#great quality and a cool design

[krumpkin]

A beautiful watch 😊

[daftpatience]

the shirts arrived!!!!

i'm so happy with them 🥺 there's only a few extras from this order and i'm debating bringing them to kfx or harumatsuri. hum hum

[lilidawnonthemoon]

[revivify-inn]

Literally buying a glaze just for my new (Lord Huron inspired) idea. At least Mayco is affordable

[fly-sky-high-bug-games]

I look at pretty stationary things

I go "man I wish I can have that"

and then I remember I need space and energy to keep them dust free every time I can make myself clean and that I'd remember to look at them only when I'm zoning out while in the room

... anyway this is about those cute HK nendoroid figurines

[neofelis----nebulosa]

Uhhh why aren’t the furious 5 in the king fu panda 4 trailer

[sirfrogsworth]

This man just loves shooting movies on "hard mode."

The 15 perf, 70mm film he uses is pretty special. In very limited circumstances, it can have the same detail as an 80 megapixel medium format camera. Roughly 12K if you average out the sharpness of the lens (the center is sharper).

It's gotta be the lowest speed film and on a tripod and *nothing* can be moving and there has to be plenty of light and the lens needs to be sharp enough to resolve that much detail and the air cannot be too moist or dusty... but yeah, sure... theoretically you can get a tiny circle in the center of the frame to be 18K. With the entire frame averaging out to be 12K.

And as you watch that 12K image on a 100 foot IMAX screen you can say to yourself, "Cillian Murphy should really try a pore cleanser."

But Nolan *rarely* uses it under those ideal conditions. So he is mostly preserving the resolution of the grain structure.

I know people go to movies to admire the high-resolution film grain structure. Right? Any grain nerds reading this?

So why is he doing this?

There is the "film look" that is a bit of a cheat code to reduce the need for extensive color grading. People just like the look of film. It has a nostalgic aesthetic that gives us comfort. All of the films of my childhood were on film. All of my childhood photos were on film.

But you can get film without film.

They have developed workflows that emulate film to a near-imperceptible level. There are filmvestigators who think they can always tell. But if it is close enough that only a few specially trained people can see the difference, it is imperceptible.

You can also hack digital to be film. Dune 2 took the digital footage and exposed it onto film and then scanned it back to digital.

Looked great.

Looked like film.

So he doesn't need to do this to get the film look.

WHY? What else could compel him to go through this considerable bother to capture his movie?

I could make an argument for gradients.

Any large format is going to capture very nice gradations. Gradations are probably the most underrated aspect of image quality. People get obsessed with Ks and megapixels, but 1080p is enough detail for most people.

Whereas having one color smoothly transition into another color is a very subtle thing that gives our brain an aesthetic buzz. It's that thing that makes people go, "Oh wow, you must have a really nice camera." It's that subconscious element in photos that helps differentiate snapshot from art.

This iPhone photo is great.

It is amazing this can be captured by a phone.

But a large format image just hits different.

And you can't always put your finger on why.

I mean, the why is because a professional photographer took the photo. (Unless that is one of those dentists with a Hasselblad.)

But if you account for the skill of the photographer, what else makes the photo special?

I think it is the gradients. The megapixels are nice. The color science is nice. But the way those tones just seamlessly shift into each other makes my brain tingle.

But the Arri 65 digital cinema camera is also large format. It has nicer lenses that weren't designed before the 90s. It doesn't cost thousands of dollars just to develop a few minutes of footage. It has more dynamic range. It can do the buttery smooth gradients. It weighs an entire 2-year-old child less than IMAX cameras.

And you don't need 4 dudes to deliver the movie to the projectionist.

And unless Christopher had them develop a silent IMAX camera, I guess all of the dialogue is going to be recorded in post.

I mean, IMAX claims they made them "30% quieter."

Which is a bit like when I inquired about an $8,000 treatment and explained that I had 0 money and the doctor offered me a 30% coupon.

So whyyyyyy?

It's heavy. It's loud. It doesn't offer better image quality.

I think it is just because film is cool and he doesn't want it to die.

I wish he would stop saying unscientific things about the magical 15/70mm film and just say "Because it is fucking cool."

I'm sold. That works for me.

By using the most extreme film camera, he brings attention to the use of film. He inspires people to learn about it and maybe even use it in their personal photography. (Film photography is very popular right now.) And he makes other big Hollywood directors think they can manage the pain in the ass of film as well.

I'm glad Nolan is this stubborn and willing to take on the challenges of using the heaviest and loudest cameras in existence.

The large format quality is good enough that it will be preserved well. We won't have a Star Wars crisis where people are trying to stitch together degraded 40 year old film to make sure Han shot first.

