#and i can use some of my crystals for energy ..

[existence-is-a-pain87]

Hiyo! Here's the first part to the Block Tales series. Ima split up each in-game Chapter into their own parts (Prologue and Pre-Prologue are as one part though) and write them like that. There will also be little in-between parts made to help deepen relationships and show more of the MC, who is heavily inspired by an OC of mine, hehe! Hope yall enjoy this first part!

Hello, World!

Yandere!Block Tales x Monster?Reader

Warnings: Obsession and other general yandere behaviors, violence, technically most people are racist- speciesist??? Uhhhh... a lotta folk hate on MC for looking how they look and they did nothing to deserve it. So there's some hate against the poor MC.

Note: This isn't a series ima solely focus on. Parts should hopefully come out kinda consistently though, if I have my way. :3

--☆☆☆--

You aren't entirely sure why you were even invited to go to such an important occasion.

After all, you're broke. Like, broke enough that you live in an apartment that's only seperate room is a bathroom (only because the owner of the building feared that if you used the public bathroom you'd scare people away) and sleep on an old couch you found a "free" sign on in someone's front yard. There's a light switch that starts fires when it's turned on.

You can barely hold down a job considering your... appearance. Hell, you work as a dishwasher in the back of a cafe and are kept out of view from any customer. You're lucky the owner was even nice enough to hire you. Most jobs you apply for shoo you away the second they see you.

Of course, you don't blame them. Your condition isn't just limited to some skin-pack someone can just toggle off. You're fully fledged a monster.

You've been like this long enough you forgot what it was like to be considered a human...

...

Though, coming home one day to find a personalized letter from David Baszucki himself in your mailbox stunned you. You were even more stunned by how familiar he seemed with you (should you be concerned?) and how you were invited as a guest of honor to the Roblox VIP Convention.

You were hesitant, but your few friends convinced you to take this chance of a lifetime and go. Of course, finding all expenses pre-paid for you made you concerned, but you went anyways.

You were someone who could defend yourself. You'd be fine.

You were just staring at yourself in the mirror of the... weirdly nice hotel room you were staying in. You were just... debating.

What should you wear? Something nice, right? This was a fancy occasion after all...

But you didn't own any nice clothes. Or at least nice clothes that worked with your body type.

One pair of your arms (covered in small, black, crystal-like scales (especially from your elbow down) with some larger crystals scattered about, with your hands being covered and only having pads on your palms and finger-tips that helped you grip onto walls like a lizard with large, curved claws on the end of each finger) were pressed to your side. Your other pair were rubbing against your face, squishing your scale-littered cheeks and squeezing your second pair of smaller eyes at the corner of your main eyes shut.

Your pupils were mere slits from the sunlight streaming in through the window. You grimaced, your razor-sharp teeth visible now, before you stuck out your forked tongue at your appearance.

You've long since internalized you were a monster. The scales on your body, the crystal-like horns jutting from your forehead, and from your tail nearly twice as long as you are tall that flicked behind you. It was a thin tail, ending in a bulb-like shape that could unfurl like a flower and reveal a spike that glittered with energy. Just one stab was like having a tazer stab into your body and being hit with a lightning bolt at the same time.

You sighed, staring in disdain at your longer-than-normal arms that allowed you to easily walk on all fours (while keeping two arms bent up to grab things) and how your legs almost seemed canted with how your feet were more so curved paws (a child once told you that you had dragon feet). You tugged slightly on your floppy, almost goat-like ears, as if you could just pop them off and have human ears like you were a child again.

But alas, it didn't work.

You smooth down the spikes on your back, especially the dozens that coated your entire upper back, and made sure each smaller spike on your lower spine neatly stick through the holes in the shirt you had to modify for your body.

...

You sighed, knowing better than to try wearing something fancy that allowed people to see how you looked. You'd just scare people at the convention, and you didn't want that.

You strut across the room, half-listening to the broadcast on the TV as you started getting your outfit together.

"Good morning ladies, gentlemen, and everyone in-between! Today is the long-awaited ROBLOX VIP Convention! I hope you have your tickets... it's gonna be great!"

You slip on your modified hoodie, folding one pair of arms over your chest to just make it look like you had boobs of some sort and not another pair of arms. You pulled the hood up, tucking your horns neatly into the rabbit-ear-like things sewn onto the top and hiding your ears behind the fabric of the hoodie.

"And of course... the star of the show... CEO DAVID BASZUCKI will be making a grand appearance! We an Innovation News Services will cover it LIVE!"

You put on your face mask, neatly covering your lower face, and slip on your sunglasses. There, head is done.

"With only a few minutes till the start of the show... we urge any stragglers to make their way to the convention site!"

Crap, you may be late.

...oh well.

You just slip on your fingerless gloves, ready to play your claws off as weird attachments, as you fold your tail over and quickly tuck it into the fake cat-tail you made for it, tying the belt around your waist as its nice and snug.

"The topics to be discussed at this Convention are in! Motion-Capture AI to create UGC Emotes! Futher optimization to multi-hundred-player experiences! And of course... the anticipated Live-Streaming Integration!"

Sure it's uncomfortable to not move your tail freely, but this is for the better.

You just manage to squeeze your talon-like-feet into the shoes, wincing in discomfort as you try to adjust.

You've never liked walking in shoes, but even your feet can scare people... you don't want that.

You dust yourself off, finally looking kind of like a normal Robloxian.

"Make sure to head out early... you don't want to miss it!"

Good enough, let's go to this convention!

You just turn off the TV and head out, passing through the lobby and heading out of the hotel, only to be met with Marcus.

"Hey there! What'cha think of my new fit for today?" He asks you, dressed up just like a zombie using one of the new skin packs. "Pretty snazzy if I do say so myself!"

If anything, at least the skin packs help you blend in a little more nowadays...

"I think it's wonderful, Marcus." You chirp out. "You look fresh out of a zombie movie."

"Hehe, nice." He says, tilting his head, "Still the same outfit as usual?"

"You know how people get scared of me when I'm not hiding myself like this..." You remind him, sagging a bit, "I don't wanna spook anyone at the Convention..."

"Fair, fair. You on your way right now?" He asks you.

"Yep!" You reply, "Oh, I hope there's free food... I'm starving..."

"You're always hungry, you generator-like-being." He reminds you, grinning, "Meet'cha there! Don't wait up for me, alright? I'll be over there in a minute, just busy saying hi to all these awesome townsfolk!"

"I hope you make some new friends." You reply, smiling under the mask.

"You should say hi to them too! Maybe you can make new friends-"

"No." You immediately cut him off, "Not... not now."

"...okay bro. Just... talk to some people when they approach you, alright?"

"...okay." You nod, "Bye! See you soon!"

Then you and your friend part ways, and you head right to the Roblox HQ. You don't talk to anyone, just wandering by and admiring the city until a baby penguin runs up to you from the playground.

"Hey!" They chirp out, waving a flipper.

"Harry!" A bigger and dark blue penguin says, running over. She's also just a chick, even if a bit older. "Don't be talking to strangers! You know what Great-Uncle Jerry said..."

"Hi there, what's going on?" You ask, leaning over a bit so the penguins have to look up less to stare into your face.

"See! This stranger doesn't mind!" Harry says, excited as the other one just sighs. A third penguin chick is just playing on the playground. "Have you seen our grandpa around here? He was supposed to be grabbing some ice cream..."

"Don't worry about it, Harry!" The other chick says, "He's probably just being slow again... or picking a fight with the cashier."

"Haha! Yeah!!" Harry says, "He's probably all like... I'LL KILL YOU!!!"

The other chick grimaces at Harry's laughter. "...that's not a good thing, Harry..."

"Whatever Mary! Don't be a stick in the mud..."

"HEY!" Mary says, offended.

"Oh dear." You murmur, trying to prevent any fights, "I can't say I have, but I promise to keep an eye out. Stay safe, you three. M'kay?"

"Okay!" Harry says, "Wow, you look just like how grandpa described that annoying monster person who kept bothering him! At least with how they apparently disguised themselves..."

"Oh- uh- what a coincidence..?" You say, surprised. "I don't think I've ever met your grandpa though, so rest assured I don't know him."

"Okay!" Harry says, as Mary sighs.

"Are you heading to the VIP Convention too?" Mary asks you.

You nod. "Sure am! Why?"

"Yooooo!! That's sick! You should come and sit with us and grandpa during it!" Harry tells you.

"He's usually so loud people tend to sit far away..." Mary murmurs.

"...I'd love to if your grandpa is fine with me being nearby." You tell them, "Thank you."

"Don't worry about it!" Harry says, excited, "We're gonna see you there!"

"Uh, Harry, we didn't ask grandpa for them yet..." Mary points out.

"WE'LL SEE YOU THERE, STRANGER!" Harry squeals out, thrilled.

Mary just sighs and you smile.

"Sure will! Bye kids!"

And off you go, quickly walking through everyone and getting to the lobby of the HQ, turning in your ticket and trying to ignore the stunned people who read your ticket since it was signed by Builderman himself. You quickly head into the bathroom to make sure your disguise is perfect, eat a snack you brought, and head into the hall to go take a seat.

...wow, it's packed.

"Good morning, fellow imagineers!" JParty says, standing at the stage as you walk down the aisle. "The Visionaries Innovation Presentation begins shortly! Please take your seats and silence your cellphones!"

"Hey! We're over here!" Harry calls out to you from the front row, and you head over there.

"Come sit with us!" Mary says, waving a flipper. "We've saved a spot for you!"

"Thanks kids." You say, sitting down and trying not to bother the grumpy older penguin next to you.

"Eh?! Who's this dipface you kids brought over for?" He asks, before looking at you and freezing. "...you."

"Uh- hi?" You ask, a little hesitant.

