#help i have to relearn a tagging system

[galesbabygirl]

crave

☾ spencer reid & reader ☽

⟡ 1000 words

you're new to the ʙᴀᴜ and spencer reid sees evidence of your recent self-harm.

⟡ tags: spencer reid's past, implied/referenced self-harm, drug addiction, hurt/comfort, angst, criminal minds season 4, panic attacks

⟡ read on ao3 ⟡

⟡ gifs by @reidgif ⟡

You slam the door shut behind you in a panic. Your breathing is heavy, your heart beating rapidly in your chest. You were so careless. You can’t believe it. Spencer saw.

You sink down against the wall, crumbling to the floor where you sit with your knees buried up close to your chest. Pull it together. You’re at work. You’ve only been here long enough to play a couple of games of chess with Spencer over tea (you always lose, but you don’t mind); you certainly haven’t had the chance to get to know each other on any meaningful level. You can’t believe you let it slip. You’re a grown woman, for god’s sake. Shouldn’t you have figured out a better coping mechanism by now? Now you’re going to be the one getting profiled. Maybe, though, you deserve it – to be called out for the mess that you are and fired from your job in the BAU. You’re still in your probationary period. They can fire you for any reason. Surely he’ll tell the unit chief. Hotch is no-nonsense. You’re out.

You try to steady your breathing, but you can’t – it comes out shaky, rapid, uneven. You’re hyperventilating.

You hear the knob turn, the door crack open, footsteps walking gently as the door shuts behind them. You don’t dare look up. Not that it would make much of a difference – you didn’t turn on the lights when you entered.

“You’re having a panic attack.” Spencer’s voice rings clear above the sound of your shaky breaths. He says it not in his usual matter-of-fact tone, but with concern. You hear him step in front of you, where he crouches down with one knee on the floor. He takes your trembling hands in his. “Look at me.”

You can’t decide if his direction will help or make things worse, but you obey nonetheless, your eyes opening up to meet his. “I – can’t breathe,” you choke out.

“Yes you can. Breathe with me. Like this.” He inhales deeply, his shoulders rising exaggeratedly as his lungs fill with air. You do as he does, breathing in through your nostrils as deeply as you can. He exhales slowly, pushing the air out through pursed lips. You follow. He doesn’t seem bothered by how clammy your hands must feel in his. You and Spencer stay there as you relearn how to breathe. In a few minutes you feel okay again. Okay enough, at least, given the circumstances.

“It’s my fault,” he says as he lets go of your hands, adjusting to sit cross-legged in front of you.

“What?” How could it be his fault? You were stupid. He just happened to be the one who saw what you failed to conceal.

“I shouldn’t have… You thought you were alone, I-”

“We’re at work, Reid,” you say. “You’re supposed to be here. You’re supposed to communicate with the rest of us.”

“Sorry.”

“Don’t be.”

“I get them too,” he says after a short pause. “Sometimes.”

“Oh.” Hm.

“We’re not actually sure why they happen. Some studies suggest that dysfunction in the amygdala is what causes the sudden rush of epinephrine – adrenaline – to send us into a state of fight or flight despite being safe. Other studies show evidence that they’re caused by neurotransmitters malfunctioning in the central nervous system. They usually first occur during puberty or early adulthood. I’m rambling, aren’t I?”

“That was very informative, actually.”

Spencer chuckles softly in that way he always does when he’s being told he’s smart in an otherwise uncomfortable situation. An oddly common occurrence, but that’s the type of conversation you witness when you have a genius do the talking at crime scenes. He quirks his lips to the side, glancing down to where your sleeves cover your arms. “Sorry.” There he goes, apologizing again.

You nibble at the skin around your fingers, a nervous habit that Spencer has clearly picked up on.

“Animals in captivity have been known to engage in self-injurious behaviour.” So he’s ripping off the bandage. “It’s believed that, when not subjected to the stressors of life in the wild, they maladapt in this way as a self-soothing mechanism. In humans it’s most common in those with mental health conditions such as depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder. It’s also common as a result of complex trauma, especially during the pubescent neurodevelopmental stage.”

“Reid…”

“Self harm behaviours can actually become addictive, due to their short-term benefits; beta endorphins are released into the brain, similar to the use of,” he clears his throat, “opioids.”

“Really?” Opioids? Is that why, for all this time, even when it lies dormant for years, that urge always makes its way to the surface? It’s like a drug?

Spencer clears his throat for a second time. “Yep. Mmhm.” His voice cracks slightly. “What I’m saying, I guess, is… I get it.”

“What do you mean?” Of course he gets it, intellectually. He could understand anything if you wrote it down and let him commit it to memory. You’ve seen his eidetic memory put to use. But there’s something about his inflection. He gets it.

“Reid, do you–”

“A couple years ago… Before we met, there was this unsub. He… Well, he drugged me.”

“What?”

“It’s a long story.” It must be. “I was given Dilaudid. Against my will, but by the time I got out I… I needed it.”

“Reid…”

“It was really bad there for a while. Really bad. But I got clean.”

“That must have been hard.”

He bites his lip. “It was.”

You soak in his confession for a moment, sitting in silence together on the floor. If someone like Spencer Reid, the genius himself, can be a victim to such a thing… Maybe you’re not such a mess after all.

“I stopped,” you say. “For years. I think being here, the cases, it might be bringing me back somewhere I haven’t been in a long time.”

“Will you talk to me next time? Instead?”

“I will if you will.”

“Deal.”

[blackbloodteeth]

It does kinda bug me how tumblr's tag system doesn't really go past 2013... 2012, so any posts before then are kinda lost to the reblogs. That and it's difficult to really sort and look through posts in the Soul Eater tag to begin with (case in point, can't jump to past pages, and if someone posts to the tag it sends you back to latest anyway)...

That's what gave me the train of thought earlier about creating a blog specifically to reblog fandom art that could potentially end up lost, both because reblogs will remain even if a post is deleted, and for the sake of having an archive you can easily search through (especially with tags). It'd be a huge project, though, and given the aforementioned lack of easy searching, a lot of it would depend on scouring through blogs for really old fanart or something to that effect...

Though the thought also occurred to me of potentially letting people send in links to the older stuff to help with the archiving effort, haha. I think this is definitely something that would benefit from being a team effort, even if it's something I'd be really passionate about on just my own (how many times am I going to have to relearn the lesson that I'm just one guy, haha).

There's still quite a bit to think through with a project like this; Stuff like would it include archiving newer stuff and not just the stuff lost to the tag system (reblogging with different years in the tags would work either way), would it include anything and everything in regards to original characters and things that simply reference the style (also would benefit with tag organization...), would there be the potential for archiving fanfiction... well that one's a bit of a slippier slope and much harder to go through, haha. Definitely wouldn't want to reblog anything from my art, at least, since there's too much of it and I've already got it filed away over here, haha.

...Haha, I always go just a little bit mad thinking about things like this. Already have so much I want to do, but the idea of there being art out there lost to time gives me that certain sense of nostalgia where I want to do something about it. There's so much art from just this site alone, it's staggering... and honestly so wonderful to think about. Maybe something like this is a bit of a pipe dream, but doesn't mean it's not worth thinking about, haha.

...Yeah, I get kinda sappy thinking about all the creativity of everyone out there, even just for this fandom, haha. Guess I've always just been in an odd spot for having spent most my life loving Soul Eater yet somehow missing everything.

[cupcakewebkinz]

So I went on Ao3 to relearn how the tagging system works (I haven't used it in a while) and found some funny ones like "no lesbians die" and "possessed by demon fossil lady" and I'm-

I'm wondering what the fuck the tagging system is now 😂

I'm glad no lesbians die but- WHAT??? 🤣

I tried to read that one but I couldn't get invested... No lesbians die tho.

I'm even more concerned I'll be suffering trying to tag the canon cs au story now though-

like would Shanon be considered kidnapping Vee and Shelly if Vee straight up asked her to? Is this consensual kidnapping? Is that something I should think about??

Someone please help me understand my brain is dying...

