#I'm having such a fun cycle

[billowingangel]

It's so rude that I've had a migraine all day, trying (and failing) to be productive and it's hard to do anything when it feels like a ball of pain is rattling in your head

[pillsopa]

BLUE!!! blue my favorite ant…

[reneesbooks]

actually i'm thinking about emotion sharing as a trope because i will always go balls to the wall for it. the way that intimacy is required and inescapable. this person is a part of you they are linked inextricably to you they know the things you hide behind your mask. this person can feel when you're scared or shocked or grieving and knows you even when you don't want it. the way that the lines between the individuals are blurred. is this my rage or yours. do i love you or do i only feel the love you have for me as my own. arguments that only get worse because the anger is doubled in each of them. nobody else can understand what's going on in your head but i know, i feel you even when you and i don't want it to happen. the unbearable horror of being known in such a raw and unfiltered way. the unbearable tenderness of always having someone who will understand you in a way nobody else can. catch me at the bottom of the ocean about it.

[ping-ski]

yk what i WILL share my old dragonfruit ship art from like 2 years ago lol. starting with these!! <3 (will share more later)

[theactualsunshinechild]

I think Aventio and Screwtio shippers shouldn't fight. After all, Ratio has two hands!

That's right. Two hands.

One for his chalk.

One for his codex.

Both of which he's holding in an embarrassed death grip as they chat away with each other about him.

[bittersweetresilience]

the great gatsby / kentucky route zero / koe no katachi / disco elysium / omori / night in the woods / homestuck / koe no katachi / l'étranger / disco elysium / firewatch / john dies at the end / everything everywhere all at once / the subtle art of not giving a f*ck

[strawberry-seal77]

she has a very important question

[scificrows]

The Roombabot Diaries

"Even without full scan function, I still had my dark vision filters and my own mapping data, so with the fixed point of the corridor hatch, I could retrace my steps to the ramp. It just looked awkward and stupid because for the first part I had to navigate like a floor-cleaning bot." - Martha Wells, System Collapse (Video and audio description below the cut)

VIDEO ID:

An animated video of Murderbot, in a full environmental suit (featuring a little 'Perihelion' logo on its chest and an opaque helmet).

Murderbot is wandering around a dark space, the sound of its footsteps on the stone floor are audible. It walks in a straight line to the right until it hits a pillar with an audible 'thunk' noise and stops. A grumpy smiley face appears next to it.

It recalibrates, making little chirping calibrating sounds, then turns and moves towards the viewer until it seems to hit the camera (again with a 'thunk' noise and a little frowny smiley face next to it) and recalibrates again.

It turns its back to the viewer and starts walking again, this time seemingly hitting the wall in the back. It recalibrates again, then turns to the right and starts walking again. After a few seconds it stops briefly, two exclamation marks appear next to it along with a beeping noise, then it quickly walks out of frame.

[taraxippos]

I might actually have to fucking kill the 3 moons thing in my setting. I might have to do it. Like I'm willing to just completely ignore how having 3 large satellites would absolutely change conditions from 1:1 earthlike in major ways, but I can't(??? maybe) have the moons be visible in different phases in any given day.

Like:

Per this highly professional diagram, if the 3 moons are each in these circled (relative) positions to the sun on their respective orbits, an earth viewer would see each 'rise' and 'set' over the course of a given day in 3 separate phases right?? This is definitely elementary school basic but my brain is fucking fried right now so bear with me.

On one hand (still wholly ignoring planetary physics) this could be an opportunity for more complex worldbuilding in ways that would be fun for me (special significance when all 3 are visible in the same phase, loads of implications for astrology systems, etc) but on the other hand the lunisolar calendar system I painstakingly figured out and is important to the story would be in fucking shambles because I didn't think of this issue until now somehow.

[tumblweeds-omegaverse]

random omegaverse thought:

There must be people who experience specific instinct things with indifference or boredom.

Procreative cycle coming up? "Crap, I've got plans this weekend...stupid skip weeks."

Caught an intriguing scent while walking? "But I need to get to work! Shut up brain."

Had a snap response to a distressed sound? "Who was it?! ...right, it's my day off, I can go back to sleep."

Somebody growled at them? "Kid, I'm not a rival, that's my sibling."

Super cozy cuddle session happening nearby? "I'm gonna pass tonight guys, no social battery left, maybe next time."

Group of friends heading out to flirt and check out other singles? "I'm coming with you but only to make sure you all get home safe."

Setting where fated mates or soul bonds or permanent marks are a thing? "Meh. I don't really want one or care if I ever get one."

People in the actual omegaverse would get as bored of their stuff, as we do of ours, you know? It could be interesting to see that kind of vibe in fics. Biological demands faced with all the excitement of paying bills or doing laundry or tying your shoes.

Even if that kind of energy might not drive a plot, it could be interesting to have as a contrast to the people who do have big feelings about them - good or bad.