An 18K scan of IMAX will stand the test of time.

That doesn't mean IMAX is 18K or any other K.

The Ks don't matter! Stop talking about 18K! All you reddit r/IMAX nerds need to calm down about the Ks.

Talk about them sweet, sweet gradients.

Film is a variable resolution medium. If it is dark and you are using a Russian lens from the 50s, you might be getting 3K IMAX. You could have one scene from two angles be completely different resolutions. It's fine. No one is complaining that a movie isn't Kenough.

The only thing "scanned in 18K" means is that all of the detail will be well preserved, including that sexy grain structure.

Nice.

[astrologydray]

—💋💋Rising Signs as Style Personas💋💋—

-Aries Rising – The Bold Trailblazer-

• Sporty-chic, lots of red from vibrant crimson to deep merlot. gold jewelry, sneakers & moto jackets

• Loves a statement piece and fearless combos. bold hairstyles, including big hair, wild curls, and hats

Sharp, modern, and slightly androgynous silhouettes, like tailored suits or sporty outfits, can showcase their assertive nature

• Vibe: Off-duty model meets rebel cool

What to avoid:

Frilly or overly feminine styles Unless there are other feminine placements in their birth chart

• Don’t overdo pastels or ultra-delicate looks

Avoid looking “overly safe” or forgettable

Taurus Rising – The Sensual Minimalist

• a style that is both classic and sensual, Loves comfy, high-quality fabrics (cashmere, silk, velvet, leather)

• Neutral tones evoking a sense of comfort and groundedness, earthy luxury, elevated basics, Coquette Core

Taurus risings might go for richer, deeper jewel tones like emerald, sapphire, or amber

• Vibe: Soft luxury. Expensive but not loud

What to avoid:

Avoid cheap-looking or overly synthetic fabrics. Scratchy textures and fast-fashion fads can dull your luxe aura.

• Stay away from chaotic prints—simplicity is your superpower. Don’t chase trends that don’t feel good on your skin.

Gemini Rising – The Playful Trend Hopper

• Constantly changing style: graphic tees, Y2K, funky prints. can experiment with layering different textures and styles

Yellow, orange, green, and white are great choices, as these colors align with their playful and vibrant energy. Blue, especially cobalt or sky blue

• Loves mixing colors, accessories, and eras

• Vibe: It Girl with 6 personalities

What to avoid:

Avoid boring basics or monotone outfits. Minimalist styles with no flair = style boredom for you

Super heavy, restrictive fabrics can kill your “light on your feet” energy. Avoid overly mature or serious looks

Cancer Rising – The Vintage Romantic

• Soft silhouettes, retro-inspired, dainty details

• Classic and Timeless Styles think flowy skirts, lace, and pearl accessories or Bold Colors and Vintage/Retro styles

• Vibe: Cottagecore princess with a nostalgic twist

What to avoid:

Avoid anything too edgy or cold-looking. Harsh lines, aggressive cuts, or cold metals can clash with your softness

• Avoid overly futuristic fashion—you glow in classic, romantic styles. Skip overly stiff or corporate looks that harden your energy

Leo Rising – The Glamorous Showstopper

• Bold colors like gold, orange, and red, as well as patterns, such as leopard print or bold stripes, gold jewelry, high-glam energy. statement pieces, and luxurious fabrics

• Designer logos, animal print, dramatic outerwear, large earrings, bold necklaces

• Vibe: Main character with a paparazzi fantasy

What to avoid:

Avoid blending into the background, neutrals and overly minimal outfits can rob your main character glow

• Avoid anything “meh” or dull—your presence is meant to shine. Don’t be afraid of drama—just avoid looking try-hard

-Virgo Rising – The Clean Girl Chic-

• Structured pieces, monochrome looks, subtle elegance

Clean Lines: crisp and simple silhouette is favored, often avoiding overly flashy or intricate designs

• Loves sets, blazers, and refined neutrals a focus on essential pieces and a cohesive style

• Vibe: The polished Pinterest muse

What to avoid:

Avoid messy, chaotic, or over-layered outfits. Over-accessorizing or clashing patterns can make you feel uncomfortable

• Avoid overly trendy, low-effort looks—your strength is in intentional styling. Sloppy = your style kryptonite

Libra Rising – The Trendy Tastemaker

• Always on trend, perfectly balanced outfits

• Pastels, silk, chiffon, and other lightweight materials, curated jewelry, polished glam, pale pink, and light blue

Shades like lavender, pale pink, and light blue, which complement their gentle and graceful nature

• Vibe: Fashion influencer energy—effortlessly pretty

What to avoid:

Avoid anything unbalanced or clunky. Harsh colors or mismatched silhouettes throw off your harmony

