#a multi perspective character study

[thepreciouspurrsian]

Basim Across Timelines: Mirage vs Valhalla vs Modern 🔎 (open to discussion)

Mirage Basim

Age & Experience: Young, passionate, eager, impulsive. Still becoming/growing.

Motivation: Wants to belong. Seeks meaning, justice, purpose and identity.

Personality: Passionate, emotional, idealistic, curious, impulsive, quietly hopeful.

Emotional Depth: Wears his heart quietly on his sleeve. Emotions close to the surface, not fully processed.

Connection to Loki: Hints and dreams, fragmented visions, haunted but unaware.

How he loves: Awkward, shy, desperate and starved for affection he doesn’t believe he deserves, clumsy but sincere.

Fears: Being left behind, being “nothing”, being insignificant, forgotten, alone or rejected.

Trust: Hesitant but possible, given cautiously, broken easily.

Biggest Conflict: His own identity, Who is he really? vs the role he’s expected to play. (این بیتی؟ من انا؟/where’s my home? Who am I?)

Symbolic Role: The seeker of truth, searching for his path.

Tone & Dialogue: Curious, emotional, sometimes uncertain. Often asks questions to understand.

Intent & Purpose: Seeking identity, meaning and justice. Driven by a need to belong.

Skills: Still learning, excellent at stealth, parkour, quick thinking.

Position in the Hidden Ones: New recruit of the Hidden Ones. Initiate. Apprentice.

Human Relationships: Craves connection, specially with his Mentor and friends. Builds bonds slowly but genuinely.

Worldview: Idealistic with a tinge of doubt and guilt. Believes change is possible.

Valhalla & Modern Basim are just down below: ⬇️

Valhalla Basim

Age & Experience: Older, mature, calculating, forged by betrayal and hardened by pain. Already became.

Motivation: Wants revenge. Seeks closure, maybe even chaos. Justice warped by pain.

Personality: Cold, intense, calculating and sharp. Logic over sentiment.

Emotional Depth: Burying emotions under layers of control. Deep emotions buried under iron discipline.

Connection to Loki: Fully awakened. Wears the burden of duality. The voice inside has a name.

How he loves: Silent, fierce , protective, his love is strategy and instinct. Quiet but he overprotects more than he speaks.

Fears: Losing control and becoming someone he can’t come back from. Losing himself to revenge or to Loki.

Trust: Rare. Earned at great cost and once earned, unshakable and defended with fire.

Biggest Conflict: The weight of what he knows and what he’s become. Who he is vs what he’s become.

Symbolic Role: The ghost in the machine. Watching. Waiting. Pulling strings. Loki guiding him. (Basim and Loki aren’t the same. Two different individuals, okay?)

Tone & Dialogue: Calm, sharp, layered with hidden meaning. Speaks less but every word is loaded.

Intent & Purpose: Seeking revenge, truth and cosmic justice. Purpose has hardened into resolve.

Skills: Master of deception, combat, stealth and manipulation. Deadly and precise.

Position in the Hidden Ones: Mentor of the Hidden Ones on an exile. Veteran, rogue. Has distanced himself from the hidden ones. Independent.

Human Relationships: Keeps people at a distance. Loyalty is rare but unbreakable when earned.

Worldview: Cynical. Sees the world as a system to be manipulated not mended.

Modern Basim

Age & Experience: Ancient soul in a modern shell. Centuries of knowledge and scars.

Motivation: Balance, manipulation. Preparing for what’s to come.

Personality: Controlled, detached, as always ten steps ahead.

Emotional Depth: Emotions turned into strategy, still present but weaponized.

Connection to Loki: Symbiosis or struggle? Hard to say. The line is blurred and he may no longer care. Have made peace with the duality inside. Basim seems to be in control of the body. Still, Loki’s motivations, rage and past relationships are clearly steering many of Basim’s modern day actions.

How he loves: Purposeful and intense. Love becomes survival —ruthless but real.

Fears: Losing control or worse; losing humanity.

Trust: Practically nonexistent at this point but if given, it means everything.

Biggest Conflict: Who he serves vs who he used to be and whether he still cares.

Symbolic Role: The keeper of truth and its consequences. The judge and holder of knowledge. (I’m not sure if Modern Basim has completely handed over control to Loki, if they still coexist somehow or if Loki is partly gone.)

Tone & Dialogue: Measured, deliberate, almost surgical. Rarely speaks more than necessary.

Intent & Purpose: Managing outcomes. Balancing agendas. Driven by foresight more than feeling.

Skills: Ancient assassin with modern tech expertise. Efficient and unpredictable.

Position in the Hidden Ones: Cooperates with William Miles. Operates independently. Wields knowledge like a weapon.

Human Relationships: Detached. Relationships are either tools or vulnerabilities. (rare exceptions may exist)

Worldview: Coldly realistic, burdened by knowledge and duality. The world is cruel but not without design.

[bookished]

HOW TO GIVE PERSONALITY TO A CHARACTER

Giving personality to a character is an essential part of character development in storytelling, whether you're writing a novel, screenplay, or creating a character for a role-playing game. Here are some steps and considerations to help you give personality to your character:

Understand Their Backstory:

Start by creating a detailed backstory for your character. Where were they born? What were their childhood experiences like? What significant events have shaped their life? Understanding their past can help you determine their motivations, fears, and desires.

2. Define Their Goals and Motivations:

Characters often become more interesting when they have clear goals and motivations. What does your character want? It could be something tangible like a job or a romantic relationship, or it could be an abstract desire like happiness or freedom.

3. Determine Their Strengths and Weaknesses:

No one is perfect, and characters should reflect this. Identify your character's strengths and weaknesses. This can include physical abilities, intellectual skills, and personality traits. Flaws can make characters relatable and three-dimensional.

4. Consider Their Personality Traits:

Think about your character's personality traits. Are they introverted or extroverted? Shy or outgoing? Kind or selfish? Create a list of traits that describe their character. You can use personality frameworks like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator or the Big Five Personality Traits as a starting point.

5. Give Them Quirks and Habits:

Quirks and habits can make a character memorable. Do they have a specific way of speaking, a unique fashion style, or an unusual hobby? These details can help bring your character to life.

6. Explore Their Relationships:

Characters don't exist in isolation. Consider how your character interacts with others. What are their relationships like with family, friends, and enemies? These relationships can reveal a lot about their personality.

7. Show, Don't Tell:

Instead of explicitly telling the audience about your character's personality, show it through their actions, dialogue, and decisions. Let the reader or viewer infer their traits based on their behavior.

8. Create Internal Conflict:

Characters with internal conflicts are often more engaging. What inner struggles does your character face? These can be related to their goals, values, or past experiences.

9. Use Character Arcs:

Consider how your character will change or grow throughout the story. Character development is often about how a character evolves in response to the events and challenges they face.

10. Seek Inspiration:

Draw inspiration from real people, other fictional characters, or even historical figures. Study how people with similar traits and backgrounds behave to inform your character's actions and reactions.

11. Write Dialogue and Inner Monologues:

Writing dialogue and inner monologues from your character's perspective can help you get inside their head and understand their thought processes and emotions.

12. Consider the Setting:

The setting of your story can influence your character's personality. For example, a character who grows up in a war-torn environment may have a different personality than one raised in a peaceful, affluent society.

13. Revise and Refine:

Don't be afraid to revise and refine your character as you write and develop your story. Characters can evolve and change as the narrative unfolds.

Remember that well-developed characters are dynamic and multi-faceted. They should feel like real people with strengths, weaknesses, and complexities. As you write and develop your character, put yourself in their shoes and think about how they would react to various situations. This will help you create a compelling and believable personality for your character.