I'm scared to even think about the tags I'd have to put on my search and rescue au... Like does twisting but being cured count as dying and reviving? Do I tag chronic illness if Dandy has a unique one? (Most likely tbh) Do I really have to worry this much?? (Probably not - I have anxiety tho)

[vibratingskull]

The last farewell

Part1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28

Tags : Angst/hurt/comfort, physical remission, hospital, reader is disabled

You spend your time in the hospital learning how to walk again when Thrawn visits you with an unexpected demand

FemaleReader x Thrawn

“Another step”, the meddroid proposes its voice echoing in the gymnase. 

You hold down the parallel bar and take another step, unsure. 

You're trembling, searching for your balance on those robotic legs. You're not used to them yet. They feel foreign to you despite connecting to your nervous system. Your muscles are shaking as you relearn how to walk. 

You lost so much. 

“Continue the rehabilitation, you are on the right track!” the droid speaks with what is surely supposed to be coded as excitement in the voice, but it just comes out weird. 

You sit on your wheelchair and take out the legs, you still have an immense hill ahead of you. 

You sigh. You're tired. 

“Let's go to your room,” the droid informe stepping forward to push you. 

“No. I'll do it myself,” you decide, waving at him to get out of your way. 

You roll in the hallway, lost in your thoughts. You have so much work ahead of you, so much to reconquer… You're supposed to receive the visit of lower officers but you don't want their pity thrown in your face, you need peace. 

You want peace. 

You arrive at his room. 

You don't get your hopes up, but you can't help it. 

You pass the door… and sigh. 

Vez is still in a coma. 

You roll up to his bed. 

“Hello friend. It is particularly sunny today, you would love to stroll in the garden and sketch some plants.“

He is unresponsive. It's not like a doctor told you he would wake up soon, but it still pains you to see. 

If they have been cruel to you, they have been down right animalistic to Vez. His legs have been cut and he lost both of his lekkus. You're not totally aware of what it entails but you remember the lekkus hold some brain tissues. The docs say he will not have long term brain damages but you doubt he will see it that way. What they took was irreplaceable and you're afraid of his reaction. 

For now he's sleeping peacefully as you were, unaware of his body's damages. Like you his brain puts him in a deep sleep to prevent him from damaging his psyche, docs say he will wake up when the brain will have finished processing what happened but he can still hear around him and feel some sensations. So you come here everyday to talk, to vent, to speak of everything and nothing, trying to put him at ease the best you can. You take his hands, caress his forehead, his cheek, you tell him tales of Ryloth and your own planet, anything you could think about. After the Chimaera left you both at a military hospital you observed these habits religiously. Thrawn wanted first to put Vez in a civil hospital but you refused and fought him on that until he surrendered. You wanted to be here when your friend woke up. 

“I'm making progress with the legs, I thought they would be heavier but once they have been connected to your nervous system they are so light.“

Your hand reaches for the metallic apparatus they jabbed in your spine to control the legs and grazes it lightly.

“We don't stop medical progress,” you say almost to yourself.

You hear his bed neighbor cough, you tilt your head to see if they need help. 

“By the way, yesterday your mom tried to see you. She can't because it's a military hospital but your family is worried about you. I could discuss a bit with her, you're so alike it is fascinating, you caress his cheek, you take his hand and squeeze it. Don't worry, I'll ask Thrawn to put pressure on the direction so she could see you.” 

“A Grand Admiral influence is not supposed to be used as such,” a voice rises behind you. 

You jump in your wheelchair before turning your head to Thrawn, hands clasped behind his back with an interrogative gaze. 

“You scared me,” you chastise him. “How did you know I was here ?” 

“I knew you would not be present at your own meeting with the officers, you were not in the gymnase, it was the only logical option.” 

You nod. Of course. He comes to sit next to you and observe the body of Vez in silence. 

“He did not wake up?” He asks with a soft voice. 

“Not yet,” you shake your head. “The doctors aren't optimistic.“

He nods in silence. 

”Why are you here ?” You inquire. 

He turns towards you with a puzzled look. 

“To give you what you asked me,” he responds like it was obvious. 

You can see the bag he's transporting

“Yes of course, but what are you doing here, on Coruscant ?” 

“I have a martial court about how I supposedly almost destroyed a city to retrieve you.” 

You flush. 

“Didn't you ?” You tease. 

“Absolutely not, each parameter was studied to do the least damage possible, but it was impossible not to deal some damage to the buildings nearby. The arrest of a large slave abductors demanded some sacrifices.” 

He sounds almost angry, but you know better. You hide your smile, it is pretty funny to see Thrawn flounder in politics, it has an innocent and moving side to it. Without thinking about it you take his hand and kiss it. He looks you in the eyes with an unreadable expression. You immediately regret it, maybe he doesn't like physical demonstration of affection in public… 

“Let me escort you to your room,” he says. 

He rises and goes to push your wheelchair, once again you refuse. 

“No, no, no. I can do it. Let me do it.” 

You head towards the room, side by side, he gently adjusts his pace to yours. You advance in silence in the corridors. 

You really hope you didn't cross a line with him… 

You enter, he goes straight to open the window while you maneuver to go to bed. He closes and locks the door and sits on the bed. You look at him with sorry spelled in your eyes. He grasps your hand and caresses it with his thumbs. 

“ I heard you will soon be interrogated by the ISB agents.”

“In three days,” you sigh,” it promises to be hilarious.”

“It is for the good of the Empire.”

“Sure…”

You gulp, in reality you try as much as you can to not think about what happened or you feel yourself overflowed by hate, anger and sorrow. 

It’s eating you alive, terrifying you. You may or may have not exaggerated certain symptoms to get a higher dosage of the drugs to get high and forget. You don’t brag about it to Thrawn, obviously.

“ The date of the trial have been chosen,” he continues

You dig your nails in the sheet.

“Okay…”

Thrawn already explained to you how Nather was surprised by the flash operation, how him and his goons fighted in each rooms, how much lives he took, how he almost made the entire structure collapse on itself with everyone under it when he realized he was trapped but was swiftly disarmed by a precise shot of one of the Stormtroopers. Now he remains silent, surrounded by his army of lawyers in the prisons of the Empire, he refuses to give any intel or names to the ISB agents, hiding behind his pride and his fan. As a prominent Governor he doesn't get the rough treatment, but they are not nice to him either, he holds on surprisingly well. 

You’re not ecstatic at the idea of seeing him again, even in the perspective of his own trial. You’re happy justice will be served, but you don’t know how you’ll react in his present. Will you burst into tears or try to kill him on the spot? Maybe you will go into a deafening torpor and dissociate completely from your body. You don’t know… for now the simple idea of seeing him again makes you sick. 

Thrawn puts your hand to his lips and kisses it delicately. 

“I know it is painful and uncomfortable, but it must be done, he tries to comfort you, be strong.”

You gulp.

“ … Will you be with me?”

“ I have to give my own testimony, so yes. I will be at your side.”

You feel relieved to hear that, knowing that you won’t be alone in this trial alleviate the pain and ease the knot in your stomach.

Thrawn reaches for the bag, changing the difficult subject

“I brought you what you asked for.”

You take it to verify what it holds. You found your purse, the key to your apartment, some holos, your personal datapad… You thank him with a heartfelt smile. He nods with a serious face. 

“There is also an important matter I wish to discuss with you,” he says with the most stern face. 

“Okay ?” 

You brace yourself, he looks a bit tense and that scares you. What could possibly put him in this state ? Are you both suspected in the affair? Did you do something wrong? Outside of getting yourself imprisoned like a damn rookie. Is he gonna criticize your tactical decisions on that day? Is he entangled in problems after helping you out? Did they criticize him for engaging in armed conflicts while on supposed vacation. Come to think of it, he surely didn't take any vacations and planned this from the beginning. 

You look at him ready for any slap across the face, but he manages to surprise you. 

“(Y/n), would you live with me?” 

The air is punched out of your lungs and you can't think straight during three seconds 

“ Would I… What ?” 