• Avoid hyper-casual outfits that lack polish. Don’t skip details like accessories—your beauty is in the finish

Scorpio Rising – The Mysterious Seductress

• Dark tones, silk, leather, corsets, bold lips. Black, deep reds (maroon, burgundy), and purples

• Loves contrast: sexy + covered, classy + edgy. Subtle Sensuality: Clothing can hint at sensuality without being overtly revealing

Intriguing Accessories: Statement jewelry, striking watches, and dark gemstone accents can add depth and intrigue

• Vibe: Femme fatale who owns the night

What to avoid:

Avoid overly bright, bubbly fashion. Neon colors and cartoonish prints can feel out of alignment

• Avoid exposing too much randomly—it should feel mysterious, not just sexy. Light-hearted styles may undercut your magnetism

Sagittarius Rising – The Worldly Free Spirit

• Boho layers, fringe, bold patterns, comfort meets cool. A flair for the dramatic and enjoy statement pieces

• Think earthy travelwear, vintage denim, cultural inspo. They are not afraid to experiment with different styles, colors, and patterns

Flowy fabrics, maxi dresses, caftans, ethnic prints, and accessories from different cultures resonate with their adventurous nature

• Vibe: Jet-set fashion nomad

What to avoid:

Avoid overly tight, restrictive clothing. Structured suits, bodycons, or stiff materials = outfit jail for you

• Avoid dull, uninspired outfits—you thrive in expressive, worldly fashion. Comfort and freedom are key: don’t fake a look that isn’t you

Capricorn Rising – The Luxe Executive

• Power dressing, clean lines, high-end accessories. quiet luxury.

• Tailored fits, structured bags, black & neutrals like gray, and navy. structured clothing like tailored blazers, column dresses, and shoes with sculptural heels; business-casual

Invest in high-quality materials and design, building a wardrobe of well-respected designer pieces.

• Vibe: Corporate baddie who closes deals & slays

What to avoid:

Avoid anything sloppy or trend-obsessed. Hyper-youthful or chaotic outfits can feel off for your natural poise

• Avoid super busy prints or too many layers. Cheap-looking details? Hard no. You’re all about refined presence

Aquarius Rising – The Style Rebel

• Experimental, futuristic, gender-fluid vibes. Mixing patterns, wearing vintage pieces.

• Think metallics, platform shoes, bold shapes. unconventional choices, unexpected pairings, and a touch of the avant-garde.

Versatile Wardrobe: As their interests are varied, their wardrobe likely reflects that with a mix of styles.

• Vibe: Runway from the year 3030

What to avoid:

Avoid blending in or playing it safe. Basic mall-core or anything too “normal” dims your edge

• Skip ultra-traditional or conservative styles. You were born to break rules—not follow them

Pisces Rising – The Dreamy Drifter

• Flowy fabrics like maxi dresses, tiered skirts, water tones, artistic layering. Pastels, lavender, seafoam green, whites, and light blues.

• Loves soft textures think chiffon, silk, tulle, satin, and lace. sheer details, whimsical looks.

Bohemian and vintage styles: Items with a retro or free-spirited vibe.

• Vibe: Fairycore meets ethereal fashion muse

What to avoid:

Avoid sharp, overly structured silhouettes. Harsh fabrics or heavy, dark styles can drown your ethereal energy

• Avoid looking too “grounded”—you’re meant to float. Stay away from ultra-serious fashion—your magic lies in softness

[chow0w]

(Re)Designing a winglet! - part 1/7

Hello my beautiful blog readers, happy Wednesday!

While going through my procreate files, I found a jumpscare of an old drawing I made from a winglet I created in 2020. Looking at your old artwork is never fun, but it did give a good idea: redesigning all of these characters! Now that I've improved a lot, it will be cool to see how I can upgrade these designs and characters. I don't remember much about them, so I'm going in as blind as you!

For any artists following my work, these weekday posts are going to be a great time for me to explore my process as a designer/writer + the tricks I use to transform characters!

I REALLY do not want to hear a word about this old art. I can't believe I'm posting it. yes in hindsight it's not that bad but like omg. Sorry about the image quality throughout this post - a lot of these are cropped photos so they're very blurry.

To start off, here's the old character I want to redesign first!

I literally only have his name to go off, but based on first impression this guy seems annoying. He's giving me the energy of someone with high ego and low grades, and his name (Ficus) references Figs. The first thing we should do is fix his headshot, and try to emulate the qualities we know about already!

Identifying key features is important: his frills, eyebrows, smile and horns stood out to me the most because they seem to be what show his personality.

This is so much better! I amplified the key features we just found, and used my knowledge of shape to create consistency in his design. Ficus' expression also got an upgrade, and he looks much more natural in this mid-conversation pose. He reminds me a lot of that cocky snake from the Sahara (If anyone watched that as a kid).