[deadwtr]

“MY GIRL” multi

no thoughts, just frat boys with their girlfriends that they're absolutely enamored by

18+, mdni. frat parties, mentions of drinking, reader gets flirted with by some random person idk, character calls reader his girl, fem!reader, third person pov (reader's perspective)

content below cut

she felt the party long before she could see it—the bass pounding deep and steady, a pulse that rattled through her ribs as she walked. 2218 pine drive. even if she hadn’t double checked the address, she was sure she had the right place. the house was practically alive, front yard littered with red solo cups and twenty-something year olds, voices raised over the loud music. lights glowed from every window, shadows shifting inside, the air was thick with the unmistakable mix of cheap beer, sweat, and cologne that made her nose hurt.

despite dating the frat’s president for quite sometime now, she’d never been to any of his parties before. sure, he’d invited her more times that she could count, but she never took him up on it, always finding an excuse and brushing it off with a ‘maybe next time’—until tonight. now, standing in front of his house, seeing his letters displayed proudly above the door, she felt something stir in her chest. a strange mix of curiosity and hesitation. and judging by the sheer size of the crowd, she was beginning to understand just how much of a big deal he was in this world.

his world.

as she reached the front steps, a guy stood at the door; one hand gripping a red solo cup, the other brace lazily against the doorframe like he owned the place, holding a conversation with someone behind him. at her approaching footsteps, he turned to her. he looked at home here—dark hair a little messy, lips curled into a smirk like he’d seen this exact scenario play out multitudes of times. his sharp eyes flicked over her, slow and deliberate in a lazy, appreciative sweep, clearly taking his time.

“well, damn,” he said, slow and easy, dark eyebrows lifting in interest as he pushed off the frame to stand in front of her. “and here i was, thinking i’d already met every gorgeous girl on this campus.”

she rolled her eyes, “i doubt that.”

he smirked, stepping a little closer, just enough to invade her space.

“nah, i’d remember you,” his smirk grew wider. “you’re not a freshman, are you? ‘cause i feel like i should've met you by now.”

“i’m not.”

“even better.” he tilted his head, studying her. “you got a name, or do i just call you the most beautiful girl at this party?”

she sighed in response, “yeah okay, can you just let me through?”

he didn’t move. “you here alone? or is some lucky guy already calling dibs.”

before she could even think of responding, another, much more familiar voice cut through the night. sharp and unmistakable.

“yeah.” her boyfriend said, stepping up behind the dark haired guy, like he’d been watching the whole thing. “she’s my girl.”

the guy at the door immediately straightened, confidence flickering before he let out a slow chuckle.

“shit, man.” he said, lifting his hands in surrender. “didn’t know she was yours.”

he stepped to the side, just enough to her boyfriend slip through. her boyfriend didn’t spare him a second glance, his focus solely on her as he stepped in closer, curling his arm around her waist, fingers pressing warm against her hip. he smelled like laundry detergent and his citrus-y cologne, a faint trace of beer lingered on his skin, but regardless his presence was grounding. familiar.

“you should’ve told me you were coming,” he murmured, voice low as he leaned in, lips barely brushing her ear. “i would've met you outside.”

she tilted her chin up to meet his gaze, a smirk on her face as she whispered back. “and miss the warm welcome?”

his eyes darkened just slightly, grip tightening against her waist.

“funny. didn’t look like you were enjoying it.”

she huffed a quiet laugh. “are you jealous?”

he hummed in response, kissing the shell of her ear before pulling away slightly.

“not jealous,” he said smoothly, but the way his fingers flexed against her told a different story. “just wondering how long i should’ve let that go on before stepping in.”

“and?”

he studied her for a second, letting a smirk grow on his face. “figured you were about to shut him down anyway.”

she raised a brow, a smile forming on her own lips. his fingers traces slow circles against her waist, his voice dipping lower. “but i wasn’t gonna let him think he had a chance.”

“so dramatic.” she rolled her eyes, but the warmth curling in her chest and growing hot in her ears betrayed her.

“mm, i guess. only when it comes to you.”

before she could fire back, he gave her a light squeeze, chuckling under his breath. he tugged her just a little closer before nodding toward the inside of the house. “c’mon. let's have some fun.”

and just like that, with his arm wrapped securely around her, he led her inside, pulling her fully into his world.

touya todoroki, KEIGO TAKAMI, tomura shigaraki / OSAMU MIYA, toru oikawa, tetsuro kuroo, KOUTARO BOKUTO, hajime iwaizumi, KYOTANI KENTARO, atsumu miya, ryuunosuke tanaka, KEISHIN UKAI / dick grayson, JASON TODD, damian wayne, bruce wayne, OLIVER QUEEN / EREN YAEGER, jean kirstein, connie springer, levi ackerman, MICHE ZACHARIUS / suguru geto, SATORU GOJO, kento nanami, toji fushiguro / literally all of toman + your faves

@bokutoko

deadwtr, do not copy or repost

[da2supremacy]

I think what truly makes DA2, in my opinion, the strongest narrative in the franchise is because Dragon Age is a franchise that is fundamentally contending with very real social ills that we don't *have* solutions for. These issues exist within the reality we live in and while the bias or opinions of the authors can be surmised from the shit they wrote in the games (and by god I do not always agree with them) the games have, for the most part anyway, always portrayed a variety of characters with differing perspectives on the world that they live in. It made the world feel real and it provided a lot of fodder for conflict outside of fantastical fantasy elements.

Dragon Age 2 was a tragedy narrative that made the point that one single guy is not ever going to be able to solve these problems. Even if they're great, important, a hero. They are still one guy against the world that they live in. It did not have *any* of the fantastical fantasy shit that the other three had in it and I think it's narrative was the starkest exploration of what the team was trying to do with Thedas because of this.

Dragon Age Origins was successful because it the true enemy of this game was not the Archdemon it was Loghain and the Landsmeet. It was *just* the nation of Ferelden, a nation that in general seemed pretty resistant to Chantry hegemony. Even then the boon given to any elven Warden is literally stripped from them in the epilogue slide anyway because, unfortunately, one elven hero will not cure the racism inherent even in Ferelden.

In Inquisition you are given power but the strongest parts of that game's narrative are explorations of how much the Inquisitor is actually stripped of their agency by the very title that gives them power. People were missing the point so much they put the exact words into Harding's mouth. The fact that Josephine advises an Inquisitor Lavellan to discredit and shut up the Dalish clan that actually had blood relation to Ameridan so that you can uplift some some Orlesian family that claims to be descended from him--That you KNOW is full of shit because he died childless with his partner--really highlights how whoever the Inquisitor was before the conclave explosion ceased to matter the second they picked up the orb.

You can see attempts to get back to this in VG. There has been criticism about "the Power of Friendship" but I actually don't think that trying to make a grassroots coalition was where this narrative failed. Solas' narrative was one that could have exemplified the idea that one guy can only do so much about the evils of the world. If they were truly dedicated to keeping the Veil up despite making three games about how it was falling apart then it would have been a great time to show that Solas could, in fact, NOT defeat the inequality and damage that was done to this world by his actions alone. But that isn't what they did. In fact they seemed to be pretending Solas had no real conscientious objections to the world of Thedas at all and that it was all about rebuilding an empire that he hated enough to rebel against for centuries. Baffling.

Shifting the antagonist to Ghilan'nain and Elgar'nan and stuffing Solas in a box for the whole game is the weakest part of the game's narrative because it shifted the conflict in the world of Thedas from these very real and grounded problems to this fantastical, existential threat. It took Solas, this divisive and multi-faceted character that could have been a case study in how good intentions do not actually save anyone, and shoved him to the side in favor of the most milquetoast versions of Ghilan'nain and Elgar'nan. It flattened the body horror of the Blight that, despite being a fantastical element of the world building, was also actually pretty grounded.

I understand that a bunch of middle aged white people in the imperial core working on fumes and stubbornness were probably not the group of people to take this nesting doll narrative about the abuses of empires and make all that they could out of it but man, what we could have had if we had treated this a bit more like we'd treated Dragon Age 2 in the narrative development process.

[dropthedemiurge]

Love for Love's Sake | Things you didn't notice (probably)

Finally, I am watching a good K-BL and can enjoy multi-layered meanings within language, culture and translated subs altogether (unlike with Thai series where I need to learn a new language again xD)

So I'll be pointing out some fun things that I noticed for fellow foreign viewers =) Beware of a long post!

Disclaimer: I'm not fluent in Korean, but I've been learning and using it for years + lived and studied in Korea for a while so I'm offering my perspective and knowledge but it might not be the Ultimate Truth

Episode 1

«I prefer lonely supporting characters instead of happy protagonists. Cha Yeowoon is still unhappy. ... - Where are you going? - To see my main (최애). I mean, Cha Yeowoon.»

The word Tae Myungha used to described Cha Yeowoon, as I heard, was actually 최애 (choe-ae). It's a slang that can be translated as "my favourite" and typically is used for K-pop group members, meaning "my bias" (think One True Pairing but One True Person instead). Then, as his fellow classmate gets confused, hearing such word referring to a popular student in their school, Tae Myungha changes to "I mean, Cha Yeowoon", and it works because the word and the name sound similar.