By reflex you retract your hand from his and pull the sheet over yourself. 

“Would you live with me?” 

“Yes, I heard the first-I mean… Urgh... Why ?” 

He holds his chin like he is gathering arguments. 

“I do not think you will be able to keep the apartment Governor Satlove is paying for you.” 

You tried to push that thought away so many times, but he's right, unfortunately. 

“And I am already living in the apartment you rent me, I think we should try.”

Well, you didn’t see him as that keen but it looks like you were wrong. And you can’t help a snarky remark.

“ Isn’t it just an adroit ploy to stop paying me your rent?” You grin.

“ No, I am serious, I think we can both benefit from that idea.”

“ I know. It’s a joke. I was joking.”

He looks like he’s computing the info. 

You munch on your lower lip, feeling like a little girl. You giggle, squirming on the bed like a child. 

You never lived with one of your… partners? 

“It seemed to me like a good solution, but I understand you would not appreciate the idea,” he tempers.

“No, no, no! It’s a good idea! It’s just… It’s so sudden.”

“ I figured that is what people like us tend to do.”

“ And what “people like us” are?” You ask.

He seems to think about it.

“Ch'an'ecivon'ot.”

“I have no idea what that means.” You smile wryly

“In basic you would say…” He caresses your hand with the tip of his fingers “Soulmates.”

You freeze again, processing the info.

“That is what we are then?” you ask breathlessly. “Isn’t it a tad dramatic?”

“You think?” He smiles lightly “I thought about us and I liked how that sounded.”

He seems to notice your reluctance.

“I shocked you.”

“No? No, no,no” You try and temper “It’s just that you're coming out really strong and serious and…”

“Yes, I am serious. I am serious about our relationship. Are you not?”

“I… Didn’t have time to properly think about it.” You admit.

He gauges you up and down.

“Do you love me?” he asks bluntly.

You're so taken aback, being cornered like that. Your mouth and throat are dry, you open your lips to speak but nothing comes out.

You love him.

You do, oh yes you do.

But you never worded it, and even less spoke it out loud.

He seems to relax and smile sadly at your discomfited expression.

“Pardon me. It is wrong of me to ask you without telling you first. I should not have put you in a corner like that.” He gently holds your face and kiss your forehead, “Do not fret, cha’cah.”

You slowly relax under his touch.

“Alright, I must go now. I wish you a rapid recovery… “

He seems to hesitate. 

“And come back to me quickly,” he said it so low you almost didn’t hear it.

But you did hear it.

He kisses your forehead and leaves the room.

You look in your purse if he didn’t put your comlink in, but find something else. With a raised eyebrow you take out the envelope simply signed with “Eli”. You completely forgot about that. You never took the time to read the last letter your friend left for you.  You open it carefully, taking ou the folded sheet of paper.

“ (Y/n), I hope this letter finds you better than when I left. I must leave to help Thrawn, but I trust we will see each other again, if you stay by his side it is bound to happen, I am sure. Do not leave his side, it is the most secure place in all the galaxy, and I have reason to think you are not safe. I had the occasion to speak with Governor Satlove alone, and this man sent shivers down my spine, I see nothing behind his eyes but a black void. I do not trust this man (Y/n) and so should you, something is not right with him. He made some inappropriate advances and tried to convert me to his church without my interest. I pushed him back but he insisted. There is something about him downright animalistic and uncivilized despite the dignity he drapes himself in. I had the occasion to speak about it with Thrawn and he agreed with me. Do not refuse the help of a friend, and accept my warning. I picked upon your disdain towards me recently, and even though I don’t know why I want you safe. If I ever did something to anger you, know that I am truly sorry. I wish I could tell you face to face, but I have to go. 

Farewell my friend, I hope to see you under better auspices.

Eli.”

This time tears roll down freely, your body is shaken by sobs, your hands holding the letter tremble erratically. 

“Eli… Oh Eli…” You cry.

How could you? How could you doubt him? Your own friend. But maybe you don’t deserve to call him friend after how you treated him. You hold the letter against your heart. He never deceived you, it’s all Nather’s fault, isolating you more and more, until you had no friend remaining. But he couldn’t get rid of Thrawn and Eli completely. And he won’t be able anymore…

“Hey, girl! How are you feeling?”

You raise your head in surprise, an overjoyed Karyn is here but her expression changes immediately when she sees you crying. She immediately sits on the bed and takes your hand.

“What’s happening (Y/n)?”

“Eli… Eli…“ You can’t formulate a proper sentence.

She takes you in her arms and cradles you.

”We will find him. I promise,” she assures.

She doesn't know the truth, and it is not your place to reveal it. So you just hug her back, squeezing her in your arm, appreciating the warmth of a friend.

@bluechiss @justanothersadperson93 @al-astakbar @thrawnspetgoose @readinglistfics @twilekchiss @pencil-urchin @ineedazeezee @mssbridgerton @dance-like-russia-isnt-watching @Cortisolcosplay

[miloscat]

[Review] The Legend of Korra: A New Era Begins (3DS)

A cromulent companion game.

Platinum's console/PC Korra game was accompanied by a 3DS release. Well I say accompanied; unlike that game, Activision only bothered to release this one in North America. Now I finally have a chance to play it thanks to custom firmware! I know developer Webfoot Technologies best for their Legacy of Goku GBA games, and now here they are with another handheld game based on an animated licence. But how does this tactics RPG stack up against its action sibling?

Despite the new subtitle, this game is built on the same story as the console game. Creepy old guy blocks Korra's bending, the alliance of Triads/Equalists/dark spirits, returning to the Spirit World via the South Pole. But this version has some additional details, like the inclusion of Amon's lieutenant as a miniboss, Korra seeking the advice of spirits in Republic City's spirit wilds only for them to turn dark and attack, or visiting Wan Shi Tong's library for help relearning spiritbending (complete with a boss fight against the big owl himself!) I also enjoyed entering the cosmic universal energy dimension for little puzzle challenges when Korra was regaining her bending powers. In addition to these additions, a big change in how things play out is the extended cast joining her on the adventure, an upside to the shift in genre.

From the start, Bolin and Mako are with Korra, then Tenzin and Kya join in, and finally Lin making for a team of six bending powerhouses. Bumi and, sadly, Asami are still conspicuously absent. But the extra tag-alongs make for actual conversation and more convincing bridging exposition in cutscenes, more appropriate elemental tutelage as Korra relearns her bending styles, and some choice quips. For example, we learn that Bolin named his fists Juji and Roh-tan after Nuktuk's animal sidekicks, and that he has become genre-savvy as a result of his mover career: "when there is fog, something bad happens."

There are understandable presentational drawbacks that offset this. Gone are the full animated sequences, replaced by brief motion comic-style cutscenes. There’s no voice acting either, which is fair enough. And gameplay just cannot look as flashy when you’re just moving sprites around a grid.

To be fair, the sprites look very good. And you get an adorable graphic of Korra riding Oogi on the menu screen. When it comes time to make an attack, the game cuts to a short (and skippable) 3D sequence showing the results, complete with decent little models doing mocapped martial arts moves. The spirits and the main antagonist Hundun can look a bit goofy in these but the mecha tanks are pretty cool if low-detail. The latter in particular have hilariously tiny sprites on the battle map, a stark contrast to their humongous chungus depiction in Platinum’s game.

The tactical gameplay is competent for the most part with decent map designs. The controls and interface can be a bit clunky but they get the job done. There’s a shield mechanic that’s a neat twist, as well as an elemental weakness system that lets you bypass the shields. I liked how each character had their own niche: Mako has many ranged attacks, Lin and Bolin get area effects, Kya can heal, and Tenzin can replenish mana energy points which I had him doing almost every turn once he learned it.

Any attack or even healing and support moves get you experience points which is nice, and every other level-up you get to choose between two skills. These can be new moves or passive bonuses but choose carefully because you can’t change them later! I found myself with a Korra who only knew waterbending for the vast majority of proceedings, and you only get one shot at each other element. Everybody was max level (15) a few stages before the end, but if you’re having trouble with a battle there’s a training stage you can do freely for some extra XP and money (used for buying healing items). You can’t replay completed levels though, even though you get graded on side objectives.