Reading into the name, figs can often symbolize new growth or development - which gives me a lot of ideas about this character! Maybe Ficus is a dragon who starts the story as cocky/self-righteous, but unlearns his bad habits and becomes a more enjoyable person. Maybe he doesn't. Maybe he just gets worse as the story goes along - he's proven right one time and turns into an even more insufferable classmate.

It's important to think about group dynamics when creating a character, especially if they operate in a group setting. Does Ficus get along with his classmates? Do they like him? Do they know how to cooperate, and how does that impact their performance in times of crisis? I would argue that group dynamics can be one of the most influential aspects of a story: they don't just dictate the plot, but the tone of your story and how your audience reacts.

Here's my complete sketchpage for Ficus! I added a full body doodle so we could get a better reference of how he looks, as well as a small sketch of him lounging in a hammock and talking about how great he is. I'm going to leave this uncolored for now, but I might come back to it later!

--

Thank you so much my returning readers + all of you who made it this far! I love talking about art and WoF so this really is a win-win for me. To anyone wondering about the redesigns, those are still happening! I plan on releasing them over the weekend as larger batches, so these conversation posts are just here to fill my blog during the work week. I always love hearing what you guys think of my designs, so don't hesitate to let me know! As always, my askbox is open to redesign requests + general questions or comments!

( ´ ∀ `)ノ～ ♡

[krumpkin]

Tag Heuer Carrera 😊

[whiteraven90]

Your take on griffins is so cool 👀 Do you have worldbuilding notes somewhere? Like what their dynamic is with humans, or what their habitats and habits usually are? I’d love to know more about them!

Hey, thanks for asking! I actually had written a little species description for them, but I shelved it until I draw illustrations for it. However I might as well post it now with less relevant pictures. Who knows when would I get around to drawing those illustrations. First of all... there are no gryphons on Tetra. No mortal ones, just spirits.

Spirits were created by the gods to be sentient blueprints for species. Flora & fauna were created out of chosen spirits (e.g. polar bear, barn owl), and the leftovers were repurposed (e.g. great horned gryphon, common pegasus).

In addition to the whole range of shapes/forms spirits were designed to take as part of nature, they also had their would-be behavioral patterns pre-set into them. So now lets see how the Great Horned Gryphons would have lived!

Great horned gryphons (also simply referred to as 'griffins' from now on) are sexually dimorphic, and live in pairs. They are very resource-conscious - individuals not raised properly may hunt their food sources to extinction, after which they either starve to death or get themselves killed while ravaging the animals of other griffins or humans. Each pair oversees a vast territory filled with wild herd animals. They engage in several behaviors that are basically animal husbandry. They will protect their herds from other predators and even natural disasters. They will herd their animals toward quality food. They can recognize juveniles of many species - humans included -, and will not eat them. They sometimes raise the abandoned offspring of other species, not because they plan to eat them, but because they get a kick out of it. They don't hunt, per se. They hit up one of their herds, select a specimen, and carry it home for lunch. They like to construct their nests atop cliffs and similar high points overlooking their territory.

Their relationship with people is complex (and hypothetical, as is everything else), since people may want to claim the same lands for the same purposes. But typically if they saw a lone human child, just waltzing around on their territory, they'd pick it up and put it down near adult humans. Solitary adult people tend to be safe as well for different reasons. The staple of griffins is large animals, and they like to conserve their energy. Normally they won't get up for 1 lone human nugget.

If an adult pair spots an unrelated juvenile griffin on their turf, they leave it alone, but they don't tolerate mature trespassers or other pairs. They are hostile to all other species of gryphon. Given the opportunity, they will kill and eat them. Great horned gryphons are viviparous and give birth to 1 chick at a time which stays with the parents for several years to learn some manners. Mostly moderation, recognizing important animal species, and caring for their animals. Their lifespan is 40-70 years.

And that's more or less it. At present, great horned gryphons are not plural. There's just one spirit, Griffin, representing the whole species, either until the heat death of the universe or until he bites the dust. Spirits are shapeshifters with a range of native forms as opposed to one original form. They have some rules among them on etiquette, such as when is it ok to take the form of another spirit. Griffin mostly uses his adult male form, and lets Phoenix take his adult female one.

Several of his species' characteristics can be felt in his personality - excels at relaxing, hard to anger or scare, won't hurt kids or pets and is good with them, extraverted, resource-conscious, enjoys having vast lands. His relationship with humans is... complicated. Nowadays he kinda pretends to be a pet at the palace of the emperor of the Karkian Empire, and is banned from or unwelcome in several other countries. Sorcerers summon him sometimes, but the jolly fucker usually charges by the hour for his spirit-y services, and may even screw the summoners over if he doesn't like them.