Myungha uses this word because in the intro he stated that Yeowoon is his favourite character in the book out of all. So basically, his first reaction was "- Where are you going? - I'm gonna run to find my blorbo ♥", which is so admirable. I'd also get obsessed with making happy my fav side character that was treated unfairly by creators :D

«Kids like chocolate, right? ... (Yeowoon grabs an icecream, Myungha grabs the same, adding with surprise:) Didn't see that coming. Bi-Bi-Big (비비빅)? You eat like an old man.»

What surprised Myungha there? That Yeowoon chose this icecream->

It's a traditional icecream that is made out of red beans. This taste is usually associated with older people (because typically kids like sweet things and older people like less sweet/bland tastes), also red beans or read bean paste is used in many traditional desserts in Korea. Yeah, who would've thought that a high schooler would choose this icecream out of all options?

Later, Myungha gets the message "You can compare Bi-Bi-Big to big Ba-Bum-Bar (another icecream with "old man taste" from chestnuts), why the hell would you eat it?" and gets confused as the message seems missent. I am confused as well, because Myungha wasn't the one choosing this icecream and Yeowoon wasn't typing in his phone. Considering that the phone number is unknown, I can guess that it might be a commentary from the book's author who's watching Myungha playing his story game? Let's figure it out in the next episodes!

«- You eat like an old man. - Do you play sports? - No. - Weird. You're a whiner like I've always heard. - Kids these days have no manners.»

My quick translation->

«- You eat like an old man. - Sunbae, do you play sports? - No. - Strange. You sound like one of those older jerks (꼰대). - Kids these days have no manners.»

More on the differences between Tae Myungha and Cha Yeowoon:

Myungha tried to poke Yeowoon about his "old man tastes", and Yeowoon called him out for his conservative/stereotypical thinking.

Yeowoon keeps calling Myungha sunbae (because he knows MH's a senior in their school so he must be polite), and Myungha REALLY TALKS LIKE AN OLD MAN to him ("Kids these days" in the subs does translate this style of speech correctly! I'm glad). We all know he's much older before he was thrown into high school times (~25-30yo?), but his words and intonations really make you feel like he's 50-60yo or something xD

Yeowoon doesn't like this at all, though, so he calls Myungha a sort of derogatory term 꼰대 (kkondae), which is used to described old conservative people who are set in their ways and keep nagging and scolding young people for not behaving properly. And, as a runner, he implies that there are senior sportsmen that are hazing or nagging younger sportsmen like this as well, that's who Myungha reminds him of. No wonder the affection stats fell down in the minus zone so hard!

There you go, guys, these are my comments on the first episode of Love for Love's sake! It is filmed so well, I like the idea, and I really enjoyed it (if this one gets really popular just like Semantic Error, we might get more BLs about gamers or gamedevs and I WILL LOVE IT I am so here for it, hehe)

Stay tuned for more as I watch next episodes :]

[writerthreads]

Ten must-read books for writers (or anyone, really.)

By Writerthreads on Instagram

Obviously this list is highly subjective and based on my research and personal experience. Please share your favourite books as well!!

1. To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf

Woolf is the queen of the stream of consciousness and a master at diving into characters' inner thoughts, conveying complex emotions, themes and perspective. Her prose is breathtaking, her character memorable.

2. Beloved by Toni Morrison

Morrison tackles difficult themes with poise like no other, diving into topics like grief, trauma, and identity. Read this book to learn how to develop multi-layered narratives whilst maintaining perfect pacing and a intricate narrative structure.

3. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

A masterpiece. Sharp social commentary, eloquent prose and vivid imagery... what more can you want from a book? Every word was chosen for a purpose, and it shows the importance of restraint in writing.

4. The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien

Tolkien's legendary fantasy world-building makes his series a staple in fantasy literature. The geography, cultures and histories in his works are well-crafted. Anyone trying to build a complex world can learn from from this series.

5. Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf

Our second Woolf classic in this list! Mrs. Dalloway is a masterclass of a perfect character study. Woolf weaves different viewpoints intricately, capturing the essence of human experience.

6. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Austen character development is legendary, showcasing complex, evolving characters like Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. The novel’s witty dialogue show insight into personality and societal norms, and her narrative voice and well-structured plot keeps readers hooked to the very end.

7. Never Let Me Go by Kazoo Ishiguro

Ishiguro’s novel presents a quietly devastating exploration of memory, identity, and humanity through a dystopian lens. The subtle, restrained prose and profound emotional impact illustrate how to weave complex themes into a seemingly simple narrative.

8. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

This book made me cry so very hard. The author explored themes like identity and fame, while creating an engaging and multi-layered plot that had me hooked. Reid’s vivid prose showcases techniques for creating emotionally resonant and storytelling that allows readers to feel for the characters.

9. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Márquez’s masterpiece provides a gorgeous, profound exploration of magical realism. Its intricate narrative and richly imagined world blends fantastical elements with real-world themes into something unique and breathtaking.

10. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Brontes exploration of dark themes, framed within a dark and brooding narrative, makes it the quintessential gothic read. It's emotionally intense, complex in structure, and definitely memorable, perfect for any budding writer dabbling in dark academia, modern gothic literature, horror, etc.

And here's my rather shoddy list from a non-English major who reads too much! And Sorry for the lack of accents on the required letters, I haven't figured out how to add them on my laptop. Please give me a general opinion on my book recs and whether they're good, or if you have more suggestions! Lots of love.

[il-predestinato]

hello beautiful elle

since it is going to be a long 3 months without our boys could you please recommend some fics that you liked? cause i really like your writings and how realistic they are and i wanted to get some of you suggestions for the break!

love you loads

Thank you, lovely anon, for your very kind message! 🥺 I must admit I have fallen behind in reading fics. I am sure I am forgetting some excellent Lestappen fics/writers, but these are some of my all-time favourites!

Lestappen Fic Recs:

And in the end I will seek you out amongst the stars by mandzilkos (@geeeooorrrge) - rating: G, 22k words

Soulmate AU where you see in black and white until you meet your soulmate, and the world goes back to black and white after your soulmate dies. This is ALWAYS the first Lestappen fic that comes to mind whenever anyone asks for a recommendation, and it is probably my all-time favourite. The fic that inspired me to write Lestappen, if I'm honest.

getting half of you just ain't enough by shybear_styles - rating: E, 20k words

The friends with benefits story that spans the 2019 season. The only thing better than amazing smut is amazing smut with feels. For sure a top 5 fic in the Lestappen fandom for me. Also, this author is simply amazing in general and you should read all of her fics! I haven't given up hope that she will return one day and write more Lestappen. 🤧

you feel the mornin' feel by shybear_styles - rating: M, 3.3k words

Remember that time Sebastian Vettel asked Charles, "Is he [Max] pretty?" And we never got an answer because Charles descended into gay panic? Well, worry not! We get an answer in this fic.

Monaco Malaise by ProngsfootxJily (@cupidskissx) - rating: E, 8k words

Rivals with benefits, takes place after the 2021 Monaco Grand Prix. Yes, this one is delicious smut but also a character study. Both of them are written so well, and it leaves you begging for more. Don't forget to check out the equally amazing sequel! (Don't worry, I have been relentlessly harassing her to write the sequel's sequel.)

algorithm by Anney (@badboy-george) - rating: M, 17k words

In a world where F1 uses simulation-based compatibility tests, five times Max doesn't find the right partner and the one time he does. Black Mirror ("San Junipero" and "Hang the DJ") vibes in the best way. Another one of my absolute favourite fics. If you've read any Lestappen fics, you've probably read "Every Other Sunday." This one is simply a masterpiece by the immensely talented Anney; definitely check out her other fics!

panem et circenses by Anney - rating: E, 13.2k words

Wow - simply devastating, haunting, an ode to these two as drivers, set in a dystopian future AU. The world building is absolutely incredible, but at its heart is such a beautiful story of love and hope. This one doesn't get enough recognition. (TW: implied non-con, not between Lestappen.)