"Shhh! Quiet gramps!" Harry says, quieting down the Elder Penguin as you look to the stage.

"Welcome friends, creators, and community alike! To the greatest platform on Earth... With the greatest fans on Earth... Pioneered by the minds of the future... all of YOU! Please put your hands together, for the founder and CEO of ROBLOX... Builderman himself... DAVID BASZUCKI!"

You, and practically everyone else, claps at that, as David sheepishly stands at the mic on stage.

"Oh goodness... Hello everyone! This is a record year for the ROBLOX's VIP Convention..." He says, glancing around the room. His gaze falls on you and his smile seems to brighten a bit. Then he looks back at everyone. "We have over 70 countries of developers here today! Brazil, Mexico, Indonesia, Sweden... and many more!"

God your shoes are killing you-

"Welcome, creators from all walks of life! Please give them a round of applause!"

You clap as the Elder Penguin mutters, "There he is... haven't spoken to Dave in a while..."

The penguin looks at you. "Did he bring you here?"

You just give the penguin a confused look, before looking away and trying to avoid any interaction with the thing as it seems to be staring a hole into the side of your head. The other penguins shush him.

"When Eric and I founded Roblox..." David continues, "We wanted to connect the world through play. And many years later, that dream has been realized. Connection through play reaches those in need and isolation." His gaze flicks to you, "And brings them into the light to find happiness."

The penguin is still staring at you. You are kinda scared now...

"Your amazing content supports making differences. It's YOUR kindness... YOUR creativity... YOUR... heroism..." He clears his throat, looking away from you, "THAT is what changes the lives of others. And with hundreds of millions of monthly active users... Your impact is felt, and ROBLOX has NEVER been better!"

"Y e a h, r i g h t." A new voice suddenly says, cutting through the speakers. The music abruptly turns off.

"Excuse me?" David asks, startled and a little.. angry? He mutters something, asking JParty if he missed a segment transition cue.

"You think you're so GRAND, HUH?" The voice asks again, "Spouting all those words... and for WHAT?!"

"I- I think we're experiencing some technical difficulties here," David suddenly says, a little nervous, before a dark cloaked figure and several Noobs drop from the ceiling by David. The figure points, and the Noobs shove David to the ground before tying him up.

"N-no! It can't be!!" He stutters out, horrified.

"You recognize ME?!" The figure asks, "How... curious... YOU took EVERYTHING from your community... took EVERYTHING... from ALL of us! YOU just HAD to throw us aside. It's. S I C K E N I N G . Y O U ' R E . MINE!"

You sit still, as does everyone else. Too stunned to reach.

But... you already want to take action.

"Hmm..." JParty says, "I don't thini this was in the script... BUT FEAR NOT! Don't worry, David "BUILDERMAN" Baszucki! As the VIP's Honorary Host, I'm also... Your Honorary Bodyguard! Take THIS you fiend!!"

JParty gets up from his seat and onto the stage, throwing a ball at the figure that immediately deflects and knocks him out. He's easily punched off the stage by a Noob.

Everyone is panicking know, Mary screaming and Harry asking is he's okay. It seems to snap the Elder Penguin out of it, and you standing up to go help also gets him to realize what's going on.

"HUH?! WAIT A MINUTE!!" The Elder Penguin hops up, "I REMEMBER YOU!! ...AND DONT THINK OLD TERRY'S FORGOTTEN YOU EITHER. I'LL KILL YOU!!!"

...is he talking to you??

You just shrug it off and know you have to go help David, even if it means potentially scaring some folk...

You just hop onto the stage, tugging your hood down as you get your tail cover off and kick off your damn shoes.

If there's one good thing that came from you turning into a monster, it's you're really good at fighting, and you now can just sorta manipulate energy. Which includes teleporting things as long as you know exactly where they are.

Which includes your handy-dandy claymore you made from scrap metal and too much free time.

You twirl the heavy thing as if it's just a simple bat, and you take off the mask and sunglasses.

"If you're gonna cause trouble, prepare to get yourself INTO TROUBLE!" You tell them, readying your claymore for a swing as everyone is just panicking more.

The Elder Penguin- Terry, he said his name is- grabs JParty's ball and hobbles up on stage, yelling something at you that you ignore as you catch the ball he throws at you and use it to help you beat the Noobs to a pulp.

You didn't even need to use your tail. But you did use your extra arms.

"How... interesting." The figure says, "How... F A S C I N A T I N G ."

You feel them stare at your monstrous appearance, almost... impressed.

"Never... N E V E R did I expect this. An enigma, free of conventional order and wisdom... a M O N S T E R ."

You glower at the thing as they don't even move.

"How... I n s u l t a n t . And yet... it seems... so different." It sniggers, "There is no need to worry. You're a COWARD wearing facades of revolutionaries. Desperately seeking approval as you are NOT HUMAN. You're a F R E A K . Prayers are not bron from the lives of the bliss. Oh... vessel of suffering. Let us strive to unravel the mysteries of this world. As we perform our own choreography... to the melodies of a timeless choir. Let us... s t r i v e ."

As they hold up a weird device, you panic.

"Fo make right what ALWAYS should've been remembered."

"No!! Please!! This ISN'T supposed to happen yet-!!!" David yells, panicking more than you are.

"That device! Aim for that device, dude!" Terry orders you.

In the blink of an eye, your tail unfurls, the spike is revealed, and it's stabbed through the device.

It glitches, hovering into the air, dragging the mysterious figure with it, and drags you, the figure, and David inside. All you hear are screams before black.

--☆☆☆--

"Hey. Wake up." A voice tells you, and you groan. You're on a... bed? You think..?

"Get up, goober..."

You sit up, and see a large, dark blue penguin next to you. You head hurts. No, your everything hurts.

"Hey, did you have a good nap?" He asks you, giving you a strained smile at best.

"I feel like I was just put through a dryer that exploded halfway through the cycle." You reply, rubbing your cheeks. "Ugh..."

"That's great..." He says, before stomping so hard you fall out of the bed, "NOW GET OUT OF MY BED, YOU WEIRD LOOKING THING!!"

You immediately pop up and hop away, your spikes sticking upright as you're standing like a cat about to fight.

"The AUDACITY of people these days!" He says, "You think you can just sleep anywhere you want, huh??"

"No- no!" You yelp out, standing up and frantically shaking your head, "There was this Convention and Builderman was kidnapped and I stabbed this device and now I'm suddenly here! I didn't mean-"

"Whuh?? BUILDERMAN? Kidnapping..." The penguin doesn't believe you, that much is clear. "Great. You're a freak AND insane. Dude, it's 2010. One of the hotel workers came looking for you earlier... front desk of the hotel is down the hall... go talk to them... I dunno what the hotel wants with you tho..."

"Y- yes-! Thank you!" You stutter out, panicking about how you fucking time traveled and whatever the hotel worker wants with you.

"...what even are you?" The penguin asks you, "Some wacko who was experimented on?"

"Technically I'm a monster and victim of hacking, but my name is [Name]." You say, pulling up your hood. "Nice to meet you..?"

"Your name is stupid." The penguin tells you, "I can tell you're not from around here... you're fishy... I'm gonna keep an eye on you, bruh..."

"Al- alright?" You say, hesitating. "B- bye-!"

And you rush out of there, going as far as to use your little special ability to move so fast people assume you're teleporting just to get out of there.

You shake a bit as you get out into the lobby, still reeling from the time travel thing. You try to ignore the looks you got since your disguise is basically gone, but you just wrap your tail around your waist and approach the front desk.

...apparently, you're supposed to go to Roblox HQ. You don't know why outside of Shedletsky himself wants to talk to you, but you start heading over there.

Roaming through the city, you see how different Bizville used to look. Hell, they got rid of the dog park??? Oh c'mon! Why'd they do that???

You're too nervous to talk with anyone, but you notice the weird clock-like mark on the bulb of your tail. Is that from the machine..? Weird...

You go to Roblox HQ and unfortunately have to fight some Nooblets, but the ball and your claymore makes quick work of them.

...don't worry, they're alive. Just injured.

Managing to get to the top floor, you see- OH GOD.

An injured Shedletsky, limp against some rubble, as a young red noob and a young blue noob stand over him. Is he alive?!

"...AAAND STAY DOWN!!!!" The red noob orders, proud of himself, "Take THAT, bucko!"

"Jeez Red... you really knocked him down flat on his back." The blue noob says, looking a little apprehensive. "You think he's out for good this time?"

"HAH! I HAVE NO IDEA!!" Red declares, "But NOBODY can stop us!! We're insperable!!!"

"Aww... thanks, Red..." The blue noob says, rubbing the back of her head.

Red just proudly laughs as you approach, absolutely horrified.

The blue noob notices you and looks startled. "Um... Red?"

"THE POWER OF RED AND BLUE COMPELLS YOU!!!" Red tells Shedletsky, hands on his hips. "VICTORIOUS ONCE AGAIN, WAHAHAHAHA!!!"

"RED!!!! TURN AROUND!" Blue says, shaking Red. Finally, he notices you.

"Yo, chump! Who do you think you are???" Red asks you, shooting you a glare.

"[Name]." You reply, "Since that's... my name."

"You're just in time, [Name]!" Blue says looking almost in awe at your appearance.

"'Cause we're Red and Blue!!!" Red declares, looking less in awe and a lot more nervous than Blue does.

"And we'll crush you!!" Blue says, before launching into battle.

...

Naturally, you held back, these were just two kids. It was pretty easy to stop them in their tracks and shoo them off, and they ran off while saying something about "telling their boss". You just made sure they were gone before immediately checking on Shedletsky.

"Aauugh... my head..." He muttered, clearly in pain. "I- is... is someone there..? I... don't feel so good... I.... got pretty banged up there..."

He pauses. "...I don't think I can get up..."