[lilidawnonthemoon]

[jurassicshields]

Morro and Rogue. While I am happy that both of these guys get new, cool figures, something is just off. The Rogue one is the best, but that Morro just doesn't really look like him. So I tried my best to change some things up, with color adjusting and inspired by older Minifigures, and make a redesign of this pair.

The Morro one has great detail, but the colors just needed some adjusting to make everything pop. And I gave his a remake of his classic face, with parts from his new design, because for some reason Ninjago changed it? I also gave him a tattered cape. Also for some reason Lego is still against making a show accurate hair piece, for some unknown reason?

For Rogue I changed his colors all up. Since he's suppose to be in hiding, wearing all blue is just hilarious! I get this is not a serious series, but it's still quite funny. So I gave him more of the old Nya colors, since they are no longer being used(and maybe that is something in the back of his memory he can remember, what his Yang use to look like when he fell in love with her). And the straw cloak-thing(at least that's what I think it is) I made an actual Lego fabric.

And I want to clarify that I actually love both of these figures. I bought the set and it was very fun to build. The only thing is that the quality of Lego has been decreasing every year, and I just wanted to see if I could recreate how these guys would look if they had an older inspired design. For such expensive sets, you'd think Lego would try and make it appear more desirable, with better designs and more collectible features. But for now, this is what we've got; and I am happy that Ninjago at least is still a thing.

[squeakadeeks]

Fabric highlights: Microsuede

I get a lot of questions about material choices, so I thought it would be cool to do little overviews of my favorite materials! (since to be honest, i pretty much just rotate between 3-4 fabric types haha)

Starting with microsuede, my all time favorite and most used material choice. Microsuede is a faux suede made from lots of tiny polyester microfibers split and combined together. its similar in feel to natural suede but distinctly different in its overall fabric drape. It can sometimes have stretch, but usually its a non-stretch fabric. (also not to be confused with microfiber!! mircofiber fabric is similar but its much softer, its the material that cleaning wipes for glasses/screens are used of.)

Some of the advantages of microsuede is its a thick, sturdy fabric. Personally I find it a very friendly fabric due to its thickness and body. Its a great choice if you want something to have some heft to it and structural support. It presses well and can hold folds like the dickens. Its both easy to work with and easy to make a garment that looks nice out of imo. It comes in all kinds of weights from apparel to upholstery. I've personally never used heavy duty, true upholstery weight microsuede so I cant speak much to that, I tend to use microsuedes intended for apparel.

Another great advantage of microsuede is it has an inherent, mottled texture. this is great for making simpler, color blocked designs still have visual interest.

It also takes to adhesives well due to the fuzzier texture, meaning the glues can grisp with more surface area (you just might have to press it in a bit, its still a poly fabric so its not the easiest thing to get hot glue to stick to but by god it can be done).

But microsuede is not a one-size-fits-all fabric. One, the stiffness it has can be a downside if you want a more flowy drape, it would rather fold and crease than flow. Two, its a pain to paint or use HTV on, the fuzzy texture is a downside here. Three, It can also show needle holes if you have to seam rip depending on what you used. You can use a universal needle on microsuede dependings on the weight (I usually do). But its still a thick fabric so be sure not to use too thin of a needle, i also have luck using medium pressure and a walking foot. but all the same ive lost many a needle to microsuede via snapping.

Another thing is personally i find that due to its texture, it looks more homespun and rugged, as such I would hesitate to use it if i wanted a costume to look more regal or formal (i still used it on thistle though lol so its all about the particular use-case)

I source my microsuedes from Big Z primarily (like literally 90% of the time) but I also use fabric wholesale direct, and jo anns, who despite their markups does have some very nice quality suedes, i love their stretch suedes in particular.

I love microsuede. its probably my favorite fabric to use and I will even change my plans on a costume just to use it!

[lou-struck]

Cold Panic

Barbatos x reader

Wc. 2.7k

~ The Castle's annual garden party is tomorrow, but after a mix up delivery, the whole event is in jeopardy.

The first thing you notice when the castle doors open for you is the rich smell of the freshly cut arch of roses decorating the entryway. 

“Cool isn't it?” Little D Number 2 smiles popping up next to you. “Barbatos made it this morning, he even picked all of the roses himself.”

“So that’s why he wasn’t answering my messages earlier,” you sigh looking around at the cleaner-than-normal foyer. “The Garden Party tomorrow is a pretty big deal huh?”

The demon nods furiously, “Super Big. Are you here to see Lord Diavolo?”