Unlearn by wantinghopingwriting (Tazza1993) (@lightsoutfullhearts) - NR, 45k words

This is another all-time favourite, a must-read. Fake/pretend relationship to lovers multi-chapter story that is ever so satisfying; both of them are so well characterized. Set in a parallel-ish 2022 season. I really cannot recommend this one enough.

the edge of what can be loved by Ledger_m (@the-last-jedis) - rating: T, 13k words

The third wheel fic from the perspective of Max and Charles' various "Steves." It's funny, heartwarming, and everyone on the grid is nosy as fuck.

Charles Leclerc vs Red Bull caps by Ledger_m - rating: T, 6.4k words

Charles is the hero we all need, as he goes on a mission to get rid of all of Max's stupid Red Bull caps. This is REQUIRED reading! Kami is a genius. Go read all of her fics.

If You Don't Play, You'll Never Win by antimonyandthyme (@antimonyandthyme) - rating: T, 4.1k

Post 2021 Monaco Grand Prix. Max wants to take their relationship further; Charles... doesn't. Oh my God, where do I begin to describe how much I love this fic. The language is beautiful, both of them are so well-written, and I feel punched in the gut over and over again in the best way. The ending (well, the whole thing) is so damn satisfying.

all's well that ends well (to end up with you) by stylestappen (@stylestappen) - rating: G, 3k words

Max has a meltdown in the cereal aisle (yes, the cereal aisle) at 3 am when he realizes he is in love with Charles despite the latter's questionable taste in cereal. Dani has an absolutely wicked sense of humour! (Although I don't understand what she has against cocoa puffs 😭.) She also wrote a banger of a Lestappen soon-to-be teammates fic, so make sure to check out her profile.

Max Verstappen: Spotify Extraordinaire by frnndtorres - rating: G, 26k words

Max makes Spotify playlists for the grid. Fluffy, funny, care-free, liberal use of nicknames, with a healthy dose of feels between Max and Charles. A really fun read.

i love the way your green eyes mix with that malibu indigo by altissimozucca (@altisssimozucca) - rating: G, 11k words

Max and Charles spend summer of 2020 together in Malibu and try not to fall in love. Spoiler alert: they fall in love. I feel the urge to explain something: When I first started reading Lestappen, there were less than 250 fics in their entire tag (yeah I know, we are currently close to 3000 fics, which is insane). From 2019-2021, we truly lived off crumbs. So trust me when I say that we owe so much to altissimozucca, who wrote something like 40% of the fics in the Lestappen tag and nearly single-handedly kept us fed in those days. It's so hard to pick one of her fics to recommend, so make sure you check out her profile for more!

#803442 by altissimozucca - rating: M, 1k words

Max and Charles celebrate the end of the 2019 season in a hotel room. So soft, so fluffy, so satisfying.

Bruises by eefiplier - rating: E, 5.1k words

I think of this one as THE Lestappen smut fic. Oh my God, it's 5k words of amazing established relationship smut with all the feels. A classic. I can read this one over and over again.

outside the box by playclock (@endowataru) - rating: M, 6.1k words

Max falls in love with Charles' driving... oh and Charles himself too. They are ultra competitive idiots who are madly in love. There aren't enough established relationship fics out there, but this one is simply amazing. And don't forget to check out this author's profile for additional Lestappen fics. I promise every single one is a banger!

i made it link by link by purpleglasseswrites (@f-ferrari-forever) - rating: M, 4.2k words

Charles and Max try to be kinky, but who are they kidding - they are far too vanilla for that stuff. 🤣 This one is so sweet, and don't forget to read the sequel!

One man's trash, another man's treasure by AzziNow (@track-terror-apologist) - rating: T, 4.2k words

Charles turns into a raccoon and terrorizes everyone except Max. (Well, he terrorizes Max too... slightly.)

Call it madness, call it love… by AzziNow - rating: M, 3.5k words

Ferrari auctions off Charles for charity. No angst, just fluff. Alpha!Max/Alpha!Charles. So I confess that I never read A/B/O fics. There's nothing wrong with it - just not my cup of tea. But I really enjoyed this one. Al has such a chaotic sense of humour.

it all reminds me of you by grandprix (@grandprix-ao3) - rating: E, 3k words

Secret relationship Lestappen with flashbacks. Oh the yearning, the desire, the smut - incredibly satisfying. I must put a plug-in for this author's other Lestappen fics as well. Never misses - make sure to check them out!

burning you into my mind by thightattoos - rating: E, 4.1k words

Porn with feels and possessiveness. You cannot ask for anything more. I must have read this one a dozen times.

an evil plan or two by witchee_writer - rating: T, 5.2k words

Max and Charles are roped into a plan to get Brocedes back together; they come to a few realizations along the way. The only thing better than a Lestappen fic? A Lestappen AND Brocedes fic!

Fine Line by empireoffclouds - rating: NR, 7k words

One of the more light-hearted enemies to friends to lovers fics. I absolutely adore their dynamic here - it's snarky, warm, but also so them. The incomplete sequel is also a super fun read.

Into Darkness Of Thought by flamingosarepink - rating: T, 1k words

After the 2019 Japanese Grand Prix, Charles thinks Max isn't coming back to their shared space.

steal softly under castle walls by untouchableocean - rating: G, 521 words

Max gets home late from Milton Keynes and Charles has already fallen asleep. Short, tooth-rooting fluff of the best kind.

Zoomies by greeny1710 (@maxlambiase) - rating: E, 2.2k words

This one is just hilarious. A (mostly) naked Max walks into Charles' team Zoom call during the COVID lockdown.

...and many, many more that I'm sure I have forgotten! 🙈 You can also check out my AO3 bookmarks (the first few pages are pretty much all Lestappen fics).

Please remember to leave kudos and comments for these amazing writers. The talent in this fandom is absolutely incredible. They all deserve so much recognition. Happy reading!

[crobber-crab-robber]

Coming clean to admit I write fanfic sometimes while warming up for my personal projects.

I wanted to write something for FrankenFord, but it reminded me I have another bullet-point draft for a character study on Stan. It's technically about his memory recovery on the Stan-O-War II, but most of those memories are about his progress on the portal and grieving/not-grieving Ford, with a bit of mental deterioration and recovery. Both these stories are very similar topic wise (or at least tone wise, in my head), so Idk if it's a good idea to do both.

Portal One-Shot: Will 100% get done if I choose it. Will probably be 5k words or over. Would have more of a psychological focus with dream sequences and memory-mashing. Basically my excuse to pry open Stan's head in one fell swoop and then never write from his perspective again. (Being old is tragic and all, but I just wanted to write something based on when he was middle aged and success was the farthest away)

FrankenFord Multi-Chapter: I've never written a multi-chapter story before (except for one in the drafts I'm actively failing to progress on lmao... it's a Ford fic and I struggle BAD with his voice), so I DO want to challenge myself... just don't put too much faith in me, lol. Will be a little more horror-y, with the biggest difference being more supernatural horror than psychological (though there will still probably be a lot of that). Whether I write this one or not I'll still probably draw for the AU when I feel like it- just know I brainstorm with my drawings, so they'll be conceptual, not supplemental, lol.

[blessphemy]

@comment-bingo get me on that Blackout Prize List!!

These are all AO3 fics I commented on because.... I like fics. What about it. Perhaps on my next bingo card I'll remember to comment on some fanart and fanvids...

List of what I commented on under the cut! Because I'm a nerd.

Action/Adventure: Slapdash Neural Wiring by potatoturnipbean. This fic is part 2 of a series, but you can start by reading this one no problem. (That's what I did.) Featuring original construct characters set in the Murderbot Diaries universe, amazing heist fiction, drama, emotional turmoil, cool scifi gadgets, and line after line of hilarious, snappy prose. Do you want to be mercilessly punched in the emotions while laughing at the same time? Have you been craving a book that's exactly like Murderbot in tone and setting, but a littttle bit different? Do you want something gripping and fun and affecting? This fic is incredible and I'll tell anyone who listens. For free. Pleaes read Slapdash Neural Wiring it's an amazing work that needs love.

Poetry/Filk: Poetry installation: Untitled ("my friend always chooses the media") by borth. Very cool stuff. You have to actually read it to appreciate it I think... it's difficult to describe why I like it. In-universe poetry written in a bathroom stall.

Outsider POV: Cinema Verite by BoldlyNo. BoldyNo does it again with sensitive writing that explores canon and characters from various angles, this time it's Ratthi's perspective of creating The Video in System Collapse. Very good. Emotions.