I was pleased by this little tie-in. I’m not a huge expert on tactics RPGs but this one seems good for intermediate gamers like me, not too punishing. There’s some amount of crunchy depth to the elemental system and using each character effectively. And as a Korra fan it’s nice seeing the characters and world rendered in a different style, especially those cute sprites. Not to mention the slight expansions to the storyline. If you’ve got a 3DS, there’s no reason not to head to your local flea market hShop to pick this up!

[userse31]

TwoKinds' Has Too Many Characters

No seriously, it's getting ridiculous!

Somewhat recently I've read TwoKinds. Entirely. As in, <i>the whole thing.</i> Catching up to it's current state in ~2 days. Probably could've crushed it down to a couple hours if I did NOTHING else but read the comic. Didn't do that though, because that would be a miserable experience. (Looking at my phone screen for so long, and the ADHD itching to swap to something else.)

Anyway, it's good! To broadly summarize so far:

Trace Legacy, former "Grand Templar", pulls a western version of Joseph Stalin, seizing power and committing VARIOUS warcrimes. But then the mask god thing "rm -rf /" his brain, completely removing all of his memories. As a result, Trace undergoes character development, becoming a better person. He also relearns his past, and goes about correcting it.

I'm suddenly remembering those "25 Word Summaries" I had to do back in school. Essentially you read some <i>text</i> and then you <i>write a summery.</i> Simple, right? Well, no. Our teachers where ADAMANT with that word limit. Exactly 25 words. <b>EXACTLY.</b> No more, no less, not even a single FUCKING character more or less. There was also weird rules regarding specific contractions "not counting", so you spent 70% of class trying to make the damn summery satisfy the requirements.

There's also the literary analysis based problem where 25 words is <i>just an awkward size for a summary.</i> It has both too much and too little data entropy. Too small to allow any real detail (Trace gets his memory wiped, meets Flora and Keith, mechanisms of dark magic, racial tensions between Humans/Keidrian/Basitins, Kieth banishment thing, ...), but too big to allow a broad general summery (Trace gets his memory wiped, becomes a better person, and confronts his past.)

<a href="https://libguides.greenriver.edu/ld.php?content_id=42876346">Found it!</a> Could of sworn we had to nail EXACTLY 25 words! But I recognize that sheet as being nearly IDENTICAL to the ones I got at school (except for the lack of a grid), but it says right there: "Write a 25-word summary of the short story. (YES - only 25 words or less!)". Also allowing summaries less then 25 words makes the assignment MUCH more reasonable!

Uh.... What was I talking about? Oh yeah! TwoKinds!

My critique stems from the contradiction between how <i>Tom</i> does writing vs how <i>I</i> do writing. Tom's writing is <i>Character driven</i> but my writing is <i>"Systems" driven.</i> World building, essentially.

For fuck sake, I'll spend hours on end walking around brainstorming how the Rats of NIMH would prefer sliding doors over hinged ones because rats are quadrupeds and have evolved to "nudge with their head" as opposed to primates, being bipedal, evolved to "Push, grab, and/or pull with their hands". I'll also spend hours going over <i>Exclusive Economic Zones</i> and fishing rights. (Salmon is a big business!)

I like covering foundational stuff, it's both fun and my strength when it comes to writing. In comparison whenever I do character based writing and go back to review it just feels.... Odd.

Tom is pretty damn good at character based writing. The characters in TwoKinds <i>actually read like people!</i> Heavy emphasis is put on stuff like relationships (both platonic and romantic), how one character reacts to another character doing "a thing", characters judge other characters and try to predict/judge what the other thinks. Characters also grow and change.

This is good! But Tom..... Can't seem to help himself from keeping characters around.

There's this bit very early on where Trace, Flora, and Kieth all get intercepted by a duo of assassins (Zen and Natani). The assassins get pushed back but Natani tags along because he was seriously wounded and... Honor codes? I don't know. I like Natani, but honestly? He really didn't need to tag along.

As Trace and friends leave the Basitian island Kieth's state appointed assistant and Madeline just.... <i>Sneak onto Eric's ship!</i> This feels like a bit of an on-the-fly retcon. Kieth, being the ambassador to the Basitian state, makes sense from a story aspect: Contrast the strict Basitian cultural norms with Kieth's loosened values. But Tom might of inserted this after the ship left dock so he made him sneak onto the ship off page.

I don't think I need to explain why "stowawaying" your foreign public officials is a really REALLY bad idea.

And then there's Madeline. Comic relief character who also sneaks onboard off page. She works well as a comic relief! <i>Until she gets a more serious backstory later.</i> Just.... WHY!?

How about Red and friends? Honest to god I thought Trace's old friends where one time side characters.

Fun fact: No.

Instead, Red and friends become the <i>B Plot.</i> Sythe inadvertently pisses his superior officers off and <i>WHOOPS NOW HE HAS TO JOIN TEAM RED AND TAG ALONG!</i> Yet another permanent side character my dumbass autistic brain has to keep track of!

Then Zen is tasked with assassinating "Team Red" for reasons I now forget. But <i>WHOOPSIES!</i> We can't let anyone die and the mental link with Natani so now Zen tags alongside Team Red.

And then Clovis shows up. He turns into a dragon, unlinks Zen and Natani, and then get's his ass kicked. I am aware of the <i>lore</i> behind Clovis, but his inclusion is somewhat oddball from perspective of the main story.

As of the 19th of December 2024 there's this giant ass main cast consisting of everyone from Eric's old slaves (including his sex slave), Rose's magic ghost thing, to the entirety of Team Red.

----

But why am I complaining? Well, I feel like Tom could've focused more on world building.

As part of the current Canis-Sapian war the humans and tigers team up. The Grand Templar emancipates their tiger slaves and the tigers agree to not go to war against the humans (or maybe they ally with the humans).

This.... Doesn't make any real sense. Why would the tigers (who are Keidran) ally with the humans (who oppress them)? Why would the Grand Templar emancipate some of their slaves?

The way I read it, the Templar arose out of the contradiction between humans enslaving Keidrans, they are somewhat an arm of the state, an "A Special Body of Armed Men". (If you can't tell, I'm pulling a Marxism Leninism on TwoKinds.)

The Templar's economic underpinnings are the ruling, oppressing, human slave owning class, and we see evidence of this in the comic! It's members are hostile to Keidran, some of them own slaves, and ultra reactionaries like old Trace might be disliked but are <i>tolerated</i> and even allowed to wield power if it serves the interests of the ruling class.

For the Templar to make such limited reform there must be a damn good reason for it. Unfortunately the comic doesn't explore this, which is really unfortunate, it would make an excellent plot line!

Perhaps revolting slaves pressured the state to emancipate some of them to calm the situation down. In response the slave owning class enact a "Capital Strike". The masters refuse to release the slaves, the surplus created by the slaves is withheld from the markets, causing economic shock via artificial scarcity. This whole mess leaks over to the "Tiger Territory" and the Tiger Keidran threaten military intervention as a result.

It's a missed opportunity to flesh out the world more.

[nightzskii]

I'm not deleting every post uugh

★ EDIT: Finally making a new pinned post ❜

SHORT INTRO; Hello! I'm panda/nightskii who alsp goes by maxwell (max for short.) My age will always be in my bio but my birthday is April 6th. I go by he/him and also they/it but I really don't mind just he/him!!! This blog is centered around art or just me reblogging important or self indulging posts! Yoyo ^_^

LONG INTRO UNDER CUT!

AN INTRODUCTION — @nightzskii

Hello, and welcome to my blog!! ^_^ I'm nightzskii [otherwise known as max/maxwell or panda].

— I use other names like Rock, Nini, Len, Craig, and many others that I'll say you can use! I'm a name hoarder, I love names.

