt a bit dangerous to Weiss, especially for two people. After a few kisses and cuddles, the red slayer and the white queen fell fast to sleep. \/\/\/\/\/

\/\/\/\/\/

\/\/\/\/\/

Day 20: School Uniform

This is pretty much the parallel to this day’s fic from my last challenge, ‘Fantastic Baby’ which featured the Beez hanging out around the dorm while Ruby and Weiss were out having a date.

Also Puma Thurman was an idea I had some time ago, and I think I mentioned her before. It’s a play on their use of ‘Spruce Willis’ from Volume Two.