Fave Trope: Road Trip For Science by Thirteen Primes. I don't know what my Fave Trope is, but I love Road Trips, and this fic has got a road trip. The author was inspired by a scene that came to them in a dream. There's something charming about this fic that is difficult to put my finger on. Featuring Mensah who'd done trucking to pay for school when she was younger, and Murderbot, driving a truck through a planet recently opening up to outside trade and which is being courted by corporate rim.

An Author You've Never Read: An Audacious Undertaking, Even to God by lumpy_space_princess. Featuring SecUnit 3, who is desperate to restore and re-upload the consciousnesses of SecUnits 1 and 2. Experience emotions from this fic or your money back. This fic is a multichapter and still updating!

Respond To Other Comment: On Constructs And Cats by ForestWren. Murderbot finds a kitten. What more do you want? It's exactly what you want.

Original Character: Happy Birthday by Jewels9162. Part of a prolific series about rogue Barish-Estranza units and their human handler. Bit of a nice slice-of-life here. About friends and birthdays.

Character Study: Sense of Belonging by ArtemisTheHuntress. Listen. I don't care what plans Martha Wells herself has for SecUnit Three. This fic is what truly happens with it in my heart after the events of System Collapse. It's such a good character study, about finding yourself in the context of a new strange social scene, about grieving what you've lost, about making a positive difference in the world using your specific skills and interests. So good.

Multi-Chapter: Slivers of Existence by musicofthespheres. A collection of loosely-connected ficlets. About Murderbot. It's very nice, okay. A bunch of pleasant scenes you can sip tea over as a pick-me-up. Enjoyable.

Long Fic (5k+ words): Family Portrait by ramshackle_fey. Are you ready to experience emotions about Murderbot and The Mensah Kids? Prepare yourself. Gird your heart.

Bharadwaj's Documentary: If You Want To Write by borth. This is a very neat concept. Chapter 1 is Murderbot and Bharadwaj talking to each other about the illiteracy enforced upon Murderbot by the company, and how Murderbot sneakily learned to read, and how its secretly-gained literacy is what allowed it to hack its governor module. Chapter 2 is a meta text exploring themes of literacy and worker control.

Old Favourite: In Another Life by Lick. Frankly it's impossible for me to pick only one favorite fic, so this is just one of many favorites. Frankly anything written by Lick is a favorite. This one is an AU in which Murderbot continued on its adventures for 4 years before returning to reunite with its humans on Preservation. The shifted dynamics with ART, SecUnit 3, and its humans, are a delight.

Free Space: do humans even dream by BWizard. A 4+1, times Mensah experiences nightmares, as noticed through the eyes of the people close to her. :')

Make a Rec Post: This post.

Crack: mining for copper (or ways to annoy your construct friend) by friendoftheJabberwock. Short and silly. Murderbot must do a very important infiltration at a costume party.

Canon Continuation: In Defense Of What I Never Had by Thylacine_Wishes. You ever want to ruminate on the Implications of Murderbot's shitty creation in comparison to ART's state-of-the-art University birthplace? Welcome. We have baby AIs.

Posted/Updated Pre-2023: precious cargo by FiannlyPhoebe babyfic. Fast forward some Years: Iris and Amena generate a human baby.

Fluff: people look east the time is near by BWizard. The secular space X-mas cookie making vibes. Sweet. Cookie decorating.

Hurt/Comfort: Memory Fault by Yellow. Murderbot and ART in the wake of the difficult events of Network Effect... talk it out.

Bot POV: Hints by i_have_loved_the_stars_too_fondly. Technically this is SecUnit POV. But I'm counting it. An exploration of how Amena may have come and done Murderbot's hair, pre-System Collapse. Made me feel a little sad :') I want them to feel connection and careeeeeee please.

Additional Canonized Tag: Third Dorm Mom by BoldlyNo. The canonized tag in question is "#Pansystem University of Mihira and New Tideland." Y'all this fic is AWESOME. If you love slice of life. If you love character and relationship studies. If you want a fic that is alllll about the relationship between Murderbot and Amena. It's this fic. Warm your heart over the coals, go on.

Fanart with <50 Notes: This collection of drawings by paging-possum. It had <50 notes when I reblogged it with commentary tags. You should check out this artist's works if you like Murderbot. Very nice drawings.

Podfic: [Podfic] Cog in the Machine, by FlipSpring by CompassRose and mistingsidekick on AO3. Come ruminate on the nihilistic POV of the Combat SecUnit that Murderbot faced off against in Exit Strategy.

Funny/Silly Tags: a comforting presence by afjakwrites. The tag in question: "#featuring secunit carrying ratthi bridal style." Consider, if you will: what if Murderbot is Objectively Hot.

Crossover: We Provide... Security by Blue_Bees. Very very good very good crossover!!!!! You don't need to know Leverage. Case fic + screw over Corporations time!

[frodo-with-glasses]

COMMISSIONS OPEN!!

Heya! Wanna throw money at me to make me draw something?? Well, for just $20 an hour, now you can!

Read below for price estimates and FAQs, and if you’re interested, please email me at FigTreeIllustrationsLLC@gmail.com to get started!

PRICING INFO

Because I’m too lazy to come up with complicated price structures, I’ll just be charging a flat rate of $20/hour for any work I do on the art piece. The clock starts when I pick up the pencil or digital stylus and ends when I put it down.

This does mean that prices will vary, depending on how time-consuming each art piece is, but I can give you some rough estimates.

Upper Body Sketch: Approx. 30 min = $10 for one

It takes me about half an hour to draw a bust or upper body sketch. This time can be shortened if I’m already familiar with the character design, or lengthened if I’m drawing an unfamiliar character or doing some weird perspective stuff.

Every additional figure would probably take another half an hour, adding about $10 each.

Full-Body Sketch: Approx. 1 hour = $20 for one

Drawing an entire figure is a little harder than just drawing the upper body, so this one might take longer. Again, this time can be shortened or lengthened depending on my familiarity with the character, how complex the design is, and whether I’m doing any complicated posing or perspective.

Adding additional figures can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour, adding $10-$20 each.

Animals: Approx. 1.5 hrs = $30 for one

Animals are not my strong suit, though I have gotten better at drawing them over time! However, the extra time studying reference photos and trying to get the anatomy correct can stack up quickly, so you’ll want to be aware of that if you’re commissioning something with an animal involved.

Posters: Minumum 3 hrs = approx. $60

Posters take a little extra time—and usually some trial and error—to plan the layout in a dynamic way. They also take up an entire sketchbook page and tend to include multiple people and some extreme perspective to add visual appeal. You can expect a poster to take about three hours minimum to complete.

Multi-Panel Comics: Minimum 4 hrs a page = $80

Drawing a comic big enough to cover an entire sketchbook page can take me anywhere from 4 to 6 hours of work. If drawing a long-form comic, I will probably divide the work over several days. Brainstorming will happen on the first day, when I’ll plan out how many panels I’ll need for the comic, and then I’ll get in contact with you to tell you an estimated price before I proceed.

Digital Coloring: Minimum 1.5 hrs = add approx. $30

Coloring things digitally takes about double the time it would to sketch; I’ve noticed it takes around two hours to color a simple image, with another hour added for each figure involved. This first image took me about an hour and a half to outline and color, while the second took about five hours.

Add to Redbubble Shop: Subject to Redbubble Pricing

If your commissioned artwork is Lord of the Rings-related, I can put it into my Redbubble shop, where you can have it printed on stickers, t-shirts, journals, mugs, and lots of other products! I won’t charge any extra fee, but you will have to pay whatever price Redbubble asks. Full disclosure: I receive only 10% of the profit from Redbubble sales; the rest goes to the website to cover manufacturing and shipping costs.

FAQ

No NSFW

No nudity or sexual content

Canon ships only

Will draw gore/injuries

Will draw OCs (please provide references)

Will draw for other fandoms (please provide references)

The artist reserves the right to reject any commission without disclosing the reason

The artist will give price and progress updates over the course of the process

You, the commissioner, have the right to terminate the project at any time and for any reason

If the project is terminated halfway, you will be charged for the artist’s time, but the artist might give a discount for incomplete work

Payment will be calculated at the end of the project and rendered using PayPal

Once again, if you’re interested, please email me at FigTreeIllustrationsLLC@gmail.com!