"Oh my god, are you okay-?!" You ask, "St- stay here, I'll go get an ambulance or something!"

"I... wait..." He tells you, "D- don't let them get away... They... took Builderman. H- he's been kidnapped..."

"THEY GOT HIM HERE TOO?!" You yelp out, in the middle of dialing an ambulance, "J- just gimme a second, okay?! I'm calling help right now!"

"Someone trying to..." Shedletsky starts, and you shush him with your tail.

"Quiet, putting in all this energy into talking isn't helping you. Just try to stay alive and I'll do what I can, okay?!" Finally your call goes through.

It takes a minute for the call to end, a minute to quickly peer inside and warn everyone that Shedletsky is really injured, and a few more until the ambulance shows up and you do your best to explain the situation.

Thankfully, Shedletsky was stable enough to confirm your story. As you make sure he's okay before he goes, he tells you one thing.

"Stop them from taking the SWORD FIGHT ON THE HEIGHTS swords..." He tells you weakly.

"Yes sir," You say with a nod, "I- I'll come check on you in the hospital when I get the chance too! Please just... stay safe. I promise I'll do whatever I can to save Builderman."

He says some more things to you, but you can't make out what he says, even with your sensitive hearing.

The moment he's on his way to the hospital, you go. Your claymore shatters the planks blocking the bridge and your speeding through the meadows (not at your full speed, since this is unfamilar terrain and if you go too far you're gonna be REAL lost), and fight off any attackers in your way.

As you almost head out, you're stopped by the penguin (he looks a lot like Terry from the Convention, not gonna lie...)

"Dude." He says as he waddles up to you, "Did you REALLY leave all this CRAP in my room????"

"...pardon?"

"What the heck is wrong with you bruh. First you take my bed, now you're being a slob too????"

"I don't-"

"Take these stupid things back already." He says as he shoves the other pieces of your disguise and a card into your hands.

"U know how CARDs work, right??" He asks you. And you do, so you nod. "You sure?? You look like you're lying bruh."

"I can assure you, I do know." You say, remembering how you were taught by Marcus awhile ago.

"Whatever." He says, before leaving.

You just disguise your tail again, shove your feet back into the shoes, and put on the mask and glasses before continuing.

It was surprisingly easy to get through the meadows and fight off everyone who attacked you. Before you knew it, you were well on your way to the mountains. You've never been there, so you just hope it would be nice.

Unfortunately, you were stopped.

"Hold it right there, punk!" A new voice interrupts you before a Noob wearing wrestling gear drops in front of you. Red and Blue drop down next to him, with Red glaring at you and Blue sorta just admiring you..?

"So, this is the dummy who gave you trouble, huh?" The new Noob asks the other ones.

"Yeah! They held me like I was a cat while scolding me!" Red says, before laughing, "You thought you could defeat US?"

"I didn't even fight you..." You mumble, giving the kids a concerned look.

"Y- you're in for it now!" Blue says as Red nudges her, "Red and Blue, staying true!"

The wrestling Noob just sighs. "Anyways, looks like I'm taking you to pound town, kid."

"...I'm twenty-" You say, concerned. The Noob pauses, before clearing his throat.

Red just grins. "YEAH!!! Get ready to eat dirt!"

"Y- yeah! You're gonna eat dirt, pretty monster!" Blue says, before squeaking at a confused look Red gives her, "I mean- UGLY monster!!"

"Haha, yeah!!!" Red says, grinning again.

...

...

...

Yeah, you just deflected their attacks and scampered away. No fighting kids, you had morals. Anyways, you knew better than to try to aim for violence...

If that's what you did, you'd only be seen as a monster. Something that should be put down.

Rubbing the scar on your shoulder, you ignore the memories that haunt you.

You just sigh and walk into the caves, more than ready to head to Blackrock and hopefully get the Ice Dagger.

Hopefully, all should end well.

You just had to hope...

[odysseyeurobeat]

Eurobeat On Its Own Terms

(Written in WAY too broad of strokes since I'm tired)

The path forward for eurobeat as a genre will not be built on re-establishing its connection with Initial D/MF Ghost, nor will it be through associations with dance games or fandoms such as My Little Pony or Touhou. The path forward for eurobeat will be built on eurobeat's ability to exist and be loved on its own rights and merits.

Because of the isolation the genre experienced after exclusivity became successful, the world outside of Japan experienced eurobeat almost exclusively through associated properties— specifically, anime (Initial D) and video games (DDR, other rhythm games, and... well, Initial D). Because of this, the rest of the world didn't experience eurobeat (or its associated dance style, parapara) as its own distinct cultural phenomenon the same way Japan did. Instead of a eurobeat song release being its own cultural unit, a eurobeat song is instead associated with its attachments.

Night of Fire by Niko and Deja Vu by Dave Rodgers get lumped in with Initial D. John Desire's cover of Hot Limit (by TM Revolution) gets associated with a Flash Animutation ("We Drink Ritalin"). Fantasy by Melissa and Nori Nori Nori by Judy Crystal are part of Bemani music games. Fans and indie creators introduce the genre to the Touhou fandom and later the My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic fandom (*ahem*), and new associations get built.

So now, eurobeat has a strange double identity. In Japan it is its own distinct thing— a dated genre with positive associations of the bygone Heisei era struggling to find its footing in the modern Reiwa era, but a distinct thing nonetheless. In the rest of the world, however… "meme music". "DDR music". "Brony music". "Initial D is the artist".

I should indicate now, having associations with eurobeat through something else is not a bad thing. Life is short— if you like Initial D's soundtrack, if Touhou Eurobeat makes you happy, if the song "Discord" introduced you to the genre or if DDR or Beatmania showed you this style, then cling to that. Love it. Embrace that with your heart. It is okay to like eurobeat THROUGH something. FAR too often in this space I see folks shamed for liking eurobeat through something else, or implying that the eurobeat that caters to those spaces is lesser (or even synth rock not eurobeat at all). As someone who has spent over half of her life in the genre, it's... really okay to like it THROUGH something.

But for those interested in the longevity of the genre itself, for those who want to see the genre in a prospering here-and-now, see its potential realized… what comes afterwards is even better. The next step is to love and celebrate Eurobeat as it is. Not through the lens of Initial D or Touhou or MLP or even Vtubers as of late (again *ahem*), but in its own light. The next step is seeing eurobeat as a genre that is wholly itself, beholden not to external franchises or licenses, but to itself. Eurobeat CAN be about those things, but what makes it wonderful is what it has to itself.

Energy. Whimsy. That fast tempo. That delectable arrangement. The breadth of sub-styles it can contain (guitar-driven? Aishu/bittersweet? Poppy? Masculine? Feminine? Other themes? Blending with other genres?). There's so much to eurobeat on its own that's worthy of adoration, celebration, sharing with the world.

The world has had enough time to experience eurobeat THROUGH something else. Hell, I haven't stopped creating eurobeat about or with certain subjects, and probably won't. However, it's a BIG reason I've focused on originals, done few songs specifically about cars/racing, avoided the Initial D Takumi AE86 leaning thumbnail... I'll confess, even when discussing the music video of "Night Cover" with Matara Kan, I requested that the AE86 would NOT be used. This is not out of some hatred for Initial D; rather, I wanted folks to enjoy the song on its own merits, as a Matara Kan song and not as a "knockoff Initial D" song. The decision to use the motorcycle with the extra cab for the Momo she brings with her is a brilliance I did not introduce, and I think Teru's execution of that idea shaped the experience of that song beautifully.

(On the subject of Vtubers, I should indicate that I understand my own work could be seen as "through the lens of the Vtuber community". I do not shy away from that criticism; Vtubing has deeply shaped my brand recently, and I enjoy this new shape. However, I also firmly believe that Vtubers are sufficiently broad in scope AND uniquely fascinated with the genre, to where such an association will not pigeonhole or typecast the genre as deeply as its associations with drift racing have. I see it as an opening up, not a closing in.)

In closing, I think the path forward for a eurobeat that is capable of withstanding the test of time is putting the genre in front of new audiences. Existing eurobeat fans already love eurobeat. Initial D and MF Ghost fans already love eurobeat. Touhou fans already love eurobeat. Bronies already love eurobeat. Vtubers themselves love eurobeat, though their audiences are still fresh and new to it. Vtubers aren't the only path forward; rather, my point is this:

Put Eurobeat In Front Of New Audiences, Exactly As It Is & As It Can Be.

People who don't know what eurobeat music is, seem to love it in all its flavors. Older and slower/still Italo Disco-flavored, newer and faster and EDM-flavored. Old synths and samplers, new sounds and influences. It doesn't tend to matter-- the song itself tends to be fantastic. It doesn't need to change to reach an audience (singular), all of its flavors need to be brought to more audiences (plural). The availability, the marketing, the presentation— fix these, and focus them on loving eurobeat as it is; and I foresee the genre prospering.

That's enough out of me, I've been up for hours and haven't had breakfast. I'm gonna do that.

[thesweetestsupervillains]

"Admittedly, and I say this as a former self taught mad scientist before I met my own mentor, that kind of thing can be just as dangerous. Magic is worse though. Lots of people start trying to tap into things they think they get, but don't."

"And while I get that your plan might be good for business in the short term, it's bad for things in the long term. You enable them, and then they go off and do something stupid because they didn't think, and now you don't have customers. Or worse, people start to think you got them killed, and now you have enemies."

"Now, it's true that you can't know everything you don't know. But as the Book of Ether talks about, everything is possible. Non-existence is illogical. Thus, one should always assume that anything they're doing or might do might have repercussions they can't imagine. Just asking 'what might go wrong' is how you begin to deal with issues."