“Barbatos actually,” you reply. “I was worried he was overdoing it and wanted to see if there was anything I could do to help him.”

“That’s so nice of you,” the little demon says. And with a flash of his pointed teeth, he scampers down the hall. “He should be in the kitchen, I’ll walk you there.”

~

The kitchen is organized chaos. Aside from the overflowing island of ingredients and baking equipment, every surface is covered in platters of expertly prepared treats that look like they came straight out of a Michelin Star restaurant. 

Barbatos stands over a tray, piping some kind of cream over the freshest batch of goods. He looks exhausted and his apron is dusted in flour. But when his eyes land on you, they light up.

“Oh Mc, this is a pleasant surprise.” he smiles walking around the kitchen island,“ What can I do for you?”

“Nothing,” you smile, giving him a hug when he is close enough to do so. “I just wanted to see how everything was going. Do you need any help with anything?”

“Actually I am just finishing up here,” he says proudly. “The ice sculpture I ordered for the head table should be arriving tomorrow morning and the last round of deliveries got dropped off an hour ago.”

“Even the Candles?” you ask excitedly as the image of the flower-shaped candles you had designed appears in your mind. “Those will make great gifts for the guests.”

“I agree,” he nods, “I had heard they arrived but haven't had a moment to quality check the shipment. Would you like to come along?”

Eagerly you shake your head and take the butler's extended hand, still gloveless from his baking, and follow him through the kitchen to the storage bay. Under the dim hallway lighting, the dark pavement ripples under your feet as you scan the mountains of parcels and deliveries. 

Ripples?

“I think I stepped in a puddle,” you say sloshing through the thin layers of water coating the ground. “I hope you guys don’t have a leak.”

Barbatos stops in his wet tracks and with a flick of his wrist illuminates the room. He doesn't breathe, not as he follows the trail of water to a crate tucked away in the corner. The color drains from his face, “It can’t be,” he breathes, splashing over to the source of the mess. 

“What is it?” you call after him.

“I believe,” he sighs reading the shipping label stapled to the top of the crate. “This was supposed to be the ice sculpture for tomorrow.”

Coming up alongside him, you watch as he pries open the lid and looks inside the container. Instead of finding the majestic blue phoenix ice carving the butler had commissioned, the bottom quarter of the drate is filled with water, a floating red ribbon, and several bobbing ice chips. “Oh no,” you breathe watching the ribbon bob in the water as more and more droplets steadily leak through the holes in the crate. “I thought the sculpture was supposed to be delivered tomorrow?”

“It was,” the Butler frowns. “There seems to have been a mixup on their end. With such a high-profile client, this kind of accident shouldn’t have occurred.”

“What are we going to do?” you ask, the stress of this situation flips your stomach. 

It only takes an instant for Barbatos to return to his usual, unfazed self. With a deep breath, he forces away the troublesome emotions that inconvenience him and flashes you a smile that doesn't quite meet his eyes. “First, I must clean up this mess. And check the other shipments for signs of water damage.” 

“ I can help with that,” you offer quickly. 

“You needn't trouble yourself Mc,” his voice all politeness as he tries to shoulder this burden himself. “I should’ve been around to check off the deliveries as they came. You shouldn't have to do anything to fix my previous mistake.”

Barbatos can do just about anything. Anything except asking for help when the going gets tough, all you want out of your special relationship with him is for him to trust you to help him, even when it’s not an emergency. “It’s not your fault,” you say stubbornly. “You said it yourself that the shipment was expected to arrive tomorrow. I’m here, and I’m helping whether you like it or not.”

The room is deathly quiet for a moment as the last of, what you thought was a pep-talk, echoes through the storeroom. His face is unreadable as he stands in the pool of water, growing higher by the second as the remains of the ice sculpture leaks through the cracks in the wood.

And then… He laughs

The sound isn't one of those usual polite chuckles he makes when one of Diavolos guests tells an overused joke over tea. This laugh is unrefined, merry, and something you would do just about anything to hear again. “I apologize for my rudeness Mc, it’s simply no one has spoken to me like that in quite some time.”

“I felt like you needed it,” you say gently. “I want to be able to help you out more.” 

His lips brush against your temple as an apology you are more than happy to accept. “In that case, I would love to spend more time with you.” He scans the room and his eyes land on a set of three stacked packages. “I think the candles are over there, would you please check and make sure the water hasn’t damaged the shipment?”

You nod and slosh through the puddle to the cardboard, water has begun to seep up the surface of the containers, darkening the exterior considerably. The top one looks to have been untouched by the mess and with a sigh of relief, you move it to the side and look at the ones below that weren't so lucky. 

Fearing the worst, you peel off the damp tape and open the flaps. “How are the candles?” he calls. “Are they damaged?”