☆; My activity on tumblr isn't much, I don't post and when I do it's not really for this blog.. I gotta get used to posting again..??! I might make a blog for all my ocs and characters and their reference sheets. I'll try to respond to mutuals/friends when I can faster than I would with strangers, but sometimes my ability to do such a thing is nonexistent. It's not on any of you!

☆; I'm Black and Puerto Rican! This is what I know because my mom told me. I CANNOT SPEAK OR UNDERSTAND SPANISH!!!?? I can say a few words [only like. two.] and understand SOME phrases, but I lost my ability to understand Spanish since I'm always around people who speak ENGLISH. I do want to relearn however, but I also want to learn Japanese!

☆; I do have disorders that effect(affect??!?) my daily life and how I perceive and understand things. I struggle with some social clues, but I'm not going to force anyone to use tone-tags, I'll just guess and respond!

☆; YOU MAY BE WONDERING WHY PAST POSTS HAVE SYSTEM STUFF IN IT!!! It's because I AM a systsm. I don't use this blog for system stuff anymore however, and I'll be @'ing most blogs I have that's NOT private! Including my altermate's blogs. I am the main host and have been here for the longest!

☆; YOU CAN USE THEY/IT OR ANY OTHER PRONOUNS BESIDE [SHE/HER] ON ME!! I may be seen using he/him for myself, but I'm not that picky on pronouns. I'm agender, and I do NOT care what term is being used for me, including feminine ones! You can call me any word with fems in mind. I don't care.

☆; Any carrds, rentrys, etc I have will be linked/put inna masterlist that I gotta fix. Thank you for your time on this part! edit; hi we have strawpage now

i also have mt personal strawpage here

MY BOUNDARIES — @nightzskii

★; DNI [CHECK STRAWPAGE FOR UPDATED DNI] [pro] Zoos/[No]Maps, Anti Mogai/lgbtqa+phobic, Racist/Colorist, Sexist/Misogynistic, Ableist/Discrimatory, Kink/Nsfw blogs, * Violent Syscourse/[Pro] endos/non traumagenic, [Pro] Ddlg+varients, HARMFUL TransID/Radqueers + anything in that corner, Pro harassment/Pro Misinformation, Villainization + Romanticizing Disorders, Violently religious, GENUINELY WEIRD stans & Fans, Anti age/pet regression. PLEASE DO NOT INTERACT.

* VIOLENT syscourse/[pro] endos/non traumagenic ((Let's not harass or be rude to each other. help.))

★; If you make jokes you can't make [examples being making a joke about being; a black slave when you're white, r//ped (a) when you weren't, m//lest//d (o, e) when you weren't, anything historical when it's not YOUR history] then please DON'T INTERACT EITHER! I can appreciate a "dark joke" when it's something you can actually joke about.

★; If you use AI to steal/generate/etc peoples actual hard working designs, then don't interact. Stay in your cage

★; IF YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE WITH ME OR FEEL UPSET ABOUT WHATEVER I DID/DO/HAVE DONE/ETC, TELL ME! I don't mind talking about it and I'd rather to not strain any friendships if its something that can be talked about!

FINAL NOTES — @nightzskii

☆; I do have old blogs STILL flying about that was WAY BEFORE I FOUND OUT I WAS A SYSTEM! Some of those blogs were made by myself before i "molded" [fused, but I don't know I should use that word???] with the old OLD host at the time who ALSO ran those blogs. OUR VIEWS FROM IT HAVE CHANGED BY NOW! If you find it and link it back to us, feel free to @ the blogs its so funny looking back.

☆; I will NOT talk much about being a system with other disorders on this blog. that's for a different one!!

— BLOGS I'VE MADE! ❜

@dazyskiie-luv [writing] & @nightzskiiauz [my aus/stories]

@bluestoneau & @horrorrversee [au]

@stars4-max & @hoardzskii [personal]

@twisteddescendants & @kufflesdiamond & @huntersscythe [twst]

@kauikia [dandys world]

@moon-loves-genders [have to fix it!!] & @wat-da-hell-iz [inactive currently] & @dabackroms [inactive currently]

@vampbitesfr & @howlin4uu [monster rp accounts, inactive currently! refixing.]

— SYSTEM BLOGS! ❜

@snowdinne [MAIN SYS SIDE BLOG.]

@haruutalks & @cinooscatcafe

@ventifool & @scarafool

@ecplises-mailman & @devildomduzt (all blogs for now!)

[memento-morianon]

Welcome to my side blog, I intend to post details about my ocs and the story I'm writing here. This includes sketchbook art! I'm going to use a custom tag system to keep things organized, which I will explain under the cut.

here's a masterpost of currently posted excerpts

Summary of the project: Memento Mori is a fantasy trilogy about Morianon and his wife Evarin. He is a Quetzalin, a humanoid people species with many bird like features including large wings and a tail. Evarin is a gnome, a very small mountain dwelling cousin of orcs. She is also trans.

Morianon enjoys dancing, loves his adoptive family, and he has made a career in archaeology. Though he was born in a tropical rainforest, childhood tragedies lead to his adoption by a mostly-elf family far north of his birth country. The childhood tragedies also gave him DID. By the start of the story, he is 30 years old and five years married, planning for parenthood. But his life is not so simple as that, because there are lingering questions and concerns he needs to find answers for. Things he would rather not think about, and which he keeps secret even from his wife. He knows Death very personally, and it just can't seem to leave him alone.

Evarin is also 30 years old. She loves her husband very much. He's trying to act normal, but she knows there is something he won't tell her. Something that seems to be eating him alive, even as he puts on a brave face about it. Outside of that, Evarin is still dealing with so many other things. Smaller things, sure, but they do weigh on her. She assists her mother, a local doctor. She is relearning her father's art of weaving, which she loved as a child but left by the wayside as a teenager struggling with her gender identity. A struggle she finds herself coming back to now and again, much to her frustration. Between her ongoing gender questions, her responsibilities within her family and community, and her concerns for her husband, Evarin is struggling more than she lets on.

#mm world details - worldbuilding information

#mm characters - posts about the characters

#mm plot stuff - more details about the main story

#mm excerpts - for my draft writing

#mm1 #mm2 #mm3 - indicates which part of my planned trilogy I'm talking about

#outside mm - for any of my side story posts

#outside excerpts - specifically for side story draft writing

#artbook things - art tag

#sketchbook - for sketches

#nudity - for nude art

#courting season - for any art or writing that gets sexy (will be under a cut)

I will also have tips turned on! Hopefully someday I will be able to publish my work, so any money I get will help me towards that goal because publishing costs money no matter what route I take with it.

[infinitethoughtsbbyy]

9AM is the Gurlllll, the early morning traffic that takes over the sound of New York City residents starting their day, keys jinggling, construction work down the block, the chit chatter between one another, catching up on the night before, or their odd sex dreams with their coworkers. People taking their first hit of their ciggerates, blunts or even taking their first sip of coffee as they walk their NYC feet to work or to run errands.

My day today is defined as that; "running errands". As a child? that phrase was disappointing to hear from a parent, especially when you just want to catch up on your favorite show or play nintendo, cuddled up at home. or maybe it was exciting because you got to tag along. As a teenager? that phrase sounds like excuses, a reason to leave the house when you really wanted to stay, or to spend quality time with your parents because you're "always outside with friends", retrospectively you may also have to use that term as you start paying bills, or when payment is due for your first credit card month. As a full grown adult ? I've come to realize errands are just tasks that lead us directly to where you vision yourself. 9AM mornings helps so much though, and let me tell you why!

Now imagine yourself waking up at 1-3pm as you usually do, everyone is getting out of work, going straight home sometimes in distress, people in service positions are transitioning from morning shifts to night shifts. 5PM rush hour? Trust me, you do not want to be caught up in the middle of that. And let's say by the time you're done scrolling through your Social Medias,or reading this article (within that time frame) it will already be 4-5PM, where the evening just begun. Now this schedule works FAB for anyone who has an artistic background. But if you are on a Corporate, LawMaking, Saving Lives journey? Then my friend I sincerely apologize but yes your only options are 9-5 jobs, and yes, you will be that person who goes to sleep early and misses out on "All The Fun". Having to catch up on what's tea, discreetly during work hours. Honestly though, Rather that then a world full of confusion and misalignments.