There's the friends who can't wait til they have a pack of their own, and the one friend who isn't against it but couldn't care less. There's the group in the office who are all about scent compatibility tests and figuring out one's best match and what sprays most highlight it, and the coworker who has no intentions on putting that much effort in. There are parents who hover and protect their offspring by scenting them multiple times a day, and others who don't see what the fuss is as long as it's done in the morning.

...also: packs with introverts who show care by giving each other space. So often, closeness is depicted through physical touch and tactile affection, but comfortable silence is meaningful too. Knowing people are near, but not having to interact until you're ready. Sitting in the same room doing different things, knowing that all it takes is a "hey, look at this" to share what you're up to. People understanding and accepting each other's differing or fluctuating needs for how and when to recharge. Seeing somebody reaching out or sharing space, beyond what's their norm, as a signal of the fact that they care.

[tt04sty]

One unfortunate thing about reading TRC is that in my mind, Adam looks like James Acaster

Can anyone see my vision? Can anybody hear me

[kindahoping4forever]

Do you think this fandom is dying?

Note: I originally got this ask a while back and didn't get a chance to answer before the Malum stuff started happening and it seemed like this idea might be less of a concern. But recently I've seen similarly themed conversations and thought my answer might still be relevant.

I can definitely understand how one might be tempted to see things that way but I think there's a few important distinctions to consider before any grand statements are made.

When the band is off tour and between albums, fandom activity usually slows and then with the new era, we see a resurgence of fans excited and ready to engage, along with new fans and typically a few from the past checking in. (Solo eras tend to bring in a similar type of resurgent activity but nowhere near the level of when the proper band is releasing a project and the broad interest tends to taper after the initial single release, as we're seeing the dropoff with Malum right now.)

We're also currently in the midst of what may end up being the band's longest period of public inactivity to date. Fans often talk about the "drought" during 2017 while Youngblood was being recorded but in actuality, we were still getting daily content from their socials and they even went on a 13 date tour that year. Even during covid, it felt like forever but between the CALM release and promo, 5SOS5 recording updates via socials and the content we likely wouldn't have gotten outside of the pandemic (ie: the infamous Amazon stream, the Quarantea, a few IG lives and the tier list), we were still getting fed. Contrast that all with where we are now: 5SOS5 is nearly 3 years old, they haven't played a show since October 2023 and we know the next album is actively underway but we really have no idea where they are in the process because they for the most part (understandably) are not sharing much on socials anymore. There's not a ton of fandom discussion going on because there's not a ton to discuss tbqh.

Is the online fandom smaller than it used to be? Absolutely. Do I think this means people are actually changing their ways and renouncing their fandom in droves? No. I've been a fan for 11 years and an active online contributor for 7 and I can honestly say that the 5SOS online fandom is one of the most brutal, emotionally taxing and at times toxic fandoms I have ever engaged with. I'll always be grateful for it, it's changed my life in countless ways and I wouldn't be who I am today without it but I have absolutely paid a price being involved with it as deeply and as long as I have. Tumblr is hands down the chillest branch of the fandom (with that said, I have still had some downright ugly experiences over the years) but it's also the smallest and quietest. We're an island of sorts, vibing somewhere else, and while I've always been a big advocate of curating your own experience online, it's not always practical to completely tune out the happenings on other platforms that see more engagement but also a lot more toxicity. I personally know a handful of people (and have anecdotally seen numerous others) reach a breaking point and decide to protect their peace and cut online engagement out of their fandom diet, save for official channels and their own safe circle. In all transparency, even I have seriously considered that choice more than once and as recently as last year. The band isn't losing fans, a lot of fans feel they've lost a community where they feel comfortable spending their time without judgement or drama (whether the target be the band or the fans themselves) constantly threatening to infiltrate what should be a safe space.

This somewhat goes hand in hand with the previous point but I'd be remiss not to mention another key component of this equation: life is hard and people are tired. It's a sweeping generalization but I think most would agree it's one that's hard to argue with. The past few years have been rough and running this blog, I've seen it take its toll on the way people engage. Posts that would've once been reblogged with fervent tags become silent likes, friendly asks and comments that would've once been sent remain unwritten, fic ideas that would've once been written settle for being unexplored concepts in a friend's DMs. Having an online presence can be taxing especially if you're engaging socially, especially if you're a creative contributor in the community and it takes the kind of energy that a lot of people are in short supply of these days. If this new normal continues to behave the way it has for the past couple years, I'd expect to see a few peaks in engagement when big moments happen (album announcement/release, first music video/performance back, tour beginning/ending, etc) but for the most part, daily interaction is left to a core group.

So all this to say... the answer to your question is somehow both yes and no! In general, I don't find it unusual or concerning for a fandom's activity to fluctuate, especially a fandom as long-running as ours.

If I've learned anything over the years, it's that this fandom is predictable. The fandom at large has a bad habit of getting bored easily and that boredom often leads people to jump ship until things are exciting again. Others may choose to make their own excitement, which almost always results in drama (whether it be about fellow fans or the band itself), which in turn leads to people stepping away and the cycle continues on. It can definitely be frustrating to experience but time after time, once the band returns, so does the enthusiasm, the drifters and the positive vibes. So I'd say, don't count us out yet!