[existentialcrisistime]

Nic's AOS McKirk fic recs part 1:

longer (mostly 10k+ and/or multi-chapter), more plot-focused works

There are SO MANY excellent McKirk fics out there, and I'm only scratching the tip of the iceberg with these ones, but these are ten of my top favourites (you know, the sort of fics where you have to either yell in the group chat or stare into space for a bit afterwards, then think of it constantly for the following week?), so I hope some of the ones in here become your favourites too.

And remember, be kind, leave kudos/comments where you can, and enjoy!

In no particular order, we have:

jim kirk's guide to starship management: how to work with people you don't like by espressohno (E, 23k)

Jim has an anonymous hookup (read: the best sex of his life) with who else but the one and only Leonard McCoy, who's scheduled to start as the Enterprise's CMO the next day. Hijinks (emotions and miscommunication) ensue. A great exploration of Leonard and Jim's relationship, based around the question of: what if they met under slightly different circumstances?

unscrew the stars by espressohno (E, <10k)

Jim, lamenting his inability to pursue personal relationships due to being Captain of the Enterprise and under Starfleet's fraternisation rules, believes he's found a loophole that allows him to sleep with his CMO. Leonard, however, wants something more. Another one by espressohno, and honestly I'd recommend pretty much anything by this author.

Ask me again in the morning by @torsamors (G, 26k)

Time loop fic: Bones is stuck in a time loop. This fact upsets Jim every time he finds out, but Bones definitely isn't having a fun time either. An excellent getting-together fic told from the perspective of Jim outside the loop, with plenty of hurt and comfort.

One Little White Lie by laughter_now (M, 71k)

Jim lies about being married to Leonard after an accident which leads Leonard to losing his memory, which quickly spirals out of control. An incredible, emotional exploration of the fake marriage and amnesia tropes, becoming so much more than the sum of its tags. Another one for the fellow fans of Bones Having a Real Bad Time, with plenty of Jim angst in there too.

A Wish in the Dark (for a bulletproof heart) by drmcbones (T, 18k)

Without giving too much away: one close call too many for Jim has Leonard at the end of his tether. Somehow, a mysterious medical/magical ailment links the two of them together - how long can they keep it secret from even each other? I say this about every fic on the list, but this one is absolutely excellent - a really interesting plot I hadn't read much like before.

Catching Fire (The Firehouse AU) by kel_1970 (E, 46k)

21st Century fire department AU. Paramedic Leonard McCoy flees a disastrous break-up in Savannah and ends up working at a fire department in Iowa where he meets Jim Kirk. I know this one is on pretty much every McKirk rec list, but for good reason! A beautifully-written, emotional rollercoaster of a fic with rich settings and side characters. Will rip your heart out and stamp on it, then carefully piece it back together again. I read this one over a year ago and still I think of it on a regular basis, it hurts so good.

I Will Hold As Long As You Like by @excavatinglizard (T, 18k)

The Lighthouse fic. Set post-Into Darkness, Leonard takes Jim to a lighthouse to convalesce. Together they learn to weather the storm. A beautiful, emotional character study with rich settings that paint such a picture in the mind. Also comes with (beautiful) art and a playlist to really set the scene. Another one that I read over a year ago, as it was being published, and still think of on a regular basis.

Take a Bite of My Heart Tonight by EntreNous (T, 26k)

Vetenarian Bones AU. Jim Kirk and Leonard McCoy get off on the wrong foot as soon as they meet. So if Jim wants another shot with that gorgeous but grumpy veterinarian, he had better get his hands on some pets who need vet appointments, right? Such a fun, sweet, mostly fluffy fic of Jim getting up to some absolute (mostly unsuccessful) antics to win Leonard's heart

three sundays by espressohno

The fight club AU. Not Fight Club the film so much as a literal fight club: Leonard goes to fight club to get his anger out. Jim goes to fight club to get hurt. Leonard realizes this, and decides he doesn't want to hurt Jim anymore, but he doesn't want to stop seeing him, either. Plenty of hurt/comfort, and a whole lot of aftercare.

palimpsest by @fireinmywoods (E, 61k)

What can I say about this one that hasn't already been said? Such an incredible story, even if the final chapter did make me yell out loud the first time around (and I mean that in the most affectionate way). I've read this one twice now and got something completely different out of it each time - an enjoyable read the first time but even richer with hindsight, so cleverly constructed. As for the plot - the Enterprise is sent to negitiate readmission to the Federation with an isolationist religious group known as the Kindred. While there, Jim notices that some of the children seem to be gravely ill. The Kindred do not allow a doctor to be brought in, and so Jim... well, he improvises. + 9 (so far) further, shorter works to flesh out the whole Palimpsest verse, which I enjoyed just as much as the original story - especially aganorisis (E, 15k), which I guarantee you'll want to read right after. Can mostly be read out of order, but you gotta read Palimpsest first, I promise!

And that's it for now! Thank you for reading, please tell me which ones you enjoyed the most (or your own favourite longer/plotty McKirk fics), and keep your eyes peeled for part 2

[glitteredbubbles]

Here’s a masterlist of every fic I’ve written just to have everything in one place! I’ve been writing and posting on ao3 for almost 3 years now, totaling in me writing over 347k words across 8 fics, so I thought it’d be fun to go over all of them kind of retrospectively! It’ll be in order of release, so oldest to most recent :)

Fics I’ve written:

To Boil a Wildflower: the very first fic I ever wrote, and I have such a soft spot for it! It’s for the IT fandom, specifically Reddie, and it’s basically my take on how I imagined what the Loser’s last summer together before senior year would be like. But I also made Richie obsessed with making wildflower tea and added probably way too much angst; anyway, I love my OCs in this, Angie and Walt :) it ended up being 58k words and 5 chapters long.

That’s Where We Disagree: this is a fem!Reddie oneshot I based off of my own tragic lesbian experience, so it may be the saddest thing I’ve ever written. It’s basically how I imagined things would go for Richie if Eddie got a boyfriend senior year (with a hefty amount of religious trauma incorporated because of course). It ended up being 9.2k words with only one chapter!

Spit the Blood Back: this is where it gets insane lmao. So this is specifically for Riddlebat in The Batman (2022), and the way this fic came to be is that I had an insane idea that I jokingly told my friends about, to which they insisted that I should actually write a fic for because the concept was too good to pass up. And since I figured nobody else would do it, I ended up writing a fic where the Riddler has to take up sex work in order to get the funds for his vengeance plan in the movie and is hired by his arch enemy Bruce Wayne. Insane in retrospect, but it was my first time writing for a different fandom and a fun exercise! It was a oneshot, so it ended up being 14.4k words with only one chapter.

Your Revolution is a Deathbed: of course I had to finish the ambiguous ending I gave to my Riddlebat prostitution fic, so that’s how this one was born. I had gotten enough comments asking for a continuation to inspire me to write more, so I ended up altering the film’s plot with their new relationship in mind. Still very angsty and insane, but arguably less so since it’s basically the movie with established relationship Riddlebat haha. It ended up being 13.8k words with only one chapter!

Static From My Better Sense: this was the multi-chapter fic I was working on while I did all of those previous one shots! I wanted to write an enemies to lovers Reddie fic, so that’s how this work came to be! I thought it’d be fun to make Richie the new kid that Eddie hates so much that he rants to his walkie-talkie about it since none of the Losers understand his perspective. Both of them are such assholes in this and I love them for it. This fic took me over a year to finish, and it ended up being 63.5k words with 5 chapters!

Short-Flamed: this fic is for the Stranger Things fandom, specifically Harringrove, and it was born because I had a phase where I read a TON of Steve x Billy fics purely because I loved the angst. I wanted to try my hand at it since I thought a character study of Billy would be super interesting, but sadly it is incomplete since I’ve lost my inspiration for it. I have a good portion of the second chapter written, I would just need to think of how to end it and get motivation for it again; who knows, maybe I will someday. As of right now, it’s incomplete at 9.9k words with only one chapter.

Let Me Wallow in Your Afterglow: my most successful (and also longest) fic to date by a long shot! It’s my first fic in the DPS fandom, specifically Anderperry. Basically, it’s my take on what would have happened if the last 30 minutes of the movie didn’t occur and if Neil made it to senior year! I really liked the idea of Neil and Todd’s relationship naturally blossoming if they had more time, so that’s why I wrote this. I also incorporated a lot of poetry, Keating’s lessons, and playwriting on Neil’s part since I basically wanted it to function as its own canon or a continuation of the movie. I spent basically an entire year writing this fic, so all of the attention and love it’s gotten has been so incredible! I’m still contemplating adding an epilogue chapter, so we’ll see. As of right now, though, it is 125.9k words with 7 chapters!