Misalignment? You might be asking yourself what do i mean by that?! Well, news flash, this journey called LIFE? That we are all collectively experiencing? Is a script. Like an actual movie script and I genuinely wish i was kidding, this description can seem far reached or unrealistic for many, but we were all introduced a system as we were growing up! In which I like to call it the govt script. Now erase everything you know? And relearn what is in front of you NOW. The entire planet has resources to pretty much provide anything you set your mind too. The people, the culture, the travels, equipment and support, is all that you need, and it's waiting for you right outside your door. So write your script, do not let distractions and negative attachments get in the way of your end goal! That's why when I get back home early from stepping out at 9AM to run my errands, I take a quick shower, settle, and around 1-3PM! everything would be checked off my list! Making me feel light like a feather, floating round the sky, falling with nowhere to land. Consequently, accomplishing all the daily goals I need to fulfill to place myself a step forward towards the end of my script. And that is my friend, why 9AM is DAAA GURLLL!

Evidence: https://www.summahealth.org/flourish/entries/2023/09/4-benefits-to-waking-early-and-how-to-make-the-transition

https://www.summahealth.org/flourish/entries/2023/09/4-benefits-to-waking-early-and-how-to-make-the-transition

[thesuperestofkats]

I don't use this blog to actually blog much, it's mostly for reblogging memes and cool stuff, but I don't have anywhere else to put this and here seems good enough 😅

There's a vyvanse shortage in Australia. Estimated restocking in April. I've been on vyvanse for a bit over a year, I think?

Being medicated for ADHD changed my life. Changed it slowly, but quickly, and I didn't realise how effective and helpful it was until I've run out of vyvanse and had to start relearning how to live. Sounds super dramatic but it's genuine.

Everything is so much harder. Decision fatigue sets in so quickly! There's half finished tasks all over my house. I'm using all the strategies and tricks I've learned both pre and post diagnosis just to get basic things done.

It's wild to me how much of a difference people make - I knew calling someone for a chat or visiting people or having a virtual or physically present body double helped me, but it's such a stark difference alone now.

The unhealthy/slightly destructive coping strategies are back, too, though. Drinking so much coke (coca cola haha the caffeine and sugar gives me a tiny boost) again... And my finances are an absolute shambles. The credit card is both a lifesaver and an awful enabler.

I'll be okay, I know, but it's going to be an interesting and difficult few months. Part of it's definitely the comedown and adjustment, so I'll give it another couple of weeks and see if it's doable. If not I suppose I add more debt and go see my psych 😅

It was so frustrating hearing my GP, who's been awesome about everything else, tell me that I'll be fine, that I can push through, that there's nothing anyone can do and that I'll just have to go without and work a bit harder for a few months. That it's not a big deal, a bit of extra hard work isn't going to kill me.

It won't kill me, I have supports and systems and tricks in place, but it's pretty shit that the system is like this. I know there's so many people who have it much worse, and so many chronic illnesses or disabilities or conditions who could've told me the system was this fucked, but it doesn't change that it's fucked and I'm feeling pretty fucked 😅

This is mostly for my own journalling purposes, if there are people who see this then thanks for coming to my TED talk 🤣 but I'll tag anything else with Kat's journal and you can block it - might end up happening a bit over the next few months, to let off some of this steam.

[melmac78]

I can’t say much… I have it in my first TAG story the Hood thinking he was a spy and saying so.

(Come to think of it… he really doesn’t figure it out since I think he tells the one to go after another Tracy… and KO’s John, and still says he’s a spy. Funnier with the fireplace to boot).

Helped John isn’t as easy to ID as a Tracy having the ginger hair dominate gene.

•••••••

I’ve enjoyed the RP, though I’m having to relearn how to follow the flow system.

If you wanted to mind control any Tracy it WOULD be John because he's got so much power up on Thunderbird Five. It's probably lucky The Hood doesn't recognise him when they actually meet! Thunderbird Five does seem pretty vulnerable up there!

In The Man from TB5? I think Brains' suit makes him unrecognisable because of the photo filter thing, but honestly it's much funnier to think that The Hood just has NO IDEA who John is because he lives on a space station the whole time.

What do you mean Jeff had fives sons, I've only ever met four???

Actually, other than that ep, until they rescue Jeff, do John and The Hood ever even talk to each other directly??? Maybe he genuinely doesn't recognise him XDDD

Who hit me with a space elevator???? Where did that come from??? What do you mean they have a space station???

And yeah, if you're going to drop in to kidnap any Tracy, John probably is the easiest target. Knock knock let me in ur airlock or I'm gonna blow you up, vibes. You know, I think I've got a TOS comic where that happens?? also see 2004 movie re: the vulnerability of TB5 XDD

Though you could probably lure Scott into a kidnapping fairly easily. Oh no! A apple pie child is in danger, uh, over there! Quick Scott!

*YOINK*

[occasionally-pale-king]

If I pour grease on mecha wyrm man will his joints get softer, this is not a question this is a hypothesis before the experiment *pours oil on pk*

[ “THIS IS JUST A MESS...” ]

Even if it does make his joints softer- which it would, if he would give a wiggle or two and actually get the grease in his joints; even if it does, he seems more concerned with the fact that you have just dumped a significant amount of grease all over his otherwise clean body.

How could you do this.

[outofangband]

Some thoughts on Maedhros, Angband injuries and mobility aids among the Noldor in their early years in Beleriand as well as a bit on background

written in part for @nelyoslegalteam

Angband World Building and Aftermath of Captivity Masterlist (includes posts on Maedhros and chronic pain)

More in the post Angband and in the iron hell tags!

Under a cut because this got a bit rambling, maybe I'll try to rewrite and organize it later, I just had so many thoughts

I do headcanon that Maedhros used mobility aids for several years after his rescue

I’ve discussed the devastating effects of such prolonged immobility especially in such a precarious position (one post here though there's way more throughout the tags) as well as the fact that Morgoth must have intervened directly or indirectly through others to ensure Maedhros’s survival

But there is still a profound effect on his posture, mobility, and muscles. His limbs and spine suffer extensive damage and he has to relearn to stand, regain posture, regain his ability to walk and engage in any physical activities.

He is likely unable to leave bed for several weeks at the very minimum, and that's absolutely taking in the possibility of elven healing practices and differences in elven healing factors (again, previous posts have gone into this so I won't too much here though please feel free to ask, the horror involved in this aspect I have so many thoughts about!)

For the first years or so he uses crutches or a walker like support which is primarily for when he’ll be standing for longer periods. The devices he uses must support his spine and aid in posture as well as simply his legs. The damage is across many systems and is complex.

Other supports might include the use of a service dog that can aid in fetching objects and other tasks to allow Maedhros more time to rest on bad pain days, added supports or accommodations for riding, and in the early days, a wheelchair of sorts that might give him mobility while he's still unable to support himself due to healing spinal injuries.

It's possible that even after he is able to walk without support, he still wears a brace or other support for his spine, limbs, lungs and muscles, likely under his clothing. This would likely be a unique design, made for him specifically though the creation of this would make more of its kind easier to design. Obviously the damage to his spine is difficult to reckon with as, as I've said, it would be deadly for a human and without major intervention not possible in real life, would lead to permanent paralysis. But we know that's not the case for Maedhros so we must do what we can!

Spinal supports and braces on his legs would at the very least ease some discomfort, deter him from standing in positions that might exacerbate damage, etc.

The Noldor do not have great experience with the need for these aids but there was a history of limb damage and even removal from survivors of the Helcaraxë and of the first battles of the Noldor in Beleriand so there had already been a few prototypes of canes, crutches, walkers and even wheelchair like devices.