"For example, Iyana got herself mutated by some kind of crystal thing because she just left it out like it was normal. Oh, here's this energy source, just leave that unattended and out. She assumed that just because it wasn't harmful to someone else it wouldn't harm her, or that it couldn't cause things she didn't expect, or that it might result in bad things. Hell, it could have reacted with the environment in ways she didn't expect and killed her."

"Which is exactly like how that mage just came to you, a stranger, and went 'okay, do blood magic using a flesh sacrifice.' She doesn't know you, and doesn't know that you're telling the truth. She has no way to verify what you told her. And you have no way of knowing that you didn't point her in a direction that will get her killed."

"For example, let's say this location is actually located in the elemental plane of radiation. Do you think she'll check where she's going before she goes there? Or do you think she'll open a portal to the place you tell her and immediately get herself killed? In the Sons of Ether we call this the 'Sliders Mistake.' The assumption that wherever you're going dimensionally will have the same properties as the one you're in, or that it will even be safe to move through space without looking first."

"And that's assuming that, even if going to the place is safe, that it's not going to be considered trespassing by some cosmic entities that she can't deal with. Again, you might as well have told her 'here's a location, it's in hell, hopefully no one notices you there because they'll murder everyone you know as penance for appearing before them without asking."

"Only when ya start schooling magic! Rest of the time people can't stop coming up with ways ta do things! Teachers are really tha worst, ain't they?~" Is he rage-baiting her? Maybe.

"Ya gotta be a certain cut a meat ta be tinkerin' with everything: Cotton Candy's more a scholar/teacher type. Get what ta know and pass it on. Hell, tha only reason Umgquosho is makin' anything new yet is because no-one else was makin' it!"

"They don't gotta ask, since I'm such a sweetheart!~" That's definitly a joke. "Now that they got ya ol' pal hava fa a back up plan, they don't gotta think ta hard on things~" After all, that means more buisness!

"Buut if ya gonna be a spoilsport for 'saftey', then I guess I can see if this silver tongue can do a few things. Cause ya can't just yell at em and hope they remember it the next time somethin crops up - ya gotta exercise em till they're thinking of risks like I think a dinner!"

"The real trouble is figuring out how ta know what ya don't know - cause there's way ta much out there most folk have no clue a!"

[harrylights]

ok i just need to write down these whack 1d dreams i’ve had the last couple days

[morninkim]

Paradox Pokémon explanation I'm going with for SV timeskip:

Paradox Pokémon are brought into the present day from alternate timelines through Sada's time machine, which uses the concentrated power of Tera Crystals to travel time - however it's really channeling and focussing Terapagos' own reality shifting abilities due to its proximity to the Zero Lab Underdepths

Terapagos itself warps reality when met with a strong enough desire due to absorbing massive amounts of Terastal energy over several millennia - it brought the originally observed Paradoxes to the present for Heath's expedition team to witness because it felt Heath's desire to discover something extraordinary in Area Zero and brought forward (Sada's, later Florian's) Koraidon and (Titan) Great Tusk - Thus starting the events that would lead to Sada reading the Scarlet Book, becoming fascinated by Paradox Pokémon, and building the time machine in Area Zero

During the (loose) events of SV Timeskip, 10 years after The Way Home, the time machine has mysteriously turned back on and is bringing more Paradox Pokémon to the present. However, these new Paradox Pokémon are robotic - not at all like the Ancient Pokémon Sada had studied - and seem to resemble several creatures described in issues of Occulture Magazine

[flying-cat]

5 large energy cans left and i have to use them on autoplays at work... lost and found don't let me down

[shiftthemoon]

reality shifting isn’t hard. you’ve been told it’s hard because everyone’s too scared to admit it’s not. they cling to their 800-step methods, their must-have crystals, their perfect conditions because they think that if they let go of that control, they’ll fail. but here’s the thing: the more you try to control the process, the more you convince yourself it’s out of your control. and that’s the problem. that’s why so many people feel stuck. shifting isn’t some big, far-fetched thing. it’s just you. it’s always been you.

we’re conditioned to think we’re powerless. think about it—school, work, society, all of it drills this idea into us that everything has to be proven, earned, validated. so, when you hear about shifting, your brain freaks out and says, wait, wait, this is too easy, this can’t be real. and then you spiral. you overcomplicate it. you make yourself think you need the “perfect” script, the “right” subliminal, or that you have to meditate for three hours while the stars align perfectly. like, no… you don’t. all of that? it’s fluff. it’s noise.

at its core, shifting is belief. just belief. no, really, let that sink in. you don’t need to “do” belief perfectly. it’s not something you master through sheer willpower. it’s something you already have. you’ve believed in things your whole life. you believed in gravity without needing proof. you believe your favorite songs are beautiful without needing to explain why. belief is natural. it’s effortless when you stop overthinking it. that’s the energy you need to bring to shifting—trust. trust that your mind knows what it’s doing, and that if you let it, it will take you there. every single extra thing you pile on? the overthinking, the doubt, the need for guarantees? that’s what’s slowing you down. not the “lack of progress,” not some mythical “block”—it’s you convincing yourself it’s harder than it is.

and let’s talk about social media for a second. oh my god, the shifting community on social media… i get it. it’s comforting to see other people on this journey. but let’s be honest—how much of that content is actually helping you? like, really? 90% of the time, scrolling through shifting advice isn’t inspiring; it’s overwhelming. everyone’s got their own opinions, their own “best methods,” their own rules. one person says scripting is a must, another says it’s a waste of time. one person swears by affirmations, another says visualization is the only way. and before you know it, you’re sitting there questioning everything you thought you knew, wondering if you’ll ever get it “right.” spoiler alert: you already know how to shift. you don’t need a thousand voices telling you what to do. in fact, the more you listen to them, the harder it becomes to hear yourself.

take a break. seriously. log off the apps. give yourself space to breathe and think. ask yourself: why do i want to shift? what’s stopping me? what feels right to me? no tiktok trend, youtube guide, or reddit post can answer those questions for you. only you can. and i know that sounds scary. we’ve been conditioned to think we need external validation for everything, but shifting is a deeply personal thing. you don’t need a step-by-step tutorial. you need to trust your instincts. that’s it.

and let me be clear: i’m not saying methods or subliminals are bad. they’re fine if they help you feel aligned. but they’re not what makes shifting happen. you are. methods are just tools. if you use them, great. if you don’t, that’s great too. because the truth is, shifting isn’t about doing things “right.” it’s about letting go of the idea that you need to.

so let me break it down for you. the only things you really need to shift are:

1. a desire. you have to want to go to your desired reality. no brainer, right?

2. belief. this is the big one. you have to trust it’s possible. no “what ifs,” no “but hows.” just trust.

3. persistence. if it doesn’t happen right away, that’s okay. don’t give up. if you’ve ever learned to ride a bike, you know that falling doesn’t mean you can’t do it—it just means you’re learning. shifting is the same.

that’s it. no fancy rituals, no endless research, no “perfect” conditions. the process is simple because it’s natural. you’ve probably done it before without even realizing it— the only reason it feels hard now is because you’ve convinced yourself it has to be.

stop making it harder than it needs to be. shifting isn’t this unattainable, mystical thing reserved for “chosen ones.” it’s something anyone can do. you can do it. your mom can do it. that anti-shifter lurking in every crevice of shiftblr could do it. you’ve always been capable. but you have to stop getting in your own way. stop doubting yourself. stop relying on others to tell you what’s possible. this is your journey. own it.

and above all, be patient. shifting is not a race. it’s not about how fast you can get there or how perfect your dr is. it’s about trust, intention, and focus. log off, tune into yourself, and let it happen. shifting has always been yours to claim. it’s not something you need permission for. it’s not something you need to earn. it’s just you, your mind, and your belief. always has been, always will be.

[savanir]

A sister's love

The justice league hurriedly responds to a call for backup at a little in the middle of nowhere place by the name of Amity Park. 

The situation had seemed so simple. 

A Star Sapphire had suddenly shown up on Earth which isn’t immediately cause for concern but she was unidentified, so a lantern was definitely going to have to look into it if only just to make sure that nothing bad was going on. There are two planet side green lanterns, Simon and Jessica. So they responded to handle the potential situation. 

Things rapidly spun out of control when they realized it wasn't just a Star Sapphire. 

"I hate to say this but we're gonna need backup" Simon tells Cyborg, "the Star Sapphire has brought something with her. My first guess was a white martian but..." The other one can do some manner of density shifting, and he can go invisible, but they know ways around that. Whatever this one is doing isn’t that though.

"Why isn't this working!?!" Comes Jessica's slightly panicked voice in the distance, "he keeps just going through my creations! dammit, think think Jess" She tried to contain him with a flamethrower construct but he just ignored it, like he’s seemingly ignoring everything else she’s throwing at him.

"Our constructs have zero effect on the other one, the alien, meta? man I don’t know he’s human shaped" 

"What is the situation other than the two hostiles?"

"Uh we got some government agents who are retreating because of the Star Sapphire wrecking their stuff. And the civilian people here seem to be falling under her influence, so she must be human. She's from here, she needs emotional connection to pull that stuff off."

The people are furious, the violet glow around them clearly indicates that the girl is using her ring to amp them up but if Simon didn’t know any better he’d say this was red lantern stuff.

Well there are more ways to whip people up into a frenzy, by hurting their loved ones for example.

There is a brief moment where it can be heard that Simon and Jessica try to get into a more advantageous position. 

Simon grunts, "dammit, those agents seemed to have weapons that actually worked on the other guy but the Star Sapphire used her violet constructs to shield him and destroy their guns and we've been struggling since" this whole situation stinks, he has a weird feeling about all of it.

"Simon this is really really bad, i can't keep restraining all these civilians, we're running out of energy fast!"

Cyborg tries to get a visual on the situation from his position in the Watchtower while he’s notifying any league affiliated heroes who are nearby and available. 