“The box is wet,” you respond, pulling out a tightly packaged candle, a few droplets of water drip from the outside, but it seems to have not been able to reach the product itself. “The candles are still wrapped up so it looks like the water didn't get to them.” 

“That’s a relief, those candles are so lovely, it would be a pain to have to remake them ourselves.”

“You can do that?” you ask, clocking the intricate waxy floral design of the rose candle in your hand. If it weren't for the thin wick poking out from the center, you would think it to be a living blossom. 

You can hear his amused laughter from the broom closet, “Of course I can Mc. I figured my position as a Butler may one day require it so I picked it up. I hate to ask, but do you think you can unpack these and dry off the packaging for me?”

“Of course,” you smile, jumping at the chance to take something off his plate. 

“Thank you, you are such a big help,” he says, placing an enchanted mop into the center of the puddle. The fibers drink up the mess, and you watch as the water ripples and flows inward, shrinking in size until it disappears completely.

“Woah, I have to get one of those mops,” you say in amazement. 

“You think so?” he hums regarding the tool. “I think I have another laying around somewhere, after I finish making a new ice sculpture I’ll find it for you.”

“That would be gre~ Wait” you stop and take a moment to decipher that nonchalant second thing. “Are you really going to just whip up a whole new ice sculpture?”

He laughs warmly, making your insides feel as if you have just had a fresh cup of tea. “Whipping would be absurd. But I can crave one fairly easily.”

“Is there anything you can’t do?” you tease lifting one of the boxes and following behind the butler to the kitchen. 

He holds the door for you giving you a glimpse of his knowing smile. “I’m sure there are a few things.”

~

Hundreds of floral candles sit atop the kitchen counter air drying as Barbatos works diligently on the giant block of ice he had stored in the bowels of the freezer. 'Just in case’ he had told you as he emerged with a red nose and frost on his fine eyelashes. 

The sound of metal chisels on ice is remarkably soothing to you as you continue to cross a few more items off of the Butler's list. 

The frigid air brushes against your skin, but you keep a careful eye on the open door just in case it were to close, turning him into the Devildom’s most perfect popsicle. 

A kettle hums on the stove, not quite whistling, as you search through his tea collection for something warm-tasting to help him fight that bitter cold. 

You flip through the fruit, the florals, and the strange until you find an interesting smoky sage flavor and toss it into the pot with some honey crystals. 

The sweet, amber liquid flows into one of the larger mugs that warms your hands as you carry it into the freezer, passing racks of rare demonus bottles, meats, and something that resembles a body until your shoes crunch the curled shavings of ice leading up to the nearly completed ice sculpture.

“Hey, I made you something warm but it looks like you’ve been working up a sweat.” You tease,  holding out the mug which he graciously accepts. 

“ I admit, I have made more progress than I ever hoped I would tonight. I believe it has to do with your presence. Inspiring me with every hammer of the chisel.”

He steps back to take a sip of the tea, giving you a full look at the design he has created. A hyper-realistic icy floral display. The frozen petals look as if they have come straight from the garden itself. You cannot imagine that the sculpture the Castle had commissioned looked anywhere near as beautiful as the statue standing before you.

“This is… wow” you sputter out, unable to think of any other word that can describe the piece of art in front of you. “I’m blown away.”

“You approve of it?” he asks, and you can tell from his tone that he is searching for your admiration, desperate for your warmth to be directed towards him.

“It’s breathtaking,” your voice is soft as your hand moves on its own, entranced by the crystal petals that may or not be an illusion. You have to check. He doesn't stop you when you touch the icy surface, he knows you would never damage anything he has created with his own two hands. “How much more do you have to do?”

“Not much longer,” he says, looking over his creation critically. “There are a few imperfections in the leaves I need to smooth out but then I believe I could call it a night.”

“Can I watch you work?” you ask hopefully. Getting the chance to watch Barbatos hard at work is more entertaining than most of the stuff on TV nowadays.

“If that is what you wish, I would love your company.” he smiles a cloud of condensation spills from his lips, fogging his safety goggles as he reaches for a small silver chisel on a nearby shelf. “But if you get too cold, don’t force yourself to stay in here. 

“I won't,” you assure him. The cold from the freezer begins to prick at your cheeks but you don’t mind it, not when you look at the Butler's rosy ones and the delicate shavings of frost that stick to his eyelashes. 

If he can brave the depths of the freezer for as long as he has, you can bear to spend a few more minutes with him.

His movements are precise as he makes dozens of tiny angled jabs at the shaved ice block, the last few leaves and flowers bloom under his care, looking just as real as the others. His eyes never leave the project, but you have a slight suspicion that he is showing off just for you.