The nature of their injuries is different than Maedhros’s and is in most cases much more localized but the devices still work for him. He also does aid in the development of others by offering feedback, discussing what he needs and how that differs from existing devices. I think he becomes very proactive in this, perhaps, depending on his training/background and education in Valinor, sketching out some of his own ideas or commissioning his own design. Being involved in this process gives him control and helps him deal with his not insignificant shame and internalized ableism regarding his injuries and the supports he needs. Again, being able to accept and use support after captivity is a monumental process. I've talked so much about this, it's one of my favorite things to go into but the environment of Angband is one where any weakness, any need, including the most basic ones are so cruelly weaponized, controlled and utilized against prisoners that it takes years for former prisoners of Angband to feel safe being in a position of having these needs. (I'm sorry I had to go on rambling about this again!!)

In Valinor such aids did exist as serious injuries, while rare, did occur, often resulting from deeper damage to nerves or injuries caused by venoms or non natural sources rather than clean breaks. So mobility aids did exist among the Noldor prior to Beleriand but they were relatively rare.

On that note Húrin canonically uses mobility aids after Angband. He has a cane and is repeatedly noted to have trouble walking without support. Manthor aids him at times in Brethil. It's one of a few reasons why I have my theories about him a, returning to Gondolin and b, walking from Doriath to the ocean.

[aetherdecember]

I woke up and decided to reblog everything in my favorites. You’re welcome

edit 5/28: the queue is too long. If I share thoughts in the tags, they’re scheduled for later the same day. If I reblog because I like it, it gets queued

…

Hello, feel free to call me Aether ^^ I, uh, have a lot of hobbies, but mainly enjoy writing fanfiction. My current fandoms are Star Wars, BBC Merlin, Encanto, and Sky: CotL, but I’ll reblog anything and everything that tickles my fancy. Speaking of reblogs… everything gets queued. If it didn’t, I’d never reblog anything. Plus, it has the added benefit of helping to put it in front of you again months down the road ;D

…

I guess details of my tagging system and writing will go below the cut…

Be warned, I haven’t actually thought this far ahead so it’s a bit disorganized…

Tags

Humor is Good: all the things I find funny

Quotables: worth quoting

(and that’s it, I really don’t organize around here…)

Fandoms

Star Wars

I haven’t posted anything about my wips, currently, but I have a few in the works.

BBC Merlin

Flipping the Coin: A reversal au where Merlin dies/Arthur lives and now Arthur is the one waiting centuries for Merlin to return.

Last Unicorn AU: Merlin the Magician is two things; a failure and immortal. His powers are real, and destined to do great things, but he can’t even harness them. Turning cheese into butter only causes the cheese to weep from not being eaten. Out of pity, his master, Gaius, gave him immortality so he would have time to learn how to use his powers, but it seems that will never happen. Until he meets the unicorn.

And I have other, older drafts of Merlin fics I never finished. If I find them I might share them.

Encanto

Why Tio Bruno Should Be My Papa: Little Mirabel thinks Bruno should have a kid, specifically her, so presents her parents with a list of reasons why. A collection of one shots focusing on pre-canon events. Mainly, Mirabel being adorable and forcing her tio to be a good uncle despite his attempts to withdraw from the family.

To Be Tio Again: A companion one shot collection to Why Tio Bruno Should Be My Papa focusing on post-canon events. Featuring Bruno relearning how to function in the family and Mirabel being a supportive niece.

Encanto AUs for the Soul: Like it says on the tin, this is for all of my AUs, specifically ones that tickle my soul because I need them to exist. Among this collection is: Murder, Magic, & Mugs - a modern coffee shop/detective AU; Lost Stars - a Star Wars/Encanto fusion with the characters of Encanto in the Star Wars universe (note: this is not a proper cross over as no Star Wars characters appear. Only the settings and lore are used.); Encantomorphs - a wip still but is essentially an Animorphs/Encanto fusion; A Gift of Normalcy - Mirabel’s gift is being Normal.

Misc. Fandoms

Over the years, I’ve written for various fandoms. Slowly, I’m working on transferring those works to ao3. They will all be posted under my old pseudonym, but occasionally I might talk about one here.

[juliandevoraksflatass]

Epic super sexy ace attorney au discussion time

WARNING: LOT OF THIS IS RAMBLING FROM SOMEONE WHO ISN’T A WRITER, NOR HAVE I FINISHED EVERY ROUTE, NOR IS EVERYTHING HERE FLESHED OUT SO IT MIGHT NOT EVEN MAKE SENSE LOL

(For those unaware the ace attorney series are a whole bunch of games centered around being a defense attorney defending various clients, it’s also got cool magical elements in there too lol)

Everything will be under the read more

Anyway the direction for this au is centered around the arcana cast with ace attorney elements sprinkled in (which is why I’m not gonna be tagging ace attorney lol)

The way I see it, there’s two different ways one could approach this concept, one that follows ace attorney logic more where things are a lot more modern than they are in the arcana, and then one where it’s still the normal arcana universe but there’s some canon divergence involved thanks to the ace attorney influence

Regardless of which interpretation is chosen, here’s what I think would be the general gist of the Au:

The Countess brought over trials and stuff WAY earlier than she did in canon, Lucio was okay with this since he doesn’t really give a shit and still got to keep his coliseum.

The Apprentice is no longer the owner of a magic shop, but a law firm instead that was passed down to them from their aunt who was also a lawyer. The apprentice is similar to Mia Fey where they’re from a spirit medium/magician family but chose to pursue law instead.

(I include both spirit medium and magician depending on what magic system other people lean towards, however I’m going to write the rest of this through the lense of the arcana’s regular magic system)

Anyway Asra is also a magician and serves more of a Maya Fey role where he’s more into the magic stuff but helps out anyway as co-counsel/a paralegal. He works at the law firm after being offered a job there by the Apprentice so they live together like the besties they are. Muriel thinks they’re both nerds.

Anyway yada yada shit happens and suddenly the Apprentice wakes up to find they lose their memories!!!!!!! I can’t think of any reason to change much of the pre-canon stuff so for now let’s just say the plague still happens, and the Apprentice works with Julian less as an actual doctor and more like a detective trying to research the origins and cause of the plague since they have a hunch that it’s magical in nature rather than a normal disease, but they got a bit too close to the truth so Lucio (he only cares about getting cured and doesn’t want people blaming him for what happened) or another conspirator gives them the plague and they die.

Anyway so the Apprentice loses their memories, and tbh this isn’t abnormal in the ace attorney canon either the main character loses his memories too at some point (First case of Justice For All) and that’s kinda what kickstarted this whole train of thought lmao. Anyway Asra converts the firm temporarily into the regular magic shop in order to get money while he’s helping the Apprentice recover from their amnesia. Once they’re more of themself they get back into relearning law, magic and other stuff since that’s what they’re naturally drawn to (Asra still can’t tell them too much about the past cause of the headaches) Nadia eventually visits the Apprentice because of the rumors of them having been a successful lawyer. And she figured that once they catch Julian (still accused of the Count’s murder btw) he’s gonna need one.

Basically all the routes are more centered on the investigation and mystery solving part, with the routes focusing and that character’s involvement with the case and they end up being your co-counsel during the trial. In Portia’s case she’s just as clueless as you are so you can both be clueless together as you’re solving the mystery ❤️ and in Lucio’s case uh, dead people solving cases isn’t new in ace attorney either so he’s allowed to stay. Though I guess for this au to work he’d have to lose some of his memories as well/he has reasons for playing dumb while you’re helping him solve his own murder so that it’s not as easy. He can’t exactly testify in front of a jury though so the best way to get around that is to either get his body back before the trial, or have him possess someone like how the spirit channelers in ace attorney do it (probably would have to be Asra which would be, a little funny to say the least lmao)

Anyway obviously the defendant you’re stuck helping is Julian, which is annoying cause he’s very insistent on being the culprit. Like in canon, the Apprentice is probably not successful in proving his innocence beyond a reasonable doubt so he ends up going through with his plan to talk to the hanged man. But when he comes back alive he probably calls for a re-trial because he brought back more evidence for the case. And also he’s still alive so if he’s found guilty again then uh, that’s Not Good because he doesn’t have his curse anymore. So then the stakes are Really High for the apprentice to make use of Julian’s evidence to prove him innocent. (Also Vlastomil would make a GREAT goofy judge character)

ALSO VALERIUS IS THE PROSECUTOR I FORGOT TO MENTION THAT PART LMAO, I think he’d be great at it!!!!