I Read You for Some Kind of Poem: my second Anderperry work and possibly my saddest fic to date! The concept is if Neil didn’t kill himself and followed through with military and medical school while Todd went on to become a semi-famous poet, and then the two of them run into each other about twenty years later. It’s actually a repurposed Reddie fic idea I had, the poet part and all, so it’s really funny how perfect it worked for Anderperry. Upon further reflection, I’ve concluded that I was subconsciously fighting for the title of the saddest Anderperry fic when writing this haha. Anyway it ended up being 51.9k words with 4 chapters!

[dallaslovebot]

dallas liu for a book of us (march 2024) interview

ZUKO'S ZEAL: DALLAS LIU DELVES INTO THE FIRE NATION'S FLAME

Amidst the fiery, ever-evolving world of entertainment, it's not just the bright lights and red carpets that define a star; it's the passion, the perseverance, and the unique journeys that captivate us. Dallas Liu, with his deep roots in martial arts and a childhood immersed in the realms of action and anime, is a testament to this very ethos. From his early days executing precise martial arts moves to embodying the complex character of Prince Zuko in Netflix's much-anticipated "Avatar: The Last Airbender," Dallas's journey is a compelling narrative of dreams turned reality. His candid reflection on the role martial arts and his supportive family played in shaping his career path offers a rare glimpse into the making of a versatile actor, one who brings a disciplined focus to the craft inherited from his days on the mat.

As Dallas steps into the shoes of Zuko, he not only takes on the mantle of a beloved character but also fulfills a personal dream, marking a full-circle moment in his career. His thoughtful approach to preparation, from studying Zuko's nuances to seeking guidance from original voice actor Dante Basco, underscores a deep respect for the source material and the fanbase. Beyond the fiery intensity of his on-screen avatar, Dallas's reflections reveal a multi-dimensional artist eager to explore varied genres, from the adrenaline of action-packed sequences to the nuanced rhythms of drama and comedy. His anticipation for future projects, coupled with a heartfelt desire to contribute to the evolving narrative of Asian representation in Hollywood, positions him as a luminary in an industry on the cusp of change. Join us as we delve into the world of Dallas Liu, where martial arts discipline meets the boundless imagination of a fan turned hero, crafting a narrative that promises to inspire the next generation of dreamers and doers.

Hi Dallas! How are you doing? What are you looking forward to and excited for this year? Growing up in Los Angeles, you started martial arts at a young age, even playing young Jin Kazama in the "Tekken" film franchise at seven. How did that early experience in martial arts influence your decision to pursue acting, and do you think it gives you a unique perspective in the industry? 

I am feeling quite relaxed and excited at the same time right now. Because the show is now out and we have gotten a season 2 and 3 renewal, I can now breathe. And because of the renewal, I am more than excited to go and shoot our new material! There is a lot to look forward to regarding the show, but I’m just grateful that I get to come back and work on the project. I would have to say that my early experience in martial arts influenced me to pursue acting through the support of my parents. I trusted them and knew that if I had decided that acting was something I want to pursue, they would be in full support of it. My parents put everything they had into me finding some sort of success and battled for me every single day. I was only able to do it because of them. I’m not sure that it has given a unique perspective, but I do think that I carried over a lot of the same discipline and focus that I had in martial arts over to the industry.

Your role as Prince Zuko in Netflix's "Avatar: The Last Airbender" has generated a lot of excitement. What was your initial reaction when you found out you would be playing such an iconic character, and how did you prepare for the challenges that come with bringing Zuko to life in a live-action adaptation?

I was overwhelmed with so many different emotions. Excitement and stress were definitely the two that I felt the strongest. Not only was I given the opportunity to play such an iconic character, but I was given the opportunity to play my favorite animated character of all time. There was pressure that I felt as a fan myself to bring this character to life. I did everything in my power to research as much as I could about Zuko. I studied his life, the small details other fans may have noticed about him in the series, and even his mannerisms. But one of the first things that I did was reach out to Dante Basco. I think receiving a stamp of approval from him gave me a level of confidence that I wouldn’t have been able to find alone by myself.

With the release of "Avatar: The Last Airbender,” what do you hope audiences will take away from the live-action adaptation, especially considering the beloved nature of the original animated series?

I hope that they’ve been able to appreciate it for what it is. There are obviously a few changes here and there, but I think if you’re truly a fan of Avatar, it will bring back some nice memories from your youth. 

In preparing for physically demanding roles like those in "Shang-Chi" and "Avatar," what aspects of your training do you find most challenging, and how do you maintain mental and physical well-being during intense filming schedules? 

In “Avatar” the training was just pure fun for me. I had spent so much time in my youth training so hard everyday at it that it feels second nature to me. If anything the stunts and the fight scenes are the easiest part of my day as long I am maintaining the strength of my body and taking care of it.

You've worked with accomplished actors such as Daniel Dae Kim, Paul Sun-Hyung, Ken Leung, and Elizabeth Yu in "Avatar: The Last Airbender." How has the collaborative process been with such a talented cast, and are there any memorable moments from the set you can share?

The collaborative process with everyone has been a core memory for me. Working with such experienced actors, breaking down scenes, and then getting to do them in front of a camera alongside those guys has given me more than I could have imagined. I learned how to navigate myself as an actor on set. I would say a memorable moment for me was working with Ken for the first time. His work as “Zhao” was unlike anything that I had ever seen before with my own eyes. He fully transformed himself into his character. I was in complete awe and shock. I hadn’t expected it at all and it showed me a completely different level of acting. It was something that I knew I wanted to emulate.

Having appeared in both Disney/Marvel's "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" and now "Avatar: The Last Airbender," you're deeply immersed in the world of superheroes and fantasy. Were you a fan of these genres growing up, and how do you approach the responsibility of portraying characters with such passionate fan bases?

I was a major fan of the genre growing up. I feel that I am truly getting to live my childhood dreams. I think that the responsibility of portraying characters with such passionate fan bases comes from within your heart. If you truly care, and you truly want to do a good job, then you will automatically by all means do whatever it takes to get it right. 

You mentioned being a fan of anime, specifically citing "My Hero Academia." If given the chance, would you be interested in participating in a live-action adaptation of the series, and if so, which character would you find most intriguing to portray?

I don’t know anything about the live-action or when they shoot, but for me it would most definitely have to be the villain Stain. If you know the series, you know that he is arguably one of the best characters in the series. 

Your background in martial arts is evident in your competition videos. Do you ever miss the competitive aspect of martial arts, and how do you feel your martial arts training contributes to your approach to action sequences in film and television?

Sometimes I do, other times I don’t. I think in every job that you take on there is some sort of competitive nature to them. My martial arts training certainly contributes to my approach in action sequences. It simply involves constant repetition and getting it perfect every single time that you practice it. This was something that had been ingrained into me by my mother.

You mentioned watching Power Rangers as a kid, which inspired your interest in martial arts. Are there specific elements from your childhood influences that you find still resonate in the roles you take on today?

“Avatar: The Last Airbender” is definitely up there for me. As well as Naruto. They all sort of shaped my childhood. I loved action as a kid.

You've successfully navigated between drama and comedy, with standout performances in "PEN15" and other projects. How do you approach the different genres, and do you have a preference for one over the other?

I think I approach them both just the same, which is just to do a good job and study up on them lol. However, I think I might be able to really separate the two approaches if I ever have to work on both at the same time. I love love love both comedy and drama because they are so different. 

Your career has taken you from Macy's commercials to major film and television projects. Looking back, what has been the most surprising or unexpected aspect of your journey in the entertainment industry?

Working on “Avatar: The Last Airbender” for sure. I never thought I’d make it here today. When I was getting really close to booking the role I would break down on those nights because I knew that I was going to take a break from acting if I didn’t book it. I wanted this role desperately. After having gotten so close to booking different roles on multiple occasions, my heart was tired. I needed some time away from it. But now the show is out. Now people get to watch my work as Zuko on Netflix. It all still feels unreal sometimes. 

As someone who started their professional career at a young age, what advice do you have for aspiring actors, especially those who may be balancing education with their passion for the arts?

Keep going! Keep pushing! 