But all of a sudden he realizes there is just nothing, just a big lap of void where the two lanterns are supposed to be, there is no cctv footage, no cell towers, no internet connection. Just what the hell is going on here.

Then the audio transmission starts to violently crackle.

A new voice laced with static can suddenly be heard, "There you two are"

"Shit"

"Is the justice league coming yet? Are they finally going to do something?" the staticy voice continues.

"Stay back you-"

"Or maybe they still need more of a reason to act" 

The audio cuts out. 

"Jessica! Simon! Come in!" ... "Shit!" 

Cyborg finally gets a clear picture with the satellite cameras and now sees the entirety of Amity Park has been covered with a crystalized violet dome. It’s then that he remembers the story Hal told quite some time ago now about a Star Sapphire who managed to put a whole planet into love stasis.

They are gonna need more help with this one he thinks.

Meanwhile Jazz is still shakily trying to figure out how her new pink powers work, now that all the fighting is over (for now), the GIW forcefully expelled from Amity, and the two Justice league people captured and restrained.

Everything happened so fast, one moment the GIW had knocked out her brother and were forcefully taking him away and while she saw them drive off (she was pretty sure she was screaming) a pink thing just froze her in place, She was pretty sure someone said something about “great love in her heart” and then she was… well she was flying and- and there wasn’t really any time to question things then so she may have kinda gone and ripped into the van that had Danny.

She’s pretty sure she healed him, and then things just completely spiraled out of control from that point on. and now she’s here.

She’s pretty sure this is crazy villain behavior, she’s going to get put on some sort of watchlist and then she’ll never get to be a psychologist but it’s fine.

Her little brother is safe, that’s all that matters. And she will keep it that way.

[stunie]

USHIJIMA WAKATOSHI X F!READER — sfw ﾉ fluff ﾉ mild cw alcohol ﾉ 596 word count ﾉ og req ﾉ in which ushijima picks you up and takes you home after you’ve had a little too much to drink and accidentally overhears you talking about him to your friends . . .

“Ehh? You really think Toshi is scary?”

He stops in his tracks just inches away from your friend’s door. Ushijima was never really the type to eavesdrop like this, but for some reason, his body had decided that he should wait this one out and listen. Just for a little. “..Why’s that?”

Your words sound a little slurred. Though he already knew you would be like this to some extent as soon as he received a text from your friend asking him to come by and take you home.

“Well…” one of your friends speaks up. “He’s just kind of intimidating, you know?”

The little noise of confusion he hears from you paints a crystal clear image in his head. You’ve always made that sound whenever you tilt your head to the side a bit— as if doing that would help you understand better or something. “Hmm… intimidating..?”

You start laughing. As if it’s the funniest thing you’ve heard all day. He hears your laughter muffled under something and assumes you’ve moved to hug and snuggle up against one of your friends. “Toshi? He’s not… not at all.”

“He’s the sweetest soul alive. I can prove it.”

“Oh? Can you? Tell us then.” Your friend chuckles a bit when you start humming and sighing, and he thinks one of them has started rubbing your back. You’ve always loved that. You make the exact same noise when he does that too. “Sure.”

Ushijima’s lips curl into the faintest trace of a smile when he hears the way you giggle— like you’re ecstatic just by being asked to talk about him. You really like him that much?

“I don’t know where to start,” it’s clear you’re talking through a big smile, and it only makes it harder to understand you— but he can. “One time, my heel broke. And so.. he carried me for the entire night. We were…. were at a festival, you know.

“I was on his back for hours..!”

Oh. He remembers that. The two of you had gone to try out different food stands, and he would feed you by holding up the fork with a piece stuck on at the end. You’d lean down and take a bite like some kind of bird perched on his shoulder. He remembers feeling really happy that night.

“And…. this other time…” your laughter trails off, and he raises a brow. “I was really sad. I was crying, and you know what he did?”

Oh, now that sounds a little more personal. Ushijima decides that it’s finally time to take you home with that.

“What did he do? Oh— look who’s finally here.”

You and your friends all turn to look at him as soon as he enters the room, though it would be hard to miss someone like him in the first place. His first thought is that he was right about you cuddling up with one of your friends. Your arms are wrapped tightly around their middle, face resting on their lap, and you barely muster up the energy to turn to face him.

“Ehh….” It looks like sleepiness is finally starting to hit you now that you’re comfortable. “Toshi? Ah… I’m imagining things now… hi, Toshi’s ghost. I’m his girl…”

You smile at him. It’s a big, sleepy smile— and it still makes his heart skip a beat, even if he doesn’t seem to outwardly react to it.

“Let’s go home.” He’s gentle when he kneels down beside you, gesturing for you to return to your favorite spot on his back. “You need rest.”

[velvetvisionsaurora]

Pairing: Mafia Ateez OT8x Reader

Warnings: smut, fluff, angst, poly ateez, violence and weapons, mafia ateez, organized crime, parental death and grieving process, bullying, possessive and controlling behavior,

Summary: When Y/n Ricci is forced to marry Kim Hongjoong—leader of the notorious ATEEZ organization and one of eight men who cruelly abandoned her seven years ago—she finds herself trapped in their heavily guarded compound with the ghosts of her past. As she navigates the dangerous world of mafia politics and her own wounded heart, Y/n discovers that all eight powerful, irresistible men still harbor deep feelings for her, suggesting an unconventional solution to their shared dilemma. But before she can consider forgiving them, let alone loving them again, she must uncover the dark secret that tore them apart—a truth that could either heal their fractured bonds or destroy them all completely.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

18+ only- No Minors

Chapter 1: Ice in your Veins

The crystal decanter shattered against the wall, sending shards of glass and amber liquid cascading across your father's office.

"You've lost your goddamn mind!" you shouted, your chest heaving with each ragged breath. "An arranged marriage? What century do you think we're living in?"

Your father, Don Ricci, didn't even flinch. He simply stared at you with those cold, calculating eyes—the same eyes that had ordered countless men to their deaths. The same eyes you'd inherited.

"Y/n," he said, his voice steady and low. "You've always known this day would come."

"Known? Known?" you spat the word like venom. "I never agreed to be some bargaining chip in your twisted game of power."

He sighed, rising from his leather chair to pour himself another drink from a second decanter—as if he'd anticipated your outburst. Of course he had. Your father always seemed to know what cards would be played before they were even dealt.

"This isn't a game, cara mia. It's survival." He swirled the amber liquid, watching it catch the light. "The Ricci family needs this alliance."

"Then make it with guns and money like you always do," you hissed. "Not with your daughter's life."

"The Kim family has always been our ally. Hongjoong's father and I have been friends since before you were born," he said, his expression softening slightly with nostalgia. "But times are changing. The old alliances need to be... reinforced."

"So call him up for dinner like you used to! Remember those Sunday gatherings with all the families?" Your voice cracked. "You don't need to sell your daughter to maintain a friendship!"

Your father's eyes narrowed. "This isn't just about friendship, Y/n. This is about survival. The Russo family is encroaching on all our territories. Together, our families are stronger."

You laughed bitterly. "So you're afraid of them? The great Don Ricci, trembling before—" You froze mid-sentence, the full implications hitting you. "Wait. Kim? As in Kim Hongjoong? That Hongjoong?"

Your father's eyes met yours, a flicker of understanding passing through them. "Yes. The same boy you used to run around with. You and those eight boys were inseparable once—until they weren't."

The name hit you like a physical blow. You gripped the edge of his desk to steady yourself, memories flooding back in a dizzying rush—laughter shared under summer stars, secrets whispered in the darkness, and then... nothing. Seven years of nothing.

"No," you whispered. "Anyone but him."

Your father watched you carefully, more perceptive than you'd given him credit for. "I thought you'd be pleased. You were close once, all of you. The sons of my most trusted allies." He paused, studying your reaction. 

You turned away, unwilling to let him see the pain in your eyes. "Apparently we weren’t as close as I thought."

"I don’t have the energy for you tonight," he sighed. "This alliance is necessary. The Kim, Park, Jeong, Kang, Choi, Song, and Jung families—we've controlled this city for generations. Now we need to ensure it stays that way for generations to come."

"How considerate of you," you sneered, finding your voice again. "And I suppose Hongjoong has already agreed to this?"

"He has. In fact, it was his father who proposed it."

Something sharp and painful twisted in your chest. So that's how it was. The boy who had once sworn he would always protect you had agreed to make you a prisoner in your own life.

"Did you ever stop to wonder," you asked quietly, dangerously, "why they all disappeared from my life? Why your 'trusted allies' sons suddenly wanted nothing to do with me?"

Your father's expression didn't change, but something flickered in his eyes. "The world we live in is complicated, Y/n. Boys become men. Priorities shift."

"Bullshit," you spat. "Something happened. Something you're not telling me."

Don Ricci set down his glass with deliberate care. "What I know is that we need this alliance, and Hongjoong is willing. That's all that matters now."

* * *

Across the city, Hongjoong stood at the window of his penthouse office, staring out at the glittering skyline. Behind him, Seonghwa watched his leader carefully, noting the tension in his shoulders.

"You told Don Ricci you'd marry his daughter," Seonghwa said, not a question but a statement.

Hongjoong didn't turn. "I did what was necessary for the family."

"And what about Y/n?" Seonghwa asked, his voice carefully neutral. "Do you think she'll agree?"

A bitter smile crossed Hongjoong's face. "Y/n doesn't have any more choice in this than I do." 

Seonghwa stepped closer, lowering his voice though they were alone. "She doesn't know why we left. What we did to protect her."

"And she never will," Hongjoong said sharply, finally turning to face his consigliere. His eyes were hard, resolved. "That was the agreement. We stay away, she stays safe. And now..."

"Now you're bringing her back into our world," Seonghwa finished for him.