[merakiui]

LEONA, JAMIL, AND VIL IN THE LOUD CATAGORY?!?! 👀👀👀 pls,,,elaborate, you put them in a row too like the torture 🥵

I imagine Vil is going to be unabashed in his expressions. He sees no shame in being loud, and if your relationship with him isn't a secret of course he's going to want to flaunt it. He's proud of you and the relationship he has with you, so why should he limit that in bed? Also, I just think Vil can be dramatic and bratty in bed sometimes and so there are moments where he's louder than he usually is.

Jamil and Leona are within the same sub-category of fucks you so good that others nearby can hear the bed creaking and the headboard banging against the wall. Leona just doesn't care; he's shameless like that, so all of Savanaclaw is going to know he's getting laid. He growls a lot and if he really loses himself in sex those growl-moans of his can get quite loud. <3 but also when Leona's in the mood you're going to need help walking afterwards and everyone's going to know who rearranged your guts lol. That, and Savanaclaw's layout is open and many beastfolk have impeccable hearing, so if they don't hear the bed creaking or Leona's groans then they're definitely going to hear you.

Conversely, Jamil isn't one to make much noise verbally. He's more likely to be quiet, grunting or groaning softly in your ear. But he has a tendency to fuck you roughly when he's in the mood to do so (which is more often than you'd think because being Kalim's servant is both irritating and exhausting; and the bedroom is one of the few places Jamil has control), which often results in the bed making more noise than he does simply because the pace he sets is brutal and relentless. He often pushes your face into the sheets to muffle your sounds so that no one will hear either of you, but if anyone listens close enough they can put two and two together after hearing the creaking bed and the sinful slap and squelch of skin on skin.

[starleska]

Heya. So um... I got a question. Which character you fell in love the most? Maxime Le Mal (Despicable Me 4) or Ronaldo (Helluva Boss) or maybe both of them? If someone already asked you that question, that's fine

oh...forgive me, you made me think about Maxime Le Mal and Rolando at the same time, and i think my brain blanked out for a second 🥴💖 what were we talking about? 🙈🙈

my first response to this excellent question is: why would i ever pit two bad bitches against each other? 🥰💖 i adore both characters in different ways for different reasons but i think trying to figure out which one i love 'more' is a bit like that 'two cakes' comic. it's less about one cake being better than the other - i'm just like, 'Holy shit! Two cakes!' 😂💖

however, this is an interesting pair as they have a lot of similarities to each other!! both older, fancily-dressed villains wearing tinted glasses (why is it always the tinted glasses?! 😖) who spend a great deal of time trying to cause distress to their targets and who are hiding a sexy monstrous form 😉 equally funny - the second i saw both of them in their respective trailers, i knew i was doomed. sometimes you just see a character and hear the autistic equivalent of the Kill Bill siren, you know? 😭💖

if we're going by a 'how ill is this guy making you' metric, i can confirm that i've done very little but think about our new favourite eel fellow for the past few days...and Maxime had me in a similar 'can't think about anything else' grip 🙈 a lot of my character fixations can be put on a spectrum somewhere between brief crush and Category 5 Autism Event, with the closeness to the latter being determined by 'how much have you talked about them', 'how many fanworks have you created in a short period of time', and 'how severely are they reducing your functioning' 😂 i think the absolute worst i've had over the past year or so were the Toymaker (i have never made that amount of fanworks for a character so quickly) and Nordic Bunny (i forgot to eat 💀💀). but!! i hold all of my beloved characters close to my heart even if they were just teeny-tiny little fixations, or if they're characters of fixations past...if something makes you happy even a little bit, i think they're just as worthy as the things which make you really happy too :3c

[thexgrayxlady]

WIP Whenever

Thorn stretched out on the sun-warmed mountain side. It had been a peaceful, lovely fall day. So far, he’d gone flying, hunted a large stag, and requisitioned some paints to start a new mural on one of the lower floors of the academy. His beloved, wonderful, far too clever and stubborn human had caused no problems, on purpose or otherwise.

He spread his wings to better catch the early afternoon sun and lifted his head to feel the gentle breeze on his scales. It carried with it the smell of turning leaves and bread baking in the academy kitchen. Perhaps later he would go for a swim in the deep lake to the north and in the evening, he and Murtagh could read together or continue their chess match from the night before.

A wave of righteous anger crashed over the dragon and so he had time to make peace with whatever chaos followed long before he saw his precious menace to society, polite or otherwise, storm up the path with a shovel slung over his shoulder and his dictionary in hand.

The dictionary never meant anything good.

Perhaps his day had been too peaceful and quiet.

“Do I even want to know?” It was probably the elves. Very quickly upon arriving at the academy, Thorn decided that he did not care for the way they spoke to humans. And if he simply didn’t care for the way he spoke to other humans, the way they spoke to and about Murtagh left him reconsidering his promise not to eat sentient beings.