You’re hypnotized by his concentration, watching his skilled hands create life out of water with bated breath. Your body shivers as it is overtaken by goosebumps but you barely register the sensation until the near musical sound of scraping and shaving ceases and he pulls up his goggles revealing his vibrant, jade eyes.  

“I believe I have finished,” he says, stepping back to look over his work with a semi-proud smile. “Do you see anything I may have missed?”

You look over the stature as he steps behind you. Although he has been sitting in the freezer far longer than you have, his arms still feel warm when they wrap around you from behind. “It’s perfect, Barbatos. But I think there is one thing missing.”

“Oh?” He sounds momentarily surprised as he places his chin on your shoulder. “And what would that be?”

Looking down at the blank base of the statue, you lean back and sigh against his frame“There’s no signature. Don’t artists usually sign their work?”

You can feel his chest leap with his laughter. “Would that amuse you?”

“Yes.”

“In that case, I suppose I can oblige this request of yours and take credit for the work I have done.” He picks up the smallest chisel for the last time and kneels to reach the very bottom of the ice sculpture. The part that will be covered by the table runner and begins to etch his name on the ice. “There, now we are finished.”

“But no one will be able to see it in that spot,” you pout.

“That’s the point,” his smile is devilish as you approach the base. You know that malicious compliance is kinda his thing but you were hoping he would allow himself to receive a bit of praise for doing the impossible. But then, you see it, gleaming proudly on the bottom. Barbatos x Mc.

“Why is my name on it? I didn't carve anything,” you ask, stunned by the gesture. Your relationship with Barbatos isn't really one he likes to show off, so him doing this, declaring you are his on this centerpiece of the Garden Party is pretty big for him.

Even if no one else can see it. 

“If it weren't for you, Mc I never would’ve caught the melted Ice Sculpture in time. So sculpture is just as much yours as it is mine.”

“That’s s-sweet,” you shiver as the biting cold finally gets the better of you. “N-now can we go somewhere a bit warmer.”

“Of course,” He says, guiding you through the freezer urgently. “I’ll make you a cup of cocoa and draw you a bath in my quarters.”

“In your quarters?” you repeat, a smile tugs at your lips as his cheeks redden. 

“I figured you should stay here tonight, it is far too late for you to walk back to the House of Lamination and I would hate for you to catch a cold. 

“I see, that is very considerate of you.” you smile, “And since you have been working so hard today, I see no point in preparing a guest room.”

“Now that is considerate,” his fingers massage the small of your back as he leads you down the warm hallway. “I suppose there is enough space in my bed for the both of us.”

Tagging: @pixelcafe-network

[teleit]

I don't know if I'll find any supporters, but this has been driving me crazy for three years now, and I have to say it.

The scene from season one with Luke and Rhaenyra where Luke expresses his insecurities as the heir to Driftmark is bullshit, and a litmus test for what's wrong with this show.

It all starts out relatively normal, with Luke again expressing his insecurities as the heir of Driftmark and offering to give the position to someone else, and this personally pisses me off because Luke could have said this at any time, there was a whole trial about it, but it's ok, at least kid gets some kind of personality, cool.

And then fucking Rhaenyra goes on about how she realized that ruling takes work, and she had a duty and must earn her inheritance. Like she's ever done anything unselfish in her life, really.

And then that line. No, not like that. THAT FUCKING LINE. Luke, breathlessly muttering, "I'm not like you. Not so perfect."

OH MY FUCKING GOD I HATE THIS SHIT SO MUCH

That sounds just as fake and useless as half of TB's lines extolling Rhaenyra's greatness, because God forbid we forget for a second that that woman is about to be canonized by Twitter any day now. TB's characters are underdeveloped, they feel fake and hollow, designed to kiss the ass of the one woman the audience is allowed to love, because if you like anyone else, you're obviously sexist and deserve to be publicly humiliated.

Luke is already an unpleasant little shit, he hasn't shown a single redeeming quality. He's selfish, arrogant, spoiled, and privileged even among royalty. And you take away his two miserable minutes of screen time to praise Rhaenyra again, and remind us that it turns out she actually sacrificed and worked for something in her life, and didn't just expect things to go her way because she's daddy's special girl. And she's perfect. Perfest, perfect, perfect. Love her right now, or you will be canceled on every social media.

Those two minutes should have gone to Luke and Rhaena. That's his fiancée, for God's sake! Those two haven't said a single damn thing to each other! Instead of whining about Driftmark again, let Luke comfort Rhaena when she expresses her concerns about the upcoming marriage - at least then I'll know he cares about his betrothed!

But no, that would be too complicated. Instead, we have someone praising Rhaenyra again, because what if not everyone realized that she's *gasping* perfect.