Hongjoong's hand tightened around the tumbler of whiskey he held. "Her father's losing control. The Russo family is closing in. If we don't step in now, she'll be caught in the crossfire regardless."

"Our fathers always intended for the families to unite this way," Seonghwa mused. "It was discussed even when we were children."

"But none of them could have predicted what happened seven years ago," Hongjoong replied grimly.

"And what will you tell her? After seven years of silence?"

Hongjoong downed the rest of his drink in one swift motion. "Nothing. The past stays buried."

"She won't accept that," Seonghwa warned. "You know how she is."

A flash of something—perhaps pain, perhaps fondness—crossed Hongjoong's face. "Yes," he said quietly. "I remember exactly how she is."

* * *

You paced your bedroom like a caged animal, anger burning through your veins. The door was locked—not by your father's order but by your own hand. You needed space to think, to breathe, to process the bomb that had just been dropped on your life.

Hongjoong. After all this time.

You grabbed the nearest object—a porcelain figurine—and hurled it at the wall, taking grim satisfaction in watching it shatter. It didn't help, but at least it was something.

Seven years ago, they had been your everything—Hongjoong and the others. More than friends, they had been your chosen family, your confidants, your safety in a world where your last name made you both royalty and target. The sons of your father's closest allies and business partners, you'd grown up together in the sheltered world of mafia royalty. And then one day, without warning or explanation, they were gone. No calls. No messages. Nothing but cold silence and empty promises.

And now Hongjoong had the audacity to agree to marry you? Like you were nothing more than a business transaction?

You grabbed your phone, scrolling to a number you'd never deleted but never called. Your thumb hovered over it.

A soft knock at your door interrupted your thoughts.

"Miss Y/n?" It was Paolo, your father's most trusted bodyguard. "Your father wants you downstairs. The Kim and Park families have arrived to discuss the arrangements."

You froze, your heart stuttering in your chest. "Already? They're here now?"

"Yes, miss. Your father says you have ten minutes to make yourself presentable."

You wanted to scream, to throw something else, to lock yourself in and refuse to come out. But you were a Ricci. And Riccis didn't hide.

"Tell my father I'll be down," you called back, your voice steadier than you felt.

As Paolo's footsteps faded away, you caught your reflection in the mirror. Wild eyes, flushed cheeks, hair tumbling in disarray around your shoulders. You looked dangerous, unhinged.

Perfect.

If Hongjoong thought he could waltz back into your life and claim you like a prize, he was about to learn a painful lesson. You might be forced into this marriage, but you'd be damned if you made it easy for him.

You reached for your closet, pulling out a black dress that hugged every curve, cut just low enough to be a distraction, just high enough to maintain the appearance of respect. You applied your makeup with deliberate precision—red lips, smoky eyes, sharp enough to cut.

Armor, in its own way.

Ten minutes later, you descended the grand staircase of your family home, each step measured and deliberate. You could hear voices from the main drawing room—your father's deep rumble, and then another voice that sent a jolt through your system.

Hongjoong.

You paused outside the door, steadying yourself with one deep breath, and then another. You weren't that heartbroken teenage girl anymore. You were Y/n Ricci, daughter of one of the most feared men in the city. And you were about to face the ghosts of your past.

With one final steadying breath, you pushed open the door and stepped inside, your eyes immediately finding his across the room.

Time seemed to stop as your gaze locked with Hongjoong's for the first time in seven years.

The room fell silent as you stepped inside. 

Five men turned to look at you—your father, his consigliere Antonio, and three figures from your past. Mr. Kim and his son Hongjoong stood near the fireplace, while Seonghwa lingered slightly behind them, ever the faithful shadow.

"Ah, Y/n," your father's voice broke the silence. "Come greet our guests."

You moved forward with practiced grace, your heels clicking against the marble floor like a ticking bomb. Your eyes remained fixed on Hongjoong, cataloging the changes seven years had brought. Gone was the boy with bright eyes and an easy smile. In his place stood a man, sharp-edged and dangerous, dressed impeccably in a tailored black suit. His hair, once a wild mop, was now styled with deliberate precision, dark strands falling just above eyes that watched you with maddening impassivity.

"Mr. Kim," you greeted Hongjoong's father first, extending your hand with a polite smile. "It's been too long."

The older man took your hand, his grip firm. 

"Y/n. You've grown into a beautiful young woman." His eyes crinkled with what seemed like genuine warmth. "Your mother would be proud."

You kept your smile in place, though the mention of your mother sent a familiar pang through your chest. "Thank you."

Then you turned to Hongjoong, letting your smile cool several degrees. "Mr. Kim," you said again, the formal address a deliberate reminder of the distance between you now.

Hongjoong stepped forward, taking your offered hand. His touch sent an unwelcome jolt of electricity up your arm—a physical betrayal you refused to acknowledge.

"Miss Ricci," he replied, his voice deeper than you remembered. "A pleasure to see you again."

"Is it?" you asked, arching a perfectly shaped eyebrow. "I wouldn't have guessed, given the circumstances."

Hongjoong's expression didn't change, but something flickered in his eyes—perhaps surprise at your directness. "The circumstances are... complex."

"They always are in our world, aren't they?" You withdrew your hand from his grasp, turning to the third visitor. "Mr. Park. I see you're still following Hongjoong around like a loyal puppy. Some things never change."

Seonghwa's lips twitched slightly—not in anger, but what almost looked like appreciation for your barb. "Miss Ricci. Sharp as ever."

"One of us has to be," you replied coolly.

There was a time when you would have greeted these men differently—when Hongjoong would have been "Joongie" and Seonghwa would have been "Hwa." When you would have thrown your arms around them without hesitation, your laughter filling the room. But that time was long gone, buried under seven years of silence and unanswered questions.

Your father cleared his throat. "Perhaps we should sit and discuss the arrangements."

"An excellent suggestion," Mr. Kim said, gesturing toward the seating area.

You took a seat in a high-backed chair, crossing your legs elegantly as the men arranged themselves on the surrounding sofas. Hongjoong sat directly across from you, his dark eyes never leaving your face.

"As we've discussed," your father began, "the marriage will take place in three months' time. This will give us adequate opportunity to prepare and to announce the union to our associates."

"Three months?" you interjected, your voice carrying a dangerous edge. "How generous of you to give me a whole season to prepare for my own wedding."

Your father shot you a warning look, but Mr. Kim merely chuckled. "Your daughter has your spirit, Don Ricci."

"Sometimes too much of it," your father muttered.

Hongjoong leaned forward slightly. "Three months is standard for arrangements of this nature. It allows for proper preparations while not delaying the benefits of our alliance."

"Benefits," you repeated, the word dripping with disdain. "How romantic. Tell me, Hongjoong, do you always discuss marriage in terms of profit margins and strategic advantages?"

A muscle in Hongjoong's jaw twitched. "In our position, romance is a luxury few can afford."

"And yet here I am, being auctioned off like a prized mare. Quite the luxury indeed."

"Y/n," your father warned.

But Hongjoong raised a hand. "It's alright. Y/n has every right to express her... reservations."

"How magnanimous of you," you said with a saccharine smile. "Granting me permission to have feelings about my own life."

Hongjoong's eyes narrowed slightly, but you caught it—the briefest twitch at the corner of his mouth, a ghost of the smile you once knew so well. It was gone as quickly as it appeared, but you'd seen it. Somewhere beneath that cold exterior, your words had reached him.

"Perhaps," Seonghwa suggested smoothly, "Miss Ricci would like some time to discuss the arrangement privately with Hongjoong. After all, they will be spending their lives together. Some initial conversation might ease the transition."

Your father nodded. "An excellent idea. Y/n, why don't you show Hongjoong to the garden? Antonio and I have some additional matters to discuss with Mr. Kim and Seonghwa."

It wasn't a request. You stood, smoothing down your dress. "Of course. This way, Mr. Kim."

You led Hongjoong through the double doors and into the hallway, your back straight, your steps measured. Neither of you spoke as you walked through the house and out to the garden—the same garden where you had all played as children, where secrets had been shared and promises made. Promises that had ultimately meant nothing.

Once outside, you turned to face him, crossing your arms. "Well? Shall we discuss flower arrangements and honeymoon destinations? Or would you prefer to skip straight to dividing up territories and body counts?"

Hongjoong didn't rise to the bait. He stood with his hands in his pockets, the evening breeze ruffling his perfectly styled hair. For a moment, in the fading light, he looked almost like the boy you'd known.

"You've changed," he said finally.

"Did you expect me to stay frozen in time?" you asked. "The same naive girl waiting for her friends to return?"

"No," he admitted. "But I didn't expect... this."

"This?"

"This version of you. Cold. Hard." His eyes traveled over you, lingering on your face. "Beautiful in a way that cuts."

You refused to let his words affect you. "We all become what we need to survive. You taught me that lesson quite effectively."

"I suppose I did," he murmured, moving past you to look out at the garden. "Do you remember when we used to sneak out here at night? All of us?"

"I remember a lot of things," you said flatly. "None of them relevant to our current situation."

Hongjoong turned back to you, his expression unreadable. "Is that how you want to play this, Y/n? Pretending the past never happened?"

"Isn't that exactly what you did?" you shot back, unable to keep the edge from your voice. "Seven years, Hongjoong. Seven years without a word. And now you want to reminisce like old friends?"

Something flashed in his eyes—pain, perhaps, or regret. But it was quickly masked by that infuriating control. "You're right. The past is irrelevant. What matters is our future arrangement."

"Arrangement," you repeated. "Not marriage. Not partnership. Arrangement."

"Would you prefer I lie to you? Dress this up as something it's not?"

"I would prefer not to be traded like a commodity," you snapped. "But since that ship has sailed, I'd at least like to know why you agreed to this. What possible benefit could you gain from marrying someone who clearly despises you?"