The representation of Asian characters and actors in the entertainment industry has been evolving. How do you perceive the progress being made, and do you feel a sense of responsibility as a trailblazer in the industry?

I see the progress being made to be great. I’m glad that Asian representation in the entertainment industry is something that is constantly being fought for. I think with every Asian in the industry there is a sense of responsibility. I am hoping to get more experience though so that I am properly able to help in the best way possible in the future.

Your journey includes a variety of roles in film, television, and commercials. Is there a specific type of project or character you haven't tackled yet that you would love to explore in the future?

I want to try everything at least once! I would love to explore and challenge myself in whatever might be out there. 

With the increasing popularity of streaming services, audiences have more access to diverse content. How do you think this shift has impacted the entertainment industry, and do you see it influencing the types of projects you choose to be a part of?

I have always watched international entertainment growing up, so for me, I’m glad that the rest of the world gets to tune in a lot of the things I got to experience as a kid. I think the added content has only done more for the industry. It certainly has me wanting to do more projects if I am capable!

Looking ahead, what are your personal and professional goals for the next few years, and are there specific genres, directors, or actors you aspire to work with in the future?

I love films. So hopefully I can get more in touch with that side of the industry. I have a huge desire to write and direct my projects as well! I think I would like to work with Steven Yeun and William Dafoe in the near future if possible. To put it simply, I’m just happy to be here. I would just like to continue working.

What’s a valuable lesson that you’ve learned that you always carry with you?

Keep your head up. 

If you were a book, what book would you be and why? 

I would be Chainsaw Man by Tatsuki Fujimoto. It’s an amazing manga series that I love. But no real reason, I just like the art style and story. 

[zippiedippievippie]

TBOSAS Ao3 Masterlist

Inspired by Sawyer!! (Whose masterlist of amazing fics is available here!!)

These summaries are literally terrible forgive me

Seeds That Bleed

Treech and Lamina growing up together in District 7, spans across ten years

Enemies to friends to lovers type beat

Me inventing District Seven lore bc why not

Treemina warning 🚨 🚨 i am who i am 🤞

Egregiously long oneshot, 16.9k words

Coven In My Oven

The most painful fluffy oneshot to ever exist don’t read this

Treemina warning 🚨🚨

Treech thinks he bewitched his girlfriend into liking him with real witchcraft

Treech is a disaster and Lamina is wonderfully functional

Teeny tiny oneshot, 1.3k words

Ghost Lights On The Water

Because Treech, Coral, Reaper, Mizzen, and Wovey didn’t die in Reaper’s morgue, they become stuck in a brutal cycle of watching each year’s Hunger Games

References to the 74th and 75th Games

Inspired by this Tumblr ask

Oneshot, 8k words

Salt For All The Cuts

Treech is nearly blind. He was born with eyes that didn’t work, and yet he can always see red things

Basically Treech’s struggles with his faulty eyes and the way he gets through life from birth through the Games

Treemina be warned

Oneshot, 3k words

Where Your Eyes Naturally Drift

Treech, Lamina, and the stark differences in their upbringings, ideal, psyches

“Treech came into the world with his eyes pointed towards the sky while Lamina was born with her face in the dirt.”

Parallels galore

Treemina be warned

Oneshot, 4k words

Til Death Do Us Part

A deep dive into the harsh atmosphere of the Capitol’s Academy and all the varying perspectives on the morals of the Hunger Games told from a place of privilege

Character study/my interpretation of each mentor from the Tenth Hunger Games

Current mentor list: Juno Phipps, Iphigenia Moss, Vipsania Sickle, Persephone Price, Pup Harrington, Domitia Whimsiwick, Festus Creed

Multi-chapter, currently at 73k words

Big Brawls And Yule Balls

Treech and Lamina are childhood friends turned strangers who reunite at the Yule Ball

Harry Potter AU!!

Treech leaves this fic with a crush methinks

Part 2 will eventually be published we’ll see heehee

Oneshot, 5k words

Two Vines Entwined

Treech and Lamina’s journey from the Reaping through the Tenth Hunger Games

Primarily Treech and Lamina friendship with the tiniest bit of romantic undertones if you squint

My first tbosas fic so it’s kinda bad 🫣

Long oneshot, 13k words

[femmefatalevibe]

Not exactly femme fatale stuff, but do you have any tips for note taking and essay writing in A levels? I'm taking Sociology and English lit in college and honestly am struggling rn. Just general studying tips - how do I study, make notes and revise etc. Plus how can I be more vocal in class?

Thankyou!!

Hi love! I didn't go through the British schooling system but have experience excelling in high-level English courses/essay writing back in the day, so I hope these tips can be helpful:

For studying:

Keep a high-level itemized list of the overarching topics/chapters, etc. you need to cover in your study session

Create a plan with a schedule to tackle each item on your agenda in 30-60-minute chunks (throughout the day/week). While reviewing, create outlines of the key themes/takeaways/character profiles, timelines, with relevant examples, etc., you need to remember (factual information) and then a list of concepts/general lessons or insights you take away from your learnings (applied knowledge/analysis)

Devise acronyms or relevant analogies to help you memorize key information, concepts, and events. Perceive each subject as a storyline where you're filling in the gaps with the plot, characters, metaphors, derived conclusions, etc.

For essay writing:

Develop a multi-layered thesis that offers a new perspective to the work(s) you're discussing. Back in secondary school, I had a lot of success with connecting the dots between a theme running through the text(s) and a juxtaposing literary concept to frame my fresh perspective. Consider how drawing parallels between different characters/literary works, historical events, cultural movements, etc. allows you to offer a new interpretation/way to understand the text

Use this multi-layered thesis as a framework to structure your essay. Make sure to clearly distinguish your arguments from each other (new paragraphs) with logical transitions. Ensure each point concludes with a new way to interpret the characters/themes, etc. you're describing

Write your thesis, then the body paragraphs, then your conclusion/introduction (these two can depend on the particular essay I believe)

Always cite your sources, and check for proper grammar, syntax, etc. Varying your sentence length, syntax, and structure. Consider your word choice carefully

Show don't tell; Don't be repetitive with your arguments. Consider including a counterargument and use its fragility as a way to strengthen your multi-faceted thesis

For speaking up in class:

Keep a bullet point list in your notebook of insights/meaningful contributions you can offer to a certain discussion. Don't be afraid to raise your hand to confidently share this point after giving it some thought (helps eliminate nerves and garners positive attention from teachers/peers alike)

Think of meaningful questions to ask about a given lesson or as a follow-up to a point made during a discussion. By offering a question instead of a statement, you don't have to worry about offering a "wrong answer" and invite more intellectual thinking to the overall classroom dynamic

Hope this helps xx

[tabsters]

Once again, you do that thing were you completely throw us off of understanding Huynh. Despite the rollerblading incident, we still think we know what they're like, strong, competent, kind of cold, and then we discover that they're fucking thirteen. Once again, everything we thought we knew gets thrown into traffic and run over. This is really fun. And I like how you reflected this with Huynh's subordinates- sure, nineteen is older than thirteen, but they're still barely older then teens, it serves to throw you off again.

And a thing that I like, if I understand it correctly, is how the different characters react to androgyny. Matsurika, upon who seeing Huynh, who has not been refered to by pronouns as far as I remember, automatically assumes that they are female and refers to them as such, doing the same with Higashi, much like how Huynh refered to them as female a few chapters ago. But I'm assuming, although I guess I don't have actual evidence for this, a different character would automatically see them as male and refer to them as such? Really interesting starting point, can definitely see how this will evolve into a further study of genders and perceptions

hell yeah!!! love me an overpowered child!!

and yes you're correct! matsurika referring to chau with she/her pronouns is entirely intentional. there actually already is a part for someone perceiving chau as male, from the previous chapter:

Standing in the doorway is a boy. His dark brown hair is streaked with gold, done up into a small bun at the back of his head. A fox mask—it looks like a huli jing, the kind of fox spirit native to Zhonggan folktales—obscures the entirety of his face. He’s wearing a black jacket with multi-colored patches lining the sleeves. The Celestial Sage and the Paper Star Hunter immediately stand to attention and bow respectfully. 

“Welcome, everyone,” this person says, spreading his arms wide. “My name is Chau Huynh. Starting today, you all work for me.” 

this is from manjushage's perspective. and I definitely will be diving into the implications of gender stereotypes, gender expression, and gender perception as the book goes on. glad you liked this chapter!! :D