Anyway that’s mostly it for all I can think of, there’s lots of stuff that’s missing here but I’m small brain and can’t think of anymore so if anyone wants to add to this or suggest alternatives/changes feel free to!!!!!! I might make some art of this au 

[kaesaaurelia]

a conscientious objector

For @whumptober2021 day 4: Trust Fall (specifically "Do you trust me?" and "taken hostage") Continues on from day two, wherein our protagonist, having narrowly escaped from an exploding spaceship, and on the verge of running out of air in her escape pod, was permitted entrance to a strange ship.

CW for medical trauma; more specific, mildly spoilery detail in my tags. (The trauma is very science fictional and over-the-top as described, but the aspect of it that I find most frightening can happen to people irl, so, better safe than sorry.)

The ship was dark, and eerily quiet. Was it a derelict? Had she just been speaking to an AI the whole time? There was no gravity, but the ship didn't seem to be built for gravity, which made her anxious; she did not want to start losing her strength. Then, a lot of her musculoskeletal system had been replaced, so she wasn't really sure if that would happen. But it didn't really matter if it did; she was stuck here for a while, at least until she could convince the ship, or the person in charge, to take her back to civilization.

She was tempted to shout "Hello?" into the darkness, but also, it wasn't like she'd never seen a horror movie and it seemed like a good way to trigger a jump scare. She could see, of course; she had had her eyes replaced long ago, before she'd been deployed, but it still felt spooky.

Then she climbed around a corner and came face to face with a long maw full of horrible teeth. She kicked backwards and away, and she had the vivid, horrible sense memory of her nanites practically shouting awake! awake! awake! and coming back to consciousness unable to move, the stench of rubbing alcohol in her nose.

Something made a horrible series of cackles and clicks, and her heart was going to pound out of her chest, because no, she had gotten away from them, how could they have found her again here? But then the lights came on and the cackling glitched into a voice. "There you are! You should have said something! Haven't cleaned up in a while, haha, sorry about the mess. Are you all right?"

The toothy maw was nowhere to be seen in the slightly red-tinged light, although there was some floating junk -- used meal packets, maybe? "Yeah, no, I'm good," she said, looking around. Little suction instruments came out of the walls and cleared up the junk while she watched. She wondered if any good could possibly come of asking whether she'd seen anything real.

Excuse me, does this ship belong to the -- oh, I'm going to mispronounce the name -- it's just that these aliens kidnapped me and took half my body apart a few years ago just for fun and I think maybe they put my brain back the wrong way, so could you confirm that you're not them? Or, Sorry, rude question, but are you the AI of a derelict vessel or a real person, and if you're an AI would you mind telling me about what happened so I know you're not going to go crazy and kill me? It wasn't like she had a better option. And any no, you were hallucinating answer wouldn't help. Either her host (?) was lying and she was trapped here with it, or they were telling the truth and she was just fucking hallucinating. Which, well, it wasn't like she hadn't had enough nightmares about The Incident.

"So, uh, where are you?" she asked, making a show of looking around the corridor. Maybe then she would get an answer to her AI or not question.

"Haven't you ever heard of a PA system?" the voice said. The words were sarcastic, but the voice was strangely neutral, so it was probably artificial, even if the personality behind the words was not.

"Oh, right, of course," she said, trying to make it sound as if it was a normal thing, to forget about audio projection technology that had been around since the ancients. "Um, do you -- are you --"

"What happened to the person who told me to choke on a magnet? That person seemed way more fun than you," the voice interrupted.

"I was severely oxygen deprived, I'm sorry," she said, quickly.

"So you're saying I should lower the percentage of O2 in the shipboard atmosphere to get you to say what you really mean?" the voice suggested.

"No!" said Victoria. There was a long silence, and then she heard it: an ominous hissing noise. "Okay look I just want to know, uh, uh, are you, do you -- are you like some kind of crazy murderous AI that's lured me here to kill me, because if you wanna do that I think we can just skip to that part, I made peace with dying earlier today and it's not ideal but if it's inevitable I'm good with getting it over with."

The hissing stopped. "Pretty sure dying is inevitable generally," said the voice.

"I meant, you know, in violent, terrifying circumstances," she snapped.

"You know that hissing was just a recording, right? I'm just fucking with you. The ship's not a fucking balloon. You know that, right?"

There was an awkward silence; she had not considered that.

"Anyway," the voice continued, "I did not bring you aboard just to kill you. That seems like a waste of everyone's time, since you were going to die perfectly well outside. I was iffy about bringing you in, but here you are. Are we good?"

"Why aren't you using your real voice?" She wanted to kick herself for asking, but maybe the voice would appreciate her honesty.

After another brief pause, the voice said, "I don't have a real voice. Does this one bother you?"

So it was an AI after all. Which seemed weird, because most of the ones she'd met would never have fucked around with her in the way this one had. (When an AI fucked around with you, it was usually in ways you didn't really notice until you'd been in the tech support queue for days dealing with what had initially seemed to be an unremarkable glitch.) "No, it's -- it's nice."

"What was wrong with it? I don't have an extensive library of human voice... stuff," said the voice. "Not in this language, anyway."

Not an AI made by humans, then. "It's a little unexpressive?" she said.

"All your languages are unexpressive," it said. "Well. That's not true. I do like some of the swears."

That was also weird for an AI. Well, it was weird for an Inner Solar AI, anyway; all the ones she'd worked with in the course of her job regularly had obscenities expunged from their dictionaries. They either made do without, or worked out increasingly baroque methods of relearning them immediately. Maybe it was different elsewhere, though. Instead of admitting to her ignorance, she said, "I had a buddy who could swear in about two hundred languages. Just the swears, though, nothing else." Something else was still niggling at her, though. "Why didn't you let me on at first?" she asked.

"Look, I have not in general had good experiences with your military," said the ship. "I'll keep you alive, but if you try to commandeer me or bring me back to your territory, that is absolutely not happening. I can take you to the nearest neutral or human territory that is not Inner Sol controlled, but --"

"No, that's fine!" she said, quick to avoid looking the gift horse in the mouth. The horse had no mouth at all; she was going to ignore that mouth. And all those teeth. Except. "Um, what, uh. What happened to the crew?"

"Let me amend my earlier statement: I have not in general had good experiences with anybody's military. They have also not had good experiences with me." The ship paused, presumably for effect. "Call me a conscientious objector."

"What's that?" Victoria asked. She was already regretting this gift horse mouth-looking experience. This was a terrible horse. But her face was already near the horse's mouth, so if it was going to bite she might as well find out now how much of her nose it was going to eat, or whatever horses did. (Victoria was not entirely clear on why, idiomatically, one wasn't supposed to be looking at horse mouths; she had always been a little afraid to look it up, because what if there were pictures?)

"You really don't know? Hang on, hang on, gonna implement some uh, new linguistic data. You really don't know?" The first statement had sounded mildly curious; the second, abjectly horrified. "I mean -- the phrase is from your history, I didn't -- we call it something else, but -- seriously, you don't --"

"Sorry I didn't study a lot of history, I guess?" she said, feeling a little stung. It wasn't like she was stupid, she'd just had more important things to learn -- math and physics, mostly. Also, since she hadn't gone to school at an Inner Sol college, it was a bitch getting their approval to sign up for any classes that weren't directly applicable to what they knew they wanted her doing, especially history and literature. She was still kind of smug about having snuck in some art classes, even though she hadn't been very good at anything she'd tried. "I'm not stupid, though."

"Oh, no, sweetheart, I don't think you're stupid," said the ship, almost pityingly. "You're just brainwashed as fuck. Come on, let's get you fed and rested."