Hongjoong stepped closer, close enough that you could smell his cologne—sandalwood and something darker, more complex. "Maybe I enjoy a challenge."

You let out a harsh laugh. "Is that what I am to you? A challenge to be conquered?"

"No," he said, his voice suddenly serious. "You're much more dangerous than that."

Before you could respond, he reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear with unexpected gentleness. The casual intimacy of the gesture stole the breath from your lungs.

"Our fathers have made their decision," he said quietly. "We can fight it and make ourselves miserable, or we can find a way to make it work."

You stepped back, breaking the spell of his proximity. "And how exactly do you suggest we do that? Start fresh? Pretend you and the others didn't rip my heart out and stomp on it?"

A flash of guilt crossed his features. "I don't expect you to forget. Or forgive. But for both our sakes, we need to find a way forward."

"There is no 'we,' Hongjoong. There's you and your precious family, and there's me, doing what I must to survive—just as I've done since you all abandoned me."

Hongjoong's jaw tightened. "You know nothing about what happened."

"Whose fault is that?" you challenged.

For a moment, it seemed like he might actually tell you something—anything—to explain the past. But then his expression closed off again, the wall between you solidifying.

"Some things are better left buried," he said finally.

You laughed, the sound brittle in the evening air. "How convenient for you."

Hongjoong studied you for a long moment, his dark eyes taking in every detail of your face. "You know, despite everything, that fire in you—it's still there. They couldn't take that away."

"They?"

But he was already turning away. "We should go back inside. They'll be waiting."

As you followed him back toward the house, you couldn't help but wonder who "they" were, and what exactly Hongjoong thought had been taken from you. But one thing was certain—beneath his cold, controlled exterior, the boy you once knew still existed. You'd seen it in that fleeting almost-smile, heard it in the softness that had crept into his voice when he spoke of the past.

And that realization was far more dangerous than his indifference could ever be.

Next>>

Taglist: @paramedicnerd004, @miracle-sol

[astroismypassion]

Astrology observations 🌟⭐️🌟

Credit goes to Tumblr @astroismypassion

This one has been sitting in my drafts for months.

🌟I don't care what y'all say about Venus in the 6th house loving order and organisation. I see these people love orderly chaos and aesthetic cluttercore. They embrace curated mess and love imperfectly organised spaces. They love having vintage things, trinkets, crystals on their desk.

⭐️Taurus Mercury is a sensory thinker. They often get flashes of knowing or information while cooking, walking, creating or just being. They also remember things in sensory flashes, like the smell of the room where the breakup happened, the tone someone used that made you trust them, what something felt like in your gut. They dislike being rushed into an opinion (lol Kanye West), but then casually drop a truth bomb.

🌟Venus in the 6th house has a secret love of miniatures, such as tiny animals, pocket-sized art, tiny plushies.

⭐️Gemini over the 7th house, you guys, attract people who bring out two sides of you. And you definitely are not the type who can make "opposites attract" work. You truly require someone who is similar to you and your temperament, identity, personality.

🌟Venus in the 6th house can be attracted to somewhat overlooked or humble people, they romanticize the unseen (opposite 12th house). They like a barista, the librarian, the lab tech, anyone quietly doing their work.

⭐️Sagittarius Risings attract significant others that play multiple roles (partner, friend, teacher, critic) or they are into multiple fields (engineer who is also an artist, teacher who is also a poet). In extreme cases, you can have someone who live a double life or just often reinvents themselves.

🌟Libra Mercury often thinks in opposite ways. When they say I'm confused, it's actually when they know too much.

⭐️Gemini over the 7th house are so cerebral in a connection, that they only know how they feel once they say it out loud or write it down. You might also end up with a partner who has a twin or a sibling who looks just like your partner. In some cases, the people you commit to will change dramatically over time. On a positive side, they can show you how to be flexible, youthful and curious in ways you forgot.

🌟Aries Moons grew up in an environment where they had to self-soothe fast, fight for attention or be emotionally independent way too early. They yearn for someone to be there for them without them needing to earn it.

⭐️Also, they are actually veryy vulnerable, but randomly and in bursts, they are vulnerable with you when you least expect it. And often end up regretting it right after. You might also test people with anger, distance or sarcasm BEFORE opening up. You often have the feeling that if you show you need something, you lose power. Also, I'm sad to say it, but you guys only heal when you are alone.

🌟Gemini Descendant, you guys have a partner that is mentally quick, but emotionally inconsistent. They might randomly emotionally detach or check out.

⭐️Sun in the 6th house give such "alpha behind the curtain" vibe. They are just quietly running things behind the scenes and hold everything together due to how consistent and competent they are. You guys might lead without anyone realizing you're leading.

🌟Sun at an Aries degree (1, 13, 25) are prone to have thin hair.

⭐️ I have to say it again, that Cancer Suns are not soft caretakers. They don’t give love freely, only when you actually earned it. They also often deal with mother’s sacrificed dreams or mother’s grief, because she didn’t fulfill her dreams.

🌟 Virgo Mars has a rage that always come across as calculated rage. They time well, when they will reveal their anger for you. Don’t get fooled that it’s random. They just withdraw their energy, stop fixing your mess and use their disorganization against them.

Credit goes to Tumblr @astroismypassion

[cetoddle-archive]

i am now officially saving all my bonus energy for next month…sigh

[glowettee]

✧ how to reinvent yourself without deleting everything this summer ✧

hey lovelies!! WELCOME TO SUMMER! so i've been obsessing over this idea of reinvention lately... like literally woke up at 3am last night to jot down notes in my phone because my brain wouldn't stop thinking about it?? summer always feels like this dreamy little pocket of time where anything is possible... where you can try on different versions of yourself between iced matcha lattes and sunset walks.

i know we've all been there... that moment when you're scrolling through pinterest at midnight and suddenly you're like "what if i just... became someone else??" (guilty of creating entire secret boards dedicated to my "french girl era" that never actually happened lmao). but the thing is, completely starting over is exhausting?? and honestly kind of impossible unless you're in a witness protection program??

so this post is for my girls who want that reinvention feeling without the whole dramatic disappearing act. because honestly? the you that exists right now is already pretty magical, we're just gonna help her shine in some new ways.

✧ why gentle reinvention just hits different ✧

i had this realization while reorganizing my bookshelf last week (yes, for the third time this month, don't judge me) the most interesting characters aren't the ones who completely transform overnight. they're the ones who slowly evolve, keeping their essence while discovering new facets of themselves.

like, remember in "emma" when she realizes she's been in love with mr. knightley the whole time?? she didn't become a different person, she just finally understood something that was already there. that's the kind of reinvention i'm talking about: the recognition, not rejection, of who you are.

✧ actually magical reinvention tips that feel like character development ✧

digital presence evolution (without the cringe factor)

• create a finsta where you post the aesthetic you're curious about but not ready to commit to (mine started as dark academia but somehow evolved into cottagecore with a side of astrology memes??)

• change your social media bios to describe who you're becoming, not who you've been

• make an email signature that makes you feel like the main character (mine has a tiny moon emoji that literally no one has commented on but makes me happy every time)

• curate a new spotify playlist with songs that feel like your "becoming" soundtrack (tip: add one new song every morning as a little ritual)

• start ending your texts with a new sign-off or emoji (i switched from "x" to "✨" and now my friends get worried if i don't include the sparkle)

• take selfies from a completely different angle than your usual (overhead instead of straight-on changed my LIFE)

tiny identity shifts that nobody notices but YOU

• give a slightly different name at starbucks, not completely different, just a variation that feels like an alter ego (i use "amelia" which is my middle name and it feels like slipping into another dimension for 5 minutes)

• create a secret signature scent combination by layering two perfumes you already own (vanilla + something citrusy has main character energy, trust me)

• change your handwriting slightly, make your y's loopier or dot your i's differently (sounds so minor but feels so intentional)

• develop a subtle personal symbol and incorporate it places only you would notice (i draw tiny stars on the corners of important journal pages)

• start carrying something unexpected in your bag that represents your new era (i have a tiny rose quartz crystal that literally no one knows about)

• choose a "power color" you don't usually wear and incorporate it somewhere small every day (even just as a hair tie or phone background)

space magic that costs zero dollars

• rearrange your room based on the energy you want to create (bed facing the window changed my sleep quality so much??)

• create a tiny altar/intention space somewhere private with objects that represent who you're becoming

• switch up where you do everyday activities (i started doing my skincare routine by the window instead of the bathroom and it feels like a whole spa moment)

• change the scent of your space. different candles, incense, or even just boiling cinnamon sticks on the stove

• put up photos from a completely different phase of your life than what you usually display

• rearrange your books by color or theme instead of author (my shelf organized by "books that made me cry" vs "books that changed my mind" feels so personal)

• sleep on the opposite side of the bed or with your head where your feet usually go (literally changes your dreams, i swear)

style whispers that feel like screams

• start wearing your hair in a completely new way just one day a week (slicked back bun on tuesdays has become apart of my routine)

• change where you wear your everyday jewelry. ankle bracelet instead of wrist, rings on different fingers

• try "dopamine dressing" where you wear something purely because the color makes you happy, not because it "goes" with anything

• experiment with makeup placement rather than buying new products (blush higher on cheekbones or across nose bridge instead of apples of cheeks feels revolutionary)

• wear the "special occasion" clothes on random weekdays

• try to add one unexpected accessory to elevate basic outfits (a silky scarf tied on your bag handle)

• match your nail color to your current emotional goal rather than your outfit (blues for calm, reds for confidence)

routine alchemy that changes everything

• take a completely different route home, even if it's longer

• switch when you shower AND the temperature (night showers ending with 30 seconds of cold water changed my sleep quality)

• read the last page of a book first before starting it (chaotic energy but changes how you perceive the story)

• change where you sit in every familiar setting... different spot on the couch, different chair at the dining table

• set alarms for weird specific times (9:43 instead of 9:45) so you actually notice them

relationship refreshers that feel magical

• respond to texts with voice memos if you usually type (this transformed my friendship with my long-distance bestie)

• ask people completely different questions than usual ("what made you smile today?" instead of "how was your day?")

• suggest a different type of hangout than your usual (art gallery instead of coffee shop, sunrise instead of brunch)

• share something slightly vulnerable if you're usually private (i told my friend about my secret passion for astrology and now we have the best conversations about it)

• write actual handwritten notes to people instead of texting

• create little rituals with friends that feel special

• be the first to suggest plans if you usually wait for others (this tiny shift literally expanded my social circle overnight)

mindset magic that costs nothing

• choose a new word to eliminate from your vocabulary (i stopped saying "sorry" before asking questions)

• pick a new word to deliberately use more (i've been using "delightful" instead of "cool" and it makes ordinary things feel magical)

• create a secret personal holiday that only you celebrate (i have "manuscript monday" where i work on my secret novel for just 20 minutes)

• start a collection of something weird and specific (i collect interesting sugar packets from cafes and it makes every coffee shop visit feel like a treasure hunt + i get to discover new food brands).

i literally started taking a different route to my morning coffee last month and ended up discovering this tiny bookstore that's now my favorite place?? sometimes the smallest detours lead to the biggest discoveries.

the most interesting people aren't completely different versions of themselves every season. they're just constantly evolving.

xoxo, mindy 🤍

p.s. make sure to rest this summer, you're gonna need it <3

[knowledge-from-the-abyss]

Protections and Wards

What are protections and wards? 

Protections and wards can be pretty much anything; you can make protection jars using herbs, you can use crystals as protections, you can even do protections with just energy! There will be some simple examples of protections listed later on in this post.

Why do protections at all? What if I don’t believe in trickster spirits? 

Even if you don’t necessarily believe in trickster spirits, protections are still important. Negative energy still exists, and protecting yourself and your space from that negative energy may make it easier to deal with negativity around you in your daily life. 

What is the difference between protections and warding? 

Protections are a generalized term that describes using energy and intentions to protect yourself and your space. Warding specifically talks about using ordinary objects, setting intentions on them (possibly doing other things like blessing them or consecrating them) to turn them into protections.

Below is going to be a small list of some ideas for protections and wards, both for the home and for yourself. This list is not exhaustive, and there are many different ways to make protections and wards. 

Protection jars

Veiling 

Protection jewelry

Handmade protections

Protection satchels 

Crystals 

Energetic protections

Protection oil (please make sure that any essential oil or oil-based products are safe for the skin and pets if you are going to be using this). 

Protection candles (you can use color and scent magic for this as well!)

Protective sigils

Some of the methods listed, such as veiliing, protection jewelry, and crystals are a bit more ‘beginner friendly’. Please make sure you’re doing your research and setting clear intentions with any protections you’re making! 

Here is a short list of some easy, generally accessible herbs you can use in protection jars and satchels. 

Sage (please remember to only use white sage is you are part of that closed practice)

Lavender

Cinnamon

Rosemary

Bay

Salt

Pepper

Garlic 

What is veiling/how do I veil? 

Veiling is a tradition that has a lot of history behind it; essentially, veiling is the practice of wearing some type of headwear in order to protect your own energies from outside influence. You can veil in many different ways. Wearing a headscarf of some kind is a good way to veil, but you can also veil using hats, scrunchies/hair-ties, and even simple energy can be used to veil. For me, I have put an energetic veil on my head before while washing my hair in the shower!

Is there a right/wrong way to use/do protections? 

There is not really a right or wrong way to do or use protections; you can use protections however you like to protect your own energy and your space! For me personally, the majority of my protections are not physical objects, I purely use energy and visuals for my protections. A lot of my protections are also baneful in nature. 

Can I make protections to make someone not think of me/ignore me? 

Yes, you can! For protections like these, I recommend illusion magic or protections specifically made to hide you from them. Veiling is a good option in this scenario! 

How do I know I need to redo my protections? 

This can get a bit tricky to discern; I highly recommend using some form of divination to figure out if you need to re-do protections. I also recommend generally keeping up with your protections as part of a weekly/bi-weekly routine. As discussed in my previous post about cleansing, working in protections while you’re doing mundane tasks such as cleaning can be a good way to do this. 

As far as discerning when you need to redo protections, this will get a little complicated, so bear with me. First and foremost, please try to distinguish the mundane vs magical causes for things. While things like getting sick, feeling suddenly run down all the time, or having a bout of bad luck can SOMETIMES be indications of negative energy around you and the need to cleanse and redo protections, this is not always the case. Sometimes, life just sucks. This is again why I recommend doing divination as a way to discern if the cause is mundane or magical. I will be going more into divination methods in a later post. 

How do I make protection jewelry? 

Again, there can be a few ways to do this. I firstly recommend cleansing the jewelry you are wanting to turn into a protection. Please make sure you’re being safe when doing this (make sure you check and see if the jewelry can safely be submerged in water, get salt on it, etc).

Next, you can consecrate the jewelry in a few ways. You can use protection oil to consecrate the jewelry (please make sure that your jewelry will not corrode or anything with oil). You can also ask your deities/spirit guides to bless the jewelry for you and put their protective energies on it. You can also soak the jewelry in water and herbs (again, make sure that the jewelry is safe to go in water). 

How do I make protective sigils?

Sigils are a very fun, easy way to make protections (as well as doing other types of spellwork). You can find sigil online, however I do recommend making them on your own. There are also programs you can find online that will help you generate sigils. You can also make them up on your own, go based on associations (like you could draw a candle, and have that be a protective sigil for instance). 

This is not an exhaustive list that covers all forms of protection and all questions about protection, however I hope that this post will help some newer witches learn more about how to work protections into their practice.

[sirfrogsworth]

I believe in a leftist philosophy, but I am finding it hard to join in with some online lefty communities. The purity tests and infighting just do not interest me. There are people who think if you slightly deviate from the proper leftist ideal you are then a "bad" person so then it is okay to harass a "bad" person.

Of course you can call someone horrible names and say they should die. They are a bad person and all bad people deserve that. Right?

Some seem more interested in calling out bad leftists than actual right wing fascists. If I hear "AOC is turning into Nancy Pelosi" one more time my eyes are going to roll out of my head.

And I think this entire voting thing has crystalized how I feel about this. I'm frustrated with how many people seem to be allergic to long term strategy and realistic goals. They value performative actions that yield no tangible benefit rather than long term problem solving, strategic thinking, pragmatic action, and building power over time.

The right to vote is precious but the act of voting is not.

It is not an endorsement.

It is a tool.

I'm using that tool and choosing who I'd rather argue with.

I'm voting for myself as a disabled person and a friend of trans people and as someone who doesn't want to protest migrant concentration camps in addition to the genocide in Gaza. I'm making a strategic decision that I hope will help achieve a better outcome for myself and other marginalized groups.

And on a more personal level, I had to watch my mother die a horrible, painful, lonely death because of an incompetent president. I don't think I can handle the trauma of continuing to see that horrible man in the news every single day. My motivations are multifaceted.

Spending time arguing with other leftists is a really poor use of energy. I'm not up to it and I'm going to spend what energy I have advocating for the best ideas that will help the most people.

[seafoamaphrodite]

a beginner’s guide to…

✨ altars ✨

here are some materials you can use for an altar, whether it is for your spellwork, a deity, or any other use! altars should reflect your personality, and be a space where you feel happy and safe :D

none of these materials are required, and everything is completely customizable to your beliefs! (just practice respect and safety obviously)

🕯️ basics 🕯️

an altar cloth is a piece of fabric that covers your altar. this could be a bandana, a small blanket, or even a piece of paper!

a glass plate is a mundane but VERY versatile altar piece. it can work as an offering dish, a tray to collect wax drippings, or just a little trinket holder

candles are an easy addition to any altar. you can use any type of candle, but my favorites are taper and prayer candles. scented candles are completely fine to use as well! choose candles based on color and scent

natural materials like crystals, flowers, plants, animal bones (responsibly sourced), etc. are an incredible addition to any altar! if you have a deity altar, learn about their associations and use this to guide your choice

paper and pen/pencil will be your best friend if you write petitions, draw sigils, etc. keep them near your altar for convenience

🌱 cleansing 🌱

many people believe an area should be “cleansed” before it is used as an altar or sacred space

methods of cleansing include incense, water cleansing, sage smudging, and more

incense cleansing is often done by wafting an incense stick or cone through a space and visualizing the smoke clearing out negative energy

sandalwood, lavender, and rosemary are common incense choices for cleansing

water cleansing is something i do a lot, it can be done by sprinkling water in an area or even washing/pouring water. regular tap water is perfectly fine, but you can also incorporate moon water, sun water, rainwater, etc.

smudging with sage involves burning a bundle of sage and, similar to incense cleansing, wafting the smoke through the area. sage smudging is traditional to indigenous tribes like the Lakota and Navajo. as a result, sage smudging (especially the use of white sage) is often considered cultural appropriation when done by non-indigenous people. i am not indigenous nor do i use sage, so i am not incredibly well versed on the subject but i thought i should include it. always do research and practice respect and sensitivity 💌

🌙 takeaways 🌙

finally, your altar is YOUR space. you can include or exclude anything you want; your space doesn’t need to be “aesthetic” or make sense to others

my first altar was a cardboard box with one candle and a handful of crystals. it wasn’t expensive or fancy, but it got me into my practice

through the years, my altar has grown and changed as i have

if you want to make an altar, start with what you have! you would be surprised how powerful your resources are 🩷